Journalist Wesley Gibbings wrote this remembrance of his colleague Garfield King at the request of MATT.

Garfield Stephen King (April 2, 1954 – October 23, 2026) was a Trinidad and Tobago-born journalist, broadcaster and communications professional who was raised in the United Kingdom and practised his craft in Canada, Barbados and his native country.

His programmes were broadcast throughout the Caribbean, including in Barbados (‘Just A Moment, Thought for the Day’ and ‘Second Thoughts’); Saint Lucia (‘Tips for Better Living’); Jamaica (‘Just A Moment’); and Trinidad and Tobago (‘Discover Yourself, Transform Your World’).

He was also the producer and presenter of ‘Motivation Minute’, which aired on Music Radio 97.1 for more than 28 years. The programme was extensively syndicated overseas and continues to be broadcast in numerous markets.

Following his death, a tribute from the management and staff at Radio 97.1 described Garfield as “much more than a familiar voice … He was a valued colleague whose wisdom, warmth and commitment to conscious communication touched countless lives.”

He worked in both print and broadcast media as a newspaper columnist, reporter, news director and assistant station manager. He eventually became more widely known as a media trainer and motivational and public speaking coach.

Garfield drew on more than 50 years of experience in meditation and what he described as “contemplative disciplines”, including training that involved “a semi-cloistered life for over 12 years”, as part of his instructional methodologies.

This background informed four motivational books co-authored by him.

He is remembered by colleagues for his deeply insightful mentorship and the sense of calm he brought to the newsroom.

His work as a trainer and coach in public speaking, presentation skills and “conscious communication” reached numerous senior business executives, members of the judiciary, civil society leaders, and fellow media practitioners.

Together with his late wife, Barbara, he also earned acclaim for presenting their “Leadership Series”, which focused on developing skills for effective public communication.