Kingston Creative is celebrating the unveiling of a new donor plaque on Water Lane, formally recognising Island Bespoke as the 70th ‘First 100’ partner. 

The ceremony marked a significant contribution to the organisation’s mission of fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem and revitalising downtown Kingston.

Company founder David Newell, a visionary entrepreneur with deep roots in Jamaican heritage and extensive tailoring experience including a decade at Savile Row’s Gieves & Hawkes, spoke passionately about his commitment to supporting local creativity.

“My heritage is rooted in Jamaica, and I believe in the power of art and design to transform communities. Therefore supporting Kingston Creative’s mission to revitalise downtown Jamaica into a thriving creative hub aligns with my personal commitment to preserving and promoting the culture that shaped me,” said Newell. “Too often, Jamaican talent is nurtured here but exploited elsewhere. I want to see the next generation of artists and designers thrive in a space that truly belongs to them, where their innovation drives opportunity and progress right here at home.”

The event brought together representatives from Kingston Creative, Island Bespoke, Tribe 9 Studios and members of the media to commemorate the partnership.

The plaque acknowledges Island Bespoke’s generous support, joining a distinguished group of individuals and organisations committed to empowering artists and driving cultural and economic growth in Jamaica. Kingston Creative has set an ambitious target of reaching 100 donors in 2025.

“David Newell and I met at the Jamaica Diaspora Conference hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade one year ago. He expressed his interest in investing in Jamaica and the local creative economy and he has followed through in an inspirational way, recently opening a business right here at 107 Harbour Street,” said Dempster Chung. “We are so grateful for their philanthropy and encourage more members of the Diaspora to get involved in the positive change happening at home. Our First 100 Partners help to provide resources, create opportunities, and build a thriving community for Kingston’s creatives.”

The First 100 Partners initiative is a crucial fundraising effort for Kingston Creative, providing vital resources for its various programmes, including public art installations, capacity-building workshops, and the maintenance of creative spaces like the Kingston Creative Coworking Space and the artwalk.