Ask JBH Janice Bryant Howroyd

An entrepreneur, lawyer, philanthropist, mother, author and Miss Universe 1998, Wendy Fitzwilliam has forged a career that spans television production, entertainment, social activism, fashion, radio broadcasting, government and law.

A native of Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago, in 1998, Wendy became the third woman of colour and the second Trinidadian woman to win the Miss Universe Crown, two months prior to her final examinations at law school. She was admitted to the Trinidad and Tobago Bar in 2000.

Her work with government includes, Vice-President of Business Development and Investment Promotion with eTecK (a Trinidad and Tobago Industrial and Industry Development Company); the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania; and business consultant to the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

Wendy served as host and co-executive producer of Caribbean’s Next Top Model (CaribeNTM), the Pan-Caribbean version of America’s Next Top model (ANTM).

Wendy also connected with her fans and listeners on “The Wendy Fitzwilliam Show”, a one-hour weekly radio program that explored how – and what it means – to achieve one’s dreams.

Wendy’s has also champion a variety of charitable causes.

She has served as United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS, Ambassador of Youth for the Caribbean for the Red Cross and also founded The Hibiscus Foundation (THF), a children’s foundation that focuses on HIV/AIDS.

When not working, Wendy engages in her most rewarding role of all: mother to her son, Ailan. Her memoir, “Letters to Ailan” was first written as an extended love letter to her son.

Nana Gecaga is the chief executive officer of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), a state corporation in the Kenyan government under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. KICC is the largest convention center in East Africa and the fourth-largest in Africa. Gecaga is a single mother of three young boys. On any given day, she interacts with heads of state from around the world or gives motivational advice that plays a strong role in uplifting youth. She is seen as one of Kenya’s biggest role models because she openly talks about how she overcame her alcohol addiction and normalizes the day-to-day challenges women face.

Bestselling author and treasured spiritual leader Keion D. Henderson is Founder, CEO, and Senior Pastor of The Lighthouse Church and Ministries, one of America’s fastest growing churches headquartered in Houston, Texas.  His ministries and initiatives are fueling the explosive growth and far-reaching impact of The Lighthouse Church, whose congregation continues to blossom with more than 15,000 dedicated members and over 900,000 unique weekly viewers worldwide across all social media platforms.

With over 26 years in active ministry, Pastor Henderson is known to educate, nurture, and equip his congregants with life-changing lessons to navigate their faith with sound values and biblical principles via his accelerator for entrepreneurship. Through the weight of his words, impeccable judgement and sophisticated understanding of the forces shaping the world, Pastor Henderson delivers the word of god with rapid fire precision amongst a new generation of believers as he continues to keep faith relevant in today’s culture.

In April 2021, he joined Bishop T. D. Jakes to answer the question “Which Way is Up?” Pastor Henderson is a passionate humanitarian yielding a steadfast commitment who cares deeply about the plight of the people and gives back to the global communities he serves. Recognized by The John Maxwell Institute as one of the Top 250 Leaders in the nation, Pastor Keion Henderson, born in Gary, Indiana, is a devoted father to his beautiful daughter, Katelyn and husband to his forever wife, Shaunie Henderson.

Emmy Award-winning journalist, television personality, author, producer, philanthropist and girls’ empowerment activist, Shaun Robinson is a true role model.

She has won the respect and admiration of millions of daily television viewers throughout her career, including her work as co-host of the entertainment news show, Access Hollywood. Shaun has interviewed Hollywood’s biggest stars and covered the red carpets and hosted the official pre-shows for the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Emmy’s and Grammy’s, in addition to hosting NBC’s coverage of the annual Tournament of Roses Parade.

Coming from a strong background in television news, Shaun has contributed reports to NBC Nightly News, Today Show, MSNBC and CNN. She has served as a guest host on The View, HLN’s Joy Behar Show and been featured as a panelist on Larry King Live, Piers Morgan Tonight and Dr. Drew. Shaun has also served as host for programs on Lifetime, TLC and BET networks and was a guest host on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

When one thinks of an artist whose music career spans over three decades, has made stops along world tours in South Africa, the United Kingdom, The Middle East,  Europe, Australia, the US, Nigeria, Ghana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Kenya, and has collaborated with renowned artists like Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Micah Stampley, Lionel Petersen and, in her secular career, Shabba Ranks and Beenie Man – all this while winning multiple awards - then the name has to be none other than Chevelle Franklyn. Chevelle has had a long and outstanding career in music and is still going strong.

The highly respected Chevelle started her journey in music as a teenager when she recorded her first single called "Here I Am." By 1991, her career was blossoming, leading to her featuring on Shabba Ranks' worldwide hit, "Mr Lover Man". She also recorded her hit single, "Dancehall Queen" with Beenie Man.  

Chevelle has had a long and outstanding career in music and is still going strong. She is about to release her latest album titled "South Wind Vol. 1," which was recorded appropriately in South Africa. The initial plan was to record two songs in South Africa, but the two songs morphed into an entire album. The album, which is totally about worshipping God, features guest artists from South Africa. Ntokozo Mbambo was a prominent collaborator. Chevelle co-produced the album together with Nqubeko Mbatha and Mojalefa Mjakes. The highly respected Chevelle started her journey in music as a teenager when she recorded her first single called "Here I Am." By 1991, her career was blossoming, leading to her featuring on Shabba Ranks' worldwide hit, "Mr Lover Man". She also recorded her hit single, "Dancehall Queen" with Beenie Man, which put her on the international reggae map. Having started as a reggae artist, her turning point came during a live concert in 1998 where she was expected to perform "Dancehall Queen" but instead performed the gospel song, "Silver and Gold" by Kirk Franklin. She bravely made the fateful decision to use that moment

Deeply involved in the community, Michael Coles is a transformational leader, accomplished entrepreneur, education advocate and motivational speaker. He is living proof that there are no limits to what we as individuals can accomplish. He brings his story to life in his book “Time To Get Tough” How cookies Coffee And A Crash Led To Success In Business And Life.

After a successful 19 year career in the clothing business Michael tested his entrepreneurial skills in 1977 when he co-founded Great American Cookie Company with an investment of only $8000. Shortly after starting the Company, he was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident and was told by doctors he would never walk again unaided. As Michael recovered thru a self-designed rehabilitation program he took the Company from its first store in Perimeter Mall in Atlanta to hundreds of stores nationwide and at the same time set 3 coast-to-coast bicycling records. When Michael started the Company there were three major cookie companies in business; one had almost 100 stores and the other two had fifty each. When he sold the Company in 1998 with sales over $100 million, Great American Cookie Company was the largest franchisor of cookie stores and the other three companies no longer existed.