INMA Elevate Scholar: Ely Ilkania Alcantara Reyes of Multimedios del Caribe

Editor's Inbox | 22 August 2022

By Michelle Palmer Jones

Freelance Writer

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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On October 28, 2021, INMA and Google News Initiative (GNI) awarded their Elevate Scholarship to 50 news media professionals around the world. This series features these impressive media professionals who are shaping our industry.

Ely Ilkania Alcantara Reyes is an SEO Specialist for Multimedios del Caribe in Dominican Republic. Because of her previous experience in marketing and journalism, she began in the marketing and publishing side of the media business.

She became a magazine editor for an automotive chain, but when her job in print was eliminated due to downsizing the business, she emerged as a writer for digital media. Being able to reinvent herself is what Alcantara Reyes calls the greatest milestone of her career.

Ely Ilkania Alcantara Reyes found her space in the digital world after her job in the print space was eliminated.

“I decided to venture into the digital world, making certifications and creating my project, Tragalibrosrd, a cultural literature project that promotes the reading of Dominican authors and universal literature,” Alcantara Reyes said. “Thanks to this project, I have been able to venture into digital marketing and learn about writing, storytelling, and content creation.”

After just three months as a marketing coordinator at local media brand, el Caribe, Alcantara Reyes transitioned to her SEO position, working with digital journalists. She credits the quick promotion to her work on the online version of Pandora Magazine from the point of view of strategy and communication. Alcantara Reyes now hopes to help others find their own paths to success.

“I aspire to have the opportunity to create a project in which I can help new talents who may not have the same opportunities that I have achieved so far,” Alcantara Reyes said. “Being a successful Afro-descendant woman means being able to help my community.”

Alcantara Reyes hopes to further her skill set so that demographics and geography hold no weight on her future.

“I hope to be able to acquire the skills that will help me reduce the opportunity gap due to the limitations of belonging to a developing country, where professionals must go to other countries to develop my full potential,” Alcantara Reyes said.“I am more than my skin colour or my social class.”