Educator advocates for persons with exceptionalities

On August 31, Joan Phillips-Bennett, also known as Ade Nima, launched the first episode of her newly rebranded the Empower Exceptionalities Jamaica (EEJ) Podcast. The journey to this point has been layered with vision, courage, and an unshakable belief that stories, especially those often left untold, have the power to shift perspectives and change lives.

This rebrand was more than a new name, logo, or platform shift. It was about clarity of mission. For years, advocacy, education, and creativity have been at the core of Phillips-Bennett’s endeavours. Yet, the time had come to bring all those threads together in one place where voices could truly be heard. The podcast became that place.

Rebranding meant starting with intentionality-the audience. This includes parents searching for understanding, teachers hungry for strategies, young people craving recognition, ministers and communities that need to be educated, and beyond them all, the children and adults with disabilities themselves, who deserve to hear their experiences represented with dignity and respect.

EPISODE ONE

The first episode broke the silence and created space for authentic voices. The guests were two courageous young persons, each navigating life with disabilities in Jamaica. One is a high school student managing physical disabilities and health impairments, the other a university student living with a learning challenge. Their perspectives were raw, powerful, and deeply moving.

As they shared, listeners leaned in, not with pity, but with empathy. One described the challenges with keeping up with lessons and the struggles to be recognised. While the other spoke of stigma he faced in school, the frustration of being misunderstood, bullied and the resilience it takes to continue striving for success despite assumptions about their capabilities. These were not stories of defeat. They were testimonies of perseverance. They were living reminders that disability does not erase potential, dreams, or brilliance.

Too often, society speaks about young people with disabilities without creating space to hear from them. Listeners heard directly what it feels like to navigate Jamaica’s schools, churches, and communities while carrying invisible and visible challenges. It wasn’t just about the problems. It was about the triumphs. Their stories reminded us that inclusion is not about charity; it is about justice and equal opportunity.

LOOKING AHEAD

According to Phillips-Bennett, the success of the first episode has set the tone for what’s to come. “It promises to be another rich conversation that challenges assumptions and equips listeners with tools for real change,” she said. “But beyond the logistics, what excites the listeners most is the community being built.”

Each episode, she said, is a call to think inclusively, act compassionately, and walk alongside those whose journeys may look different but are no less valuable