THEY are the neighbours who never turn away a call for help, the visionaries who see possibilities where others see problems, and the doers who transform their communities one good deed at a time.

They are the latest group of Supreme Ventures Foundation Supreme Heroes, selected after a public call for nominations in 2024.

Jamaicans now have the chance to vote for the ultimate Supreme Hero as the third cohort of change-makers completes their journey. The winner will be announced in time for the National Heroes’ Day celebration.

The five finalists spent more than eight months in leadership and capacity-building training with Change Makers Limited and entrepreneurial development workshops through the Mona Entrepreneurial and Commercialization Centre (MECC) at The University of the West Indies. Their journey culminated in the official launch of their community projects, completed as part of the Supreme Heroes programme.

At the launch event recently, each Supreme Hero shared how the tools and resources gained through the programme allowed them to transform passion into action and has provided invaluable support with strengthening their philanthropic endeavours.

Heather Goldson, director of the Supreme Ventures Foundation, described the moment as a proud milestone for both the programme and the country.

“The Jamaican resilience is something that must be celebrated and encouraged. The foundation started the Supreme Heroes programme as a vehicle to not only recognise Jamaicans who are doing impactful work in their communities but to also provide them with the tools to scale that impact and make their efforts sustainable.”

“Each year, when we make that call for public nominations, the quality of the nominees makes it difficult to shortlist. This year was no exception. We’re very proud of this set of finalists, our third cohort of Supreme Heroes. They all embody the spirit of the programme, and based on their community projects, Jamaica and the judges have a tough task to select the ultimate hero as all of them are impressive and impactful,” said Goldson.

The heroes’ projects, funded by grants from the Supreme Ventures Foundation, showcased the theme that echoed throughout the day: ‘Small acts of service can spark big change’. Samantha Chantrelle, managing director of Change Makers Ltd, reflected on the heroes’ resilience: “Development, as we know, is never easy. It is complex, demanding, and it requires more than ideas, it requires perseverance and sacrifice. Our Supreme Heroes designed, redesigned, and kept pushing forward because they understood that for real impact to take root, projects must meet the needs of people where they live, in ways that truly change lives.”

In the meantime, Collin Fuller, senior entrepreneur in residence at MECC shared his admiration for the cohort’s progress. “Every year I look forward to meeting the Supreme Heroes because they bring such dynamism. They came into training with passion, and they left with business and management skills that will help them not only complete these projects but also sustain and grow them for years to come.”

• Matthew Prendergast, through Jamaica Bike Life, mobilised a team of skilled and unskilled volunteers from across various communities to build a mobile cart for a vendor who plies her trade on Ardenne Road while continuing his mentorship of young men in bicycle and motorcycle mechanics and road safety. “When you give a young man the chance to learn, to fix, to be proud of a skill, it changes how he sees himself. That’s what keeps me going.”

• Tishauna Mullings, chief success officer of NexxStepp Lifelong Educational Services, hosted her
Little Genius Show to empower children as young as eight years old to see themselves as change-makers. “When communities see someone they know using resources to make a real difference, it sparks belief. My project is about igniting that moral revolution, incubating change-makers from as early as possible so the ripple effect never ends.”

• Tanisha Richards-Whyte, founder of Tan Tan Wholesale Enterprises, repaired a critical thoroughfare in her Central Village, St Catherine community to make it safer for residents and continued her tradition of hosting mother’s and father’s day treats. “It doesn’t take much to give back. Even the smallest help can mean the world to someone in need, and that is what drives me to keep serving.”

• Abiathar Neita, of Neita’s Funeral Services & Supplies, coordinated the repair of three homes by fixing roofs and donated supplies for a youth in his community to start a poultry business. “People are always looking to me for help, and I could never turn them away. With this project, I wanted to show that we can all create opportunities if we work together.”

• Nicholas McKenzie, founder of Kritical Defensive Driving School, expanded his defensive driving programme that teaches Jamaicans, particularly women, not only how to handle the road but how to manage the realities of road rage and unsafe conditions. “It’s not just about driving, it’s about discipline, confidence, and survival. If I can help one person feel safer, then I know I’ve done my job.”

With their community projects now complete, the final step is in the hands of the public. Voting is officially open from now until October 5 to crown the newest Supreme Hero — the individual who best embodies the spirit of service, resilience, and innovation. Public votes can be made by visiting the SV Foundation‘s website sv-foundation.com or on the Instagram account @supremeventuresfoundation.

Matthew Prendergast

Tishauna Mullings

Tanisha Richards-Whyte

Abiathar Neita

Nicholas McKenzie