Famous Grenadians

Maurice Bishop

Maurice Bishop was born on May 29, 1944, in Aruba to Grenadian parents, Alimenta and Rupert Bishop. The family returned to Grenada in 1950, where Maurice grew up in the Parade and Morne Jaloux communities. He attended Presentation Brothers College, where he was a leader in several school societies and co-founded the Grenada Assembly of Youth after Truth. After secondary school, Maurice worked at the High Court Registry in Grenada before studying law at the University of London in 1963, where he became involved in student organizations and developed an interest in anti-colonial movements.

In London, Maurice met Grenadian nurse Angela Redhead, whom he married, and they had two children. Upon completing law school, Maurice worked as a tax auditor and founded the Legal Aid office in Notting Hill Gate. He maintained close ties with political figures such as Bernard Coard, Kenrick Radix, and Hudson Austin, and in 1973, he returned to Grenada to open a law practice with Radix. Maurice became politically active, joining the Movement of the Advancement of Community Effort (MACE), which later merged to form the New Jewel Movement (NJM).

Maurice's political activism gained attention during the 1970 hospital protest, and the tragic death of his father, Rupert, during a demonstration against the Gairy government in 1974, further fueled his commitment to change. On October 13, 1983, Bernard Coard, with military support, staged a coup and overthrew Bishop's government. Maurice and his ministers were arrested and executed.

Eric Matthew Gairy

Sir Eric Matthew Gairy, recognized as Grenada's Father of Independence, made significant contributions to the country's development. He fought against colonial powers in the 1950s and founded the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP), which played a key role in the nation’s political transformation. As Premier, he oversaw the establishment of the National Museum, built new schools, and created the Teacher’s Training College. Gairy also introduced vocational training and initiated the Agricultural Workers Provident Fund, leading to the National Insurance Scheme.

He promoted women’s rights, with women elected to the House of Representatives and joining the police force. His government introduced the five-day workweek, founded the Coast Guard Service, and helped create pre-primary schools. Gairy's lasting legacy includes shaping Grenada’s education system and workforce, with his contributions continuing to influence the nation's development today. Gairy’s political career waned after 1995, and despite his popularity, his party never fully recovered after his passing in 1997. Nonetheless, his contributions continue to shape Grenada’s sovereignty and development. The article concludes by encouraging gratitude for Gairy’s lasting impact on the country.

Yvette Noel-Schure

Yvette Noel-Schure is a prominent Grenadian marketing expert and entrepreneur, known for founding Schure Media Group in 2010. She previously worked as the Senior VP at Sony Music from 1993 to 2010 and began her career as an editor at Black Beat Magazine. She has been instrumental in promoting major artists like Beyoncé, Prince, and John Legend.

Born in Grenada, she moved to the U.S. as a teenager and attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York. Yvette later earned a degree in Journalism and Marketing from City College of New York. In addition to her work in the music industry, Yvette has over 20 years of experience in public relations and is known for her work with some of the world’s biggest musical icons.

Winston Bailey "The Mighty Sparrow"

Slinger Francisco, The Mighty Sparrow

Born on July 9, 1935, in Grand Roy, Grenada, Slinger Francisco, known as The Mighty Sparrow, moved to Trinidad with his family at the age of one. He became one of the most iconic figures in Calypso music, revolutionizing the genre and achieving international fame through his wit, social commentary, and innovative musical style. His notable hits include “Mr. Walker,” “Obeah Wedding,” and the controversial “Congo Man,” which was banned for 23 years by the BBC.

In 1969, Sparrow collaborated with Jamaican musician Byron Lee on “Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart,” which became a hit in the UK and Netherlands, charting for 27 weeks in 1978 and peaking at #2. Over seven decades, Sparrow recorded over 50 albums, blending Calypso with jazz, pop, pan-African, funk, and soca influences, gaining widespread appeal across various music genres. His songs have become standards for many Caribbean performers.

Sparrow’s career includes winning the Carnival Road March competition eight times, Calypso King/Monarch eight times, and twice being named Calypso King of Kings. He has toured the world for over 50 years, written over 500 songs, and recorded more than 70 albums. His significant contributions to music earned him the title “The Mount Olympus of Calypso” from the late U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Awards and Honors

• 1987: Honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) from the University of the West Indies
• 2013: Lifetime Achievement Award, Trinidad & Tobago Government
• 2015: Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)

2019: Global FEST Lifetime Artist Award

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 megastar, is fiercely proud of his Grenadian heritage, despite being born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK. His father, Anthony Hamilton, is from Grenada, a Caribbean island known as “the Spice Island” for its cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices. To honor his roots, Hamilton incorporated the Grenadian flag into his latest clothing range with the designer brand Tommy Hilfiger, which is sold globally.

As a world-renowned Formula 1 driver, Hamilton has achieved incredible success. He is currently the wealthiest sportsperson in the UK, with a net worth surpassing £131 million, marking a rise to fame and fortune that has kept him at the top of the UK’s ‘rich list’ for over a decade.

Jennifer Hosten

Jennifer Hosten, born on October 31, 1947, in St. Georges, Grenada, is a multi-talented individual known for her work as a radio announcer, development worker, diplomat, flight attendant, model, and author. She studied in London before becoming Grenada’s beauty queen. In November 1970, at the age of 23, Jennifer made history by winning the Miss World contest, becoming the first woman from Grenada and the first Black woman to hold the title. The contest was controversial, with allegations suggesting that the influence of Grenada's Premier, Eric Matthew Gairy, who was on the judging panel, affected the results.

Kirani James

Kirani James, born on September 1, 1992, in Gouyave, Grenada, is a renowned 400m sprinter. He is Grenada's first and only Olympic medalist, having won gold at the 2012 London Olympics, along with gold at the 2011 World Championships and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

James showed exceptional talent from a young age, breaking 400m records as a 14- and 15-year-old. He won multiple gold medals at the CARIFTA Games, including breaking the U20 400m record previously held by Usain Bolt. He made his mark internationally by winning the 200/400m double at the 2009 World Youth Championships and the 2010 World Junior Championships.

He earned a scholarship to the University of Alabama, where he won back-to-back NCAA Outdoor Championship titles. James is one of only nine athletes to win world championships at the youth, junior, and senior levels, and he has three World Championship medals (2011 Gold, 2015 Bronze, 2022 Silver) and three Olympic medals (2012 Gold, 2016 Silver, 2020 Bronze). He is the first athlete to win three individual 400m Olympic medals.

In addition to his athletics career, James holds a bachelor's degree in general business and serves on the board of directors of WINDREF and the Sport for Health program.