Gyal Movement Engages the Creativity of Women and Girls’ to Build Entrepreneurs
Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Reverse Exchange program brings United States fashion entrepreneur to Saint Vincent and Grenadines
PITTSBURGH, PA – April 18, 2019
Karen De Freitas Fraser spent several weeks in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States answering the same question over and over, “Why would anyone come to Pittsburgh to learn about Fashion?” “Yes it was funny people kept asking me that. Why not NYC or Los Angeles?” De Freitas Fraser of the Caribbean nation Saint Vincent and the was in Pittsburgh as part of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Program.
YLAI is a U.S. Department of State program in partnership with Meridian International Center, which saw hundreds of fellows from Latin America and the Caribbean arrive in the U.S. last fall to expand their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. While participating on the program, De Freitas Fraser was able to learn about the business of building a fashion brand through her Pittsburgh YLAI host, before launching her own fashion line SoKa. Karen’s host was Tereneh Idia, owner of Idia’Dega, a global eco-design collaboration working with artisans from around the world. Tereneh gave Karen access to several successful Pittsburgh designers like Nisha Blackwell of Knotzland, Kiya Tomlin and Kelly Simpson-Scupelli of Make + Matter – where she learned about the many aspects of this complex business.
Inspired by her experience on the program, Karen founded the Gyal Movement and decided to invite her mentor to Saint Vincent through a YLAI reverse exchange program. The Gyal Movement is meant to encourage Caribbean women to be bold and create opportunities, which enable them to achieve their highest potential by connecting girls and young women in the region in aim of sharing ideas, experiences, and skills leading to an enhanced quality of life. Through Karen’s vision, the Gyal Movement will launch through a conference and workshop series in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from May 13-17. Karen explains that the Gyal Movement will focus on “Education - through hands-on workshops, Mentorship - through one-on-one sessions and ongoing connections with business professionals and Networking - connecting with other people interested in developing ethical, entrepreneurial and creative Caribbean women leaders.” The five-day conference and workshop includes workshops on marketing, brand management, business pitch ideas, funding options, industry specific session for music, beauty, fashion, film and photography, as well as creative workshops like vision-inspiration board preparation and t-shirt designing.
The United States Embassy in Barbados, Eastern Caribbean and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States will also be involved in this program. A representative from the Embassy will speak to participants and will connect YLAI alumni to the Gyal Movement leadership team. Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, James Rodriguez said, “The goal of YLAI is to identify young leaders in the region and build linkages with other leaders across the world. Ms. De Freitas Fraser is a great example of this. We are glad to have such an active and enthusiastic alum in Saint Vincent and look forward to her continued efforts in helping grow the economy of the region.”
Funding for the reverse exchange program has been provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs via Meridian International Center, who is the implementing partner. Karen is hoping to garner support from local and regional business leaders by sponsoring the workshops.
