BLACK INNOVATION ALLIANCE PARTNERS WITH BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS, & AVIATION TO EMPOWER BAHAMIAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
(Nassau, Bahamas) November 14, 2024 – The Black Innovation Alliance (BIA), a coalition of organizations supporting 300,000+ entrepreneurs, innovators and creatives, in partnership with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation today announced the launch of its “Bahamas Women in Tech Series” to empower Bahamian women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector through technology education and skill development. The comprehensive program, which will run on November 13 and November 20 at 12:00pmET, is beginning one year after BIA formalized its partnership with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, and Innovate242—the innovation arm of the Bahamian government—to build an innovation ecosystem that merges technology and tourism.
With an ambitious goal of impacting over 1,000 women entrepreneurs in hospitality and tourism over the next two years, this initiative seeks to close the technological gap in a sector that accounts for approximately 65% of the country’s GDP. Through workshops, training sessions, and a dedicated digital platform, the program equips participants with the tools to integrate technology into their businesses, enhancing their competitiveness in the global tourism market. This inaugural tech series also serves as a bridge for Black women entrepreneurs globally, fostering innovation and empowerment on an international scale.
“The Bahamas continues to see record-breaking tourism levels in 2024 with almost 5 million total visitors in the first five months of the year. As these numbers grow and drive the Bahamian economy, we want to equip the women entrepreneurs that drive the tourism industry with the skills to succeed in the digital age of innovation. The skills featured in our “Bahamas Women in Tech Series”–– including but not limited to AI integration, search engine optimization, and e-commerce implementation–– are vital to any 21st century small business, but unfortunately are not accessible to most women entrepreneurs,” said Kelly Burton, CEO of the Black Innovation Alliance. “In partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, we hope to break down the obstacles that so many Black women face in their journey to entrepreneurial success.”
"This project embodies innovation, creativity, and empowerment. As the first female Minister for Grand Bahama and Cabinet Co-Chair of Innovate 242, I am proud to partner with the Black Innovation Alliance to uplift Bahamian women in the tech and entrepreneurial spaces, particularly within the tourism sector. With over $2 billion in investments now making a tangible impact, there is no better time to champion opportunities that empower women and drive transformative growth in our community,” said Hon. Ginger Moxey, M.P. Minister for Grand Bahama.
Additional details on the program can be found at Bahamas.com/WomenTechSeries.
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Black Innovation Alliance (BIA) is a coalition of 116 member organizations closing the racial wealth gap by building pathways that provide equitable access to resources, knowledge, and opportunities to Black entrepreneurs, tech founders and creative technologists.