The National Transformation Initiative (NTI) has earned a Special Mention in the SDG Champion – Digital category at the 37th Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Media Awards for its Interview with STARR Bajan – Janelle Skinner.
The recognition marks NTI’s first-ever entry into the regional awards. Sponsored by the UN Sub-Regional Team for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the SDG Champion Award recognises stories that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. NTI was also one of two Barbadian first-time entrants to receive a Special Mention this year.
NTI works to equip Barbadians with the knowledge, skills and values to thrive in a rapidly changing world, providing free access to learning and development opportunities through its own programmes and courses, as well as thousands of courses from leading internationally accredited universities and Fortune 500 institutions through its partnership with Coursera.
NTI selected Janelle’s story because it brought SDG 4 – Quality Education- to life through the lived experience of a Barbadian learner. In the interview, Janelle shares how she turned to courses on disability, diversity, equity, and inclusion after finding herself in spaces where disability was being discussed but not always feeling knowledgeable or confident enough to contribute.
“Those courses allowed me to be present in these meetings… before I was quiet because I didn’t want to say the wrong thing. I was in my head so much. But once you can take that theory and put it into application, now… I’m more vocal in these settings,” Janelle explained in the video entry.
She also reflected on learning beyond her own lived experience as a wheelchair user, noting that the experiences of persons with disabilities are not all the same and that continued learning has helped her become more informed in her advocacy.
NTI Communications Lead Racquel Griffith said the recognition was particularly meaningful for the team.
“For our first entry into the CBU Media Awards, we wanted to submit something that felt true to the work we do and the stories we want to tell. Janelle’s experience stood out because you can actually see what learning made possible for her — she gained knowledge, but she also gained the confidence to speak up and contribute in spaces where she previously held back. It also reflects our commitment to ensuring persons with disabilities are included in the opportunities we create and the stories we tell. To have Janelle’s story and that work recognised regionally is something we’re really proud of.”
The piece was hosted by Alex Jordan and videographed by Selwyne Browne, with the recognition placing a Barbadian story about learning, disability, advocacy and resilience on a wider Caribbean stage.
The 37th CBU Media Awards recognised 92 Award and Special Mention recipients from across the Caribbean, with Barbados leading this year’s results with 15 Awards and eight Special Mentions.
