Five Caribbean leaders in science, civic work, entrepreneurship, and the arts have been named the 2026 recipients of the Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Excellence Awards. The laureates are Professor Tannecia Stephenson, Dr Niven R. Narain, Shamelle Rice, Sheena Rose, and Dean Nevers.
The announcement was made from Port-of-Spain via video stream. Each award carries a local currency equivalent of $500,000 to support ongoing work that benefits the Caribbean region. The official awards ceremony will take place later this year.
Professor Tannecia Stephenson of Jamaica, a climate scientist and co-director of the Climate Studies Group at Mona, was recognized in the Science & Technology category. Her work focuses on regional climate change research and developing tools and digital platforms to support policy decisions across the Caribbean.
Dr Niven R. Narain, a Guyana-born American biotech innovator, also received an award in Science & Technology. Co-founder and president of a Boston-based biotechnology company, Dr Narain developed an artificial intelligence-powered drug discovery platform that has generated around 650 patents, over 100 scientific publications, and numerous global research partnerships.
Shamelle Rice, founder and director of Jabez House in Barbados, was honored for Public & Civic Contributions. Since 2012, her registered charity has provided vocational training, job placement, mental health support, housing, and basic needs assistance to women involved in sex work. The organization has supported more than 1,000 women across the Caribbean, many of whom are mothers.
Sheena Rose, a Barbadian visual artist, received the award in Arts & Letters. Her work spans painting, performance, murals, and mixed media, and has been shown in solo exhibitions in London, New York, Taiwan, and across the Caribbean. A 2014 Fulbright scholar, Rose has received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and mentors emerging artists from the region.
Dean Nevers, a Jamaican telecommunications engineer and founder and CEO of Konnex Services Ltd., was recognized in Entrepreneurship. The company provides telecom, renewable energy, and industrial network solutions across ten Caribbean territories and employs hundreds of people. Nevers has led the company from a net loss in its first year to annual revenues exceeding US$20 million and has received the Order of Distinction from the Government of Jamaica.
2026 Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Excellence Award Laureates
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Professor Tannecia Stephenson – Jamaica (Science & Technology)
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Dr Niven R. Narain – Guyana / United States (Science & Technology)
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Shamelle Rice – Barbados (Public & Civic Contributions)
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Sheena Rose – Barbados (Arts & Letters)
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Dean Nevers – Jamaica (Entrepreneurship)
