The Department of Youth Affairs is proud to announce the appointment of Ms. Shakiah T. Lewis as the Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme (CYAP) for the 2025–2026 term. This appointment, which took effect on 1st August 2025, marks a historic milestone as Ms. Lewis becomes the first-ever Turks and Caicos Islander to hold this prestigious regional position.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Youth Ambassador Programme serves as the primary vehicle for youth engagement across the 15-member regional bloc, connecting young leaders from across the Caribbean to drive policy discussions and implementation of youth-focused initiatives.
The role of Dean rotates every two years among CARICOM Member and Associate States in alphabetical order and represents one of the most significant leadership positions within the CYAP. The Deanship follows a structured three-year transition process:
- 2024–2025: Incoming Dean (training and preparation year)
- 2025–2026: Full Dean tenure (active leadership role)
- 2026–2027: Outgoing Dean (mentorship and advisory capacity)
As Dean, Ms. Lewis will chair all regional CYAP meetings and spearhead the development of technical advisory committees supporting youth-focused programmes aligned with CARICOM’s Youth Development Goals. Her responsibilities include representing the Ambassador Corps at official meetings with CARICOM institutions, regional stakeholders, and international partners.
She will also nominate ambassadors for regional internship opportunities, prepare the annual CYAP report, and ensure ongoing communication and accountability within the 15-member ambassadorial corps.
Ms. Lewis previously served as the 2024–2025 Female CARICOM Youth Ambassador for the Turks and Caicos Islands, where she distinguished herself as a proactive and visionary leader dedicated to amplifying youth voices both locally and regionally.
A dynamic educator and passionate youth advocate, Ms. Lewis holds a double Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Education from the University of Tampa. She has completed extensive professional development through regional and international training programs focusing on youth leadership, education, sustainable development, and gender advocacy.
Ms. Lewis has served with distinction in several youth and civic organisations, including the National Youth Parliament, Rotary International, and the Rotaract Club of Grand Turk. Her initiatives consistently focus on youth empowerment in education, climate action, gender equality, and civic engagement, with all efforts strategically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As an educator in the Turks and Caicos Islands, she has championed inclusive teaching strategies while fostering leadership, creativity, and critical thinking among her students. Beyond the classroom, she has led numerous grassroots initiatives and regional youth dialogues, contributing meaningfully to policy discussions across CARICOM member states.
“I am deeply honoured to serve as Dean and represent not only the Turks and Caicos Islands but the collective aspirations of Caribbean youth,” said Ms. Lewis. “Young people across our region are not merely the leaders of tomorrow, we are the changemakers of today. I look forward to working with my fellow ambassadors to ensure youth voices are central to CARICOM’s decision-making processes.”
Honourable Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, praised the appointment: “Ms. Lewis exemplifies the caliber of young leaders emerging from the Turks and Caicos Islands. Her appointment as Dean is a direct result of her dedication, vision, and the quality of our youth development programmes. We are confident that her leadership will advance both our national interests and the collective goals of Caribbean youth across the region.”
This historic appointment strengthens the Turks and Caicos Islands’ presence at the regional level and demonstrates the territory’s commitment to youth development and regional integration. Ms. Lewis’ elevation to Dean represents both a personal achievement and a significant national milestone for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The appointment underscores CARICOM’s commitment to inclusive representation across all member and associate states, ensuring that youth voices from smaller territories have equal opportunity to shape regional policy and development initiatives.
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