If you’ve heard of Cabbie Chronicles, then you already know the creative force behind it, Alison Tabois Latchman. As co-creator, writer, producer and voice director, Alison helped shape what became the Caribbean’s first animated series and a multi-award-winning production. While the series has been off air for some time, Alison has continued to create, innovate and earn recognition for her work.
A Strategic Collaboration Brings Authentic Jamaican Stories to Life
In 2024, Alison was approached by Jungle Communications, a full-service marketing and advertising agency based in New Jersey. Their client, Tower Isles Frozen Foods, sought to develop a social media series that authentically captured the soul of Jamaican food and culture.
CEO Sam Mikhail and Executive Producer of the series shared that the brand needed more than just good content. With expansion underway, the goal was to connect with Jamaicans in North America while attracting new audiences. Alison stood out as the ideal creative voice, having already proven her ability to blend humour, heart and authenticity.
Towaaah Becomes a Breakthrough Cultural Hit
With Alison leading the storytelling, Towaaah was born, an animated series following Hubie and Hortense, a Jamaican couple navigating life in Brooklyn. What began as an advertising campaign quickly evolved into a 30-second sitcom embraced by audiences.
In just over a year, 18 episodes were released, growing Tower Isles’ social media presence by more than 3,500 percent. The campaign’s success highlighted Alison’s ability to deliver compelling storytelling in a short format, earning both a Telly Award and an AIVA Communicator Award in May 2025.
Purpose Driven Storytelling Beyond Advertising
While Alison’s work in advertising continues to shape compelling campaigns, her personal projects remain deeply rooted in purpose. Her podcast, Big Ooman Tings, explores the lived experiences of women navigating midlife and beyond, creating space for honest and meaningful conversations.
That same sense of purpose is reflected in her children’s series, Magnus the Mongoose, which focuses on culturally relevant storytelling for young readers.
Turning Adversity Into Action Through Literacy
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Alison quietly donated over 150 books to children in affected communities, offering moments of comfort and joy during recovery. This effort laid the foundation for something even greater.
On March 20, International Day of Happiness, she officially launched the Send a Book Home initiative.
A Global Call to Give Back to Jamaican Schools
Centred around the first title, Magnus the Mongoose Meets New Friends, the initiative invites Jamaicans living overseas to give back in a meaningful way by donating books to the basic or primary school they once attended.
Through the purchase of book packages, copies are distributed to schools and community programmes across Jamaica, helping to foster early childhood literacy through culturally relevant storytelling.
From Animation Concept to National Reading Resource
Magnus the Mongoose was originally developed alongside Cabbie Chronicles for a younger audience and was featured in Kidscreen in 2015. The project later evolved into a book series, with the first title selected as the official book for Reading Week in Jamaica that same year.
Renowned early childhood education authority, the late Dr Rose Davies, described the book as a positive addition to children’s literature for the Caribbean, noting its engaging rhythm, vibrant illustrations and integration of Jamaican culture and language.
A Growing Legacy of Culture, Storytelling and Impact
Today, Magnus the Mongoose is more than a book. It represents a growing literacy initiative that connects storytelling, culture and community, reinforcing Alison Latchman’s role as a powerful voice shaping Caribbean narratives for generations to come.
