Welcome to #Walk&Talk Jamaica- An Introduction

"Eternal Father bless our land, Guard us with Thy Mighty Hand,"

Hello everyone,

My name is Andre O. Walker and I would like to personally welcome you to my blog, Walk & Talk Jamaica. Thank you for subscribing to my website. It has been a dream to start a writing project, and I am beyond excited to invite you to share with me the intricacies and nuances of life in Jamaica. All, with dollops of artistic essences.

Here's a little story about this project-

A few years ago, I was doing a tour gig with some French journalists who visited for Reggae Sumfest. I was their chaperone. I met their producer, Fabrice, and was asked by him to assist in creating an itinerary for a few days in Kingston, Montego Bay and surrounding parishes. Whilst doing the gig, the team (a group of editors, writers and producers) asked us to scout locations that we frequented, the places we ate at, events we attended, things we liked to do as locals, to showcase the authenticity and hybridization of Jamaican culture. These experiences were etched in my psyche. It hit me, this was a calling. I went to the Tourism Product Development Company (Tpdco) for the Team Jamaica and tour guiding programme to structure the foundation of what I wanted to do. I was aware, now more than ever, how much I loved Jamaica, to be proud of my ancestral lineage, and to cherish the cultural legacy of my people. At this time, I knew I had the stories to tell, but I never knew what medium to undertake. I chose content creating because there is so much of my Jamaica that I would like to share. To discover and to rediscover the Jamaica now.

This writing project is commitment to myself that holds me accountable. It’s the home for my adventure stories in Jamaica. The ups, the downs and everything between. I’ll share photos, video and stories from the places I visit and rich experiences had on my island home. Tips & tricks to help inspire you to break out of your shell and find the best that Jamaica has to offer. I want this blog to inspire you, to inform you and prompt share your experiences as well. I hope you’ll join me on this adventure!

Fast forward a couple years down the line-

Walk & Talk Jamaica is a new media platform showcasing life in Jamaica, land we love. Its principal objective is to bring the discerning/millennial viewer a closer connaissance of the local cultural environment. In this blog we explore themes including the Jamaican people, Roots/Reggae, Dancehall, cuisine, theatre, art, movement, history, politics, fashion, dialect, folklore and other local customs and laws.

The project was created on three pillars:

"We are our content."

Advice from an editor- "Show me your Jamaica."

"Pree di real roots! "

You are more than welcome to respond, add comments and suggestions on topics we can delve into. I'd love to build and fortify interactive conversations with prospective partners among diverse sectors including, but not limited to: tourism and heritage, Arts and cultural heritage preservation and education agencies etc, to give guests the untapped experiential memories of our island Jamaica. Thank you for reading and visiting my website. You may also follow Walk & Talk Jamaica on Instagram, Twitter, & all other social media platforms.

-Andre O. Walker

@walkabout876