The first incubator dedicated exclusively to women in Jamaica’s Cultural and Creative Industries has opened its doors at the Kingston Creative Coworking Space on Harbour Street.

In recent years, Jamaica’s creative economy has emerged as a major driver of economic transformation. According to the latest report from the United Nations Jamaica, and the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies (UWI), “in 2022 alone, the creative sector generated approximately US$2.2 billion, contributing over 5% to national GDP and supporting 3% of employment”. 

The Kingston Creative FAME (Film, Animation, Music & Entertainment) Incubator is backed by the Development Bank of Jamaica’s Boosting Innovation, Growth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) grant programme, which aims to spur innovation while breaking down barriers facing women in the Orange Economy. The incubator is designed to help female creatives gain access to capital and connect with new markets in some of the fastest-growing subsectors of the creative industries. 

“The DBJ is committed and proud to support initiatives that expand economic opportunities for women in the creative industries,” said Christopher Brown, Programme Manager of the BIGEE Project at the DBJ. “FAME helps unlock the economic value of Jamaica’s creative talent and supports viable pathways for business to innovate and grow.

Over the next 12 weeks, a handpicked cohort of creative entrepreneurs will take part in intensive business training, coaching, mentorship, and market-access activities. The programme will feature an entrepreneur ‘Demo Day’ at the Artwalk Festival on Sunday, 28 September 2025, where participants will showcase their ventures to the public.

“For women navigating the creative space in Jamaica, it can be very challenging to move from a vision to a viable business,” said Andrea Dempster Chung, Cofounder and Executive Director of Kingston Creative. “FAME is more than an incubator—it’s a movement to ensure that women have equal opportunity to shape the future of Jamaica’s creative economy. Our goal is that participants don’t just leave with better ideas, but with new customers, good business partners, and a clear roadmap for growth.”

The inaugural cohort includes; Alicia Walker, Creative Director, Erica Louise “Rica G” Richards and Jody “Drummy Jo” Brown, Cofounders of Well Ample Productions, Lois “DJ Lava” Morgan, and tandra “DJ Lytes” Jhagroo, Cofounders of Head BopHerz Ent, Alisha Thorpe, Founder of My Model University, Crystal Evans, Founder of Crystal Evans S Book House, Kacy Garvey, Cofounder of JAIKU Limited, Dennise Williams, Founder of Financially Focused, Arianna Lawrence, Founder of Ari Connects, Adriene “Rayven Amani” Higgins, Founder of Jorja Events Media, and Jada Powell, Founder of Panache Consulting. Participants range from founders with bold new concepts to entrepreneurs already generating revenue, creating a dynamic environment where peer-to-peer learning is immediate and practical.

Over the course of the programme, participants will engage in a tailored curriculum of workshops, hands-on clinics, weekly mentorship, and one-on-one coaching from female industry leaders. They will also receive support in developing investor-ready pitches and creative assets, alongside media and production resources—including the creation of a short documentary capturing their journey.

The incubator culminates on Sunday, 28 September 2025, with the highly anticipated FAME Demo Day at the Artwalk Festival. Here, the public will witness Jamaica’s newest generation of female creative entrepreneurs as they showcase their ventures, deliver live pitches, and connect directly with investors and partners. The event will not only celebrate the achievements of this pioneering cohort, but also signal the start of a new era for women in Jamaica’s creative economy.