Fashion influencer and creative activist, CW Abeniade, is gearing up to launch a Barbados edition of her innovative initiative, On the Streets with Abeniade. This project, developed in collaboration with the Barbados High Commission to Ghana led by High Commissioner Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, aims to empower underserved communities using fashion as a tool for positive change.
The primary focus of the initiative is to shine a spotlight on individuals living with disabilities and those facing economic hardships. Through styling, storytelling, and skill-building activities, the project seeks to boost confidence, visibility, and promote Afro-Caribbean and African cultural exchange.
Scheduled activities include styling and mentorship sessions, the creation of a co-designed fashion line, and creative workshops aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Reduced Inequalities, Quality Education, and Decent Work.
High Commissioner Bynoe-Sutherland lauded the initiative as a “brilliant idea and a much-needed intervention” that Barbados is proud to support. She also commended Abeniade’s specific focus on disability inclusion, highlighting her commitment to working with marginalized communities.
The partnership between Abeniade and the Barbados High Commission aligns with Barbados’ strategic priorities of trade and commerce, particularly within the growing fashion and beauty industries in Nigeria, Ghana, and Barbados. The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of collaborating with young people and praised Abeniade for her dedication to supporting people with disabilities.
Organizers of the initiative are actively seeking partnerships in both Barbados and Ghana to expand the reach and long-term impact of the program. This collaboration will not only expose Barbadian designers to Nigerian and Ghanaian fashion activism but also create opportunities for cross-Atlantic collaborations.
CW Abeniade expressed her simple yet profound mission, stating that she aims to remind people that they are seen, they matter, and they belong. With the support of the Barbados High Commission and other partners, this transformative initiative is set to make a meaningful impact on underserved communities in Barbados and beyond.
