Our Story
IWIN Opportunity Center is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit created to support and facilitate cultural exchanges for Jamaicans. IWIN-OC’s main goal is to create easier pathways for marginalized people in Jamaica by removing the financial burden associated with participation in cultural and educational exchanges. In 2024-2025, IWIN-OC will facilitate virtual programs with the long-term goal of providing cost-free in-person edu-cultural exchanges between Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
DIRECTOR – PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Denise Wiley is a passionate advocate of human rights, social justice, and global politics. A native of Jamaica, she draws on her experience living and working in the British Virgin Islands, Japan, and New York, USA to promote cultural awareness through public workshops and engagements. She also has a background in journalism and has published in Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands. Denise has a master’s in International Migration Studies from the Graduate Center, CUNY, and a bachelor’s in Media and Communication from the University of the West Indies.
VICE PRESIDENT
Phillip Harris is no stranger to social justice advocacy. The army veteran, who at one time experienced homelessness, is a fearless defender of the vulnerable and differently abled and is a go-to resource for veterans’ wellness in his Brooklyn, New York community. A self-taught photographer and videographer, Phillip is highly skilled in drone media creation and video editing, and regularly volunteers time to share his skills with community organizations.
SECRETARY
Keron Hall is an accomplished higher education administrator and educator with a strong dedication to volunteerism and advocating for the underserved. With extensive experience in administration and training, she has played a key role in various educational and administrative initiatives in Jamaica and have also gained valuable insights while working in Japan. Her academic credentials include a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Training, and a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Her volunteer work reflects her passion for making a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need, championing equal opportunities, and supporting community development projects. She is motivated by a desire to empower others, promote educational equity, and make a positive contribution to society.
Intercultural Media Project
The 2024 Intercultural Media Project was a virtual workshop held on August 16th, 2024. Offered at no cost to attendees from Jamaica and Guyana, the event brought thought leaders from various countries who are using media to effect change in their communities. The workshop was developed to equip participants with foundational skills in media literacy to recognize misinformation, critically analyze news, and learn to share accurate narratives about people and issues across borders.
Presenters at IMP 2024
CHANGING THE AFRICAN NARRATIVE: Africans telling African stories.
Moky Makura was born in Nigeria, educated in England and has lived in London, Johannesburg and Lagos. She has been a TV presenter, producer, author, publisher and a successful entrepreneur in her own right. She is currently the Executive Director of Africa No Filter, a donor collaborative focused on shifting the African narrative.
THE PEOPLE WILL BE HEARD: Covering the 2024 people’s protest in Kenya.
Abdiwahid Abdikadir is an award-winning, freelance storyteller from Kenya. His work is focused on documenting humanitarian and development related projects and his photography has been showcased in exhibitions, including the Sema Youth Film Festival in 2013 and the “Stories from Our Cities” photo exhibitions in 2014 and 2015. In 2023, he organized his own exhibition themed “SMUND”.
Abdiwahid has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including “Best Slum Creativity” at the African Slum Photo Festival in 2016, “Best Sports” at the African Slum Photo Festival in 2017, “Kenya Photographer of the Year Nominee” in 2018, “Best Documentary” at the Eldoret Film Festival 4th edition in 2021, “Best SFX Film” at the Machakos Film Festival in 2021, and he was named one of the “100 Most Influential Muslims” in 2022. Additionally, his photos were exhibited at the Commonwealth Forum in Rwanda in 2022.
VOICES OF SUDAN: Photojournalism in war-torn Sudan
Guy Peterson is a British freelance photojournalist based in Dakar, Senegal covering West and Central Africa. Guy has been based in Dakar for three years with a focus on climate change, migration, humanitarian crisis and health related stories often in places where the story is critically undercovered.
CHILDREN IN LOCKUPS: Jamaican media’s complicity in the new laws that criminalize children.
Alexis Goffe is an educator, therapist and child rights activist. He has worked with children in conflict with the law and their families and in various educational and correctional settings in Jamaica and the US for over 15 years. Alexis has been a part of the anti-criminalization of children campaign in Jamaica which calls for the end of keeping children in police lockups and the repeal of laws allowing children to be kept in adult prisons and being sentenced to life.
