Nolan Hue Foundation welcomes 46 new Alumni Members from YER 2024

The sixth annual Youth Empowerment Retreat (YER) was hosted by the Nolan Hue Foundation last weekend where 46 selected participants, the biggest cohort since the programme’s inception, experienced life-changing activities and seminars with several speakers and professionals across the country.

The NHF is a local non-profit organization seeking to foster social development opportunities that positively influence people and communities. YER is specifically designed to promote both professional and personal development among individuals between the ages of 16-25.

NHF’s Operations and Logistics Manager Imani Sinclair said that there are now over 140 Alumni Members who would have passed through its widely anticipated retreat and go on to add value back to their communities.

“We have seen a lot of alumni gone on to start their foundations or fight for different causes, doing positive things around Antigua and Barbuda,” Sinclair highlighted in an interview.

There is an emphasis for Alumni Members, who are often enrolled in tertiary education facilities and are employed in several sectors, to continue taking part in networking and volunteering activities coordinated by NFH to provide greater skills and support.

“To engage our Alumni, we have different events and initiatives throughout the year and now that they are a part of Nolan Hue we will see them coming back to our organizations at future retreats while doing their work,” according to Sinclair.

Over the three-day retreat, young participants benefited from interacting with guest speakers including DJ Quest and influencer Alyssa Derrick, who goes by “Global Gyal” on social media, who both sat for a podcast-style interview detailing their professional journeys. Business professional Khem Hughes spoke on the importance of having a resilient mindset, Andre Cleghorn facilitated a session on finding your purpose while Alaina Gomes facilitated a “very interesting”  session on health and wellness with themes including food and nutrition, stress, meditation and fitness.

Additional speakers were ACT Antigua’s Andrew Doumith, who presented on Artificial Intelligence (AI),  and Caribbean Union Bank representatives who facilitated the session on banking and finance.

Other groups such as Antigua Toastmasters were also invited to present on public speaking while Daniel Antonio, co-founder of the Antigua and Barbuda Armwrestling Association provided fun by facilitating sportsmanship among participants.

The NHF Executive TEA* has extended many appreciation and thanks to YER 2024 sponsors ACT Antigua, AllMart, Harney Motors Limited, Oxy’s Sip and Paint, Falmouth Harbour Marina, Sagicor General Insurance, Titi-Rent-A-Car, YAO Antigua, IOS Management and Consultancy Services and Caribbean Pharmaceutical Supplies.

The Nolan Hue Foundation is a social enterprise created by its CEO Regis Burton to focus on the professional development of youth in various communities