(EDITOR’S NOTE: Chereise Rolle, Owner and Creative Director of DBC Creative Agency in Nassau, wrote this excellent commentary on the occasion of a visit to the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, July 31, by Senator Roni Duncombe and participants in the NexGen Young Men’s Mentorship Program. We absolutely had to share it as a Guest Commentary in BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.)
GUEST COMMENTARY: BY CHEREISE ROLLE
NASSAU, Bahamas, August 1, 2023 — Honorable Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis we are honored to be here today as representatives of the NexGen Young Men Mentorship Program. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to meet you and discuss our program’s mission. The NexGen program focuses on empowering young men to thrive in various aspects of life, including education, leadership, financial literacy, networking opportunities and community involvement. We believe that investing in the potential of young men in The Bahamas will contribute significantly to our nation’s growth and development.
As you can see, Senator Ronald Duncombe had the vision for this program because as a young man growing up in Kemp Road, he experienced firsthand the absence of a father figure in his life. His mother Norma Duncombe did her best to raise him, but she recognized the invaluable role that positive male mentorship plays in shaping young men’s lives. It became clear to Senator Duncombe that a mother, with all her good intentions, cannot single-handedly raise a man to fulfill his potential into manhood.
As you can witness here today, these young men represent various communities, including Killarney, Yamacraw, Nassau Village, Centerville, Garden Hills, Englerston, Andros, and your great constituency, Cat Island. They are the future leaders of our nation, and our program aims to equip them with the skills, values, and confidence they need to succeed and make a positive impact in their communities.
We are aware that you, Prime Minister , share the vision of empowering young men through your blueprint for this nation. Your dedication to creating opportunities and fostering an environment where every individual can thrive is commendable. We believe that by aligning our efforts with your government’s vision, we can collectively make a meaningful impact on the lives of young men and contribute to the overall progress and prosperity of our beloved country. We are eager to learn more about your insights and strategies to empower the youth, and we are committed to being active participants in translating this vision into tangible actions for a brighter future.
Thank you, Prime Minister, for investing in the young people and for your time today to meet with us.
May you continue to be blessed.
