Letesha Whyte: From rural Manchester to global leadership with JMMB Joan Duncan Scholarship

Letesha Whyte’s journey, from the rural community of Huntley, Manchester, to the international stage, is a remarkable story of young Jamaican leadership.

Growing up in a modest household with parents who were small-scale farmers, Letesha’s early life was marked by hard work and determination. She quickly distinguished herself in school, serving as head girl at both Huntley Primary and May Day High School. At May Day, she graduated as the top business student and top female performer, showcasing her academic prowess.

Despite these early achievements, her road to higher education was filled with challenges. In 2018, Letesha enrolled at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) to pursue a degree in communication studies with a focus on public relations. She started her academic journey with only $6,000, far less than what was required for tuition. Financial difficulties worsened when her guarantors for student loans were disqualified, forcing her to pause her studies and take up a job as a contracted teacher.

However, Letesha’s struggles did not stop her from serving her community. At the age of 15, she began attending meetings at the Hillz Police Youth Club in her hometown, where her leadership skills quickly became apparent. She rose through the ranks to become public relations officer and then president of the club. Her involvement caught the attention of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Community Safety and Security Branch, and she was encouraged to run for president of the National Police Youth Club Movement, which oversees all police youth clubs across the island.

At just 20 years old, Letesha became the first female to hold the position of president of the National Police Youth Club Movement. In this role, she led several impactful projects, including the groundbreaking ‘Safe and Sound Ja’ initiative. The project, funded by a $10,000 grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), sought to bridge the communication gap between Jamaica’s deaf community and the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Police officers were trained in Jamaica Sign Language, and interpreting services were introduced to ensure the deaf could access justice in the legal system. The initiative was piloted at the Mandeville and Half-Way Tree police stations, where officers received certification. The project successfully facilitated a court case involving a deaf individual, marking a significant step forward for the deaf community in Jamaica.

Letesha’s work did not go unnoticed internationally. In 2022, she was selected by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) as a Young Peacebuilder, making her the first female from the Caribbean to join the programme. In Spain, she received extensive training in project management, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution. Later that year, Letesha represented Jamaica again in north Africa, specifically Morocco, further cementing her place as a global leader.

Now back at NCU, Letesha is continuing her education with the support of the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation. She will also represent Jamaica at the 10th Global Forum of the UNAOC in Portugal in November this year.

Despite her growing international profile, Letesha remains deeply connected to her roots. She currently serves as a board member at Huntley Primary and Infant School and as an adviser to the Hillz Police Youth Club, continuing to mentor young leaders in her community.

Letesha’s future ambitions include becoming a lead communication strategist and project manager at the United Nations, where she hopes to lead transformative global projects. She also plans to give back to Jamaica by establishing a software company focused on technological advancements for the disabled community. As the first in her immediate family to earn a degree, Letesha’s journey is a true Jamaican story of the power of determination, leadership, and service. Her story is an inspiration, not just to Jamaicans, but to aspiring leaders worldwide.

natrawn.wright@gleanerjm.com