The Lasco Chin Foundation in Kingston, Jamaica, recently partnered with Florida-based, Jamaican-owned media company, About Her Culture to provide a micro-grant of USD 500 to a woman entrepreneur or non-profit founder.
Jamaican non-profit founder, psychologist, and educator Keene Senior was chosen as the recipient of the first of several micro-grants given to Caribbean women in their home countries or throughout the diaspora. Like seniors, recipients’ projects must positively impact culture and community.
Senior’s non-profit, located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is God’s Investment for Today (G.I.F.T.). G.I.F.T. is a social initiative catering to the psychosocial, spiritual, and economic needs of at-risk children and youth between the ages of seven and 17. The organization has worked to empower approximately 70 local youth through individualized mentorship, empowerment sessions, gift and talent development, entrepreneurial coaching, tutoring, scholarships, and college career preparation.
“The micro-grant will aid in our registration and attainment of non-profit status in Jamaica, and also begin our financial literacy and entrepreneurship arms of G.I.F.T.,” Senior shares.
G.I.F.T. was initially founded by Senior’s father, Clifford Senior, who died in November 2020. She took on the mission in 2018. “I guess you could say the passion was transferred. I love young people, and I believe with the right environment and support, they have the potential to thrive. I want to be a part of that experience, and that has inspired me to continue the mandate that my father started.”
C.E.O. of the Lasco Chin Foundation, Prof. Rosalea Hamilton, was pleased to support Senior and her work with G.I.F.T. The project fits perfectly within the foundation’s mandates to support women entrepreneurs and help at-risk youth.
“We’re grateful to receive assistance for this micro-grant project from organizations like the Lasco Chin Foundation,” says Keisha Correia, founder and managing editor at About Her Culture. “We know there’s an overwhelming need for funding among women entrepreneurs and non-profit founders. Unfortunately, women of color are starting more businesses than any other demographic, but we’re still the most under-represented, under-supported, and under-funded,”
Correia explains that her company – a new media outlet that features and supports the Caribbean and African women around the world who are positively impacting their culture and community – is in the same boat as many of the micro grant applicants. “I’m also actively applying for grants for US-based entities. I decided to give others the help we’re looking for because I know that our audience of women in the Caribbean and Africa are in an even greater need of financial support,” she says.
Prof. Hamilton, who has had an illustrious career as a stalwart of social change and a successful businesswoman, has thoughtful advice for young women who dream of doing the same. “Never stop reaching for the stars. No matter when or how, be limitless in your quest for excellence,” she advises. “Set your goal very high even if you think you can’t achieve it, and try to be the best you can be in pursuing your goal. And, it’s important to help others along the way.”
The Lasco Chin Foundation and About Her Culture teams agree that this micro-grant initiative was created to help fill the gap between effort and access, which remains a longstanding global issue among underserved communities.
and then 