Youth Empowerment Initiative Launched By Festival Queen 2025

The National Youth Empowerment Initiative, ‘Read. Speak. Lead’, conceptualised by Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2025 and Jamaica Library Service (JLS) Reading Ambassador 2025/2026, Britney Clarke, was officially launched at the St. James Parish Library, recently.

Designed to strengthen literacy, communication, and leadership among Jamaica’s youth, the programme brought together 60 students, aged six to 14, from five schools across St. James for a day of interactive reading, creative expression, and leadership development.

Miss Clarke described the experience as both energising and inspiring, noting the high level of student engagement throughout the day’s activities.

“What stood out the most to me was just how eager they were to participate, to learn, and to showcase their skills and talents. The activities were interactive and student-led, allowing them to build confidence, demonstrate their reading abilities, and step into leadership roles through teamwork,” she shared.

Endorsing the initiative, Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing at the JLS, Royane Green, said he witnessed first-hand the energy, enthusiasm, and transformation that unfolded among the students.

“The JLS is proud to partner with Read. Speak. Lead., supporting the pioneering work of Miss Clarke. We are confident that as the initiative expands across the island, it will continue to make a meaningful impact on our nation’s youth, while reinforcing the role of libraries as vital spaces for community engagement and empowerment,” Mr. Green said.

He further noted the children’s eagerness to participate and the confidence with which they engaged in reading aloud, discussion, and debate. “Our children have a lot to say, and this stands to benefit us as a nation, building their capacity and bolstering their confidence from an early stage,” he added.

A highlight of the programme was a public-speaking and debate workshop, facilitated in partnership with the Jamaica Association for Debating and Empowerment (JADE).

The workshop equipped students with practical tools for articulation, critical thinking, and confident expression. Standout participants were recognised with awards for Reader of the Day, Speaker of the Day, and Leader of the Day, celebrating excellence across literacy, communication, and leadership.

Reflecting on the impact, Miss Clarke noted: “Overall, it was a success. There was a clear impact, and the students left feeling even more excited and motivated about reading and public speaking.”

The St. James staging set the foundation for a series of parish engagements, with the next stop scheduled for the St. Ann Parish Library. The initiative will culminate in a National Debate and Public Speaking Competition and Awards Ceremony on May 30, during Child Month.

The Read. Speak. Lead. initiative forms part of a broader national effort to empower Jamaica’s youth by fostering literacy, communication, and leadership skills, ensuring children are equipped to thrive in the future.