PwC collaborates with the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation to empower girls through a donation and inspirational art session

Kingston, Jamaica - 30 May: PwC Jamaica recently partnered with the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) to donate $50,000 and host a creative art session for 50 girls. The art session, which was made possible from PwC staff donations, was a success and provided an inspiring experience for the girls, enhancing their artistic and personal growth.

During a handover ceremony held on 19 May, the donation of $50,000 was made by PwC Jamaica on behalf of Tameika Martin, a PwC team member who actively participated in an internal awareness activity to mark the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign held on 25 November - 19 December 2022. 

Following the handover ceremony, the PwC team treated 50 girls to an inspirational creative art session. Under the guidance of skilled painting instructors, the girls explore their creativity, learn artistic techniques, and express themselves through their unique artwork.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Kimblian Batson, Partner and Diversity and Inclusion Leader at PwC Jamaica said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation for this impactful initiative. Gender and inclusion issues are important to PwC and through our Diversity and Inclusion Council we are taking action to be purposeful in creating opportunities that include women and break down barriers which limit their growth and success.”

Batson encouraged the girls to pursue their dreams while offering up a commitment to seek future opportunities for PwC to partner with the WCJF to support their programmes. “The world is your oyster and there is nothing that you cannot do. There will be ups and downs, but as long as you keep your goals in mind and reach out for help when you need it, you will be able to achieve anything you set your mind to. We are also happy to partner with the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation beyond this event, and we look forward to exploring future opportunities to support the Foundation, she added.”

Beverley Martin Berry, Director of Field Operations expressed heartfelt thanks to PwC for the donation and to Tamieka Martin for selecting the WCJF as the beneficiary. “Thank you for choosing the Women’s Centre to be a part of your acknowledgement of women as well as International Women’s Day. Your action highlights your commitment to the UN movement to empower women and girls and recognise the impact that women and girls have in shaping a country’s economy and its people, which contributes to nation-building.”

Mrs Martin Berry lauded PwC for leading diversity and inclusion in the corporate space specifically in addressing critical areas such as gender and social status. Mrs Martin Berry also underscored the crucial role of the WCJF in supporting programmes to promote gender inclusion, especially for adolescent mothers who are no longer in the formal school system, but still require support to continue their education.   

Gay Williams, Manager for the Kingston Centre at WCFJ expressed thanks on behalf of the participating girls for the opportunity to take part in the creative art session. She highlighted the uniqueness of the activity and its ability to inspire the girls to explore their unique talents.

Dana Coley, a Senior Associate at PwC, delivered an inspiring keynote during the creative art session.  As a young professional and mother, she shared her personal journey of confidence and persistence in achieving her goals. She said: “With confidence and persistence you can achieve anything. To be confident, you have to know who you are and what you want for yourself. The purpose of this activity is to help you understand who you are."  She encouraged the girls to develop a strong sense of self and to understand their aspirations.

The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF), a non-profit operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES) is dedicated to empowering and supporting adolescent mothers. 

^{PwC supports inclusive access to education} 

^{(From left) Tamieka Martin, Associate at PwC Jamaica; Dionne Golding, Director, Marketing and Communications at PwC in the Caribbean and member of the Diversity and Inclusion Council; Beverley Martin Berry, Director, of Field Operations at Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF); Kimblian Batson, Partner and Diversity and Inclusion Leader at PwC Jamaica and Gay Williams, Manager for the Kingston Centre on Friday May 19 at the WCJF Kingston office. PwC Jamaica donated $50,000 and hosted a creative art session for 50 girls enrolled in the Women’s Centre Programme for Adolescent Mothers.}

^{Dana Coley, Senior Associate at PwC Jamaica, delivers an inspirational keynote during a creative art session sponsored by the staff of PwC Jamaica on Friday, 19 May. Looking on are ladies enrolled in the Programme for Adolescent Mothers at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF). PwC donated $50,000 and hosted a creative art session for 50 girls.}

^{Tamieka Martin, Associate at PwC Jamaica assists young ladies enrolled in the Programme for Adolescent Mothers at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation  (WCJF). The occasion was a creative and empowering art session hosted by PwC Jamaica and facilitated by Island Strokes on Friday, 19 May. The art session was included in an outreach activity led by the Diversity and Inclusion Council which also donated $50,000 to the WCJF.}