The Mary Prince Women's Entrepreneurial & Leadership Conference kicked off this week at Pier 6 with a powerful pre-conference launch session on August 6th, unveiling Girls in Film, Technology, Entertainment, and Design (GIFTED), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering Bermudian girls aged 13 to 17.

The inaugural GIFTED session welcomed young women and their mentors for an inspiring morning designed to spark ambition and leadership potential. The highlight of the session was a keynote by internationally renowned business leader and conference headliner, Ibukun Awosika. As a global entrepreneur and advocate for women in leadership, Ms. Awosika shared her journey, challenges, and message of resilience with the young attendees.

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, offered remarks, emphasising the importance of mentorship, leadership, and providing platforms for young women to thrive. Minister Caesar said, "Through your camera lens, with technology and digital creativity, you hold the power to tell impactful stories that move us, to build connections that bind us and design ideas that inspire and shape us for generations to come."

"I urge each of you to be fearless in the pursuit of your ideas. Do not be afraid to experiment, fail forward or ask questions that disrupt. This initiative, GIFTED, is more than an acronym. It's a call to action. It's a declaration that girls are not only gifted, but they are also ready. Ready to imagine. Ready to lead. Ready to shape the future of Bermuda and beyond."

 Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert attended the pre-conference event and also spoke at the conference on August 7th (today) encouraging attendees to lead with purpose, stating, "Mary Prince's journey reminds us that leadership is not merely about position or title, it is about conviction, courage, and the willingness to stand for what is right, even when you stand alone. Mary's example is a testament to the power of storytelling as an instrument of justice, a reminder that one voice, determined and unafraid, can influence history. Today, as we gather to focus on women's entrepreneurial and leadership advancement, Mary's legacy calls us to embrace our capacity for resilience and impact."

 The conference, held August 7–8 at Pier 6, serves as a vital platform for women's entrepreneurship and leadership, named in honour of the historic Bermudian freedom fighter and author, Mary Prince.