Purpose Awareness is an initiative that was founded by Antonia Lightbourne in 2016 that has garnered widespread interest and continues to be a highly anticipated time of the year. What began as a week of events geared toward Bahamian youths has evolved into a month of themed, diverse programming that brings the purpose conversation to individuals across all ages and stages of life. It is the vision of Purpose Awareness to provide individuals with the tools and resources necessary for both the discovery and execution of purpose.

 

Each year the Purpose Awareness team organizes a month full of events that include virtual and live discussions and information sessions, social media campaigns, outreach initiatives, and community-based activities that present the year’s theme in an innovative, inspirational, and entertaining way. Previous themes include Discover, Unleash, Legends, LIVE, and ‘I am here.’ The theme for 2022 is Beyond – Endless Possibilities. 

 

Past live events include Purpose on My Campus, which was a multi-island school tour that brought engaging speakers to high school classrooms in Nassau, Freeport, Andros, and Eleuthera to discuss the importance of purpose, and Coral Table Talk, which was a panel discussion and Q&A meant to encourage listeners to pursue purpose in nuanced and thoughtful ways despite fear and opposition. Purpose in Pompey was a talent showcase, and a perfect event for the entire family. Members of the eNue ‘orange community’ gathered in Pompey Square and shared their gifts and talents. This event proved to be an excellent outlet for the many talented youths in the community, but also served as a source of affirmation for participants, and encouragement for onlookers. 

 

With the passing of each year and the building of new relationships, the Purpose Awareness team has been able to diversify the types of events held throughout the month to reach an even wider audience. Purpose & Chill was a live streamed discussion between a panel of professionally and vocationally varied millennials who shared aspects of their purpose stories and answered questions submitted by viewers in real time. Seven Days of Purpose was a video series done in collaboration with Jaquay Adderley and Unorthobox Entertainment that allowed for even more personal testimonies and was a huge success. Fit for Purpose was an in-person fitness event led by Personal Trainer Ryan Payne on Goodman’s Bay Beach, and the Coral Craze was a family-friendly fun-run-walk. Kids in Purpose was an event held in collaboration with Atlantis Kids Club geared toward sharing the message of purpose in a fun and engaging way. 

 

Purpose Frame is an annual social media campaign that allows members of the Purpose Awareness community, no matter where they are located, to be a part of the initiative and spread the word. As they share photos customized with the Purpose Frame, community members can also share their personal purpose stories. This has proven to be a successful and eye-opening campaign that keeps the purpose conversation going in the social media space. 

 

The Purpose Awareness team has had the opportunity to collaborate with an array of organizations and businesses including Joy Fm, Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture, Bamboo Shack, Da Bush Cook, Showman Bahamas Ltd., Churchboy Productions, enue Global, and a host of local ministries including Living Waters Kingdom Ministries, Life Changers Mins, Legacy Church Bahamas, Gateway Outreach Ministries in Bimini. 

 

During the past seven years, Purpose Awareness Month has stirred the interest of many local businesses and community groups. With continued support and resources, the Purpose Awareness Team hopes to continue spreading the message of purpose throughout the islands of the Bahamas.