THE MISSION
“My work weaves together joy and justice to create safe spaces that sustain social movements. From mutual aid and accompaniment to protests, resistance art and political action, I believe in connecting the dots between passion, strategy and care to intimately know and invest in our communities in ways that are not only inspired but also impactful.”
About Me
Hi! I’m Kristeena, a communication specialist, social impact strategist, community organizer and gender activist born and raised in Jamaica, and based in London. I am investing in our collective ability to tackle some of today’s most daunting challenges head on, from environmental action to reproductive justice.
I spent my late teens and young adulthood as a journalist, writer, radio and television producer making outstanding, award-winning media. With some *extra special amazing* young broadcasters and activists, and the support of some top-of-the-game Executive Producers, I produced television and radio projects that amplified the voices, experiences and expertise of young Jamaicans, while intentionally creating a safe community for them to develop their politics and acquire & share media skills and literacies.
Recognizing the magic of working in community, I also secured funding for and led multiple youth-centered, community-based projects that amplified and strengthened existing community organizations, shared civic technology and mobilized support for protest action. These early experiences solidified my resolve to create a career for enabled me to use my creative skills to benefit my communities, and I’ve never looked back :)
I am passionate about gender, the environment and the creative and cultural industries. With my background and training in media and communications and sustainable development, I have worked with UNEP, UNICEF, Climate Tracker, Restless Development and Project Everyone, spoken on my work at the UN General Assembly, UN Social Forum, Global Goals Week and conferences in more than 9 countries globally. I love to connect with people and support them in making good emotional and intellectual decisions about where, how and with whom they can contribute to building joyful, just communities where we can all thrive.
I am so grateful to get to collaborate with activists, artists, organizations investing in community joy and resilience, to co-create community resources, to make and deepen connections, to validate and amplify our voices and to make and redirect resources that respond to our needs.
“I think what matters most to me is that I spend the time I have here, learning how to better share this world.”
Bio
Kristeena Monteith (she/her) is unearthing and creating models of community care and pathways for social impact and civic imagination. Kristeena is a communications specialist, social impact strategist, community organizer.
For over 10 years, Kristeena has been working with organizations and individuals across media, youth, gender and climate spaces, supporting them in achieving positive impact through intentional alignment of passion and politics, centered in self and community care.
Kristeena is the Community and Outreach Manager at WE-Change, a community-based, feminist mutual aid organization working with and for LBTQ and non-binary Jamaicans and she is completing a PhD in Media and Communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is also a Chevening Alumna who holds an M.A (Distinction) in Media and Creative Industries and a B.A (1st Class Honours) in Journalism.
Previously Kristeena was the Communication and Advocacy Officer at the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat managing communications on several major regional marine litter and plastic pollution projects. She also developed programmes for young journalists that enriched climate justice and energy transition reporting in the region as Caribbean Programmes Officer at Climate Tracker, and designed and produced multiple youth-led media platforms engaging young people in covering global social and political issues as a Senior Creative TV & Radio Producer at Talk Up Yout.
As a a warm and engaging international speaker and workshop facilitator, Kristeena has used the power of storytelling and conversation to connect with, inspire and challenge dreamers, changemakers, innovators and decision-makers making a difference on more than 5 continents. She regularly speaks on gender, community, mutual aid and digital activism among other topics.
For her over 10 years of outstanding work in media and with young people, Kristeena was recognized in 2018 by the United Nations Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake and an international High-Level panel of global leaders across civil society, government and the private sector, as 1 of 17 UN Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2020 Kristeena was awarded the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence in the category of Journalism - the highest national award for Jamaicans under the age of 30 years.
Fundamentally Kristeena is co-creating the spaces, resources and support we need to meaningfully participate in the work of building just, safe communities. Her belief is that by centering care, kindness and human and nature connections we make room for, and clarify our purpose, pathways and partners in improving our lives and our world.
Quick facts
If I wasn’t doing what I do now, I’d be a:
be doing what I do now, but as a design researcher, astronomer or filmmaker
Inspired by:
Women, queer community, deep conversations
Can’t stop talking about:
the cosmos and how they should inspire us to be more earth-loving - a la Sagan’s pale blue dot, politics, climate change, design, kindness
Currently listening to:
Glorilla, Sexyy Red - Whatchu Kno About Me; The Beach Boys - God Only Knows
Mantra:
I am where I need to be, what is next will be right for me
Happy place:
Where I am loved… or a clear, dark sky (perfect for stargazing), or an overcast day in bed (perfect for naps) or a library (perfect for daydreaming). Technically those feel the same to me anyway.