Afiya Birch-Gentles believes confidence starts with a solid foundation. Inspired by her journey through pageantry, this self-taught makeup artist aims to share her passion with young women through her initiative, Beauty Beyond Brushes.
“I’ve always been interested in student leadership and empowering younger girls,” Afiya shared. “But I wanted to make a deeper impact.” After launching her business at 17, she found a unique way to motivate women about their inner beauty. Her experience in pageantry opened doors to outreach that reflects her commitment to youth empowerment.
“Joining the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen competition in 2022 gave me the perfect platform to realize my vision for Beauty Beyond Brushes,” she explained.
This program targets girls aged 12 to 19, providing a safe space for mentorship and creativity. Through interactive sessions, participants learn about self-worth, communication, and envisioning futures beyond societal limits. These discussions also focus on how insecurities can affect self-confidence and emphasize the importance of positivity and encouragement.
“My goal is to help young women develop in five key areas: confidence, culture, character, creativity, and skills,” Afiya noted. “Confidence isn’t inherent; it’s taught. When it’s rooted in one’s cultural identity, it flourishes.”
She emphasizes that entrepreneurship plays a vital role. “Skills without knowledge can be easily misused. We’ll discuss integrity because talent needs character to truly succeed. Life may challenge them, but these girls will learn how to turn their skills into businesses, moving toward financial freedom,” she added.
Afiya plans to tour schools in St. Catherine, reaching out to as many students as possible. But her vision doesn’t stop there; she wants to expand throughout Jamaica. “Although I represent St. Catherine, this project can benefit young women island-wide,” she said.
Collaboration with other successful women is also crucial. “It takes a village,” she emphasized. “When young girls see women like them succeed, it’s a tremendous confidence booster.”
At the launch of her project, she felt overwhelmed by support from local businesses and fellow pageants. “Knowing I have such a strong support system means everything,” she reflected. “Seeing so many past and present festival queens reassured me that this initiative will be backed by a community of strong women.”
For Afiya, being a makeup artist is a fulfilling passion that blends perfectly with her desire to lead and uplift others. By mid-2026, she hopes to see more confident young women stepping into their futures, more women transforming their passions into businesses, and stronger ties to cultural heritage.
With plans to visit two schools each month, her advice to aspiring young women is straightforward. “Start small. Don’t fear mistakes; they’re part of learning. Embrace imperfection and keep believing in yourself. No one stands alone—seek help when needed. Trusted friends and family are essential to your growth.”
For insights on youth development and empowerment, you can check resources like the [UNICEF Youth Development page](https://www.unicef.org/youth-development).
