Department of Youth and Culture - Anguilla

🌟 Mentor of the Day – Mentorship & Volunteerism Month 2026 🌟

Theme: Rebuilding Futures, Rebranding Impact: One mentor, one volunteer, one life at a time.

Today, the Department of Youth and Culture proudly recognizes Amani Richardson as our Mentor of the Day.

Amani Richardson is a dedicated educator, youth leader, and community advocate from Anguilla. As a high school Information Technology teacher, he is passionate about equipping young people with the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world. He also proudly represents Anguilla as a national volleyball player and serves as the country’s representative to the Caribbean Development Bank Future Leaders Network.

As President of the National Youth Council, a Street Doctor, and Staff Sponsor for the New Young Progressive Debaters, Amani is committed to empowering young people, promoting leadership, and encouraging civic engagement. Through his many roles, he continues to inspire positive change and help youth reach their full potential.

🌟 Mentor of the Day – Mentorship & Volunteerism Month 2026 🌟

Theme: Rebuilding Futures, Rebranding Impact: One mentor, one volunteer, one life at a time.

Today, the Department of Youth and Culture proudly recognizes Shanelda Connor as our Mentor of the Day.

Shanelda Connor is a Senior Clerical Officer at the Department of Education who has been volunteering as a mentor with the Department of Youth and Culture since 2020. She is passionate about working with young people and finds great joy in watching them grow positively, build self-confidence, and develop into strong, capable individuals.

Through mentorship, Shanelda strives to be a positive influence in the lives of youth by building meaningful relationships, serving as a trusted confidant, and providing encouragement and support. She is committed to inspiring young people to become leaders, make positive choices, believe in themselves, and recognize their worth and potential.

🌟 Mentor of the Day – Mentorship & Volunteerism Month 2026 🌟

Theme: Rebuilding Futures, Rebranding Impact: One mentor, one volunteer, one life at a time.

Today, the Department of Youth and Culture proudly recognizes Joshua Gumbs as our Mentor of the Day.

Joshua Gumbs is an accomplished musician, educator, and mentor whose career has taken him across the Caribbean, the United States, and the United Kingdom. He made history as the first Anguillian accepted into Berklee College of Music and later graduated with First-Class Honors in Music Performance from Leeds Conservatoire. His musical achievements include performing alongside internationally renowned artists and serving as drummer for the World Doctors Orchestra.

As Anguilla’s premier certified drum instructor and founder of Only The Serious Drum Academy, Joshua uses music as a tool to mentor, inspire, and empower young people. Beyond music, he is actively involved in youth leadership, community outreach, prison ministry, and motivational speaking, remaining committed to helping others grow through faith, discipline, and purpose.

Live on Youtube!

Bush Tea Chronicles | Series 1, Episode 1: Who Are We? – Language & Dialect Bush Tea Chronicles is the official Culture and Creative Arts podca...

🌟 Mentor of the Day – Mentorship & Volunteerism Month 2026 🌟

Theme: Rebuilding Futures, Rebranding Impact: One mentor, one volunteer, one life at a time.

Today, the Department of Youth and Culture proudly recognizes Bibi Suffiya Allie as our Mentor of the Day.

Bibi Suffiya Allie is a graduate of Monroe University in New York, holding a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. With over seven years of experience in the criminal justice field through her service with the Department of Probation, she currently works at the Anguilla Passport Office while also managing properties in the private sector. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to mentorship, volunteerism, and supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds through guidance, compassion, and positive encouragement.

Passionate about personal growth, lifelong learning, and community service, Bibi believes in leading with empathy, integrity, and authenticity. Inspired by the quote, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try,” she is dedicated to creating meaningful connections, empowering others to overcome challenges, and encouraging young people to pursue their dreams with courage, confidence, and purpose.

🌟 Mentor of the Day – Mentorship & Volunteerism Month 2026 🌟

Theme: Rebuilding Futures, Rebranding Impact: One mentor, one volunteer, one life at a time.

Today, the Department of Youth and Culture proudly recognizes Arlette Gumbs as our Mentor of the Day.

Arlette Gumbs serves as the Head of the Business Department at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) in Anguilla. As an educator, she is deeply passionate about bridging the worlds of education and business, equipping her students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the modern economic landscape.

Beyond her leadership in the classroom, Arlette is an advocate for youth development. She actively dedicates her time to volunteering, mentoring young people, and guiding them to overcome challenges, resolve conflicts constructively, and realize their full potential both academically and personally.

Every story has a beginning, and ours starts with one simple question:

Who are we?

Join us for the premiere of Bush Tea Chronicles – Series 1: Who Are We? as we explore the stories, traditions, language, and voices that shape Anguillian identity.

Our first episode, “Language and Dialect,” features engaging conversations with Vanessa Croft, Patricia Adams, and Rita Celestine-Carty, who reflect on the importance of preserving the unique expressions, sayings, and speech that connect us to our heritage and define who we are as a people.

🫖 The kettle is on…

📅 Premieres Monday, June 15, 2026
📺 Watch on Department of Youth and Culture YouTube & Facebook

Pour yourself a cup, join the conversation, and celebrate the culture that makes us who we are.

🌟 Mentor of the Day – Mentorship & Volunteerism Month 2026 🌟

Theme: Rebuilding Futures, Rebranding Impact: One mentor, one volunteer, one life at a time.

Today, the Department of Youth and Culture proudly recognizes Clemvio Hodge as our Mentor of the Day.

Clemvio Hodge is an entrepreneur, business leader, and dedicated youth mentor with a passion for empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators in Anguilla. Through his volunteer service as a Mathematics Tutor at the Hope Centre and Blowing Point Community Centre, as well as his mentorship roles with the Department of Social Development’s Mentorship Programme and the Anguilla Youth Business Foundation’s GET SET Entrepreneurial Programme, he has helped countless young people build confidence, strengthen their skills, and pursue their goals.

A former Chairman of the Anguilla Youth Business Foundation, Clemvio is a strong advocate for youth entrepreneurship, leadership, and business development. Recognized with the 2025 Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association Rising Star Award, he continues to inspire others through his work with What We Do In Anguilla, Quest Experiences, and various community initiatives, demonstrating the transformative power of mentorship, innovation, and service.

🌟 Mentor of the Day – Mentorship & Volunteerism Month 2026 🌟

Theme: Rebuilding Futures, Rebranding Impact: One mentor, one volunteer, one life at a time.

Today, the Department of Youth and Culture proudly recognizes Charlene Roach as our Mentor of the Day.

Charlene Roach is a Human Resources professional with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and a Master of Science in Psychology. For the past five years, she has dedicated her time to mentoring individuals as they navigate personal, academic, and professional challenges. Passionate about helping others recognize their strengths and build confidence, Charlene believes that mentorship is about listening, inspiring, and empowering people to reach their full potential.

Charlene values mentorship and volunteerism because she believes that one caring person can make a lasting difference in someone’s life. Guided by the principle, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” she strives to lead with kindness, compassion, and respect. She encourages everyone to get involved in mentorship and youth development, reminding us that even a kind word, listening ear, or small act of encouragement can help shape confident, resilient, and empowered future leaders.