Kristia Franklin ‘honoured’ by PM Youth Award nom
Wearing special Rock-spun piece to Saturday’s event
Published:Friday | April 19, 2024 | 12:11 AM
Kristia Franklin has a big engagement on the horizon.
The influencer and entrepreneur has been nominated for a 2023 Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence in the category of new media and couldn’t be more honoured or excited.
“I am elated about it. I feel so proud and honoured! I am big on Brand Jamaica, and being a Jamaican, to me, is a big flex, so being a nominee for the Prime Minister’s Youth Award just makes me feel seen by my beautiful island, and for that I am grateful!” Franklin told Living.
The stylish content creator, who already treats users with creative get-ready-with-me videos and beautiful sights and scenes from her city cabins and Old Spanish Fort boutique hotel renovation passion project, shared that she has much more in store.
“This is just the beginning of the journey of truly representing my country!” the Tia Clothes Girl brand proprietor said.
GRWM - PM YOUTH AWARD EDITION
What will she wear to Saturday’s ceremony? The stylist has selected a special Rock-spun piece.
“I will be looking fabulous in a locally made dress,” said Franklin, adding that she wants to look “elegant yet unique”.
“It’s a dress I’ve had for years and was saving for a special occasion. What’s more special than this?”
Outfit details aside, she provided an even more exciting update — one about renovations at her old Spanish fort. Users have been following the journey as Franklin and her mother transform a 17th-century Spanish fort in St Mary, Jamaica, into a boutique hotel.
She told Living that the property is almost complete and that they will be ready to welcome guests by this summer.
SUMMER OPENING
“Well, I can finally see the end of the tunnel with it. After three years, it’s finally time for the finale! The goal is to have it open to welcome guests by this summer! The rooms are basically finished, and we are now doing a lot of work on the grounds and beautifying the property,” said Franklin.
Farming forms a key part of the property’s grounds, and Franklin has already started sowing those seeds. “I have started farming, which I am so excited and proud about. Just last week we planted 60 coconut trees. We now have a miniature coconut walk. That has been a dream of mine since age nine - to have a coconut walk - so it feels great that it has become a reality. Each day we are witnessing our dreams and ideas come to fruition. They are no longer ideas. We can now see and touch them, which is such a fulfilling feeling,” she shared.
From fashion to home décor and real estate, Franklin has crafted her own path and taken users on the journey with her. The new media category is one of the newest Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence categories . It has previously been won by influencer Rohan ‘Quite Perry’ Perry.
Twenty young people who have been successful in various fields will be awarded at a ceremony on the lawns of Jamaica House.
The award recipients were selected from a list of more than 100 applicants who went through a rigorous interview process and social interaction events before 40 were short-listed prior to the final selection.
Recipients of this year’s awards will be recognised for their exceptional achievement in categories such as sports, agriculture, arts and culture, academics, nation-building, and environmental protection. There will also be the Prime Minister’s Special Award, which is to be presented to an individual or organisation for exceptional achievement in their field of study or work.