1 week ago
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THE MUSSON Foundation has launched ‘Read & Skate’, a new initiative at Freedom Skate Park aimed at introducing young skaters and children from nearby communities to careers in the creative industries.
The programme forms part of the foundation’s wider effort to support local talent and promote creativity as a driver of economic opportunity.
The launch took place on March 13 and featured a reading session from Future Makers: A Guide to 30 Creative Careers, a children’s book by Jamaican author Joel Nomdarkham.
The book highlights career paths in areas such as animation, music production, fashion, and digital media — encouraging children to see their interests as potential careers.
By combining skateboarding with youth development, Read & Skate creates a space that feels relevant and accessible. As part of the launch, 100 copies of the book were donated to young participants.
“In 2025, we’re living in both the real and digital worlds,” said Melanie Subratie, chairman of the Musson Foundation.
“And its creatives are building that digital world — through every YouTube video, Instagram reel, and TikTok trend. This is the new consumer economy, and Jamaica should be playing a leading role. Our culture shapes the world, but we’re still not seeing the full economic benefit. We need to get better at valuing, measuring and earning from what we create. The creative economy isn’t just about art — it’s about jobs, industries and long-term growth.”
Nomdarkham echoed the importance of early engagement: “This partnership with the Musson Foundation shows young people that creative work is serious work. Future Makers outlines 30 different careers, helping children connect what they enjoy — storytelling, design, content — with what they could do professionally.”
The children who attended were engaged and curious. One young skater, Jaiquon Dillon, said, “I never really thought about jobs like that before. I like skating, but now I’m thinking about other things I could do too.”
By linking personal interests with real career options, Read & Skate seeks to encourage children to see creativity not just as talent, but as a route to financial independence and personal development.
The programme is part of the Musson Foundation’s broader strategy to position Jamaica’s creative industries as a pillar of economic resilience and digital growth. It reflects a clear message: Jamaica’s creative capital is valuable — not only culturally, but commercially.
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