Speaking & Teaching

Melissa speaks about a range of topics from her life, experience as a multimedia journalist, travel expert, educator and emerging media entrepreneur. She has addressed organizations, conferences, schools as a keynote speaker, host, panelist and workshop presenter across the United States, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean region.

Melissa has addressed organizations, schools and conferences as a keynote speaker, panelist, host and workshop presenter at venues across the United States and internationally, including:

  • The United Nations
  • Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
  • The New York Times
  • International Labour Organization
  • National Association of Black Journalists
  • Women In Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN)
  • Caribbean Women Storytelling for Social Good
  • New York City’s Department of Small Business
  • The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism
  • The University of the West Indies (Jamaica)
  • City Colleges of Chicago
  • Knight Foundation Diversity Initiative
  • The Embassy of the Republic of Haiti
  • The Embassy of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
  • Microsoft
  • International Center For Journalists
  • SocaMom Summit
  • Caribbean American Cultural Arts Foundation

She teaches short courses and seminars from the middle school level to the graduate level on the craft of journalism, niche reporting, the art of pitching and multimedia skills. Melissa also does community workshops on reporting, media relations and community engagement.

​If you would like to get in touch or make a booking, please use the contact form on my Contact page.

Speaking

Melissa speaks about a range of topics from her life, experience as a multimedia journalist, travel expert, educator and emerging media entrepreneur. She has addressed organizations, conferences, schools as a keynote speaker, host, panelist and workshop presenter across the United States, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean region. Here’s a snapshot of some of the those topics. 

  • Media Entrepreneurship
  • Carving out your industry niche
  • Caribbean American Identity
  • Caribbean Travel
  • Race & Culture
  •  Diversity & Sustainbility in the travel industry
  • Immigration and mental health impact
  •  Storytelling, investment and trade in the African Diaspora
  • Digital Media
  • The art of pitching the press
  • Advocacy, Historically Black Colleges & Universities

“Melissa produces quality and innovative stories, which actively inform and expand the ways in which we see and discuss the African Diaspora.”

Amber PayneFounding Editor, NBCBLK.com