THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT
Table of Contents
A Note from the Prime Minister
To have a true son of the soil, born only a couple hundred metres from where he was installed, assume the highest office of this land brought a deep joy to me, and I trust, to all of us.
President Bostic: A Life of Stellar Service
His journey to become the nation’s Head of State is a testament to the fact that the highest offices are reserved for those who have dedicated themselves wholly to the service of their people.
08
The Making of a Servant-Leader
If President Bostic could capture the spirit of Chapman and Emmerton Lanes in one sentence, it would be that “those who had little, willingly and lovingly shared with those who had nothing.”
10
The Uniform of Command and a Full Circle of Service
Rather poetically, his military service provides a powerful historical connection to the now Republican era.
The Voice of Calm in Crisis
When the nation faced the COVID-19 pandemic, Col. Bostic provided the country with the steady hand of a statesman, guided by the unwavering motto: No surrender, no retreat.
18
The Vision: A New Challenge for the Republic
President Bostic launched a defining national initiative: The Chapman Challenge, declaring his mission to be a mentor to the “generation next in line.”
BOSTIC: The People’s President Design & Layout: Tyson Henry, Mikul Elcock Photography & Retouching: Brooks LaTouche, Ronnie Carrington, Tyson Henry, Charles Pitt Publisher: The Barbados Government Information Service
A Note from the Prime Minister
It was with pride and profound emotion that I offered this note for a moment etched forever into Barbados’ history.
On November 30th thousands of Bajans gathered at Kensington Oval, not just to celebrate our nation’s independence and status as a Republic, but also to commemorate the installation of the Most Honourable Jeffrey Davidson Bostic as the second President of Barbados. To have a true son of the soil, born only a couple hundred metres from where he was installed, assume the highest office of this land brought a deep joy to me, and I trust, to all of us.
His Excellency’s journey has been a quiet, dignified testament to relentless acts of service to our nation. He served first as a soldier, then as an Aide De Camp to two Governors General (Sir Deighton Ward and Sir Hugh Springer). He continued as a public servant, helping to create the security framework for the Joint Regional Communications Centre and the CARICOM Impacts Agency. He also served as a Member of Parliament for Bridgetown and as Minister of Health and Wellness. In our darkest hours, he captured what this nation needed: ”No retreat, no surrender”. Long may that remain the hallmark of this nation.
He is the embodiment of what we now ask of every citizen: a man who accepted responsibility, did not become weary,
rose to the occasion, and at every stage of his life has reflected love of country and love of people. Long may his example inspire every boy and girl, not just those born in the City of Bridgetown, but from Pie Corner to Gemswick, from Fitz Village across to Bath, St. John.
Our Path Forward
If we are to keep Barbados safe and prosperous, the choices we make in our homes and neighbourhoods — the choice not to harbour criminals or wrongdoing, not to glorify violence, and to guide a young person drifting into trouble — are equally important.
As we continue the journey toward our 60th anniversary of independence and look ahead to 2030, I ask you all to renew our love affair with our nation and commit to living by our National Pledge, and doing credit to Barbados wherever we shall go.
May God bless you, and may He continue to bless Barbados.
The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Barbados
President Bostic: A Life of Stellar Service
A Definitive Look at the Unwavering Career and Historic Installation of Barbados’ Unifying Head of State
Lieutenant Colonel the Most Honourable Jeffrey Davidson Bostic, F.B., M.V.O. stands as the quintessential embodiment of Bajan service and resilience. From a childhood shaped by the lessons of community to a career defined by disciplined command and civic duty, his life trajectory represents the promise of the Barbadian Republic. His journey to become the nation’s Head of State is a testament to the fact that the highest offices are reserved for those who have dedicated themselves wholly to the service of their people.
In his inaugural address, President Bostic paid homage to his predecessor, acknowledging her “outstanding service as our nation’s last Governor General and its first President.” He emphasised that Dame Sandra had passed the baton in a “commanding position,” providing
a firm basis for his leadership to build upon.
A Guiding Hand in the World
President Bostic’s installation not only celebrates the past but defines the future of the Republic. He outlined the guiding principles for Barbados’ international relations, committing to strengthening regional ties, stating that Barbados will remain a loyal and leading vessel in the fleet of CARICOM nations. For the wider world, he affirmed that the Republic will continue to be guided by the enduring words of the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow: “Friends of All, Satellites of None.” He called upon all citizens to accept the challenge of this new era: “Let us be Firm Craftsmen of our Fate.”
The Making of a Servant-Leader
President Jeffrey Bostic’s life is defined by the journey from his earliest beginnings, scripting a story he himself summarised as one that began on “the flat, humble pavement of Chapman Lane.”
President Bostic credits his character to the collective effort of his community, which nurtured him, supported him, and pushed him to be his best self. He often emphasises that he is who he is “because of the village that raised me”. This environment, characterised by caring and sharing, instilled in him the value of hard work, the importance of kindness, and the power of compassion. He states simply that the community understood: “we are stronger together, that we rise and fall as one.” Explaining the ethos of his upbringing, he added that if he could capture the spirit of Chapman and Emmerton Lanes in one sentence, it would be that “those who had little, willingly and lovingly shared with those who had nothing.”
In his inaugural address he warmly recalled the community pillars who lifted him:
Ms. Rosalie Carter, the mother of the Most Honourable Anthony “Gabby” Carter, who was his mother’s midwife and the first person to hold him.
Orville Clarke, affectionately called “De Shoemekker,” who resoled and polished his school shoes with care when his mother could not afford to buy new ones each year.
Kenneth Hinds, a teacher at St. Mary’s Junior School, who believed in him, gave him private lessons at no cost, and who bought him books they could not afford.
Violet Brewster, the Matriarch of School Lane, who administered the rod of correction and the hand of discipline to every young boy and girl in the area.
Alexander Griffith (Ellick), an elderly blind man who taught him to play the ancient African game of Warri, teaching him to see life in new ways.
Rev. Chesterfield ‘Chessie’ Morgan, the caretaker of the local club that provided opportunities in sports, skills training, arts, and culture. Chessie gave him his first opportunity to lead when he made him president of the club, and was responsible for his first trip outside of Barbados in 1973.
The Unbreakable Architect
His deepest gratitude and defining emotional tribute were reserved for his mother, Sheila Marita Bostic, whom he called “the mortal architect of my journey and one of the greatest domestic economists that ever lived”. He shared the deep sacrifice and struggle of his upbringing, recalling his mother’s late-night worry and her constant refrain: “this is all I have to give you today so try and make it do”. It was through her tireless efforts that he was able to make it through secondary school, a struggle he acknowledged gave him his enduring character. “The resilience I now have, I found in you,” he noted.
Education and Discipline
His path to leadership was cemented by his education, which progressed from St. Mary’s Infants and Junior Schools to Combermere School and onto higher learning at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus. His time at Combermere was a gamechanger, where his horizons were expanded and leadership was shaped through the No. 3 Cadet Company and the school’s vibrant prefect body. This blend of academic success, early military training, and competitive drive—including his achieving local champion status in table tennis— forged the disciplined, focused, and dedicated servant-leader he is today.
A young Jeffrey Bostic (front row, centre) posing with family in his younger days.
Officer Cadets “Fuzzy” Archer (Barbados), Errol Stewart (Jamaica) & Jeffrey Bostic at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
The Uniform of Command and A Full Circle of Service
For a nation built on self-determination, the transition from military service under the Crown to the highest office of the Republic represents the ultimate constitutional progression.
For over four decades, President Bostic dedicated his life to national security and defence. From 1980 to 2006, his service in the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) was distinguished, rising the ranks from platoon commander to Colonel and Commanding Officer of the Barbados Regiment. His leadership was a unifying force, rooted in discipline and strategic thinking.
His influence extended throughout the region and internationally:
He served as Director Operations and Training for the Regional Security System (RSS), where he demonstrated regional leadership by commanding the RSS Response in Grenada after Hurricane Ivan.
He was instrumental in regional security planning, notably conceptualising and drafting the RSS Security Plan for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, which became a model for the wider CARICOM plan.
He served as Barbados’ first Defence Attaché to the United States of America and Alternative Representative to the Organisation of American States.
The Full Circle of History
Rather poetically, his military service provides a powerful historical connection to the now Republican era. Early in his career, he served as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) for the Right Excellent Sir Hugh Worrell Springer, a National Hero and former Governor-General. This role, in turn, led to him serving as Equerry to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the island. Having served the Monarchy and its representative, Lt. Col. Bostic is the ideal figure to now embody the sovereignty of the Barbadian Republic.
Queen Elizabeth II in Barbados, in March 1989, accompanied by then-Prime Minister of Barbados, Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford and Equerry, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic
The Voice of Calm in Crisis
The transition from the structured command of the Barbados Defence Force to the demanding arena of political life tested Col. Bostic’s commitment to service in new ways. His final and most critical political mandate as Minister of Health demanded not only administrative skill but the same strategic discipline forged in the military field. When the nation faced the unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the discipline of the soldier provided the country with the steady hand of the statesman, guided by the unwavering motto: No surrender, no retreat.
Following his military retirement, Colonel Bostic successfully entered political life, representing the City of Bridgetown constituency from 2013-2022. He was soon elevated to Minister of Health and Wellness, a post in which he faced the most significant public health challenge in modern history: the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Foundation and Bedrock of the National Response
His performance during the health crisis was widely acknowledged as the defining moment of his political career. President Bostic was regarded as the foundation of the national health response. His military background provided the much needed structure to marshal national resources, coordinate multiple public service agencies, and enforce public health protocols with clear, consistent authority.
He proved to be a very steady hand at a most difficult time in our history, serving as that voice of calm that was needed during the dreaded press conferences. His relaxed communication, characterised by transparency and
measured professionalism, offered reassurance and direction. He personally instilled the military ethos of resilience in the national psyche through his enduring motto for the fight: No surrender, no retreat. This wonderful expression became a position that he was able to instill in every Barbadian, becoming a national rallying cry for resilience and purpose.
For many, his leadership demonstrated precisely why he was the ideal person to serve at the highest level. The ability to unite the country, manage a crisis with competence, and inspire confidence in a dark hour—without fanfare—cemented his stature as an exemplary servantleader. This exceptional record of public service under extreme duress provided the final, undeniable proof of his capacity to command the dignity and trust required of the nation’s Head of State, positioning him for the office of President.
The Vision: A New Challenge for the Republic
In his inaugural address, President Bostic looked beyond the ceremonial nature of his office to articulate a proactive vision for the future of Barbadian society. Rooted in mentorship and community engagement, his “Chapman Challenge” seeks to institutionalise the very “village” spirit that raised him.
The installation of Lieutenant Colonel The Most Honourable Jeffrey Davidson Bostic is a celebration of a lifetime defined by distinction, dignity, and selfless dedication. He is recognised as an exemplar of quiet leadership, inspiring confidence not through noise but through competence and character.
President Bostic is a highly decorated servant-leader, having been conferred with national and international honours including the Freedom of Barbados (F.B.) and the Member of the Victorian Order (M.V.O.). His ascension represents the ultimate success story for the Barbadian nation: a son of the soil whose unwavering commitment to duty has earned him the mandate to lead. He stands as a unifying figure, inspiring generations to believe in their own potential to become leaders of the Republic.
A National Call to Action
Declaring his mission to be a mentor to the “generation next in line,” President Bostic launched a defining national initiative: The Chapman Challenge. He described this not as a mere government programme, but as a national call to action. It challenges every adult to guide a child and every young Barbadian to rise above their circumstances.
He emphasised that this initiative would not be a distant bureaucratic exercise run from an office in Bridgetown. Instead, it is designed to live and breathe in the communities where people live, tapping into the “ecosystem” of villages across every parish, from St. Lucy to St. Philip.
To operationalise this vision, he called for the mobilisation of an “army of Anchors”— men and women of experience, faith-based organisations, and sporting groups—to be the “steady hand that prevents a drift.”
The Twin Awards
To cement this commitment to mentorship, President Bostic announced the creation of the Twin Awards of the Chapman Challenge, to be presented annually at State House:
The Anchor Award: Honouring the mentor who stood firm, gave their time, and saved a future.
The Hillaby Award: Celebrating the young Challenger who climbed the highest, overcame the odds, and reached their personal summit.
His promise to the youth of Barbados was unequivocal: “If you are willing to climb, we will provide the rope.”
Turning Resolve into Renewal
As he assumes the Presidency, Lt. Col. Bostic stands as a symbol not just of what Barbados is, but of what it can be. His vision for the Republic is one of active citizenship, calling on the nation to go forward with “dignity, discipline, and quiet resolve.” He concluded his address with a charge for the future: “Let us be the generation that turns resolve into renewal, service into strength, and purpose into prosperity.”
BARBADOS’ SECOND PRESIDENT: THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE
