FOX 5 trailblazer Lisa Evers talks Kartel, modelling past and philanthropy

When Lisa Evers, a two-time EMMY Award winner and FOX5 TV news reporter/host of Street Soldiers with Lisa Evers, focuses the cameras on a story, one can be sure that it will definitely be well worth the time to watch. A few years ago, Evers purposefully embraced a story that she admittedly found “fascinating” – the Vybz Kartel case – and delivered episodes of Street Soldiers that have had, and continue to have, resounding impact.

The Sunday Gleaner spoke with Evers, who shared, among many truths, that her motto is: “Use your mind, it’s your best weapon. Let’s push for peace, love and justice for all.”

1. What was it about the Vybz Kartel case that resonated with you and informed your decision to report on it, starting in September 2021?

It all started with a conversation I had with our vice-president of News for FOX 5 TV here in New York, Byron Harmon. Mr Harmon is one of the most prominent news executives in the US, with impeccable news credentials, as well as a deep appreciation for Jamaican music, culture and hip-hop culture. It was Mr Harmon who put my Street Soldiers with Lisa Evers show on FOX 5 in 2016. It airs in prime time on Friday nights and has been running every week since then. He is also a trailblazer in bringing mainstream news coverage to under-represented communities and cultures. He had just returned from one of his many trips to Jamaica, and explained the Vybz Kartel (Adidja Palmer) case to me. I was immediately fascinated and said I would look into it.

We have a very large Jamaican community here in New York, including business owners, community leaders and prominent elected officials. When I began asking contacts and friends about Vybz Kartel, they knew the case immediately and encouraged me to look into it. I made many calls to Jamaica and sent emails. Most of them were ignored. Finally, when Mr Palmer began working with attorney Isat Buchanan, I started to get replies to my inquiries. Mr Harmon encouraged me to stay on it, and gave me the support to do my reports.

2. Were you expecting such an overwhelming response to this story? After your 2022 interview with Kartel’s fiancée, the Department of Correctional Services transferred him from Horizon to the Tower Street Adult Remand Centre, known as ‘GP’ and the name ‘Lisa Evers’ was on the lips of many. Did you feel the elevated levels of interest?

I am blessed to have high-profile exclusive stories that elicit a lot of feedback, but, no matter how many eyes are on the story, whatever the assignment happens to be, I am focused first and foremost with reporting it as fairly and accurately as possible. It’s not my role to influence outcomes. We were aware, due to the responses we received, that the Vybz Kartel story was of deep interest to many people.

3. As the ultimate Street Soldier yourself, you fearlessly delve far beyond the surface of those stories that go straight to the hearts of people. How satisfying is this for you?

As an American professional journalist, I do not take sides and can not be concerned with the labels people might attribute to me. What I find most satisfying about my work is when I can shine a light on what’s really going on, especially if it’s exclusive and we are the first to report it. At FOX 5, we are encouraged to bring in stories that may not be getting the attention they deserve but are of great interest to our diverse audience.

4. What are you looking forward to now that the Vybz Kartel conviction has been quashed?

I look forward to doing sit-down interviews in person with all parties involved in this case in Jamaica, and following it through to the final outcome now that the UK Privy Council has “quashed” the murder conviction. The next step, as I understand it, is for King Charles to sign the Privy Council order and send it to [the] Jamaican authorities.

5. You have done quite a bit of humanitarian/philanthropic work. Share with us a little of your experience.

My parents taught me [that] giving back is my responsibility. I have done free self-defence seminars for girls and women, spent many days doing volunteer safety patrols in NYC, countless holiday parties and toy drives for kids, food giveaways, emergency relief when there were disasters like hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and kids’ coat drives. One very cold winter, I got an urgent call from an educator at a special-needs school, where about half the kids lived in homeless shelters. Many did not have coats. So we took up a collection in the newsroom and ordered jackets for 200 children that were delivered right to the school in two days

6. Every now and then, you make a brief reference to your time with Elite Model Management, either with a fabulous throwback photograph or giving big-ups to the talented photographers with whom you worked. How special was this part of your personal journey, and what were the important lessons learnt?

My time as a model with Elite Management was extraordinary. At the time, the top two agencies were Ford and Elite. It opened my eyes to beauty, and the respectful appreciation of feminine beauty, especially in Paris. Most importantly from being on camera nearly every day now, I learned from the best make-up artists how to keep my “glam squad” - actually a make-up bag - in my backpack and do it myself, since I never know where the day’s assignment and adventures will take me, but I do know I will end up on camera somewhere.

7. Do you have any advice for aspiring models?

I think there are so many more opportunities for women today, and so much more diversity in beauty. I would say, find those qualities - both physical and non-physical that you love about yourself, your best qualities, and stay laser-focused on those. That way, insecurity can’t take root and you can more easily dismiss mean comments.

8. ‘Accomplished’ could be your middle name (if not your first) - black belt in karate, award-winning journalist, interviewer extraordinaire, Street Soldier, activist, model, humanitarian, and the list goes on. Is there one thing that you are particularly passionate about?

I am passionate about life and people, finding and using new ways to tell the stories of what’s really going on, with compassion and context. Every day is an adventure to me and I find, when I expect the best, the universe amazes me.

9. March is celebrated as Women’s Month. In Jamaica, on of the hurdles for women in music - and other areas - is the notion of them having a “sell-by” date. What are your thoughts on this?

I believe that you can only have a “sell-by” date if you’ve stopped growing and evolving and have allowed other people to define your identity and determine your fate. We always have a choice, and there are more choices for women now than ever before. This is an incredible time to be a woman, and we need to embrace it and keep moving forward. I see so many women taking “ownership” of what they do and who they are, it’s inspiring.

We are working on a Street Soldiers ‘Trailblazing Women’ episode for FOX5 for next week, with the first black female architect leading a major organisation, the first Caribbean-American first Deputy NYPD commissioner, and a female orthodontist who is a first in her field.

10. Share with us one thing that persons would be surprised to know about you.

I drink my coffee with a straw, an old modelling habit. On the set, they would do our make-up and we could be sitting around for awhile before they’d start shooting. So they’d give us coffee with a straw so we wouldn’t mess up our lipstick. The habit stuck.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com