By Ronda Luke
Franklyn Peter Moses, the entertainment titan whose voice has been a staple on
Dominica’s airwaves for over 35 years, has made a triumphant return to the spotlight.
Known for his pioneering contributions to entertainment and comedy in the region,
Moses has captivated audiences with his unparalleled charisma and talent. However,
beneath his public persona, he faced personal battles that threatened to silence his
vibrant spirit. Now, thanks to a revitalizing collaboration with the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) and the highly successful “All Jokes Aside” campaign, Franklyn is set to reignite his passion and make a powerful comeback. With his love for entertaining rekindled, he’s ready to inspire a new generation of fans.
Franklyn’s Journey in Entertainment
During an hour-long conversation filled with laughter, sadness, and reflection, Franklyn
recounted how his entry into the entertainment world was unplanned, yet it fulfilled a
deep-seated desire to entertain. He began performing informally during his school days
at St. Mary’s Academy (SMA), where he attended from 1978 to 1983. It was the late
Principal Cuthbert Elwin who, impressed by his class antics, unexpectedly appointed
him to emcee the Teenage Pageant and Calypso show.
“I was like, are you kidding me? I started to get nervous because at the time I thought I
could only do it for my class, but not in front of a crowd,” he recalled. “However, I went
to the show, and with a bit of encouragement, I went on stage,” marking the start of his
journey into comedy—a journey that would captivate many.
Throughout his life, the applause and enjoyment of his audience have been his driving
force. Despite facing criticism and negativity during his formative years—where he was
judged for his appearance and capabilities—Franklyn says that he found motivation in
the reactions of those who initially doubted him. As his performances grew more
celebrated, he recognised his unique talent and launched his comedy show,
‘Laughter in Fahrenheit,’ managing every aspect of the production himself.
His career spanned the entire Eastern Caribbean, with performances in every country
except Guyana, and even took him to international stages, showcasing his talent to
audiences far and wide.
His Battle with Bipolar Disorder
While experiencing significant highs in his career, Franklyn has faced numerous lows
over the years. He reflects on his lifelong struggle, revealing that something always felt
amiss in his thinking. After performing, he would often feel a deep emptiness once the
stage lights dimmed and the applause faded. He explained that on days when he felt overwhelmed and could barely muster the will to get out of bed, performing was his salvation, offering a momentary escape from his internal struggles.
It wasn’t until 2008, upon his return from England, that he was first diagnosed with
bipolar disorder. He likens his experience to the biblical passage from Second
Corinthians 12:7, where the apostle Paul speaks of a “thorn in the flesh” and God’s
assurance that “my grace is sufficient for you.”
“I consider myself like a Paul, where the Most High gives you something to keep you
humble,” he said. “So, he blessed me with bipolar disorder,” the veteran entertainer added. “And that is something I do not wish on any of my enemies. God made me strong enough to carry it, not take it away. So that’s like my thorn in my side.”
His battle led him to misuse substances like cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol in an attempt to silence the incessant negative chatter in his mind. Despite seeking relief through these means and eventually going to rehab, nothing seemed to quiet the tormenting voices.
Franklyn candidly admits that during these dark times, he experienced severe insomnia,
a lack of motivation, and overwhelming feelings of guilt. It was a profound struggle to
find peace within himself. Ultimately, he had to accept that he was his own source of
strength and solace, a mantra and his spiritual journey that helped him navigate
through his challenges.
Since his first admission to the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) in 2008, Franklyn has
experienced periods of both inpatient and outpatient care. However, for over two years,
he has been living there full-time, stepping away from the entertainment industry to
focus on his mental health. Recently, though, a project with the NDFD reignited his
passion for his craft.
The Collaboration That Rekindled His Entertainment Passion
Franklyn describes the call from NDFD as the spark that rekindled his passion for the
spotlight. Working with the team, who showed exceptional patience and support
through his “unfolding and awakening,” made him rediscover why he fell in love with
entertainment in the first place.
He notes that the project has allowed him to showcase his acting and comedic skills, as
well as his TV and radio experience, all in one compelling form which he believes has
revived his popularity across different ages. “Doing this, in that moment I realised how much I miss my entertainment. I miss radio commercials. I miss just the validation as one of Dominica’s creative minds,” he shared.
“It made me so happy and that has been somewhat of a healing for me at this stage
because the NDFD team planted the seed of I believe in you.”
Seeing the public’s enthusiastic response to the advert, which has garnered over 60,000
views on Facebook, truly ignited something within him.
“When people stop me on the street to laugh about the commercial, it’s a profound
validation for me,” he says. “The reaction to our video on social media reaffirmed that I
needed to dive back into this world because I thrive on positive feedback and knowing
that people enjoy what I do.” While Franklyn highlights that he has worked on a few projects since his admission at the APU, he says the collaboration with NDFD has been exceptional.
The “life changing” Campaign
To gain insight into why Franklyn was chosen for this campaign, I spoke with Donald Bercasio, Head of the Business and Entrepreneurial Development Department and the
Concept and Campaign Director for the initiative. Bercasio explained that the campaign required someone who was deeply relatable and connected to the Dominican public. He noted that Franklyn’s approachable personality, humour, and strong rapport with the community made him the ideal ambassador to amplify their message.
“We also believe that Franklyn has a unique ability to engage and inspire audiences,
which was crucial in effectively communicating the importance of entrepreneurship and
small business development and why the NDFD is the best institution to assist in these
areas,” he stated. “His performance not only brought our vision to life but also resonated
deeply with the community, contributing significantly to the viral success of the ad.”
The campaign director further asserted that entertainment icon remarkable journey and
resilience mirror the values which they champion at NDFD— which includes
overcoming challenges, seeking growth, and contributing positively to society.
“The campaign’s tagline, ‘NDFD –helping people when others would not,’ emphasises
NDFD’s role as a lifeline for those who may struggle to find support elsewhere,” Bercasio
stated. “The phrase “All Jokes Aside” underscores the seriousness of the challenges
being addressed, positioning the campaign as both an authentic and impactful call to
Action.”
Other team members who collaborated with Franklyn, such as Demian Dumas, the
Production Coordinator, described the experience as truly rewarding. He revealed that
working alongside someone he had long admired for his humour and charisma was both
a privilege and a joy.
“From helping brainstorm the concept to developing the script and helping shape the
overall vision, seeing it come to life and resonate so deeply with the Dominican public
was incredible,” Dumas stated.
Adding his voice, Cletus Joseph, Executive Director of the NDFD, highlighted that this
the collaboration perfectly aligns with the Foundation’s mission to empower and uplift the
local community and by partnering with Franklyn, they sought to reach a wider
audience and highlight the importance of entrepreneurship as a key path to both
economic and social empowerment.
A call to other Businesses
When asked about his message to businesses and the community regarding support
of talent, especially in challenging times, the entertainment pioneer emphasised a
critical issue in Dominica: the tendency to celebrate individuals when they are thriving,
only to forget them when they face adversity. He called for a fundamental shift in this mindset, urging businesses and the broader community to provide unwavering support—not just when success is visible, but also when people are fighting through their hardest battles.
What’s next for Franklyn
Alongside his trusted and longtime friend, Matthias ‘Matt’ Peltier Jr., who picks him up
daily from APU and has been a constant source of support, Franklyn is ready to dive into
new ventures once again. One of his most eagerly anticipated upcoming projects is
hosting the NDFD’s annual Creole in The Street event on October 18, an opportunity
that has him brimming with excitement.
In addition to cherishing his role as a proud grandfather, the comedy maestro is deeply
committed to inspiring others who are battling mental health challenges. He hopes his
journey will stand as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is
always hope and the possibility for renewal. As he approaches his 60th birthday this December, with his passion for entertainment reignited, in the words of Franklyn, “Life has once again started for me.” Link to Franklyn’s most recent commercial with NDFD here https://www.facebook.com/NDFD.LTD/videos/993310535776191/.
Great piece! Well penned! Very inspiring!
Very good read and great piece Rhonda. Franklyn I wish only the best for you.