Jamaica Festival Queens' Parish Projects: Empowering Communities

Queens on a Mission: Empowering Communities Across Jamaica

When Festival Queens take the stage, the entire island of Jamaica takes notice. But it's not just about the glamour and the crowns—these women are driven by a passion to create meaningful change in their communities. Our 2023 Festival Queens are leading the charge with innovative projects that inspire, uplift, and empower.

In this session of Culture Corner, brought to you by Serenity Resource Connector in partnership with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), you'll meet the queens who are shaping the future of Jamaica, one community at a time. From the eastern to the western regions, these remarkable women share their journeys, challenges, and triumphs as they strive to make a lasting impact.

Get ready for an inspiring journey through the heart of Jamaica, where these queens are transforming lives and proving that beauty is truly more than skin deep. Each has a unique story, a powerful vision, and a commitment to bring positive change. It's a celebration of leadership, community, and culture, all wrapped up in a crown.

Watch the replay of Culture Corner on YouTube

From Passion to Purpose: Jamaica Festival Queens' Parish Projects

These Festival Queens represent the essence of beauty with a purpose. While they might wear crowns and sashes, their real strength lies in their commitment to making a difference. Each of them has a unique backstory that fuels their passion for helping others, and through their parish projects, they're creating ripples of positive change.

Jhanielle Powell, Miss Kingston and St. Andrew Festival Queen 2023: Jhanielle's background in music and performance inspired her to launch a project focusing on film and creativity. Her "Flip the Script Film Project" engages teenagers aged 12 to 18, providing them with hands-on experience in filmmaking, from scriptwriting to directing and cinematography. The project culminated in a film premiere at the iconic Bob Marley Museum, showcasing the talents of young Jamaicans.

Shanecia Daley, Miss Clarendon Festival Queen 2023: Shanecia's initiative arose from a personal encounter at a children's home. Seeing the need for basic hygiene products, she launched "Pay it Forward With Freshness, Purity, and Love." This project involved creating care packages filled with essential items like combs, mirrors, and hand sanitizer. By engaging local schools and mobilizing community

support, Shanecia was able to make a tangible

difference in the lives of children in need.

Ayoka Davis, Miss St. Ann Festival Queen 2023: Ayoka's focus shifted to mental health and learning disabilities. Her project, "Tallawah Helping Hands," aimed to raise awareness and support at-risk youth, offering mentorship and coaching to help them overcome challenges. Ayoka encouraged young people to embrace their potential and find their place in society through comprehensive support and a positive approach.

Erickay Chambers, Miss Trelawny Festival Queen 2023: As a mathematics teacher, Erickay understood the struggles many students face with the subject. Her "Student Priority Outreach Program" provided free math classes to improve performance, along with a social welfare component to assist students with financial needs. The result? A significant boost in math scores and renewed confidence among her students.

Navigating Challenges: Lessons in Perseverance

The road to success is never smooth, and these queens faced their share of challenges. However, they demonstrated resilience and creativity in overcoming obstacles.

One of the biggest hurdles for Miss Kingston and St. Andrew was the logistics of organizing a project that could impact an entire parish. She had to pivot quickly when a key collaborator turned out to be unreliable, reinforcing the importance of having a strong support network. Meanwhile, Miss Clarendon faced difficulties in garnering support from schools but relied on her family and personal determination to push through.

Miss St. Ann spoke candidly about the anxiety that comes with implementing a project, especially for someone who prefers to stay in the background. Yet, by accepting help from others and focusing on the positive outcomes, she found the strength to persevere. Miss Trelawny faced low attendance at her math classes but embraced a philosophy of "faith it until you make it," trusting that her efforts would bear fruit.

Collaboration: The Power of Working Together

One key lesson from these queens is the importance of collaboration. By building partnerships with local businesses, community leaders, and other organizations, they enhanced the success of their projects. These collaborations not only provided financial and logistical support but also helped spread the word about their initiatives, allowing them to reach a broader audience.

Miss Kingston and St. Andrew received a grant from the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation, which was instrumental in funding her project. Miss Clarendon's alma mater, Vere Technical High School, played a significant role in collecting donations and helping distribute care packages. Miss St. Ann worked with local businesses and the St. Ann Parish Library Network, while Miss Trelawny had support from her school and other community partners.

Inspiring Change: A Call to Action

These queens are a testament to the idea that anyone can make a difference, regardless of background or experience. If you're aspiring to be a community leader or seeking inspiration to start your own initiative, take a cue from their stories. It doesn't matter if you don't have all the resources at first or if you face setbacks along the way. What truly matters is your passion, perseverance, and willingness to collaborate.

To learn more about the Jamaica Festival Queens' parish projects and hear their stories in detail, watch the Culture Corner replay on YouTube. This session is a masterclass in community engagement, filled with insights and inspiration that can guide you on your own journey to making a difference.

Let's celebrate these Festival Queens and the work they're doing to uplift their communities. Share this article with someone who needs a dose of inspiration, and let's keep the spirit of positive change alive.

Together, we can create a brighter future for Jamaica and beyond.