National

1st Cohort Graduation: A Celebration of Courage and Commitment

ELEUTHERA – The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in partnership with One Eleuthera Foundation has launched their first cohort of 21 women, giving them the tools needed to take their business to the next level.

Published

4 months ago

January 31, 2026

Denielle Miller

ELEUTHERA – The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in partnership with One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) has launched their first cohort of 21 women, giving them the tools needed to take their business to the next level.

Better known as AWE, the academy serves as an U.S. Department of State initiative designed to empower female entrepreneurs.

For 20 weeks the cohort was trained on various topics including building a brand, customer identification and financial management.

After weeks of building, the program’s journey concluded Thursday evening with an official graduation ceremony, and business pitch competition at Worker’s House in Governor’s Harbor.

In attendance, the U.S. embassy’s Charge D’ affaires, Kimberly Furnish, One Eleuthera Foundation and Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) President, Keyron Smith, community leaders and special guests.

The hall erupting with support from family and friends as the ladies crossed the floor.

Out of the 21 graduates, 7 met the criteria to participate in the pitch competition.

Historically, the program awards only one winner with a $5K grant, but this year, thanks to the partnership between AWE and OEF, two women were able to receive grants – founder of TST Eleuthera, Bekera Taylor, and founder of 5 Star Concierges, Devanna McCartney.

TST Eleuthera is an entrepreneur village market, and 5 Star Concierges is an island directory for local service providers.

During Taylor’s pitch she confessed to the audience she recently left her job to fully commit to her business.

Denielle Miller –

“Was it a decision that scared you in the beginning?”

Bekera Taylor – Founder, TST Eleuthera

“Ha, no, it didn’t scare me because it’s been a long time coming.”

McCartney says she came up with her business plan working in the tourism industry, turning her knowledge in profits.

Evanna McCartney – Founder, 5 Star Concierges

“After organic interactions with the guest and realizing a lot of the things they were asking for were things I was already doing anyway, and were things I was realizing I can help, and realizing there is a market for what I was doing for free.”

CEO of One Eleuthera Foundation and CTI, Keryon Smith, tells us his faith in local entrepreneurs lead to his partnership with AWE.

Keyron Smith – CEO, OEF & CTI

“We believe that Eleuthera needed something like this because we have so much development happening in Eleuthera now, and so what we’re trying to do is encourage people to get into entrepreneurship.”

Charge d’affaires, Kimberly Furnish, adding that these entrepreneurs will have an impact both locally and internationally.

Kimberly Furnish – Charge d’affaires, U.S. Embassy

“Women in business and diversification of business is a huge effort, and so when The Bahamas thrives, the United States thrives, and it’s a beautiful interaction, so good for everyone, so good for entire communities.”