A landmark graduation ceremony unfolded at Nassau’s Word of Truth Ministries this week, where nine young men between the ages of 14 and 19 crossed the stage to mark the end of a four-month intensive leadership and life skills development journey through the NexGen Young Men Mentorship Programme. As the fourth cohort of participants to complete the nation-focused initiative, these trainees built foundational capabilities over 10 skill-building workshops and two orientation sessions held between March and June 2024.
The program’s curriculum was crafted to address gaps in youth preparation for adulthood, covering far more than standard academic learning. Workshop topics ranged from core professional competencies like leadership, communication, and financial literacy to practical life skills including etiquette, home maintenance, basic automotive care, and personal health and wellness. The curriculum is intentionally designed to equip participants for both long-term career success and active community engagement, aligning with the program’s core theme: “Serve Locally, Lead Globally, Building Character, Capacity, and Commitment to Country”.
Founded by former Bahamian senator Ronald Duncombe, NexGen operates as an entirely nonpartisan initiative, open to young men from all political backgrounds with no party affiliation requirements for entry. Duncombe explained that every applicant undergoes a rigorous vetting interview to confirm their genuine commitment to personal growth before being accepted into the cohort. This selective process has cultivated a group of driven young people with clear, ambitious career goals spanning high-demand and public-facing fields, from neurosurgery and aviation to engineering, politics, and other areas of public service.
Duncombe praised the cohort’s clarity of purpose, noting that unlike many teens their age who may be uncertain about their future paths, these graduates spoke with unwavering conviction about their intended careers. “I am so proud to say to you that we have some future leaders and future men coming in our country,” he shared in his address to attendees. The graduation event drew high-level government representation, including three sitting Bahamian Cabinet ministers: Fred Mitchell, Pia Glover-Rolle, and Keith Bell. Senator Clint Watson delivered official remarks on behalf of Prime Minister Philip Davis, reinforcing the government’s recognition of the program’s value for national youth development.
During the ceremony, each graduate received a professional briefcase, a symbolic gift representing their readiness to enter professional spaces and pursue new opportunities. Duncombe urged the new graduates to prioritize three core principles as they move forward: protecting their personal reputations, building intentional professional and community relationships, and always showing up prepared for interviews, meetings, and unexpected opportunities that will shape their futures. He also highlighted the long-term impact of the program, noting that previous NexGen cohorts have gone on to build successful careers across a wide range of critical national sectors, including the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, media and communications, accounting, professional sports, and aviation.
In his remarks, Senator Watson emphasized that professional preparedness and presentation are only the first step to lasting success. He stressed that consistent character, intentional action, and reliable commitment to fulfilling responsibilities are far more critical to achieving long-term goals. Cabinet Minister Fred Mitchell centered his keynote address on a pressing public issue facing Caribbean youth: pervasive interpersonal violence among young men. He urged the graduates to reject cycles of conflict and make deliberate, forward-thinking choices that will allow them to build long, productive lives that contribute to their communities.
Speaking on behalf of the 2024 graduating cohort, class representative Fisk Burrows Jr. reflected on the transformative impact of the program. He shared that the four-month journey had not only built critical practical skills but also strengthened the graduates’ overall confidence, fostered greater personal independence, and deepened their understanding of what ethical, effective leadership requires for community and national progress.