GraceKennedy Seeks Exceptional Quartet of Jamaican Diaspora Students for Birthright ’27 Program

Kingston, Jamaica, September 1, 2026 – The countdown has begun to GraceKennedy’s 2027 Birthright Program.

The company is inviting second- or third-generation Jamaicans throughout the diaspora to experience the island like never before. If you are a university student and are looking to connect with your Jamaican heritage while gaining valuable professional experience, GraceKennedy could be looking for you.

The GraceKennedy Birthright Program is an all-expenses-paid, six-week program that combines internship placements within GraceKennedy’s Jamaican operations with immersive cultural experiences across the island. It allows participants to develop valuable career skills while exploring the history, culture, and traditions that shape part of their identity.

Since its launch in 2004, more than 60 young people from the Jamaican diaspora have participated in the program, leaving with stronger ties to their Jamaican roots and increased opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Reflecting on her experience in the program, 2025 participant Kyrah McIntosh (Liverpool Hope University, UK) said, “Working with GraceKennedy gave me valuable professional experience, but what stood out most was the opportunity to experience Jamaica firsthand through its people, culture and history. It helped me connect with my heritage in a way I never had before, and for the first time, it truly felt like coming home.”

GraceKennedy Ltd CEO Frank James said, “This is more than an internship. It’s an opportunity to discover where you come from while shaping your future. Through the Birthright Program, GraceKennedy is investing in the next generation of leaders who will carry Jamaica’s story into communities and industries around the world.”

Four candidates will be selected for the 2027 program: two from the United States, one from Canada and one from the United Kingdom. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in in-person interviews in Miami, New York, Toronto and London in spring 2027, with successful candidates announced ahead of the program’s commencement in June.

Eligible applicants must be second- or third-generation Jamaicans from the diaspora, between the ages of 18 and 25, who are enrolled at a university in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom.

The 2025 cohort also included Abigail Ralph (McGill University, Canada), Lauren Roach (University of Miami, USA) and Josiah Royes (Hofstra University, USA). The 2026 program was postponed due to Hurricane Melissa.

Applications opened on September 1 and will close on November 30, 2026. Interested students may apply at www.gracekennedy.com. For additional information, email gkfoundation@gkco.com.