The official release of the successful candidate was made on Friday and it confirmed that Ms Gloria Bartley of Nevis was the candidate receiving the support of the judges. 

Presenting the award, Local Coordinator for the Unsung Heroes Programme, Mr. Gerard Pereira recognized Ms Bartley for “her contribution to the children of Nevis through her years as an educator in the formal sphere, and beyond that time, even through her disabilities, as she makes time to educate the less fortunate and those specially challenged.” 

He said that CIBC FirstCaribbean also recognized Ms Bartley for her work with the homeless and needy and for her selfless giving. 

The Award was presented at an intimate ceremony at Ms Bartley’s home in Nevis.

Surrounded by friends and well wishers, she expressed appreciation for the award, saying that although she loved to give of herself, she had not realized that others had been paying attention to her good works. However, she was thankful for the award. 

Minister of Communications and one of Ms Bartley’s former students and protégés, Robelto Hector, congratulated Ms Bartley on the Award and stated that she had proven to be a mentor, not only for him, but for countless other persons in the community. Minister Hector recalled that Ms Bartley had impacted his life on three fronts: education, family, and spirituality. 

Country Manager, Ladesa James, presented Ms Bartley with a cheque for EC$16,200 and said that CIBC FirstCaribbean was proud to honour Unsung Heroes and to support the various causes to which they had selflessly devoted their lives. 

The Awards Presentation fittingly ended with a tribute in song by students of the Charlestown Primary School, where Ms Bartley had taught for a number of years. 

The award was introduced the in 2003 and it has become the flagship of volunteerism in the Caribbean, according to the sponsors. 

Past Unsung Heroes for the Federation have been: Mr. Winston “Zack” Nisbett, Mr. Ken Evelyn, Mr. Earle Clarke, Mrs. Clarice Cotton, Mr. Nigel Browne, Mrs. Joycelyn Liburd, and Mr Eric Evelyn.

Julian was speaking at the ECCB Business Symposium and Innovation Forum held at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium in St Kitts, with audiences tied in by video-conference in the other Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) participating countries. 

Addressing the theme Re-defining and Re-tooling the Business Sector through Technology, Julian encouraged attendees to closely align technology with their business drivers and to ensure that their technologies were set up to accommodate the changing business environment. 

“We need to foster an environment of entrepreneurship for everyone from students, employees and small business owners. Where others see crisis I see opportunity” says Julian. 

The evening ended with a book signing, as Julian launched his latest book Entrepreneur to Ultrapreneur – 100 Ways to Up Your Game. Julian says “this book was written because I wanted to share the lessons I have learnt as an entrepreneur in a creative and inspiring way.”

The book, which became an Amazon best seller at its launch in July 2012, is an inspirational guide for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. It was also written to encourage persons to bring more balance in their lives, so that they can achieve the success they are truly destined for. 

According to Julian it is his wish that “one of these one hundred sayings would stop you in your tracks and help you get life in perspective.” 

The book is available on Amazon as a paperback, with availability on Kindle, iPhone, iPad, Android, and at the end of the year as a hard back coffee table edition. Individuals may obtain copies on Amazon UK and US at http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008OAIG6S andhttp://amazon.com/B008OAIG6S. 

Limited copies of the Paperback are available in St Kitts, from UWI Open Campus, St Kitts and Nevis. 

Julian Hall is an award winning entrepreneur and international speaker, who lives and breathes innovation and ‘ultrapreneurship’. In the last fifteen years he has consulted and worked for companies big and small, from boot strapped start-ups to blue chip corporations. He is also the author of the book The 10 Secrets of Social Media Marketing which is available on Amazon, with limited copies also available at UWI Open Campus, St Kitts and Nevis.