The Caribbean Bottling Company (Bahamas) Ltd. (CBC) will once again select one exceptionally bright Primary School student from Grand Bahama to receive the Carleton W. Williams Scholarship. The six-year award, which allows the recipient to pursue their studies at the high school of their choice, has allowed other talented, young Bahamian students to continue their education.

The 2023 recipient will join last year’s winner, Leonardo Sands, 2021 recipient Maliyah Edgecombe, 2020 recipient Angela Sands, 2019 recipient Gabriel Hall, 2018 recipients Kennedi Knowles and Anajah Culmer, 2017 recipient Kailena Pinder, and 2016 scholarship winners, D’Ron & T’Ron Strapp. Each year, the scholarship review panel alternates between selecting a student from Garvin Tynes Primary School in New Providence and a student from Grand Bahaha.

The scholarship, which was started in 2016, was named after the previous owner and Chairman of the Caribbean Bottling Company, Carleton W. Williams. Not only was Williams a leader and pioneer in the Bahamian business community, he also actively supported the efforts of a number of local charities as a donor and board member, and was committed to nurturing the growth and development of young Bahamians, through education. His dedication to community, culture, youth and the advancement of the Bahamian business community earned him awards from the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire awarded by Her Majesty the Queen of England, Businessman of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce, the Paul Harris Fellow from The Rotary Club, and the Salvation Army Others Award.

"Carleton Williams was not only a significant member of the Bahamian business community, nor was he just a colleague. He was a mentor and dear friend to numerous individuals that he supported over many years. He genuinely believed in the people of The Bahamas, and always wanted to see others grow. Carleton created and explored opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, and through the exposure to his open mindedness about business, facilitated and encouraged Bahamians. Many can credit their success to his influence. His legacy will undoubtedly live on in the countless lives that he impacted in so many ways, the Carleton W. Williams Scholars, and those that he has directly and indirectly guided.", Walter Wells, CEO of the Caribbean Bottling Company."

Williams passed away in February 2021, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on in the young scholars who have received the annual scholarship to continue their education, at the high school of their choice.