THE Lasco Chin Foundation recently partnered with Florida-based, Jamaican-owned media company About Her Culture to provide a micro grant of US$500 to a woman entrepreneur or non-profit founder.

Jamaican non-profit founder, psychologist and educator Kenene Senior was chosen as the micro grant recipient for the first of what will be several micro grants given to Caribbean women located in their home countries or throughout the Diaspora. Like Senior, recipients’ projects will need to demonstrate a positive impact on culture and community.

Senior’s non-profit, which is located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is God’s Investment for Today (GIFT). GIFT 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. To date, the organisation has worked to empower approximately 70 local youth through individualised 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 [will] also [will help us to] begin our financial literacy and entrepreneurship arms of GIFT,” Senior shared.

GIFT 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.”

CEO of the Lasco Chin Foundation, Professor Rosalea Hamilton was pleased to support Senior and her work with GIFT. The project fits perfectly within the foundation’s mandates to support women entrepreneurs and also help at-risk youth.

“We’re grateful to receive assistance for this micro grant project from organisations like the Lasco Chin Foundation,” says Kinisha 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 colour are starting more businesses than any other demographic but we’re still the most under-represented, under-supported and underfunded.”

Correia explained that her company — a new media outlet that features and supports Caribbean and African women around the world whose work is making a positive impact on 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 just 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 support,” she explained.

Professor Hamilton, who has had an illustrious career as a stalwart of social change and as 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 advised. “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.”