Culture-up is a children’s leadership training project, geared towards coaching very young children into realizing their purpose and maximizing their potential in preparation for becoming leaders.
The Project's major components are: (1) A Children's World Leadership Congress; (2) A Children's Leadership Coaching Reading Series, and (3) Leadership Training and Coaching sessions titled "Coaching Children For Leadership Development". The training sessions are held for targeted groups throughout the year and are facilitated by Original Kids (OK) Lead Facilitators. The arts are the mainstream medium utilized to attract children to the Congress. These programmes promote the integration of positive leadership attitudes, values, standards and practices as cultural norms.
In 2010 The Culture-up Arts Leadership Award was instituted to honour and celebrate the achievements of very young children, recognition of their skills and outstanding leadership service in the arts. David Allen, Edsel Ambrister and Davaro Chase were the first time recipients of the prestigious accolade, “STAFF”, our Culture-up Arts Leadership Award.
This award is significant because it symbolizes God’s authority and His presence that will always be with the recipients. The “STAFF” is to decree upon the lives of the winners God’s divine authorization and empowerment (Is. 10.26)that will enable them to walk in their divine purpose, always being endowed with the power of God. It is also bestowed as a symbol of humility and strength in arts leadership.
Since its launch in 2008, Culture Up leadership lessons have reached thousands of primary school children throughout The Bahamas. In 2012 the Congress was streamed, courtesy of The Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation, which allowed for the participation of children in South Africa. Teachers, parents/care-givers, guidance counselors, youth and children church directors also attend.
This Project is managed by a Project Administrator, Mrs. Barbara Taylor with the assistance of a team of expert technical personnel and more than one hundred volunteers. The choral director is Ms. Sharon Gardiner-Taylor, professional musician and human resource expert. Mrs. Betty Knowles is the banner ministry director and protocol adviser. “the Late” Dr. Myles Munroe, former Senior Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International served as Master Teacher for the Congress from 2008 - 2012.
Culture-up is a product of The Children's Fine Arts Conservatory of Bahamas Faith Ministries International. Its visionaries and developers are Mr. Oden Moss, Mrs. Sharon Gardiner - Taylor and Dr. Beulah L. Gardiner - Farquharson. It has the endorsement and sponsorship of both The Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture and the Ministry of Education, financial institutions including Commonwealth Bank, other major corporate sponsors: Bahamas Telecommunications Company, Phil's Food Services and Bahamas Air. The Congress is also implemented in collaboration with local churches in The Bahamas, including Bahamas Faith Ministries International Fellowship, where this project was launched and nurtured under the guidance of “the Late” Dr. Myles Munroe, Dr. Beulah Farquharson and Pastor Henry Francis.
Culture Up is a non profit international project that is managed by an Advisory Board.
