Unleashing the Power of Words

Kadijah Elisha Menerville was birthed in the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica on October 11th, 1994, and raised by her biological parents in the communities of Fortune and Gallion. Her zeal for creative writing began at primary school level when she wrote her first calypso for the Saint Martin’s Primary School Calypso Show, assisted by her father who is also a creative writing enthusiast. Her passion for writing compositions intensified through Grade Six, having received a grade A in English Composition at the Grade Six National Assessment, enrolling into the Convent High School as a bursar student in 2006.

At the secondary school institution, Kadijah was early recognized forthrightly for her admirably written creative poetry pieces and music. She would often be invited to entertain the school body during recreational activities or events, such as Calypso competitions, Lip Syncing contests and even the general assembly. Her most memorable hit song remains, “CHS is an Irie School,” a piece created in recognition of the school’s 151st Anniversary. The Literacy Department of the Convent High School eventually recognized and respected her creative writing capabilities by honouring Kadijah with a school term literacy scholarship, presented by the current head of UWI Open Campus, Dr. Kimone Joseph. At the time, Joseph served as an English A and B teacher of the CHS and headed the Literacy department, with a motive to encourage and foster growth among English students like Kadijah and many others.

Her love for poetry encouraged Kadijah’s active interest in music, and she recorded her first song at Well Red Entertainment Studio in Cranefield, “Waistline”, while still attending the Convent High School. Her musical passion was limitless and so it was no surprise when she started a close relationship with the steel pan, encouraged through her late Uncle, Wilfred ‘Pancho’ JnoBaptiste who was also her pan teacher. Kadijah became a member of Diamond Steel Pan group by 2008, for a short period of one year as a guitar pannist.

Following a rocky attendance at CHS, Kadijah transferred to the Goodwill Secondary School, where she finally discovered and grasped her niche. Carrying a map to excellence, tailored by the Convent High School, she walked into her new environment determined excel using her previously gained knowledge. At the Goodwill Secondary School, the Debaters’ Club instantly caught Kadijah’s attention, prompting her to become a member. This decision was deemed fortunate, as she managed to win the Kiwanis Club of Waitukubuli Secondary Schools’ Debate Competition in 2013, paired with her student colleague. Kadijah was awarded for the ‘best rebuttal’ which centered their grand win. With the intention to mitigate bullying among peers and against the vulnerable, the then eighteen-year-old single handedly implemented and coordinated an ‘Anti-Bullying Campaign’ at the Goodwill Secondary School and accepted the role as peer counselor to her respective classes. She advocated and spearheaded campaigns on DBS radio, Q95 and Kairi FM on behalf of her movement on different programs, namely The Heng, Matt in the Morning and that of Shermain Green Brown that same year.

Having graduated as a merit scholar, attaining seven CXC passes, including English A and B, Kadijah ended her academic tenure at the Goodwill Secondary School proudly, with intensions to establish her own news organization someday. However, the delight held under belt for culinary arts motivated her to embark on her first position of employment as a bar tender and waitress at a well-known establishment in the city of Roseau after her graduation. Recognizing insufficiency of the miniscule wage as a soon independent young adult, Kadijah made the conscious decision to upscale her portfolio and applied at a local call centre where she served as a Customer Service Representative for three years. She was then positioned as a Data Entry agent for two years but later became unemployed. Her departure provided ample time for the young writer to reflect and strategize her immediate future goals, finally planting the idea of news reporting. Kadijah utilized this opportunity to apply at a renowned local news and radio entity as a reporter and journalist where she soon blossomed under training and experience. With very little exposure to the news reporting profession, for two months at the establishment she stood as the leading reporter, being the only reporter employed on the news desk at that time. Kadijah discovered her radio voice and appreciated opportunities to report news on the airwaves or co-host live broadcasts. This occasion called for resilience in the face of adversity and tested Kadijah’s ability to withstand pressure, and so she did it wholeheartedly, mindful of an impending success story. Her employer expressed satisfaction in her ethics, by awarding her a healthy monetary bonus for her determination.

Her initial attempt to participate as a first-time contender in the Calypso Junior Monarch Competition was interrupted due to the passing of her late uncle Alan Jno. Baptiste who was tasked with composing Kadijah’s calypso before his untimely death in 2007. May he continue to rest in peace. In this regard, the Calypso enthusiast entered the 2018 National Calypso Competition as Lioness, singing, “If I was a man,” written by Pellam Jno. Baptiste. Regardless her failure to advance to the quarter finals competition, she continued to compete for two inconsecutive years, for the love of the artform, however, remain ns determined to eventually become victorious.

While positioned as a news reporter, news anchor and journalist at the renowned station, the keen writer developed interest in print news, applying for a similar position at the Chronicle Media Group Inc. There she further enhanced her expertise as a reporter for two inconsecutive years and was praised by many who continue to convey pleasure with her work.

As of recent, Kadijah has instituted her journey in freelance writing and currently renders services to prominent news media institutions. Her writing is guaranteed to hem the work of large entities and personnels. K-Writes was conceived through acknowledgement of her natural writing capabilities and the intention to provide writing services to respective institutions, organizations and individuals.
Musically, Kadijah continues to write, perform and record music in the areas of Bouyon and Dancehall under the stage name ‘Kadi’ and her music can be found on YouTube and TikTok platforms. She envisions her skills being a contributor to many prominent projects in the future.