Yanique Tracy: A Multifaceted Trailblazer for Impactful Change

Meet Yanique Tracy, an education and leadership maven with an Executive Master's from Mico University and a BSc. Double Major in Guidance and Counseling. As Co-Chair of The National Youth Advisory Council, Yanique is reshaping youth advocacy, striving for tangible improvements in education and resources.

Her podcast, "The Livingroom with Counsellor Tracy," serves as a powerful platform, amplifying the voices of marginalized youths. Yanique's global impact includes the IRI CARIBBEAN Youth Policy Fellowship and Delegation Summit For Democracy.

In an exclusive interview with Education Jamaica Magazine, Yanique Tracy shares insights into her journey—a tale of resilience, empowerment, and an unwavering commitment to shaping a brighter future for the youth and communities she serves.

EJM: With certifications spanning from counselling to hospitality, how do you apply your diverse skill set in your current roles and career growth?

Yanique: As someone with certifications spanning Psychology, Counselling, Education to hospitality, I strategically integrate my diverse skill set into my current roles, leveraging each facet to contribute uniquely to youth development. As the Co-Chair of the National Youth Advisory Council and a seasoned counsellor, my counselling expertise allows me to connect with marginalized youths on a personal level, providing them with guidance and support. Simultaneously, my proficiency in hospitality, bolstered by experiences gained through the J1 program and a certificate from CCUSA recognizing these skills developed, facilitates effective communication and relationship building, creating an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives within the community. This multifaceted approach not only enriches my career growth but also enhances the impact of my advocacy efforts.

Notably, the J1 program played a paramount role in my journey, providing the means to fund both my BSc and Executive Master’s degrees. Facing uncertainty about how to finance my education, I took a chance on the program, and it paid off immensely.This financial stability not only empowers me but also underscores the challenges in the local job market, a circumstance I am still not fortunate to overcome with all the experience and qualifications that I have acquired. It’s a delicate balance, but this journey has allowed me to empower myself and pour heavily into my purpose of servant leadership.

EJM: Hosting "The Living Room with Counsellor Tracy"  actively showcased your communication skills. How do you address community or social issues using this platform, and what impact do you aim to achieve?

Yanique: Hosting “The Living Room with Counsellor Tracy” provides a powerful platform to address pressing community and social issues. I utilize this space to amplify the voices of marginalized youths, discussing current affairs and empowering them through motivational practices. The impact I aim to achieve is fostering a sense of community and inspiration, where youths feel heard, represented, and encouraged to overcome challenges. The podcast serves as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling, emphasizing that every journey, including my own, can be a source of motivation for others.

EJM: In leadership roles like Co-Chair of The National Youth Advisory Council, how do you approach youth advocacy, and what changes do you aspire to bring to the community?

In leadership roles such as Co-Chair of The National Youth Advisory Council, my approach to youth advocacy is rooted in creating tangible changes within the community. I aspire to bring about increased opportunities, improved educational resources, and a platform for youths to actively participate in decision-making processes. By engaging directly with the youth and understanding their unique challenges, I strive to implement initiatives that address their needs and contribute to holistic community development. I have done this As Technical Coordinator for the Last 3 Cohort of the National Youth Parliament of Jamaica, where we root our Youth Parliamentarians to be intentional in their duties and engrained their practices through needs assessment and consultations on the ground and getting the information from the young people they represent. They need to know that they are selected to serve not rule but to represent the people’s needs. Each cohort has done tremendously well in their representation locally.

EJM: What is one thing that stood out and impacted you from your advocacy?

Yanique: One advocacy initiative that profoundly impacted me was representing Jamaica globally as a Generation Democracy member and Caribbean Policy Fellow with the International Republican Institute. Introducing our Youth Engagement framework at the US Summit for Democracy and achieving MVP at the Leadership Lab in the Dominican Republic were defining moments. Witnessing the international recognition of Jamaican youth empowerment initiatives reinforced the importance of our work and inspired me to continue advocating for meaningful change. To me it ignited a sense of pride to see how many hurdles we have overcome within the youth space and with such a framework to share globally especially yo our Latin American neighbours who are still fighting to get a seat at the table in their country to amplify the youth voices I was happy I could present to them the hard work myself and my  Co chair Mr Levy along with the Advisory Council members and the Youth and Adolescent Policy Division out of the Education and Youth Ministry have been doing with their integral youth programs and how effective they are base on the monitoring and the evaluation and report develop from these programs. 

EJM: What advice would you provide to young Jamaicans who aspire to become change leaders?

Yanique:  I would encourage them to embrace their uniqueness and utilize their experiences as sources of strength. Coming from a marginalized background myself, I understand the transformative power of education and community support. My advice would be to stay resilient, seek growth opportunities, and actively participate in initiatives that contribute positively to the community. By harnessing their passion and determination, young Jamaicans can become powerful catalysts for change. Don’t let anyone put you in a box spread

Your wings and dream big, I think back as a teenager going to Clan Carthy High School how I struggled and I wasted my time due to the pressure of the stereotypes attached but I got back up worked one summer with Nys and went to Mona High and asked them for a chance to enrol to do more subjects, I was granted that ask and I never looked back. It’s ok to fail, just don’t stay down ever!!! 

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EJM: We do not doubt our minds that the best from Yanique is yet to come. Be on the lookout for major announcements and changes centred on the name Yanique who has taught us that being multi-talented is still winning.

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