Nailah Folami Imoja wins the 27th Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Competition

Veteran novelist and poet Nailah Folami Imoja claimed the top honour in the 27th Frank Collymore Literary Endowment (FCLE) competition, receiving the first prize of $10,000 for her prose entry, Jamaica’s Exam. The announcement was made during the awards ceremony on Saturday, January 11 in the Frank Collymore Hall.

The winning piece tells the coming-of-age story of teenaged Jamaica Saul, a first generation British-Caribbean citizen. It examines perceptions of otherness as she encounters cultural duality, gender bias, peer pressure, and racism.
The second prize, valued at $7,500, went to Gloria Eastmond for her piece, Blackness Stretches Over the Land  while Andie Davis won third prize and earned $5,000 for Fools and Kings.

No one received the Prime Minister’s Award.

In the spoken-word category, now in its second year, Akeem Chandler-Prescod once again captured first place with Monsters Are Real, winning $5,000. This piece delves into the complexities of fear, dismantling the myth of external monsters while exposing the societal pressures, traumas, and inner battles that haunt individuals.

The duo of Luci Hammans and Cyndi Celeste (I.N.Q) took the second-place prize of $2,500 for Licence to Authority while Timon Howard won the $1,500 third prize with Anthemology.

Literary finalists Patrick Michael Foster and Ramario Phillips won developmental editing scholarships valued at $2,000 each for It is Written, Book 1 and Soil Remembers, respectively. Phillips also won the John Wickham Prize, which recognises writers under the age of 25. This prize is valued at $1,000.

The Central Bank of Barbados has sponsored the FCLE competition since its inception.
During his welcome remarks, Elson Gaskin, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, highlighted the importance of literature to both national identity and the economy:

“Each poem, short story, novel, or play by a Barbadian writer, each piece of spoken word performed, enriches the tapestry of our nation. It reminds us of our shared struggles and triumphs, our rich cultural heritage, and our unyielding spirit. By supporting our writers, we strengthen our identity as Barbadians and assert our place in the global literary community…
“Beyond its cultural significance, literature is also a cornerstone of the orange economy—the creative economy. Literature, alongside music, film, and other artforms, holds immense potential for economic diversification and growth. The works birthed from the FCLE have the power to attract international attention, spark collaborations, and create opportunities for our writers both at home and abroad.”
The FCLE competition promotes and rewards excellence in the literary arts in Barbados. The 2025 competition will open in July. (PR)

Photo Credit:Nailah Folami Imoja
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