Kavan Allen’s Manifest 8:19 Event to Empower Jamaica’s Next Generation
For Kavan Allen, Manifest 8:19 isn’t just another initiative, it’s a movement. Rooted in Romans 8:19, it calls young people to step into leadership with purpose, faith, and love.
This year’s double-header event, set for Saturday, August 16, brings together the Youth Entrepreneurship Summit by day and the high-energy Youth Explosion by night. The goal? Equip young Jamaicans to take their place and lead change. We spoke with founder Kavan Allen to share more on what’s in store.
Tell us about Manifest 8.19. Where did the vision come from, and what’s the core mission behind it?
KAVAN: Manifest 8:19 was born out of a deep conviction that Jamaica’s youth are not just victims of societal challenges, they are the solution.
The vision is anchored in Romans 8:19, which declares that “creation waits in eager expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God.” We believe this is a prophetic call for young people to rise, take their place, and lead with purpose.
At its core, Manifest 8:19 is about activating the next generation of change agents — those who will move boldly and compassionately in every sphere of society. We want youth to lead and live based on one unifying message and ethos: love. Love that builds, love that heals, love that transforms.
By merging spiritual empowerment with practical tools for nation-building, Manifest 8:19 positions young people to be the answers to the problems they face, carrying the heart of God into the heart of culture.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Summit is all about building “the next generation of kingdom-minded entrepreneurs.” Why is it important for you to focus on faith-driven businesses at this time?
KAVAN: We believe it’s time to demystify generational wealth creation within the Kingdom. For too long, Kingdom citizens have shied away from conversations around money, business, and wealth; often viewing them as secular or disconnected from faith. But we’re flipping that narrative. We should not only participate in these spheres, we should lead them.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Summit is about showing that it’s not only possible to run a business with Christ at the center — it’s actually the best way. Faith-driven businesses operate with integrity, purpose, and impact. They create jobs, solve problems, and build communities while reflecting the character of God.
By equipping young people to build businesses rooted in Kingdom principles, we’re laying the foundation for sustainable, generational transformation — economically, socially, and spiritually.
You’ve brought together a powerhouse lineup including Marcia Woon-Choy, Derek Cotterell and Rory White; to name a few. What inspired you to choose these particular speakers?
KAVAN: We’re intentional about curating voices that carry both wisdom and relevance. Each year, we aim to strike a powerful balance, bringing together seasoned leaders with decades of experience and young, emerging entrepreneurs who are still in the trenches, building and believing.
Speakers like Marcia Woon-Choy, Derek Cotterell, Rory White, and Aldane Smith are what we call silent giants; individuals whose impact is undeniable, yet whose hearts and minds we rarely get to hear from in intimate, youth-centered spaces.
Marcia is one of the leading business coaches in Jamaica today, helping entrepreneurs unlock their potential and scale with strategy and purpose. Derek Cotterell has built one of Jamaica’s most respected retail empires with integrity. Rory White is a visionary in youth empowerment and innovation and Aldane Smith, founder of MyCart Express, is a brilliant example of what it means to innovate boldly and build a tech-driven business with Kingdom values at the core.
They are business titans and trailblazers, and their stories carry the kind of depth, resilience, and faith that can shape a generation. By blending legacy with immediacy, we create a space where attendees can be inspired by those who’ve walked the path and encouraged by those still walking it. It’s not just about success, it’s about process, perspective, and purpose.
Starting a business can be daunting, and it’s easy to stay in your comfort zone. How will this event help people take that next step?
KAVAN: The summit is designed to provide real-world tools, mentorship, and encouragement. Through interactive sessions, candid conversations, and exposure to successful role models, attendees will gain clarity, confidence, and community.
We’re not just offering information, we’re creating activation moments where young people can move from idea to action, fear to faith, and comfort to calling.
Later that evening, you’ll host the Youth Explosion. What can attendees expect?
KAVAN: Youth Explosion is a high-energy, spirit-filled experience that blends worship, creative arts, and empowerment. Attendees can expect dynamic performances, prophetic declarations, and powerful messages that speak directly to their identity and purpose.
We’ll hear from Daniel Thomas, founder of the Love March Movement, whose voice has been instrumental in championing purity, purpose, and bold faith among youth. We’ll also be joined by Waynette Strachan-Nelson, a passionate communicator and worshipper whose heart for God and young people will stir the atmosphere.
In addition, we’ll feature various creative arts expressions, from spoken word to dance to visual storytelling because we believe the arts are an integral part of expressing the heart of God.
It’s a space where faith meets fire, where creativity meets calling, and where young people are reminded that they are chosen, equipped, and called to be light in a dark world.
From your perspective, why is it important to nurture both the professional skills and spiritual growth of the next generation?
KAVAN: We don’t believe that business and wealth creation should be on opposing sides of spiritual growth. In fact, if we are to be the answer to the problems our communities face, we must embody both excellence in our competencies and the heart of God in how we treat people.
Nurturing professional skills equips young people to lead, innovate, and build with strategy and confidence. But without spiritual grounding, success can become hollow. Spiritual growth ensures that their leadership is anchored in love, integrity, and purpose.
We want to raise a generation that doesn’t just chase profit but builds legacy. A generation that understands that true influence comes from serving well, stewarding wisely, and reflecting Christ in every boardroom, brainstorm, and business deal.
By investing in both dimensions, we’re cultivating leaders who are bold in vision, sharp in execution, and tender in spirit; the kind of leaders our world desperately needs.
Where will the events take place, and what is the cost to attend?
KAVAN: Manifest 8:19 will be held in our brand-new space, The Revolution Hub, located at 18 Parkington Plaza, Unit 10. We’ve just been blessed with the opportunity to move into a space of our own, and this will be our first official event hosted there. It’s more than a venue, it’s a declaration of growth, faith, and vision fulfilled.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Summit kicks off at 9:00 AM tickets are just $5,000 JMD. Later that evening, the Youth Explosion begins at 5:30 PM and is free of charge, open to all who want to experience a powerful move of God through worship, the arts, and the Word.
We’re excited to welcome attendees into a space built for transformation and we believe this is just the beginning.
How can people sign up or secure their tickets?
KAVAN: Persons can sign up by visiting our Instagram page @the_revolution365. All information is on that page, as well as the registration link is in our bio or email us at therevolutionja@gmail.com.
