Antiguan Duo – By Deslyn A Joseph
Antiguan Duo Secures Fellowship
Joshuanette Francis and Canice James have officially transitioned into their specialized fellowship placements in Washington, DC and California after a transformative orientation in Texas.
The Antiguan entrepreneurs are currently representing the twin-island nation within the 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), joining a cohort of over 200 emerging leaders from across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Following a gruelling travel schedule and “jam-packed” orientation sessions that began on April 19, the representatives are now embedded within American organizations.
Francis is stationed at American University’s Center for Leadership and Community Engagement in Washington, DC. There, she is studying volunteer systems and engagement models to enhance the “Good Humans 268” Student Community Service Program back home. James is reportedly placed in San Francisco with Hara Hub, where he is collaborating with a veteran software development firm to optimize digital platforms and refine business automation.
A defining lesson from the first week was the importance of relentless persistence. Francis was particularly moved by a keynote speaker who shared that she pitched her business 857 times before receiving a yes. This has become a personal mantra for Francis as she advocates for legislative change and waste management reform in Antigua. She noted that even if the program ended tomorrow, the knowledge gained about the necessity of consistent pitching and brand storytelling has already made the experience invaluable.
Meanwhile James’s role includes supporting the integration of tools, improving automation, and enhancing overall functionality, while also refining his own business operations and expanding his professional network. “This has been an opportunity to strengthen both my technical understanding and my overall approach to business systems,” he said. “At the same time, it has opened doors to new connections that will be valuable beyond the fellowship.”
While both participants described the experience as highly rewarding, they also acknowledged the intensity of the first week, which included a full schedule of sessions, meetings, and networking engagements.
Francis explained that her organization operates like a spider web, where every initiative from reforestation to recycling, is designed to create jobs for individuals with disabilities. She emphasized that while food packages and wheelchairs are appreciated, the ultimate goal is financial independence for the community. With the support of her team on the ground, she said that she intends to use the remaining weeks of the fellowship to build the frameworks necessary to transform waste management and disability advocacy into a sustainable national model.
