Entrants for Marcus Garvey pitch contest doubled

This year the Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition saw a record number of participants drawing 63 entrants—twice last year’s number—as it honoured the visionary’s birthday and his legacy of economic independence, enterprise, and Black excellence.

During the concert hosted at the Marcus Garvey Amphitheatre, Queen’s Park, St Michael, on Sunday evening, Minister in the Ministry with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, explained the aim of the initiative. 

She said, “The Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch was designed to provide a space where government does not have to be in. Where we can hear directly from people their own ideas, their own innovation and we just come along and facilitate.”

This celebration is a part of the 2025 Season of Emancipation, themed Reimagining the Past, Celebrating the Future. Minister Munro-Knight noted, “We saw for the first time a wide gamut of innovation…We had technological solutions, digital solutions, we had solutions that were about answering environmental challenges. We had solutions that were about making sure that we remember and value our cultural heritage.” 

She assured participants their solutions “are heard and valued.”

Minister Munro-Knight called for the contribution of artists to be recognised, adding, “We do not think about the fact that the things that they contribute to us are part of nation building. They aren’t just performative. They aren’t just being creative because they can’t do anything else.” She said there was a need to make sure “that our artists and our other cultural  artists can thrive.” 

Five finalists presented their pitches to a judging panel comprising Marsha Alleyne, chief product development officer at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI); Gerald Amos, general manager of the  Barbados Trust Funds Ltd; and Sophia Greaves, chief executive officer of Pinelands Creative Workshop

Taking home the top prize of $20 000 was the group Echoes of Bim, led by Shanika Burnett. The creators developed a mobile game incorporating virtual reality and immersive storytelling to educate users about the island’s history. The group, which aims to revolutionise how children view and engage with learning materials, also captured the People’s Choice Award, earning 68 per cent of the public vote. Billed as more than just a game, the platform will also serve as a digital archive, housing documents, photographs, and recordings.

Placing second was Echoes of Barbados. The duo of Petra Ramsay and Monique Hinds won $7 000 for their initiative, which allows users to access historical information through strategically placed QR codes at different sites.

Third place went to Phillip Lashley with his project Play Barbados, which earned $3 000. Lashley said he is offering an innovative cultural immersion experience where participants interact with Barbadiana on three levels. “It involves learning and playing traditional games like warri, storytelling about Barbadian history and cooking traditional local meals.”

The evening’s festivities opened with the Garvey Chronicles—Path to Purpose Treasure Hunt, followed by the Afro Carib Vogue Fashion which featured designs from Vicki Warner’s Kaftans and Kimonos, Adelabu Designs, Shakad Eco Lifestyle by Shanika Burnett and pieces from Africa Net, the leading African store in Barbados.

Flautist Roch Scantlebury and reggae band Rite Side of Red also entertained the audience. (STT)