Just a few days ago, we caught a glimpse of the radiant Melissa Noel in an Instagram video. She was draped gracefully in a sun-lit colored yellow semi-mesh dress tastefully revealing her shoulders with touches of blue and red, which harmoniously swayed with the gentle island breeze. This captivating ensemble was perfectly suited for her stay at the exquisite Four Seasons Resort on the idyllic island of Nevis. In the video, Melissa stood before a beautifully arranged dinner table, surrounded by other elegantly dressed melanated women, creating a scene reminiscent of a regal feast fit for a queen. Her infectious smile spoke volumes of the joy she exuded in that moment.

During this time, Melissa Noel had taken on the role of a guest mentor for the esteemed “Island Girls Rock” initiative, founded by Chantal Miller, and its empowering mentorship program, “Bloom Where You’re Planted.” Witnessing Melissa passionately engage in her calling was an absolute delight. In response to our comment, expressing our admiration, she graciously replied, “Thank you so much! Starting my year off with Island Girls Rock was a dream. Such a dynamic organization, and so happy to have the opportunity to hold space, share, and mentor some talented women.”

Melissa Noel is a true force of connection. As a proud Guyanese American, her rich cultural background and deeply ingrained values have shaped her persona, cultivating a profound passion for people. Guided by a love for her Guyanese and wider Caribbean heritage, Melissa approaches every endeavor with a lens tinted by the vibrant hues of her upbringing from the flavors of the food, the rhythmic melodies of the music, to the infectious laughter sparked by the sayings and jokes. From her very first introduction to us, it is clear that her stories are vessels for the goodness she’s been able to experience throughout her life, possessing a sincere desire to impart knowledge and kindle connections. After getting to know Melissa a little more, it is even clearer that she does this because of the passion she has for our community to be seen and heard. Melissa is quite impressive, to say the least with a resume that stretches far and wide and stories to parallel. But it’s not just the stories she tells that make this true, but what these stories move her to do.

Melissa somewhat reminds us of a modern-day globetrotting Mother Teresa but a journalist, traveling all over the country educating, aiding, and cultivating connections with melanated people of all backgrounds and even those in classrooms through other groundbreaking initiatives like the journalism in-classroom program. Her unwavering dedication extends to thought-provoking projects such as the captivating “Love and a Barrel” Story series she’s done for NBC, delving into the impact of parental migration on Caribbean children’s mental health. Collaborating with esteemed academic trailblazers like Dr. Claudette Crawford Brown, the Jamaican sociologist who coined the term ‘barrel child,’ Melissa has carved a path in Caribbean ‘herstory’.

Her groundbreaking work has even reached the prestigious United Nations, where she presented her research, marking a pivotal moment as the Caribbean region was considered in migration policy discussions for the very first time. Through community engagement endeavors, Melissa reunites Caribbean families in the bustling streets of NYC, providing them with invaluable mental health and financial resources. Plus, she has created an educational film based on her Love In A Barrel Series and showed films from Martinique, Barbados, and Guyana during the Community Engagement events she did for the series (which she plans on revisiting), serving as a testament to her multifaceted approach. The profound impact of Melissa’s projects has inspired countless others to harness her knowledge in their own endeavors, with her reports even being referenced in dissertations by researchers in Canada and finding their way into the realms of movies and podcasts.

We had the incredible opportunity to cross paths with this changemaker, concerned with leaving a lasting legacy and making a meaningful impact. It was at a remarkable event last year called “Caribbean Tradishon” in New York City, where the spirit of Caribbean culture blended seamlessly with avant-garde haute cuisine. Melissa, exuding sheer fabulousness, fearlessly and joyously engaging in the conversations and festivities that night caught our attention, and we knew right then and there that we had to arrange a sit-down with her.

In the week of December 22nd, 2023, many important things were happening around us. It was just one day after the restoration of direct military dialogue between two global powers, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. and Gen. Liu Zhenli, after a perilous 16-month rupture, but more importantly, the very day of our interview. Through a Zoom teleconference call of our own, Melissa introduced herself, sporting a vibrant hot pink hoodie and showcasing her striking cheekbones. During our conversation, we delved deep into her journey as a journalist, her impact, and her remarkable story within the industry.

Melissa’s impact much like her resume spans internationally with a magnitude of stories and a multitude of genres with a focus on reporting issues impacting the black and caribbean diaspora, shedding light on the often overlooked and disregarded narratives within mainstream media. One of her recent features in Essence, “Celebrations beyond Christmas,” showcased the grandeur of masquerade in Guyana. A celebration that epitomizes the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean during the holidays. Through her work and experience, Melissa has come to realize that much like masquerade in Guyana, celebrations, such as masquerade in Saint Lucia, parang in Trinidad, and Junkanoo in the Bahamas, are not isolated events, but rather threads that weave together a cultural quilt of magnificence. It is this profound connection between cultures that fuels Melissa’s excitement to share her own heritage and explore others herself, for she understands the power of these connections, stories, and the importance of encouraging understanding. But this excitement, this understanding, unfortunately, is not held by everyone. If not for Melissa writing for Essence or creating a space that focuses on authentic black diasporic stories of integrity told by black Caribbean people like herself and her company Mel & N Media, this could have easily been misinterpreted.

“It’s important that we have the power to speak for ourselves and to lend our lens and voices to what impacts us and our people,” she says. Witnessing the lack of care and empathy with which Africa and the Caribbean are often portrayed in the industry was the catalyst for Melissa to take back this power. To others the flaws were small but to her they were huge. “I’ve seen producers not take the time to learn how to pronounce the names of places, to know the difference between Dominica and the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Guyana versus Ghana,” she says passionately in her assertive yet delicate tone.

If you think about it though, This is not a new phenomenon. Just recently, the clinic escorts of the Orlando Clinic Escorts TikTok page recorded an incident that took place where a white woman described black people as notorious for naming our kin with 25-letter names that she says people, ‘will never be able to pronounce correctly,’ shortly before being corrected. This is just one of many incidents of the lack of concern that the Western world has for anything outside of themselves. Most people don’t care enough to take the time to understand black names and culture similarly to its caribbean counterparts; to not lump every place into one category and see the diverseness of our people as well as our islands and the many African countries we’re connected to. Faced with this reality, Melissa was confronted with a choice: endlessly complain or lend her voice to these spaces and exert influence. Through this process, Melissa came to realize that without the ability to effect change, the cycle of repetition would persist. It became crucial for Melissa to occupy a position of influence to transform the coverage and narratives surrounding African and Caribbean people. This entails Melissa not only writing stories but also engaging directly with individuals within the community who are actively shaping their respective fields.

But to get to where she is today Melissa had to start somewhere. That somewhere would be Howard University, the iconic symbol of black excellence responsible for laying the solid foundation for her future accomplishments. As an undergraduate, she says she immersed herself in Caribbean studies and broadcast journalism, to gain a better understanding of her cultural heritage and hone her storytelling skills. During this time, Melissa had many shining moments showcasing her talents allowing her to be a radio show host for The Island Hopping radio show and news program as well as gaining invaluable experience through internships at esteemed news stations such as NBC and ABC affiliates in Washington, D.C. However, upon entering the world of journalism, Melissa encountered a sense of disillusionment. She struggled to find the stories she yearned to tell and saw a lack of opportunities to effect meaningful change.

Following her graduation from Howard, Melissa embarked on a new chapter of her career, working on the assignment desk at ABC News. While she acknowledged the experience as valuable, her feelings of disillusionment followed her, creating notions of misalignment between her aspirations and her role as a news associate and set producer. Questions arose from those around her, wondering what other opportunities lay ahead if not at ABC. Despite the chance to contribute to renowned shows like Good Morning America and World News, Melissa found the work unfulfilling in comparison to her desire to impact the industry. Though she dedicated countless overnight hours to her position, learning to produce for major TV shows which she says are “experiences money can’t buy,” she realized that staying within the confines of her current role would not allow her to make the difference she yearned for.

“When you go to News outlets, they want business reporters, they want tech reporters, they want foreign correspondents but the idea of a foreign correspondent or an international correspondent is typically a white man reporting a war, it’s not a young black woman reporting on the caribbean or reporting on culture, business, or climate change,” she says. This caused Melissa to ponder how she would be able to create what she wanted in a world where that hadn’t truly existed and still make it work for her. It became painstakingly clear to Melissa that the underrepresentation of the Caribbean, as well as those of people who looked like her, needed to be rectified. However, Melissa faced yet another dilemma which was one deeply ingrained in the Journalism business model. Many schools, including Howard, emphasize the idea that success in television requires starting in obscure locations and gradually working one’s way up. This belief instilled in Melissa the fear that deviating from this path would hinder her chances of achieving success, especially since it was the only trajectory she had ever known.

If Melissa was going to make a change, she would have to take the chance of leaving this vintage mode of thinking behind. Taking that next step in one’s journey requires courage in the face of fear and the unknown so it’s understandable why most of us hesitate, but Melissa fortunately took a chance despite her challenges. With an unwavering determination to make a change, she propelled herself to reshape the narrative and amplify the voices that had long been silenced. Around 2012, Melissa made the bold decision to veer away from the traditional news trajectory. After finishing her studies, she embarked on a series of job interviews, hoping to find her true calling. However, none of the opportunities felt like the right fit for her as she was merely going through the motions, adhering to what was expected of her. Instead of succumbing to these pressures of conformity, Melissa decided to take a different route. She left ABC and began working part-time as a journalism instructor for undergraduates, and started working at the very institution where she had obtained her masters.

2012 was also the year Melissa says she took that leap into freelance work. Recognizing that her true passion lay in telling stories from the Caribbean and the region, she started traveling there in the second half of 2013. Leveraging her industry connections, she pitched stories to various news outlets, highlighting the happenings and events in the vibrant Caribbean community. Although it was initially challenging, Melissa’s perseverance paid off. As she continued to immerse herself in the region, her work gained traction and recognition. Her ties to the Caribbean community in New York fostered during her time at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, further strengthened her ability to cover the stories that mattered most to her.

Melissa’s journey like most, has its obstacles, but instead of that hindering her, she used that experience and those connections to create a niche for herself. “There’s only one mainstream news outlet that has a caribbean correspondent as a job,” she says, “The Miami Harold.” Although Melissa acknowledges the incredible work they do, she saw an opportunity to contribute her unique perspective and storytelling skills to shed light on the diverse and rich world of the Caribbean.

The first 3 years of Melissa’s freelance crusade were dedicated to harmonizing the components of her craft. Unfamiliar with the labyrinthine landscape of the business side and the art of contracts, she persevered, determined to master these essential elements. And master them she did, securing a series of remarkable contracts that would shape her path even further. For an illustrious span of seven and a half years, Melissa graced both the Caribbean and the United States, lending her unparalleled talents to prestigious platforms such as NBC, NBC Black, One Caribbean Television, and the esteemed CBS Puerto Rico. Her indomitable spirit also led her to collaborate with renowned outlets like ‘Voice of New York,’ where she fearlessly championed the Caribbean community. In her unwavering pursuit, Melissa envisioned a brand and a role that transcended convention, ceaselessly advocating for their recognition and compelling others to acknowledge the value that she still fights for today.

“The idea of a foreign correspondent or an international correspondent is typically a white man reporting a war, it’s not a young black woman reporting on the caribbean or reporting on culture, business, or climate change.”

In America, a dynamic mosaic with a myriad of cultures, ethnicities, and narratives, an ironic truth prevails: if you do not fit the mold of being white, male, or hetero, society often dismisses your inherent worth and undervalues your contributions. The struggle to be seen, acknowledged, and appreciated becomes an arduous battle. However, for those of us of Caribbean descent, this battle often begins within the confines of our own homes. An experience Melissa has been no stranger to.

Melissa points out, her words transitioning between her captivating Guyanese accent and her American cadence, “They sacrifice a lot to immigrate and to be here so they want to make sure that you’re okay.” In her passionate narrative, she echoes the experiences of countless Caribbean individuals striving to pursue their dreams, where parents in our community expect us to enter certain fields to secure a sense of stability and familiarity. While Melissa acknowledges the genuine concern behind this mindset, she boldly declares, “Times have changed,” recognizing that there exist alternative models and methodologies that are embraced and supported. Melissa left this paradigm with an understanding that remaining confined within her previous roles, trapped within the matrix, would impede her growth and hinder her ability to make a profound impact on the Caribbean community — a destiny she’s been destined to fulfill.

More recently, Melissa has had the pleasure of working with Essence magazine for almost 4 years now as of this year, and two years in the editor’s role, An opportunity she says came about during the pandemic. For most of us, the pandemic took a lot. It was merciless. Some of us lost loved ones, some of us got sick, and almost all of us were home, but in the sea deprivation, Melissa was fortunate enough to gain. Essence was one of those opportunities.

Within Essence, Melissa effortlessly balances an assortment of responsibilities, from the art of crafting compelling narratives to the meticulous task of editing, all while leaving an indelible mark on both the online platform and the esteemed magazine. For Melissa, being a part of Essence is nothing short of a dream come true. She says It’s not solely the name, but the opportunity to be in a space that boasts a legacy of purposeful storytelling, intricately tailored for black women. But Melissa’s contribution to Essence extends far beyond her passion for storytelling; it is the unique outlook she possesses as a Caribbean woman that adds unparalleled depth and perspective to her work.

Connecting with black women aside, what makes Melissa the happiest in her role is being able to utilize that perspective to take a different approach to culture coverage and the opportunity to infuse her caribbean identity into the coverage she does. This has allowed Melissa to talk about and connect with black people from diverse backgrounds. She says at Essence she has a space to tell all kinds of black stories that can take place here in the States ensuring stories that matter to that part of the audience are covered all while understanding that within that audience there are black people from all walks of life.

Melissa allows people to see that black people are multi-dimensional and multi-faceted and that they don’t need to choose a side. Through her work, she amplifies the voices of diverse individuals within a single collective, reminding us that there is space for all of us. “you see people who sometimes have that versus mentality like we need to be seeing stories on this group of black people and not this one, or not too much of this,” she says, “The beauty of Essence is that there is space for all of our stories to exist at the same time in a unison and that we can talk about, celebrate, and also acknowledge that not only do these different sections and different groups of us exist, but that all of our stories have a place.”

Consequently, Melissa not only sheds light on the happenings within educational institutions, schools, and pivotal incidents affecting black people, teens, mothers, and maternal health but also delves into the richness of Caribbean culture and traditions and how they may connect us. This extends into her exploration of the dynamic collaborations between African Caribbean people, indigenous African people as well as African American people, who are currently transcending borders and forging powerful alliances. From interviewing esteemed figures like the Prime Minister of Grenada to unraveling the intricacies of student loan policies within the hallowed halls of the White House, Melissa touches on many subjects, leaving no stone unturned.

Somewhere in our conversation, Melissa had mentioned the importance of being in decision-making spheres. if you are not in certain spaces it is very difficult to make an impact. “The fact that I am in this role, people often say to me, ‘You have no idea what it means to be featured on Essence,’ yes I do!” she joyfully exclaims, right before recounting her experience as a child where she witnessed barrels with essence being sent down to her grandmothers home in Guyana. As most of us know, In our community we usually send down barrels to our families. These barrels usually contain clothes, food, shoes, and almost anything you can think of. Melissa remembers her grandmother always having the latest issues of Essence magazines propped up on the coffee table counter and always requesting them to be sent down. “I understand the magnitude of what it means to be seen and heard in a space like this so the fact that I’m in a position to help, in my small way even being able to pitch and tell stories that help people feel seen and heard feels like such a gift for me,” she says.

When we see Melissa, we see Essence, CEO, a Caribbean correspondent, white house correspondent scholar, Pulitzer Center grantee, awards, and a flourishing career she’s been blessed to culminate over the years. In fact, as of 2023 last year, the vice president’s office reached out to her and invited her to join the VP on a trip to the Caribbean to cover the advancement of the Caribbean-American partnership. This was one of many amazing opportunities added to the cannon for Melissa as she didn’t know they were watching saying, “This is eye-opening because you never know who is paying attention to be invited on Air Force 2 to travel with the VP and cover her historic first trip to the Bahamas and meet with caribbean prime ministers,” though it’s not her first rodeo interviewing political figureheads.

What Melissa has been able to experience and achieve throughout her life is more than worthy of praise and celebration but Melissa says that sometimes people forget the work that one has to put in for these things. One of the biggest things we’ve learned from her story is that a lot of time was put into showing up in these spaces, not as Melissa Noel, founder of her company Mel & N Media, or editor of Essence magazine, but as someone who cares about the stories and the work. Melissa has only been a caribbean correspondent for 10 years as of 2023 and becoming that on her own accord was no small feat.

For Melissa, to get where she is today, took showing up no matter what, whether she was in proximity to big names or lack thereof. It took tremendous time, effort, consistency, and most of all, AUTHENTICITY! because as she puts it, “people, especially caribbean people know BS a mile away.” Her gorgeous Guyanese inflection makes another appearance. All the hard work has its perks like being able to travel and experience islands like St Vincent, which she says she was able to frequent every month or two, as well as others like Barbados, Trinidad, and Guyana telling the stories she always wanted to tell all over the region. “One day I’d be covering sustainable tourism and the next day I’d be jumping in carnival with someone,” she says, but for her, it was the timing.

The importance of her journey and what she would like others to take away from it is that there were no shortcuts. She remembers being in the caribbean stand-by family working three different freelance jobs to make rent, where she had no choice but to figure it out and stay the course with only her passion keeping her going. “The big roles and the big money is not something that came overnight,” she says.

In this Era, there’s a lot of virality and hype, and oftentimes we see that people gravitate to those things that are immediate, and if not, it’s not worth it. “You have to stay the course to see the reward,” she says, describing her journey as “very challenging,” with many twists and turns. She’s been through it all, but is happy it happened this way saying that she can, “value what she has now so much more.” Eventually, along the way, she created what she wanted to see like her company Mel & N Media.

Mel & N Media is a groundbreaking platform that goes far beyond traditional storytelling. With a passion for making a lasting impact on communities, Melissa recognized the need to expand her role as a reporter and create a space where she could inform, educate, and inspire others.

She says as people began approaching her for assistance with writing and pitching, she initially hesitated, identifying solely as a journalist. However, her entrepreneurial spirit pushed her to step outside her comfort zone. Through contract negotiations, advocating for herself in the writers’ union, and mastering the business side of things, Melissa transformed her expertise into a thriving business. Mel & N Media became the go-to destination for individuals and organizations seeking guidance in crafting impactful pitches and strategies. Thus, Mel & N Media was born, offering a unique blend of authentic storytelling and strategic partnerships with brands, organizations, and entities seeking to connect with diverse audiences. ( Her clients and partners include: Grenada Tourism Authority, The United Nations, Dance Grenada Inc, Pulitzer Center On Crisis Reporting, International Center For Journalists, Microsoft, and Caribbean American Cultural Arts Foundation.)

There’s something cool about how Melissa can compile all these functions under one brand much like a Fenty Beauty product, with a variety of lippies, blushes, and foundations that you can interchange, and connect in more ways than one. Think Fentys Match sticks. (Unfortunately, they discontinued the magnets in this product to help lower their environmental impact.) Mel & N Media does the same, creating a sort of blueprint in the industry. But it is not just her company’s functionality that is interesting but the aesthetic approach in detail in regards to her branding specifically her company’s name. The name Mel & N is not just a play on Melissa’s name; it holds a deeper significance. It represents the very essence of Mel & N Media — a celebration of melanin and the diverse voices it encompasses. By choosing this name, Melissa aims to ensure that when people think of Mel & N Media, they think of the vibrant, valuable stories of our community.

At the heart of Mel & N Media lies a commitment to truth. Melissa’s unwavering dedication to telling genuine Caribbean and diaspora stories sets her apart. With a team of talent who bring their years of experience and cultural nuance to the table, Mel & N Media ensures that every narrative is approached with the utmost respect and understanding. Their track record in the industry coupled with their innate cultural competency elevates their work to new heights, bridging the coverage gap left by mainstream news outlets. But Mel & N Media is more than just a response to the call for diversity, it’s a powerful platform that consistently delivers the comprehensive and necessary coverage that marginalized communities deserve. Melissa understands that diversity is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each group is multifaceted, with countless layers waiting to be explored. Throughout her career, she has championed these diverse narratives, and now, with Mel & N Media, she has created a space where they can thrive.

“No idea that you have is too small,” says Melissa, the journalist whose passion for storytelling often led her to believe that there might not be a place for the unique narratives she now shares. “I want to remind any potential media entrepreneur that what you’re striving to accomplish holds value. If it constantly occupies your thoughts, then it is worth pursuing,” she adds confidently. Melissa emphasizes the importance of comprehending the business aspect of one’s chosen field, noting that many aspiring entrepreneurs lack training in this area, which can ultimately hinder their success. She emphasizes that media entrepreneurs, in particular, must recognize the significance of safeguarding their work. This realization prompted Melissa to trademark her business name, Mel & N Media. Not only did she want to protect her brand, but she also foresaw future opportunities where the name could be utilized. By taking proactive measures such as annual state payments, filing reports, and addressing necessary requirements upfront, entrepreneurs can avoid potential financial burdens later on. These valuable insights were just a few of the many pieces of advice Melissa generously shared with us.

Melissa’s journey with Mel & N Media has been marked by dedication and a willingness to take risks. During the challenging times of the pandemic, she candidly describes investing money she didn’t have to propel herself forward amidst the various expenses. Reflecting on her experiences, Melissa expresses immense relief that all her business assets are protected. She urges aspiring entrepreneurs to take the necessary time to establish their businesses properly, emphasizing the importance of avoiding potential future costs to fix avoidable mistakes. “Whatever it is that you aspire to do, however, it is you hoped to make an impact, know that there will be challenges but you will get there and your passion is going to be what leads you there,” she encourages.

Melissa recognizes the current landscape and stresses the significance of meaningful work and impactful communication. According to her, media and social impact are now intertwined and inseparable. This realization underscores the importance of impact in media. Melissa highlights the evolving role of journalists, who are traditionally taught to maintain objectivity. However, she acknowledges that there are instances where subjectivity becomes necessary, emphasizing the importance of speaking up and addressing certain topics.

One such topic that Melissa passionately addresses is the concept of connection, as showcased in her project, “Destination Diaspora.” This undertaking stems from her extensive work over the past 13 years and focuses on sharing stories from the Caribbean diaspora and West Africa. Through this project, Melissa aims to showcase the value of these interconnected communities, shedding light on the often unknown aspects that tend to divide us. Despite facing challenges and taking a hiatus, notably due to her work at Essence, Melissa assures us that “Destination Diaspora” is making a comeback.

“Destination Diaspora” has played a vital role in bridging the gap between our understanding of black Caribbean people and our connection to our African heritage. Its purpose is to tell the stories that reveal not only our interconnectedness but also the impact we have had on each other. Melissa firmly believes that the more we comprehend these connections, the fewer divisive conversations we will have. This project is a culmination of her years of travel and countless storytelling endeavors, bringing everything together to showcase the power of unity. Melissa is thrilled to resume work on “Destination Diaspora” this year and witness its continued evolution.

As our interview came to a close, Melissa took us on a personal journey as she recounted her first trip to Ghana, where she experienced an overwhelming sense of belonging. Emotionally, she describes feeling as if she were back home in Guyana. “it just felt like I was right there and it felt like that because literally, we know Africa is our home,” she explains. Melissa emphasizes that talking about it is one thing, but actually being there and experiencing it firsthand is truly transformative. During her time in Ghana, she observed significant global shifts taking place. Over the past five years, she has witnessed a change in narratives surrounding the African continent and how different communities collaborate. Notably, she mentions the creation of the Jamaica/Ghana Chamber of Commerce and the collaboration between investors in Ghana, Nigeria, and Guyana. Melissa is inspired by the emergence of tourism companies where black individuals from around the world work together, invest in properties, exchange knowledge on how to live in their respective countries, and engage in educational partnerships. These developments are ones she has always hoped for but had never seen materialize until now.

“To see prime ministers of the caribbean demanding reparations from families of descendants of slave owners has really stuck with me,” she says, “The fact that we are now working together across borders in a way where we are not waiting for approval from the U.S. and just letting everyone else catch up really changed me when I was in Ghana.” This experience sparked a personal transformation within Melissa, motivating her to take action and establish her cause further. She was determined to ensure that Destination Diaspora, a project aimed at connecting people of African descent globally, thrived. This determination expresses itself through Melissa’s success with Mel & N Media specifically her invaluable partnerships with her business associates in Trinidad, Barbados, and Ghana. Melissa’s unique ability to connect people and ideas has earned her the nickname “The Connector,” a title she has been called multiple times in recent months.

However, Melissa’s journey went beyond connecting others; It also involved connecting with herself. While covering a story on high school students planning on embarking on an exchange program starting with Ghana, then Togo, and then Nigeria, as part of the program, the participants took genetic tests to discover their African heritage. During one of the sessions, the instructor suggested that Melissa should also take the test, asking her, “Don’t you wanna do a test too?”

Melissa was initially intrigued by the idea of taking a genetics test, and when an African ancestry kit was sent to her house, she saw it as a great opportunity. What she found particularly appealing about this test was the ability to explore her paternal lineage through a patriclan test or her maternal lineage through a matriclan test. Since she had more knowledge about her father’s side of the family due to their larger size, she decided to start there and had her father take the test.

When the test results came back, Melissa was surprised to discover that her ancestry was traced back to Cameroon, because according to her she just knew it would be Ghana or Nigeria. Reflecting on her and her family’s skin tone, bone structure, and other characteristics, everything seemed to fall into place for Melissa. Sharing this newfound information with her cousins, aunts, and uncles was an eye-opening experience, and it ignited a sense of purpose for her within the family. Melissa exclaimed, “We have work to do,” recognizing the importance of delving deeper into their shared heritage.

This experience led her to partake in a tour in Guyana called “Taste of Freedom.” The tour focuses on Afro-Guyanese history and highlights the Demerara rebellion, where African people in Guyana rebelled against slavery. It also explored how, after slavery, they pooled their resources to build villages like Victoria, where Melissa says she has a significant amount of family. This tour not only sparked her interest in researching her own family lineage and the villages she comes from but also cultivated a desire within her to establish deeper connections with her heritage and her people. She is currently working on tracing her lineage back further.

Melissa’s genetic test results and the subsequent exploration of her ancestry have motivated her to embrace her identity more fully and foster a stronger connection to her roots. The journalist who effortlessly bridges the gaps between cultures and brings people together, through her company Mel & N Media, and the words she pens and stories she lends is, without a doubt, “The Connector.”