By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 9, 2022 – At a time when there are more than ample reasons to be seriously concerned about why far-too-many young people in The Bahamas have already mortgaged their future as potential law-abiding citizens by routinely engaging in criminal activities, it was absolutely delightful to see a post on Facebook about a group of young Bahamians who are involved in an organization called RISE BAHAMAS.
Although its motto “Less Talk, More Action!” initially raised a “red flag” in my mind that it was a radical group, after I reviewed pertinent details of the leaders of the organization, I concluded that the young persons involved in this group are on a serious mission to provide an avenue for young people to make meaningful contributions to The Bahamas’ development politically, socially, educationally and in other areas.
In its post on Facebook, Rise Bahamas is described as “an activist group formed in 2014 as a result of a 48-hour demonstration, ‘Occupy Rawson Square.’”
“We called for government accountability, public disclosure, and the establishment of a Freedom of Information Act,” the post noted.
The post added: “Over the years, we have successfully advocated for the implementation of Marco’s Alert, posted missing children posters on social media and brought greater attention to The Public Disclosure status of parliamentarians.
“Rise Bahamas encourages citizen action on issues of national importance while focusing on the protection of the most vulnerable people. We provide a forum for free speech, and promote the right to peacefully assemble, protest and petition for a cause.”
The organization’s leaders all have impressive credentials, as outlined in this introduction of its Boad of Directors:
TERNEILLE BURROWS, PRESIDENT
Terneille Burrows (professionally known as “Tada”) is a Bahamian music executive/performer and humanitarian.
At the age of 19, Terneille blazed onto the international recording arts scene, emerging as the Grand Prize Winner of the hip-hop category in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Her voice was heard by millions throughout the United States on the “Better in The Bahamas” jingle and her music appears in several international films and television programs.
Nowadays, Terneille has gained significant recognition for championing the rights and protections of women and children and for her advocacy work towards anti-corruption, accountability and transparency as founder/president of non-profit organization Rise Bahamas.
Terneille is invested in ensuring that the Bahamian populace becomes more engaged in the social and political affairs of our country. Her hope is that The Bahamas becomes renowned as a paradise where children can live free from abuse and harm.
A KENRIVA BETHEL, DIRECTOR
A Kenriva Bethel, BBA, MBA, CPA, is a Bahamian accountant, hotelier, educator, and business entrepreneur. A veteran of the hotel industry, she has worked as an executive for many of the major hotel properties in New Providence and Grand Bahama. She is the CFO of Showcase Entertainment, Ltd., a multiplex entertainment business.
As a mother of two sons, she is passionate about her country and the rights of its young citizen. She strongly believes in the equitable maxim of doing good to bring about good, Ubi jus ibi remedium. As a steward of equity, she embodies JFK’s challenge “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” teaching as an adjunct faculty at the University of The Bahamas.
Educating future leaders is her modus operandi to bring awareness to the voiceless.
She believes Rise Bahamas is a voice for change, seeking to benefact those trapped in
the wilderness of inequity.
DENISE M. MAJOR, DIRECTOR
Denise M. Major is an author, advocate, mentor and mother, who started out as a graphic artist at the Nassau Guardian, and within a few short months she pressed her way into the newsroom. Her career in journalism and marketing/public relations lasted eight years before she transitioned into the world of non-profits. However, her passion for media did not completely fade away as she continued on as the creator and host of the “Youth By Youth” radio show that aired for four years on Island FM. She is a regular talk show guest and co-host, appearing on several radio shows throughout the Bahamas
She began her work in non-profits as a rape victim’s advocate and volunteer at the Bahamas Crisis Center and eventually began working full-time at the Bahamas Urban Youth Development Center as the Program Coordinator. This opportunity opened many doors within many other reputable organizations, including: The Bahamas Red Cross, the Bain Grants Town Advancement Association, Bahamas Against Crime and the Coalition to Save Clifton. She worked as the Community Outreach Worker for the PEPFAR Program ( Presidents Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) and has also served as the Executive Director for Bahamas Sexual Health & Rights Association formerly known as Bahamas Family Planning where she currently sits on the board of directors.
Presently she is employed as the Prevention and Community Outreach Worker in the Prevention Unit at The Bahamas National HIV/AIDS Program. Additionally, she is the CEO of The Empowerment Group, a company whose mission is to empower girls, women and the community-at-large to make informed decisions that will ensure a successful future.
A lifelong learner, she continuously pursues new ideas and learning best practices in her various capacities.
GUSTAVAS FERGUSON, DIRECTOR
Gustavas Ferguson is a Bahamian Registered Architect and President of the Institute of Bahamian Architects (IBA) and principal partner of the Nassau-based Architecture and Planning firm, Ferguson Architects. He has practiced and specializes in architecture, interiors, and urban design-plus planning and is active on the national scene as an instructor and adjunct professor for the last 20 years.
Gustava’s work is based on an approach called ‘Regionalism’. He says, “At Ferguson Architects, we aspire to create architecture and landscape of experience or unimagined before. We take a broader perspective to materialize architecture and urban design originating in memories of a place. It is a surprising and joyful process, searching to encounter and deeply getting to know what was forgotten and what was lost due to modernization and globalization. Locations always possess memories, and we are convinced that memories are not things that belong to the past, but a driving force to create the architecture of the future. Thus, our approach called ‘Regionalism.”
Gustavas received his undergraduate degree, AA Architecture Technology from The College of The Bahamas, B. Arch from the University of Arkansas and M.U.D. (Urban Design) from the University of Toronto. Now lectures at The School of Science, Math & Technology at The University of The Bahamas & Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute.
