Video: Future Leaders Bermuda Ceremony
[Updated] The Future Leaders Bermuda Summer Induction Programme closing ceremony is taking place this evening [Aug 22] at the Bermuda College and you can tune in and watch the live stream below.
Update: A spokesperson said, “Future Leaders Bermuda held its closing ceremony on August 22nd, 2025 in the Athene Lecture Theatre at Bermuda College, with students sharing their experiences as they were officially inducted as this year’s 2025 Future Leaders. A total of 18 high school students successfully participated in the programme from August 4th – August 22nd under this year’s theme:
“When the youth are empowered, the future is secured.” – Wangari Maathai
“The Future Leaders Programme is an intensive mentorship and empowerment initiative founded in 2017 by the charity’s Executive Director, Ryan Robinson Perinchief. Through hands-on education, students are challenged academically and socially as they explore topics such as crime, inequality, identity, leadership, and activism. Participants also engage in various field experiences, seminars, and meaningful service to community organisations in order to develop the knowledge, experience and leadership skills they need to make a positive change in the community.
Newly inducted Future Leaders celebrated as they complete three week intensive
“Over the course of the three weeks, the students covered seven units, including:
- Foundations of Service and Community
- Poverty, Crime and Inequality
- Identity and Privilege
- Leadership and Self-determination
- Social Justice
- The Power to Make a Difference
- Taking Action
“Throughout each of the units, the Future Leaders participated in both in and out-of-classroom learning experiences, engaged in community service, conducted interviews with members of the community, and heard from various community partners on pressing issues of the day. Reflecting on their three-week experience, students were divided into groups to present their understanding of each unit of the curriculum. Group presentations ranged from discussing social issues and their respective root causes to examining social change and our power to make a difference.
Poster presented by newly inducted Future Leaders depicting inequality as a root cause of social issues, stemming from Unit 2: Poverty, Crime and Inequality
“The closing ceremony featured a keynote speech from 2017 programme alumna Adriana Burchall who reflected on her journey as a Future Leader and reminded the new inductees that the lessons from the programme ‘never leave you,’ adding: ‘Programmes like Future Leaders empower us, they change us and they remind us that there’s hope. Even as we face the big problems in our community, they show us that while the challenges are real, so are the solutions — and the solutions begin with us.’”
Future Leaders Assistant Director, Seon Tatem, a 2017 programme alumnus, echoed these sentiments and praised the students for their growth throughout the three weeks, stating: “It’s really something to see these young people come in on Day 1 a little timid, maybe thinking their summer’s wasted, and by the third week having so much respect for one another.”
2025 Future Leader Aaron Lugo presenting on Unit 3: Identity and Privilege
The spokesperson said, “This year’s ceremony also featured the presentation of the ‘Speak the Truth Even if Your Voice Shakes’ Award, introduced in 2023 in loving memory of the late activist and community advocate Laverne Furbert. The awards recognise the two students who demonstrate:
- Courageous Expression: a willingness to speak up for what they believe is true and just
- Authenticity and Vulnerability: sharing thoughts and feelings openly and honestly, fostering trust and understanding
- Growth and Personal Development: embracing challenges, learning from experiences, and demonstrating resilience
“This year’s awards were presented to newly inducted Future Leaders Kyah Richardson and Matteo Wilson.”
Assistant Director McKenzie-Kohl Tuckett, a 2018 programme alumna, also reflected on this year’s milestones, adding: “This year, we trained 6 programme alumni on programme facilitation. As a result of that training, two thirds of our teaching team over the past three weeks, Jaiden and Siniah, are both alumni of the 2018 and 2021 programmes respectively.”
Programme alum and 2025 Youth Directors Siniah Lambe and Jaiden Furbert-Jacobs reflect on their teaching experience.
The spokesperson said, “The 18 students, representing 7 schools on island, who were inducted as 2025 Future Leaders included:
- Aarlyn Ingham
- Aaron Lugo
- Andae Harewood
- Cahllahj Simons
- Cora DeSilva
- Jahnoy Jean-Marie
- Josiah Tannock
- Khamil Burchall
- Kyah Richardson
- Latarie Does-Bowen
- Malia Spence
- Mateo Marsh
- M’Taio Wilson
- Nache’ Anderson
- Noah Kipps Gibbons
- Oamiah Grant
- Sailahn Martin
- Yu’udai Trott-Hayward
“Future Leaders Bermuda also thanked The Government of Bermuda Cabinet Office and HSCM Bermuda for sponsoring the programme, extending its appreciation to community partners who helped to make the programme a success. This included Dr. Jahni Smith, Bermuda College, The Department of Court Services, Aries Sports Center, The US Consulate Hamilton, The Information Commissioner’s Office and The AgraLiving Institute.
“For more information, email info@futureleaders.bm or visit their website at www.futureleaders.bm.”
