Five Finalists Named for Supreme Hero Award

Supreme Ventures Foundation on May 23 named five finalists for the 2026 round of its Supreme Heroes programme, a Jamaica-based initiative that backs community-focused microbusinesses and social enterprises. The shortlist followed a nationwide nominations process that opened in March and sought candidates whose work supports social sustainability in their communities. (jamaicaobserver.com) The five finalists come from St Thomas, Kingston, St Catherine and Westmoreland, according to announcements carried by the Jamaica Observer and Jamaica Gleaner. The programme is run by Supreme Ventures Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Supreme Ventures, and has operated since 2020 as a platform to identify what it describes as “unsung heroes” using small businesses or community organisations to deliver local support. (jamaicaobserver.com) The foundation said the 2026 finalists will receive training, resources and financial support aimed at strengthening both their projects and their operations. ### Who made the 2026 shortlist? Veneish Wallace of Wilmington, St Thomas, was shortlisted as a nurse and founder of Eliza Care, which provides home-based health-care services and free clinical care for medically vulnerable and elderly residents. Kymara Elliott of Parade Gardens, Kingston, was selected as a grade 4 teacher and founder of Green Care Training & Workshops, which runs environmental education and youth development programmes in inner-city communities. (jamaicaobserver.com) Akeem Brown of Greenwich Town, Kingston, was named for his work through Greenwich Town Youths in Action, which the foundation said leads peace-building, sports and workforce-readiness activities. Jovan Miller of Portmore, St Catherine, was shortlisted as founder of PolyCloud Interactive, which develops educational animations and digital experiences for Jamaican children. (jamaicaobserver.com) Daniela Woodbine of Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, was selected for Chapter to Chapter Tutoring Services, which offers academic support, adult literacy programmes and relief initiatives. ### How were the finalists chosen? March 22, 2026, was the closing date for nominations after the foundation opened its call to the public on March 18, according to the Jamaica Observer. (jamaicaobserver.com) The foundation said the programme targets microbusinesses contributing to the social sustainability of their communities and invited Jamaicans to nominate individuals or organisations based in the country. Supreme Ventures Foundation said five of the most outstanding nominees would be shortlisted for a support package focused on community development and business sustainability. The nomination rules published on the foundation’s website say nominees must be at least 18 years old and based and operating in Jamaica for at least three years at the time of nomination. (jamaicaobserver.com) ### What support do the finalists receive? Chloleen Daley-Muschett, assistant vice-president for public relations and corporate affairs at Supreme Ventures Limited, said the programme sits “at the very heart” of the foundation’s work. She said the aim is to support people already creating change in their communities, often with limited resources, by giving them training, resources and financial backing to expand their reach. (jamaicaobserver.com) The foundation said at the launch that Changemakers remains the implementation partner for the programme, while the Mona Entrepreneurial and Commercialisation Centre will provide business development and capacity-building support. Supreme Ventures Foundation’s website says participants in the programme receive training and work on community projects while competing for the Supreme Community Hero title. (jamaicaobserver.com) ### How does this year fit into the programme’s recent cycle? Tishauna Mullings was identified by the Jamaica Observer in March as the 2025 Supreme Hero after completing training, development sessions and community projects under the programme. The foundation’s website says the initiative has previously supported cohorts through grants, project work and public voting tied to a final winner. (jamaicaobserver.com) The 2026 cohort now moves into that development phase. The next steps, according to the foundation and launch announcement, are training and business support delivered with Changemakers and the Mona Entrepreneurial and Commercialisation Centre as the five finalists work through the programme. (jamaicaobserver.com) (jamaicaobserver.com)