Clint Lawrence (l) & Damany Gibbs (r)

Although Clint Lawrence and Damany Gibbs are a few years apart in age, they are very close friends and have a great deal in common. They both attended Harrison College in Barbados and were awarded the Barbados Government Scholarship that led them to attend college in the United States. Today, as members of the Young Barbadian Professionals Society (YBPS), they both uphold the idea of Barbadian people living abroad dedicating their time to promote the development of the island.

In the summer of 2005, Clint introduced Damany to the Young Barbadian Professionals Society. Although Damany was on his way to complete a Master’s Program at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, the idea of joining an organization that gives back to Barbados ignited his own passions. With a background in Finance and impressive credentials, Damany hopes to increase the economic independence of people in Barbados and the West Indies through heightening the Caribbean’s brand as a top tourist destination. Through this venue, he hopes to use the private sector to increase employment opportunities and financial freedom in Barbados and beyond.

Currently, Damany is an MBA candidate at Harvard Business School along with YBPS member and friend, Clint Lawrence. Already an active mentor in the newly established YBPS mentoring program, Damany feels strongly about the mission of the Young Barbadian Professionals Society. “I am passionate about YBPS because it has a diverse group with a common goal… to find avenues for bajans living abroad to give back.” Gibbs who is extremely humble about his background, attended Cornell University for his undergraduate degree in Engineering, and is scheduled to complete the Harvard MBA program in 2008.

Clint Lawrence, a second year Harvard MBA student and president of the Harvard Caribbean Business Club, believes that it is our responsibility to help the economic and social development of the Caribbean, whether big or small. “There are many ways we can give back to Barbados. You can mentor a student at YBPS or host new visitors to Barbados. The key is to generate Caribbean capital for Caribbean businesses." he says.

Clint fondly remembers attending the first YBPS event, Bajan Sunday Lunch and Lime, and since then has been a great ambassador in promoting the organization. “The social events have a fundamental value — connections are made and YBPS programs are born when people get together.” He is extremely impressed with the organization’s growth thus far, and commented that “every single program which YBPS has been undertaken has been powerful in providing shining examples of what Barbadians can achieve with such resources.”

As President of the Harvard Caribbean Business Club, Clint understands the power of networking. Under his leadership, he has continued a program for students to network with business leaders in the Caribbean. The organization hosts an annual Business Networking Conference in the Caribbean to generate interest in recognizing the economic potential and influence of the West Indies. Clint’s goal as the club’s president is to maximize the global impact of products and services that are produced in Barbados and the Caribbean. Along with the Wharton Caribbean organization, the Harvard Caribbean Business Club hopes to expand the Business Networking Conference.

Clint believes that it is his duty to give back to Barbados in the same regard that Barbados gave to him; with the scholarship he was awarded to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied Finance and Chemical Engineering. His career goals include investing in a variety of commercial ventures in the West Indies and ultimately returning to work in Barbados. He wants the world to recognize that the Caribbean has a lot to offer in terms of professional opportunities.

Surely, Damany agrees with his friend Clint when he says, “Don’t put limits on what we can achieve as Barbadians and understand that we have to take full advantage of our resources to further the growth of Barbados and other Caribbean nations.”

YBPS proudly salutes its 2 dedicated members — 2 great friends — 2 wonderful gentlemen!!