My Brother’s Workshop presented 24 students with certifications in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Carpentry, Welding, Marine and CNC Machine Shop at a ceremony Saturday at the St. Thomas Reformed Church. Family and friends of the graduates, dignitaries, volunteers and supporters, and MBW board, committee and staff members attended the celebration.
The mission of MBW is to end youth crime and violence in the territory through mentoring, counseling, education, on-the-job training, and job placement.
The Eljhaie Brathwaite Project played the processional “Pomp and Circumstance,” according to a press release. MBW Communications Director Chrystie Payne served as emcee. MBW Board President Ty Troutman and MBW Café and Bakery Manager Julius Jackson welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone for their support. St. Thomas Reformed Pastor Jeff Neevel, an MBW board member, delivered the invocation, followed by the national anthems, played by the Eljhaie Brathwaite Project.
Keynote speaker Carol Callwood, a longtime advocate for offering youth in the USVI second chances (third and fourth if necessary) and alternate learning programs, is extremely passionate about education for all, the release stated. After serving as president of the St. Thomas-St. John Federation of Teachers, Callwood has recently returned to the classroom and is teaching English Language Arts at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and English as a Second Language at Adult Continuing Education.
Callwood addressed the MBW graduates, saying, “The path of skilled trades is not easy, but these careers are essential. Whether in culinary arts, hospitality, machinery, welding or carpentry, you are going to be an integral part of the sustainability of our community.”
Deandra Wheatley joined MBW as a trainee in 2018. After completing the apprenticeship program, she graduated to Junior Trainer in the CNC Machine Shop. “I am so excited to share what I have learned with the current and future trainees at MBW,” she said. “If you ever place an order for tumblers or purchase any of our products from MBW at Paradise Point, the trainees and I have made those. Come by and see us anytime at the workshop for a tour and to learn more about what we do.”
MBW Executive Director Jenny Hawkes explained the distinction of cords and stoles for different levels of certifications and programs. She welcomed Needle and Ty Troutman to the podium to present the STRC “Love Thy Neighbor Award” to Kerwin Solomon for outstanding character and exemplary community service.
Following the presentation of certificates, Payne provided closing remarks, congratulating the graduates and inviting everyone to stay for food and refreshments provided by the MBW Café and Bakery following the service.
MBW graduates received the following certifications:
Zakijah Anthony – Level 3 Carpentry Program
Franklin Archibald – Level 2 Culinary Arts Program and Level 2 Hospitality Program
Shaquanda Audain – Level 4 Culinary Arts Program and Level 4 Hospitality Program
Ta’Quanda Audain – Level 4 Culinary Arts Program and Level 4 Hospitality Program
Zion Battiste – Level 4 Culinary Arts Program
JoNijah Bazile – Level 4 Culinary Arts Program
Si’Jah Benjamin – Level 1 Hospitality Program and Level 1 Culinary Arts Program
Emmanuel Bertrand – Level 4 Hospitality Program
Bernard Canonier – Level 4 Carpentry Program
Jordan Callwood – Level 1 Culinary Arts Program and Level 1 Hospitality Program
Kielli Donaghue – Level 3 Marine Program and Level 3 Welding Program
Valmon Glasford – Level 2 Culinary Arts Program and Level 2 Hospitality Program
Diane Hendrickson – Level 2 Culinary Arts Program
Dinequa James – Level 4 Hospitality Program
Joel Joseph – Level 1 Carpentry Program
Reuben Lettsome – Level 2 Culinary Arts Program and Level 2 Hospitality Program
Jariah Mills – Level 1 Culinary Arts Program and Level 1 Hospitality Program
Hakeem Morton – Level 2 Carpentry Program
Romell Phillips – Level 3 Marine Program and Level 3 Welding Program
Kerwin Solomon – Level 3 Carpentry Program, Level 2 Marine Program and Level 1 Welding Program
Michael Todman – Level 2 Culinary Arts
Jefferson Ureńa – Level 1 Junior Trainer
Jayante Warner – Level 1 CNC Machine Shop Program
Deandra Wheatley – Level 2 Junior Trainer
