The FAME (Film, Animation, Music & Entertainment) Incubator, Jamaica’s first programme dedicated exclusively to women in the creative industries, will culminate in its highly anticipated ‘Demo Day’ at the Artwalk Festival on Sunday (September 28).

Here, the public can meet Jamaica’s new cohort of female creative entrepreneurs as they deliver live performances, showcase their ventures, and connect directly with audiences, media, and potential partners.

The FAME Incubator, a transformative 12-week programme, is backed by the Development Bank of Jamaica’s (DBJ) Boosting Innovation, Growth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) grant.

It was 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 inaugural cohort of visionary entrepreneurs includes Alicia Walker, creative director; Erica Louise “Rica G” Richards and Jody “Drummy Jo” Brown, co-founders of Well Ample Productions; Lois “DJ Lava” Morgan and Tandra “DJ Lytes” Jhagroo, co-founders of Head BopHerz Ent; Alisha Thorpe, founder of My Model University; Crystal Evans, founder of Crystal Evans S Book House; Kacy Garvey, co-founder 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.

“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 businesses to innovate and grow.”

Over the course of the programme, a handpicked cohort of entrepreneurs has engaged in intensive business training, coaching, mentorship, and market-access activities with a tailored curriculum from female industry leaders.

“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, co-founder and executive director of Kingston Creative. “The FAME Incubator is a structured programme that ensures that women have an equal opportunity to shape the future of Jamaica’s creative economy.”