Anya Ayoung-Chee
Anya Ayoung-Chee
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About Anya
Anya Ayoung-Chee, a fashion designer, creative visionary, and social entrepreneur from Trinidad and Tobago, has been supporting UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, since 2023. Anya is deeply committed to uplifting communities, advocating for refugees, and creating spaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
In November 2023, Anya joined a panel discussion during the screening of Starting Over, a documentary that highlights the journeys of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Trinidad and Tobago. The event underscored the importance of understanding and responding to the challenges faced by displaced communities while celebrating their resilience and strength.
Anya’s work extends far beyond her partnership with UNHCR. She co-founded Nudge Caribbean, a social enterprise designed to provide micro and small businesses across the region with access to resources, training, and markets. For Anya, Nudge is about rethinking how communities grow—by investing in local talent, nurturing creativity, and fostering real economic opportunities.
Through Spöol, an initiative funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and USAID, Anya is helping women of Venezuelan and Trinidadian heritage gain skills in garment construction and carnival production. For her, Spöol is not just about job creation—it’s about bridging cultures and ensuring that women have the tools to build secure and meaningful lives.
"How do we empower ourselves to the point that being equal is not even a conversation anymore – that our true sense of freedom is recognizing that we own our own power? What does it look like when we own ourselves and we own the decisions we make, and we don’t wait for somebody to give us that power?"
Anya
With her unique perspective, bold approach, and deep connection to the Caribbean, Anya Ayoung-Chee continues to use her platform to shine a light on the potential of refugees and displaced people while advocating for a more inclusive and equitable region.