Organiser of the Gimme Peace Pun De Mic Competition, Youth Commissioner, Corey Marshall (left), and Permanent Secretary (Ag), Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Anthony Wiltshire, presenting winner Jodie Williams (right) with his prize. (S. Forde-Craigg/BGIS)

Jodie Williams, performing as “willyXshabar”, is the winner of the inaugural “Gimme Peace Pun De Mic”chanting competition.

It was part of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment’s anti-violence campaign activities, which were launched on June 12, under the theme “End De Violence Now”.

The finals of the chanting competition were broadcast live on CBC TV 8, as part of the activities to commemorate International Youth Day (August 12). Six finalists performed their pieces before the judges – Adrian ‘skillz’ Wilkinson, Carolyn Garnes and Kirk Brown.  Forty per cent of their points came from online votes.

 Jodie Williams won a Samsung S21 Smartphone, $500.00 in cash, and will have his chanting piece recorded as a music video. 

Second place went to Stacey Atherley, who walked away with a Samsung A72 Smartphone and $300.00 in cash, while third place was secured by Danesha Davis.  She received an A32 Samsung Smartphone and $200.00 in cash.

Second place winner Stacey Atherley receiving her prize from Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte. (S. Forde-Craigg/BGIS)

The other three finalists were Adela Payne, Joshua Oxley and Orande Hamilton.

The “Gimme Peace Pun De Mic” chanting competition was launched on July 26.  It was open to persons aged 13 to 29, who were invited to create a one-minute chant under the theme ‘anti-violence’, stating what young people need to do to end the violence and also what the Division of Youth could do to help end it.

Organiser of the competition, Youth Commissioner, Corey Marshall, said he was pleased with the response to the competition, and he felt encouraged to hold it again next year. 

Mr. Marshall noted that people are quick to highlight when the youth do negative things, but he is encouraging the public to change that, and instead “share and post positive work done by young people in Barbados to show them support”.  He also made a call for Barbadians to “end de violence now”. 

Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte, speaking about the campaign, stated: “The Anti-Violence Campaign will continue to implement its sustained range of sensitisation programmes, targeted messages, psycho-educational training and social intervention programmes to effect changes in behaviour, leading to a reduction in violence.”

Mr. Hunte made a rallying call for everyone, including corporate Barbados, to not only get on board, but to stay on board in promoting positive behaviour, in order to create safe, enriching and productive spaces now and for future generations

sheena.forde-craigg@barbados.gov.bb

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