Trudy Knockless is a freelance writer, editor, poet, entrepreneur, self-published author, actress, and online talk show host. Trudy is a proud Jamaican who currently resides in New York with her daughter and mom. She studied Journalism at Baruch College where she was a contributing writer for the school’s online magazine, Dollars and Sense, and was the recipient of the Award for Excellence in Investigative Journalism and the SABEW Best Student Business Journalism award.
Trudy started her acting career in Jamaica after taking a summer acting class at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, and subsequently joining a theater company that was founded and operated by her instructor. Trudy has appeared in several plays, sketch comedies, short films, music videos, TV shows, and movies. She has also been a featured audience member in BET’s Black Girls Rock awards show and Emeril Lagasse’s cooking informercial. Her latest work was in a Buzzfeed production. Trudy’s dream is to one day play a role in a movie or a broadway play, alongside actresses like Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, Taraji P. Henson, and Gabrielle Union. She is also working on writing her own short films and stage plays.
Trudy currently hosts an online program titled, “Conversations with Trudy” that streams live on Facebook every Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST. The recorded program is also aired on Newstalk 93 FM in Jamaica and Caribbean Vibes Radio in New York. The program addresses various social issues and raises awareness about mental health, domestic violence, human trafficking, breast cancer, as well as certain auto-immune diseases, and other health issues. The program is designed to break stigmas, offer perspectives on taboo subjects and provide a safe space for open dialogue for participants and viewers.
Coming from a humble background, Trudy has developed a passion for helping those most in need. She is a six-year team leader for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides of Central Park breast cancer walk and raises funds annually for that branch of the organization. She is also a regular donor and fundraiser to/for the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and has also raised funds to assist people in Jamaica who are ill but cannot obtain the medications they need due to lack of funds. She has continued to carry the torch lit by her late friend, Paulette Williams, whose dying wish was for Trudy to continue her annual coat drive. Her vision is to create a charity in an effort to raise funds to help children in her home country, Jamaica, who are deprived of love, care and protection due to poverty.
Trudy Knockless 