Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Winner Showcases Talent at Bocas Lit Fest 2025

The Central Bank of Barbados-sponsored Frank Collymore Literary Endowment (FCLE) made a powerful regional statement at the 2025 Bocas Lit Fest in Trinidad and Tobago with appearances from the winner of the competition’s 27th edition, Nailah Folami Imoja, and FCLE committee chair Dr. Yvonne Weekes.

Imoja led a dynamic and interactive writing workshop entitled “Growing Pains” on May 2 at the Young Adult Library in Port of Spain. Aimed at teenage writers, the session centred around her 2024 FCLE award-winning young adult novel “Jamaica’s Exam.” After reading an excerpt from the manuscript, Imoja led a hands-on session exploring how to turn the adventures and frustrations of teenage life into a literary narrative. The students and teachers responded positively to the workshop in which the young people described their emotions in vivid and exciting ways.

Imoja and Weekes also presented their work at two stagings of “Stand and Deliver,” the festival’s signature open mic event. Weekes read from her newest poetry collection “Living Stone.”

Weekes was also a featured writer at a Writers Union of Trinidad and Tobago event on May 3, where she read from her work and offered a snapshot of current directions in contemporary Caribbean writing. 

Reflecting on the prestigious regional literary event, Imoja expressed her appreciation to the FCLE Committee and the Bocas Lit Fest organisers, noting that she was thrilled by the Trinidad experience, and honoured to represent the FCLE competition and Barbados.

The Frank Collymore Literary Endowment is part of the Central Bank of Barbados’ domestic outreach. It was started in 1997 with the goal of supporting and developing the literary arts in Barbados. Its participation in the Bocas Lit Fest represents the Bank’s ongoing commitment to promote Barbadian literary excellence beyond national borders. 

The 28th FCLE competition, which includes both a literary category and one for spoken-word artistes, will open in July.