Young people from different backgrounds were inspired, motivated and had their horizons opened to the vast possibilities of creative careers, at the launch of social impact creator Joel Nomdarkham’s first children’s book Future Makers: A Guide to 30 Creative Careers at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library on Monday, January 13.

The book showcases creative professionals from eight Caribbean countries including Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis, highlighting details about their fields. Students from Jessie Ripoll Primary, Hope Valley Experimental, St George’s Girls’ Primary and Infant School, Danny Williams School for the Deaf, and Holy Family Primary and Infant School were given a preview of the careers they could aim for.

Describing the venture as a labour of love, Nomdarkham expressed pride in being able to highlight modern-day fields that are viable options for students and also to encourage them at an early age to pursue their passions.

“It is so important for them to understand that you can dream big and that they can be bold and unapologetic about their creative expression. Over the years, especially in the school system, we continuously learn about the traditional career path and we don’t see full representation that fosters growth for children who generally like creative things,” Nomdarkham noted. “It is really good that we designed this tool [and are] bringing this activity to the forefront.”

The book which builds on Nomdarkham’s reading promotion projects, including Reading N’ Reasoning, stresses the importance of inclusivity and incorporating embedded multimedia content that features sign language interpretation. Nomdarkham said it was important for all backgrounds to be represented and for their aspirations not to be limited to their circumstances.

“From an early age I never saw disabled children as different. I had them as classmates, I had them as teachers and, through that, it’s an automatic way of viewing everybody as equally the same. In the title, the R is actually in sign language and all the videos are accessible so there is live sign language interpretation. Those things are important and key because, at the end of the day, people want to see themselves represented,” Nomdarkham said.

The students were inspired by guest speaker Yvette Noel-Schure, head of publicity for multi Grammy Award-winning artiste Beyonce’s Parkwood Entertainment. Her message to the students was filled with optimism, charging them to never give up on their ambitions. Noel-Schure, who wrote the foreword for the book, was excited to partner on the project, recognising the importance of inspiring the next generation.

“I was one of those students. I was a little black girl who was 10 years old at one point, and I remember what mentors meant to me. I remember learning from my teachers but also learning from the people in my home that were my first role models,” Noel-Schure said. “I knew at some point in my young adult life, that I needed to pass that on to motivate a young child’s life especially one on an island. Young children in the Caribbean, more than anywhere else, need to see representation that look like them, talk like them and then can just relate to them.”

With a need for exposure to careers in the modern era, Noel-Schure said that exposing young people at an early age to such professions can leave lasting impressions.

“We have to show children that anything they dream, there is a profession there where you can see yourself doing something you love and still being able to have a roof over your head and feed yourself and maybe one day if you choose, even have a family that you can afford doing something creative,” Noel-Schure said.

Sharing similar sentiments was Sandals Foundation Public Relations Manager Patrice Gilpin, who relished the partnership with the book in providing access for students to be exposed to a world of possibilities.

“We thought it was such a dynamic, innovative book. It definitely fills a gap. It provides a service and once we can get our young children understanding the world of opportunities that exist in the things that they love to do, in their own self-expression, we thought it was a very important project to be a part of,” Gilpin said.

The book will be distributed to schools across the island and additionally, Noel-Schure and Nomdarkham will be heading to Ocho Rios Primary School on Wednesday as part of the foundation’s Reading Roadtrip where they will share the book and its message. According to Nomdarkham, the book will be available for general purchase in February, and he hopes it drives policy change regarding how creative careers are perceived.

“We have seen around the world where creatives have been able to benefit greatly from their talent. My hope is that it can inform and change policy decisions at the education level,” Nomdarkham said.