Totlyn Oliver
- PBCJ AV Library
- Mar 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 14
A Voice for Jamaica’s Culture and Creativity
Imagine a storyteller who has seamlessly woven together the rhythms of Jamaica's music, language, and culture to create a rich tapestry of sound and vision. Welcome to the captivating world of Totlyn Oliver, a renowned Jamaican broadcaster, author, and cultural advocate who has been igniting the spark of creativity for over 40 years. Her remarkable career journey began in 1982, spinning the wheels of innovation at JIS Radio and thereafter the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC), where she hosted the children’s quiz show 'It's A Smart World'.
She took her passion to the next level as the host of the award-winning late-night radio show, 'The Dawning,' on RJR, where she effortlessly charmed audiences with her in-depth interviews of legendary reggae performers like Jimmy Cliff, Sly & Robbie, and Dennis Brown. Her well-known voice, heard on many radio commercials, was heard as she hosted the 'Sunday Magazine' show, and on occasion 'Jamaica Today'. Additionally, Oliver was one of the broadcasters slated for the inaugural staging of Jamaica Carnival 1990.
Totlyn was a presenter/news anchor at POWER 106, also winning much recognition for her personality & skills. All this while being very active in theatre, from pantomime to touring stage productions, from 'Mansong' to 'When the Cat's Away'. She even penned the Actor Boy nominated play 'Wine & Roses', as well as producing several short dramas for radio.
As a masterful storyteller, Totlyn Oliver became an award-winning speaker with Toastmasters International in the USA, holding several leadership roles, and publishing the book 'Speak to Win' from her perspective as a public speaking coach. She shared her love of Jamaican culture on Jamaica's 50th anniversary of independence in the nostalgic, memorable book 'Jamaica 101', a vibrant 120-page journey that offers a sneak peek into our intriguing island's rich culture, heart and soul. Her most recent publication, 'MI DEH YA', helps reader-visitors to Jamaica have a mindful journalling experience of unforgettable experiences, complete with recipes.
Her creative odyssey doesn't stop there, as Totlyn now hosts and produces the thought-provoking online podcast 'WHY I WRITE,' a platform where writers, creatives, and innovators from across the globe share their most inspiring stories, challenges, and triumphs. Through this platform, she empowers the voices of artists, writers, and performers, celebrating their journeys and illuminating the path to creative success.
