Captains of Industry Gala celebrated with engaging “knowledge, power & impact” sessions

The 7th Annual Captains of Industry Gala, hosted by the Caribbean American Cultural Arts Foundation (CACAF) in Atlanta, Georgia, was a remarkable two-part cultural showcase that blended education, empowerment, and elegance. From thought-provoking daytime panels to the glittering gala at night, the event created a platform for Caribbean leaders and innovators to connect, collaborate, and chart bold new futures.

This year’s programming – “Educational Sessions: Knowledge, Power & Impact” – brought together brilliant minds across industries to discuss opportunities within the Caribbean and international communities. The sessions featured dynamic leaders sharing insights on business, culture, technology, and sustainability.
Among the highlights was the “Doing Business Internationally” panel, featuring Sharon Barnwell, founder of Caribbean International Shipping, and Dr Clinton Urling, a seasoned Guyanese entrepreneur. Dr Urling emphasised the importance of connecting Guyana’s economic boom with the diaspora:
“As a proud Guyanese, it was an honour to participate in the inaugural International Business Summit in Atlanta. The summit provided an excellent platform to highlight the incredible economic growth and vast business opportunities in Guyana,” he said.

Other sessions included “Women Driving International Business” with Dr Nicole Grimes, Jodi Lewis, and Anisa Palmer, who spotlighted female leadership in global commerce, as well as panels on business in Latin America, the global technology revolution, green commerce, entertainment, funding strategies, and government contracting.
One of the honourees, David Mullings, founder and CEO of Blue Mahoe Capital, reflected on receiving the 2025 Captains of Industry Award:
“This recognition is not just about me – it’s a reflection of every risk taken, every lesson learnt, and every person who believed in the mission to create generational wealth and close the economic gap for the Caribbean diaspora and beyond.”
Michael Thomas, president of CACAF, described the vision for the gala and summit:
“Our vision is to connect and build the diaspora through commerce and financial opportunity. We see the summit growing into a global event that will place the Caribbean region in a unique position to not only grow but thrive in a new global economy. Guyana is at the forefront of this global revolution.”
The evening gala recognised trailblazing Caribbean leaders whose contributions span industries and borders. Sonia Noel, Guyana’s award-winning fashion designer, returned for her third year contributing to the event by hosting the pre-event fashion show and donating her designs to the charity auction. She also had the honour of presenting the first award of the evening to Samantha Samuels, a Guyanese living in Atlanta, founder of AuthenticMe Consulting, LLC, and Young Dreamers International, a non-profit dedicated to youth empowerment.
“It was great to present this award to someone I admire!” Noel said. “Congratulations to Michael and team for another successful event. It’s a blessing to be part of such a prestigious event, which has also helped me build my client base in Atlanta.”
Saurel Quettan, past president of the Georgia Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce, called the gala “a powerful space where captains of industry connect, exchange knowledge, and chart new pathways for growth in the Caribbean and beyond.”
Founded in Atlanta, CACAF continues to lead with cultural arts programming, mentorship initiatives, climate resilience advocacy, and community outreach, serving diverse multicultural communities across the United States.