Irie Jam Foundation expands mission to blend Caribbean culture, youth empowerment and technology
Co-chair Syntyche Clarke says the foundation's new Tech Tribe initiative aims to put the diaspora at the forefront of AI and innovation.
NEW YORK, United States. For Syntyche Clarke, co-chair of the Irie Jam Foundation, Caribbean culture is "more than identity; it's infrastructure".
Clarke, who calls herself a "vibes master", leads the foundation alongside her husband and business partner, Bobby Clarke. It is an extension of Irie Jam Media, one of the most influential Caribbean media platforms in the United States, and focuses on connecting culture with opportunity, particularly for Caribbean young people in the diaspora.
"Everything we do is about empowering our community through culture," she said.
Starting with youth
"We didn't want to only focus on back home," Clarke said. "There are children right here in New York dealing with mental health challenges, poverty and identity struggles. We had to show up for them too."
The foundation began with a summer programme that immersed children in Caribbean culture through food, music, art and faith-based learning, from porridge and ackee and saltfish breakfasts to poetry and Bible study.
"We were building more than a programme, we were building identity," she said.
Into technology
The organisation is now expanding through initiatives including Purpose Talks and Tech Tribe, launched during NY Tech Week to spotlight Caribbean innovation in the digital economy.
Held at the Jamaican Consulate in Manhattan, Tech Tribe brought together founders, technologists, investors and creatives to explore the diaspora's growing influence in technology and entrepreneurship.
Clarke said the shift into technology was intentional. "A lot of our people are still afraid of change, especially technology," she said. "But AI is here. The train has left the station. We need to be on it, not watching it pass us by."
Clarke was honoured by Caribbean Business Connections during Caribbean American Heritage Month in June for her contributions to the diaspora.
"This is about legacy," she said. "We want our youth to know who they are, where they come from, and where they can go."
