Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Kerry-Ann Collins. - Contributed

Kerry-Ann Collins has been spreading Jamaican culture via the radio show The Morning Mint, which she co-hosts on Roadblock Radio in New Jersey, USA.

Though the show was not conceptualised by her, Kerry-Ann has been playing a major role on the programme, which she joined last September. She shares the spot, which runs from 6 to 9 in the morning, with David Sheperd and Greng Greng.

Since being asked to be part of The Morning Mint, Kerry-Ann has introduced the 'Link From Yard' and Medical Minute features. In the Link From Yard she speaks to her father in Jamaica, Sergeant Collins of the Ocho Rios Police Division, who keeps the listeners up to date with different events. She said they talk about small issues like the cost of bread and gas, as well as bigger issues like politics.

reliable sources

In the Medical Minute she gives the listeners advice about different diseases and infections. The hosts also discuss news items, simplifying them so that the regular listener can understand. Kerry-Ann noted that The Star and The Gleaner are reliable sources to get current information.

The hosts play different genres of Jamaican music, but the emphasis is on dancehall, as it is very popular in New Jersey.

"The show brings the Jamaican culture to the United States to let them (Jamaicans living in the US) know what is going on, even though they may have left many years ago," she said.

Kerry-Ann explained that although all the hosts are Jamaican, they still manage to include aspects of the cultures of other Caribbean islands, such as soca music, which she believes is very provocative.

"Their music is different. You have to read between the lines but in Jamaica everything straightforward," she told The Sunday Gleaner.

She added: "We want to do more news and entertainment from other Caribbean states so that we can expand, 'cause we don't want other people to feel left out."

good response

Kerry-Ann says the response to The Morning Mint has been good, as people listen on both the airwaves and the Internet. It is not limited to adults, as children also tune in.

"They all like it a lot. They will call and say 'good job'. They feel like they know us on a personal level. Some of them call so much that it feels like family. I feel like I have a family relationship with the listeners," said Kerry-Ann, who moved to New Jersey from Jamaica five years ago.

Though she does the Medical Minute on the programme, she also wants to do charity work in Jamaica, especially in HIV/AIDS awareness.

late uncle

Her interest in this area is driven by her late uncle, who died from AIDS. She says it was at this point that she realised that many Jamaicans are infected with the disease.

To that end, Kerry-Ann Collins is coming to Jamaica on Wednesday to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Health before she starts a non-profit organisation, which will help to educate people about HIV/AIDS. She also wants to stage a concert to raise funds for the HIV/AIDS cause.

"I want to educate the people by going into the communities and schools. Maybe they can relate to me because I am a young girl and I want to talk to them on a personal level," she said.