GoodHeart | Musician Jamila Falak strikes a chord as Chevening scholar

As Jamila Falak’s name was called to collect her certificate on stage at the residence of the British High Commissioner on Tuesday evening, the smiles and cheers of her mother, Angela Jacobs, and aunt, Ninfa Lightbody, stood out. One of 17 scholars in this year’s Chevening cohort, Falak, a musician and creative entrepreneur, hailing from Montego Bay, was especially happy to make the two women she truly looks up to proud.

“I am very proud of her, and I’m very excited for her. To see where she’s going now and to know where she is coming from. Jamila always loved music growing up; she was just always singing, singing, singing,” her mom told GoodHeart, laughing.

Chiming in with laughter and agreeing that Falak was indeed always singing, her aunt shared that beyond her talent and making the family proud, Falak has always been known to represent her country through performing and volunteerism. “She has represented Jamaica in so many [areas]. She’s been to Portugal, Panama, Canada, representing, especially in the agricultural area of it – plant-a-tree projects across Jamaica and all those things. She volunteers a lot. Mi proud of her ‘til mi head swell!” Lightbody added.

Travelling from Montego Bay, both ladies accompanied Falak at the farewell reception for the Chevening scholars held on the lawns of the Windrush Garden. This year’s cohort of recipients is one of the largest and most diverse in disciplines in recent years.

All set to head to the United Kingdom to pursue a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology of Music at the University of Leeds, Falak shared that even though the news of her being part of the 2025 cohort is out, the reality has still not sunk in.

“I am utterly grateful, mostly. If I could think of a song to describe the feeling, it would be Toast by Koffee. I’m super honoured,” she shared. Falak explained that she applied for the Chevening Scholarship through her mentor’s recommendation.

“Funny enough, it wasn’t until two years after my mentor suggested it to me that I started seeing people in random Chevening shirts and hats, and I was like, okay, I see you, universe. Let me try,” she reflected, adding, “As a musician, I was aware that not many creatives have been given the opportunity to study in this way, so I just tried.”

Focusing on genres such as jazz, reggae, pop, and classical music, Falak is also a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jamaica, where she primarily plays the bass. She is a singing upright bassist, which means she sings while playing the bass, and she is also the founder of her own eco-conscious creative enterprise, FALAXY.

“FALAXY focuses on cultural development and healing services, podcasting and creative works in the creative industry. I am the regional youth leader at the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance as well, so I mobilise youths across the Caribbean who are doing amazing works in climate change, policy development, advocacy, activism – that’s just a chunk of the [philanthropic works] that I love to do,” she said, emphasising that she is truly passionate about social impact.

Sharing that her love for volunteerism is rooted in her family, Falak added, “My house is filled with such amazing and incredible women. I grew up with black, strong entrepreneurs who are very giving people, not only to their family but to their community.”

With her love for research and understanding the root of things, she knew the Master of Arts in Applied Psychology of Music was the right programme for her. Falak aims to study the psychology of music and sound frequencies, exploring how they can influence social change and promote healing in individuals. This knowledge will also help her grow her enterprise.

Leaving a bit of advice for creatives who might want to try applying for the Chevening Scholarship but feel hesitant, Falak said to just try anyway.

“You never know what life may bring. You just might find yourself in the same position as me, being the only musician in the lot,” the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts graduate explained.

rollesha.laing@gleanerjm.com