“It is my Government’s vision for you to be the next middle class of the Turks and Caicos Islands. To accomplish that, there are things that we, as a Government, must do, and there are things that you as a united group must do, and we are depending on your support in this initiative, to the benefit of the future of our country.
This group of individuals gathered here, represents a very important sector of our society and we remain cognizant that any policy decisions that my Government makes, will largely impact you as the future leaders of our country. So I invite you to share in a common voice the concerns that you have and the challenges that you face as entrepreneurs, employees and scholars to ensure that these obstacles are negated and that you are empowered to realize your dreams and potential to be successful small and medium business owners and managers. You must hold us accountable and likewise we will hold you accountable for displaying characteristics of integrity and honesty, in the work force to ensure that you are positioned to apply for and occupy the top management positions in our large businesses as well as believing in yourself to make the bold move towards owning your own businesses and your own homes someday soon. This all begins with networking.”
Those were the words spoken by the Premier, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing, one year ago, on January 27, 2014 at the sunset cocktail event which brought together the young energetic group of Turks and Caicos Islanders, who last week officially launched as the Young Corporate Alliance (YCA).
Last Thursday’s launch took place at The Regent Palms Resort in Grace Bay, and although long awaited it was well worth the meetings, planning and effort it took to get the group to this stage.
Among the well-wishers at the corporate-chic event were some of the highest political offices in the Turks and Caicos Islands, including the Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, Hon. C. Washington Misick, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson as well as the Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament, Hon. Josephine Connolly, and of course, also present was the man behind the initiative himself, the Premier, Dr. Ewing and the First Lady, Dr. Dawn Perry.
The initial meeting of January last year, took place at the Crackpot Kitchen and was originally planned for about thirty persons, but was attended by some seventy-odd vibrant and energetic young men and women, who were overcome with gratitude and appreciation for the bold and refreshing direction the Ewing Administration took by focusing on this very powerful, but largely overlooked, sector of the community.
The then attendees were all registered in a database at the event and the group conveyed their enthusiasm and gratitude by hosting their first elections that very night for the offices of Chairman and other executives and it was there that Mr. Kyle Smith emerged as the group’s leader and Chairman and his other elected officers were Mr. Jerrel Lowe, Ms. Angie Toussaint, Mr. Sean Bassett, Mr. Dominic Rolle and Ms. Crystal Charles.
Like all newly embarked endeavours, the infancy stage was met with minor set-backs, but through the efforts of the staff of the Office of the Premier and the determination of Mr. Smith and his team, progress meetings and pep talks kept the dream alive and not to be side-tracked, the Young Corporate Alliance overcame the nursery challenges of time and commitment and over the past thirteen months remained steadfast to achieving the challenge issued to them by the Premier.
It is therefore with pride that the Office of the Premier and the entire Government extends congratulations to the Chairman, Mr. Smith, the executive officers and the entire YCA on the occasion of your launch and we further extend our profound gratitude for being bold enough to see and believe the dream, shared with you months ago and for making it a reality today.
