Dike G. Noel is a communications strategist, orator and reputation manager with more than sixteen years’ experience in corporate communication, public relations, public education, stakeholder management, reputation management and protocol. Since 2015, he has developed and implemented marketing/communications campaigns for a number of Ministries and state agencies in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2011, Dike won a National Youth Award for Excellence in Media.
According to Dike Noel, Founder/Creative Director of MENtions – Stories About Us, “there seems to be a growing negative perception in the society about the Afro-Trinbagonian male. One sees certain images in the media and other fora and the perception may be left that this is how the majority of us are and I don’t think it is so at all.” MENtions – Stories About Us therefore is intended to change the perception and provide a platform where Afro-Trinbagonian men can see a reflection of themselves and the multiple possibilities of who they can be.
This digital media initiative is also meant to show that all young black males don’t reside in the prisons, hang on the block, are secondary school dropouts or wear sagging pants etc. No, Afro-Trinbagonian men are successful, productive members of society. We are entrepreneurs, attorneys, artists, web-developers, ICT geniuses, university professors, authors, advocates, media practitioners, bankers, marketing gurus, paediatricians or even in my case, communications professionals.
Noel further believes that there needs to be a greater focus on people who are doing good things and making a positive contribution in our society. By doing this, we can change the narrative and let the younger generation see the diverse possibilities that exist.
Since our launch in April 2020, MENtions – Stories About Us has received a remarkable response. The COVID-19 pandemic and other race related issues locally and internationally at that time, have certainly been contributing factors for the growth of and interest in the platform. We appreciate the interest, love and support shown to this movement and platform and we urge you to keep sharing the stories and journeys of the Kings we feature because we firmly believe that positive representation matters! Thank you
