Monae Williams credits the Supreme Ventures Foundation scholarship for difference it made in her life

When Monae Williams, affectionately known as “Moana”, walks into a room, her energy is unmistakable.

Hailing from the picturesque parish of St. Thomas, Monae has always been determined to stand out, not just in her personality, but in her life choices.

That determination led her to choose Northern Caribbean University (NCU) for her studies, a move that gave her a fresh environment beyond the well-trodden paths of UWI and UTech. But the road to her degree wasn’t always smooth.

As a ward of the State, Monae was accustomed to her tuition being handled by the Ministry of Education. However, payment delays left her frustrated until a phone call shifted her life entirely.

“Mrs Anderson-Robinson called me one day and asked about my GPA. I told her it’s above 3.0, and she said, ‘Consider yourself lucky because the Supreme Ventures Foundation (SVF) will be sponsoring you going forward.’ I didn’t apply for it, God did,” she says with a smile.

As part of the company’s 20th anniversary celebrations in 2021, Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), through its foundation, committed J$100 million to 20 outstanding achievers in state care. Awardees were able to pursue tertiary education for four years with the foundation financing all expenses, inclusive of tuition, boarding, subsistence stipend and miscellaneous expenses.

For Monae, being selected as one the SVF scholarship awardees was a lifeline. It allowed her to focus on her academics, participate fully in campus life, and connect with peers and mentors who would expand her vision of what was possible. Monae expressed special gratitude for the annual pep sessions put on the SVF aimed at motivating the cohort and providing them with support beyond the financial aid.  “Those pep sessions? Life savers! They came right when I was on the brink of giving up. They re-energised me and connected me with people who taught me that your network will one day be your net worth.”

University life came with its share of challenges: endless assignments, group projects, sectionals, and exams that felt like “life sentences.” But Monae credits God and her close-knit circle of friends for helping her persevere. Personally, she’s learned to see life differently; professionally, she’s mastered the art of working with all kinds of people.

Graduating in August 2025 marked a monumental milestone. She’s the first on her mother’s side and second on her father’s to reach this academic level. “For my little family, it’s a blessing to know that with all I’ve been through, I could still walk across that stage.”

As for her next steps? She’s leaving that in God’s hands. “Wherever He sends me, that’s where I’ll go,” she says with certainty.

To SVF, Monae’s gratitude runs deep: “Thank you for believing in me and giving me the chance to do my best at what I love. May God bless you so you can continue doing even bigger things for others.”

Her advice to students chasing their dreams is simple, “put God first, stay focused, and don’t be afraid to speak up about your situation. Sometimes you have to be ‘nuff’ as closed mouths don’t get fed.” For Monae Williams, the SVF scholarship wasn’t just a stepping stone, it was the wind beneath her wings.