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DAVIA CHAMBERS remembers the first time she stood in front of a television camera.
She was just 17 and one of two reporters at PTV8 News, a then newly established station in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where Chambers lived for a significant part of her life.
“I was excited for the opportunity but I was really nervous, as I wasn’t used to reading from a prompter. I was also thinking to myself, ‘What if a word pops up that throws me off?’”
It took the support of Chambers’ mentor, Deandrea Hamilton, the station’s head of news at the time, to help her “get the gist of it.”
And while, she says, the “butterflies are still there” from her early years in the spotlight, “I definitely feel more comfortable.”
Today, more than a decade later, Chambers, 31, is a self-assured and in-demand communications practitioner, who can be called upon at a moment’s notice to moderate a panel discussion, do a high-profile interview or host a cultural show.
The substantive host of the Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA’s) flagship news magazine programme, Let’s Talk Tobago, Chambers is a television producer II in the Department of Information, Office of the Chief Secretary, THA, a position she has held for several years. She has worked with the assembly since 2012.
Apart from covering THA events and stories for publication, Chambers assists in organising and planning activities in the television unit of the department and also determines audio work, scenes, graphics, music, camera work and other input into TV production. At times, she also moderates post-executive council media briefings and other THA news conferences.
[caption id="attachment_1030016" align="alignnone" width="768"] Davia Chambers, the host of Lest's Talk Tobago. -[/caption]
She attributes her success in the field so far to her passion for reading and commitment to life-long learning.
“I’ve always been an avid reader, but it reminded me that reading continuously develops your vocabulary, which is what is needed in this industry.”
Chambers had a very typical childhood. Her early years were spent in Trinidad and later, the Turks and Caicos.
“I had a sibling and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my childhood – from bathing in the rain, playing cricket in the street, being sent to the neighbourhood parlour and playing hopscotch.”
In Trinidad, she did a bachelors of arts degree in mass communications at the Ken Gordon School of Journalism and Communications Studies. She described the programme as “the best.”
“I believe the specialised knowledge and skills learnt at Costaatt (College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of TT) is beyond compare. When you’ve completed your degree, you can step foot into any organisation and be able to work efficiently.”
For Chambers, living in the Turks and Caicos was bit of a culture shock.
[caption id="attachment_1030015" align="alignnone" width="768"] Davia Chambers interviews Jamaican reggae star Koffee. -[/caption]
“My experience was completely different to what I was accustomed to in TT, as it’s a totally different culture. But once I made friends and really started adapting, I enjoyed it.”
Like many newbies in the media, Chambers did not have much of a grace period at PTV8. But the experience she gained during her years at the station gave her the foundation she needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry.
Chambers recalled when she started at PTV8, there were only two other reporters at the station and her assignments included accidents, press conferences and events.
She also recalled covering a few high-profile assignments, including the Sir Robin Auld Commission of Enquiry into the Turks and Caicos Island government from 2008-2009.
Chambers recalled, the commission, in its summary, found there was a “high probability of systematic corruption” in government, the legislature and among public officers in the island. It consisted of bribery by overseas developers and other investors of ministers and/or public officers in an attempt to secure crown land on favourable terms, coupled with government approval for its commercial development.
Covering the enquiry, she said, was tedious.
“No video recording was allowed so I had to listen well and take notes. It was exhausting, to say the least, being thrown into a baptism of fire as a new reporter. But I take every experience as a lesson though, and I believe covering that has really helped me to grow as a journalist, as some of the key skills needed were developed.”
During her youth, Chambers never considered a career in media but was drawn to health and wellness.
“Being able to move and function is an essential part of being healthy. I always wanted to help people, but I didn’t want to be a medical doctor, so when I learnt about physiotherapy, I became interested. I wanted to help people heal physically and see them excel post sessions in their day-to-day activities.”
But Chambers recalled in her last months of high school, her maths teacher asked about her future plans.
“When I shared my plans, he suggested that I think about a career in media and communications as I was a strong English student, a great debater and an exceptional writer who loved reading.”
She said she contemplated it and decided to give it a try.
“I realised I really loved it and I was also good at it. so I decided to develop my skills professionally. The rest, as they say, is history.”
The mother of one, who enjoys travelling, shopping and spending time with family and friends, described her experience at the THA as “transformative, enriching and profound.
“I have a passion for telling stories and seeing them come to life, in this instance, stories that highlight the work of the assembly in an appealing way and stories that share how people in Tobago have benefited from the programmes of the THA.”
She said she has also learnt to be more empathetic and understanding.
“Everyone has different perspectives and opinions and must be respected.”
The media personality, who entered and won the Miss TT World competition in 2010, said her experiences as a beauty pageant contestant were also personally enriching.
Chambers said she had always loved modelling and pageantry and decided to enter the national competition.
“I was fortunate enough to see my hard work reap its rewards by winning the show. The experience was a very rewarding one. I was just 18 at the time and the youngest person to represent TT at an international competition. I learnt so much about myself. It definitely taught me selflessness, confidence, self-awareness, self-discipline and tenacity.”
Participating in an international competition also taught her how to remain focused amid “outside noises.
“I’ve learnt that I am capable of doing much more that I can imagine.”
Over the years, Chambers, who had brief stint at Tobago Channel 5, said she has had many memorable experiences in the THA. Taking the baton from Let’s Talk Tobago’s former “very experienced” host Colleen Holder (now director of corporate communications and productions, Office of the Parliament), ranks highly among them, she said.
“I remember that shoot quite vividly. We were in Crown Point and she handed over to me on the show. I felt like I had really big shoes to fill.
"But I never doubted myself or my abilities. I believe in putting in the work to get the best results.”
More recently, Chambers also hosted a THA district town hall meeting – a forum initiated by the Farley Augustine-led administration in which Tobagonians, in their respective electoral districts, are given the opportunity to openly voice their concerns, grievances and share solutions.
“You’re hearing from quite a lot of personalities but you’ve got to remain professional.”
Chambers is big on maintaining her professionalism at all times.
“I take my role quite seriously. I know that there are young girls who look up to me. Therefore, I am always mindful of what I do and how I do it, both in the public space and on social media.”
And for those thinking of entering the media and communications industry, Chambers advised, “If you’re entering just because of the image, glitz and glam, which is only the final product, do some more analysis. It’s a lot of hard work, sometimes long hours, and it takes dedication, just as if you were to work in any other sector.”
Despite the demands of her job, Chambers said being a good mother to her young daughter remains her number one priority.
“I believe that setting routines and prioritising tasks help. I also stay connected to everything my daughter is doing and I make the time to create family activities. because at the end of it all, balance is critical.”
She also finds time for her business, Iceland Creams n Treats, which she launched several years ago at Adventure Shopping Mall, Plymouth.
“Five years from now, I’d like my business to be fully bloomed, offering additional tasty, authentic products. But I’d also like to establish a professional public relations agency on the island.”
 
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