Life lately has been a powerful reminder of just how much strength there is in community. There are so many brilliant, genuine Bermudians with so much to offer. The year 2025 kicked off with the announcement of a General Election, a period often referred to as “silly season” — and, boy oh boy, this election sure has lived up to the true meaning of silly.

During silly season, it’s easy to get distracted by political debates filled with reminders of all that is wrong with our island. It’s hard but necessary for us not to allow the messy stuff to divide us. Despite the political rhetoric, we have more in common than we may think — we just have to be willing to engage, communicate and build together.

Although the main focus of the start of 2025 has been politics, we have something far more unifying and uplifting to focus on — Bermudian excellence. Our young Bermudians are making their mark across a range of fields, from entrepreneurship and politics to education and community activism. They are proving that they are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but that they are the leaders of today.

A youth advocacy group once had the slogan, “The youth of today and leaders of tomorrow. Generation Next”. But the reality is that Generation Next has become Generation Now.

From academia to entrepreneurship, from politics to community service, young Bermudians are excelling at home and abroad, setting a high standard for leadership and progress. Here are just a few shining examples of this excellence.

Youth advocacy and civic engagement

The Bermuda Youth Connect team have been instrumental in fostering youth advocacy, civic engagement and diplomacy. They have effectively used media to amplify youth voices and ensure that young people are involved in shaping Bermuda’s future. The work of BYC’s Tierrai Tull, Haile Teart, Ajai Peets and Veronica Swan DeGraff has been exceptionally inspiring. Their ability to keep young Bermudians engaged and informed will serve as the benchmark for decades to come.

Bermuda Is Love: a movement of compassion and action

Aaron Crichlow and his team at Bermuda Is Love are doing exceptional work as they, through their various initiatives, foster a culture of compassion and community activism. Bermuda Is Love’s weekly breakfast programme for primary school students ensures children start their day with a nutritious meal, while their free clothing drives, health screenings and educational workshops reinforce their mission of equal access to basic needs. Bermuda Is Love are fostering a community of love while promoting engagement on the human rights of all Bermudians. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to ensure that no Bermudian is left behind.

Future Leaders Bermuda

Future Leaders Bermuda, founded by Ryan Robinson Perinchief, is shaping the next generation of socially responsible leaders through education, mentorship and hands-on community engagement. Their flagship summer programme, internship opportunities and advocacy workshops equip young Bermudians with critical thinking skills, social awareness and leadership training to empower them to become change-makers. One of the most remarkable aspects of the programme is how its alumni return to pay it forward — a prime example being McKenzie-Kohl Tuckett and Seon Tatem, who completed the programme and are now assistant directors.

Health and wellness

Dayla Burgess, founder of TeleConnect Bermuda, is leading a mental health revolution by providing accessible, online counselling services with a focus on trauma-informed therapy. Recognising the need for affordable, flexible and confidential mental health support, TeleConnect ensures that Bermudians — regardless of their background — have access to qualified therapists who provide care rooted in understanding, empowerment and healing.

Then there is Jasmine Furbert, founder of Very Rare Yoga, who is promoting health and wellness through yoga while a certified holistic health coach whose business boasts services such as bonfire yoga and sound-healing sessions. She is also the brainchild and inspiration behind events such as Vegan Fest that highlight Bermuda’s vibrant culture.

Building community through movement

One of the most beautiful and inspiring, community-driven initiatives in Bermuda today is the Grateful Miles Running Club, started by Ezekiel Stoneham and Daniel Woods. GMRC has brought hundreds of people together to exercise in a fun, inclusive and community-centred way. GMRC is a reflection of the Bermuda we know and love — people of all backgrounds and walks of life, moving together in unity.

Innovative media/journalism

Bermudians are not only excelling in established fields but are also creating new opportunities through innovation and entrepreneurship. Maya Palacio, founder of Media Maya, has solidified herself as one of Bermuda’s leading journalists who we rely on to provide us with reliable news in an innovative and engaging way.

Politics and public service

In the political space, Ci’re Bean and Christopher Bean are breaking new ground as young independent political candidates, proving that the next generation is willing to challenge the status quo and actively shape Bermuda’s political landscape.

Asha Symons and Taj Donville-Outerbridge have used their platforms to write brilliant, thought-provoking op-eds that challenge complacency in politics and inspire young people to stay engaged in civic discourse.

The future of Bermuda is bright

All these trailblazers exemplify excellence, resilience and vision. There are so many young Bermudians doing great things both locally and abroad that they couldn’t all be mentioned in this article. However, this year, I am dedicating one article per month to highlighting the brilliant achievements of our young Bermudians. They deserve to be honoured, celebrated and encouraged as they forge their way forward and inspire the next generation.

As the great community organiser Angela Davis once said: “We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating society.”

Generation Next is Generation Now. And the future of Bermuda has never looked brighter.

• Eron Hill is the founder and executive director of The Bermuda Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit, non-governmental justice advocacy group

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