Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with Responsibility for Culture Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight (centre), Program Advisor Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement Rodney Grant (right) and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Division of Culture Michelle Maynard (left), share a light moment at the recent launch of the 2025 Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition.
The Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, within the Season of Emancipation, officially launched the 2025 Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition on Thursday, urging greater corporate support for an initiative that empowers young cultural entrepreneurs and celebrates the enduring legacy of Marcus Garvey.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with Responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, described the competition as a flagship event of the Season of Emancipation, rooted in Garvey’s ideals of economic independence and innovation.
Now in its third year, the pitch competition will take place on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the Marcus Garvey Amphitheatre in Queen’s Park. The day will feature a rich lineup of public activities, beginning with a cultural treasure hunt, followed by Flavours and Fashion, a creative fusion of culinary artistry and design. The competition itself will see five finalists pitch live before a public audience, with over $30,000 in prizes at stake, including a newly introduced People’s Choice Award.
Minister Munro-Knight made a direct appeal to the private sector to lend its support. “These are the types of initiatives that strengthen communities and build the kind of national resilience we all talk about. We need the private sector to see this not only as sponsorship, but as investment in Barbados’ future,” she said.
Rodney Grant, Programme Advisor for Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement, emphasized the evolving nature of the competition. “We’re constantly building,” he said. “Each year, we introduce something new. From the addition of public pitching to the People’s Choice Award, we’re reshaping the way cultural entrepreneurship is supported and celebrated in Barbados.” Grant revealed that the Division of Culture has also provided technical support to ensure that no one is left behind, from online application help to mentorship after the pitch.
Grant told the media that last year’s entries doubled, and with targeted outreach and a dynamic social media strategy led by interns from the Barbados Community College and the University of the West Indies, even greater public participation is expected this year.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Michelle Maynard added that while partnerships are still being finalized, the Division is open to late-stage sponsorship and encourages businesses to get involved.
Applications for the competition are open until July 31, 2025. The public is invited to follow the Division’s social media platforms for updates, resources, and submission guidance.
(PR)