Transforming Education

Gabrielle Gay

Imagine having the audacity to believe you could change the entire world via Education, even when you were told your ideas would be unsuccessful. This is my extraordinary path to founding The Erline Bradshaw Foundation, Barbados' #1 Education Foundation, and the creator of global, groundbreaking education programs in the Caribbean and reaching over 10 million worldwide.

Despite many challenges and initial skepticism from the education gatekeepers at the time, I saved up my meager allowance and launched The Gabrielle Gay Award for Excellence in Reading and Literacy Mentorship Programme at just 13 years old, in five schools. It made history, becoming the first Barbadian reading programme to be honored by Queen Elizabeth II in the Queens Young Leaders Cohort, and to partner with The World Literacy Foundation! To date, through our Graduation awards, reading sessions, and leadership mentorship: we have reached over 200+ schools and universities globally, paid school tuitions, provided uniforms and shoes to students in countries like Sierra Leone, India, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Ghana, Tanzania, Jamaica, Malawi, and Vanuatu!

My passion for Education and Innovation continues: in 2021, EBF introduced The Femme Lex Cohort, providing mentorship, mental health support, and educational opportunities to young women in Law and STEM from Small Island Developing States. The Femme Lex Cohort, the first and only certified legal mentorship program of its kind in the Caribbean, connects aspiring female law and politics students to specialized fields like Technology Law, and Climate Justice. It reaches over 300,000+ women students and professionals and students in the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, United Kingdom, and America! Our impact on Education has truly been heartwarming, and we are always open to collaborate and partner with like-minded persons, organizations, and entities who wish to support our work.

My journey is a testament to the fact that when you believe in God, have a genuine support system around you, and are determined to live in purpose? You will SOAR with your unique talents and perpetually bless the world around you. Take the leap: your best life awaits you on the other side!