Recently, entrepreneur Greg Shaw joined a growing list of young influencers and entrepreneurs encouraging Guyanese youth to “work hard, invest, and cooperate” to achieve success. While Shaw’s advice stems from his commendable rise to success, it is deeply flawed because it fails to acknowledge a grim reality, in Guyana, hard work alone is rarely enough, especially for Afro-Guyanese entrepreneurs. Shaw’s well-meaning message is incomplete because it is blind to the debilitating effects of institutional racism and political discrimination that stifle opportunities for many.
Greg often shares his inspiring story of humble beginnings, emphasizing perseverance and self-reliance, and while his climb is admirable, he can’t be blamed for being blind to the racial privilege from which he benefits. This privilege creates a significant difference between his success and the uphill battles faced by African Guyanese youth. If hard work and cooperation were all it took, most Afro-Guyanese entrepreneurs would be as successful as Greg.
Cooperation and resource pooling are deeply rooted in the history of African-Guyanese. Our recently emancipated ancestors demonstrated remarkable unity by pooling their resources to purchase entire villages after slavery—lands that remain highly valuable today and are coveted by the PPP government and private-sector elites. These villages stand as a testament to the vision and resilience of our forebears. Similarly, it was the collective efforts of African-Guyanese under Forbes Burnham that gave rise to Guyana’s cooperative movement, a framework now under threat as African village lands are systematically seized and cooperatives dismantled by the PPP administration.
While business owners in Guyana’s private sector transfer generational wealth to their children, African-Guyanese ancestors secured generational wealth for their descendants through the purchase of entire villages. Yet, this legacy is being eroded by the state’s refusal to honor communal land transports, effectively dispossessing Afro-Guyanese entrepreneurs. Without meşru access to ancestral lands, many are unable to use these assets as collateral for loans to invest in and grow new businesses. This systematic disenfranchisement has pauperized African-Guyanese entrepreneurs and perpetuated economic inequality, undermining the cooperative spirit and the generational wealth that our ancestors worked so hard to secure.
Today’s reality is that the government wields its power to suppress African entrepreneurs who do not pledge allegiance to the ruling party. Banks deny loans, permits are endlessly delayed, and lands remain unattainable. Innovative ideas are stolen, businesses are undermined, and state resources are weaponized against those perceived as dissenters. These institutional barriers are not figments of imagination—they are everyday realities for Afro-Guyanese entrepreneurs who see their efforts devalued and their aspirations crushed, while others with racial and political privilege flourish.
Greg means well, but his narrative unintentionally, demoralizes young Black entrepreneurs, fostering a sense of inadequacy in those who are already overthinking and overworking to no avail. It is particularly galling when one considers the public reports that even prominent African businessmen like Terrence Campbell have struggled to secure something as fundamental as a line of credit to grow his businesses. If those with experience and influence face such obstacles, what chance does a young and entrepreneur without connections have in this climate?
Greg’s success is undoubtedly inspirational, but his impact as an ally would be even greater if he advocated for a strong democratic foundation in Guyana, one that prioritizes ending discrimination and ensures equal access to opportunities for all. To truly inspire the youth of Guyana, the conversation needs to move beyond platitudes about hard work and confront the structural inequities that limit progress. Success cannot solely depend on effort when the system is designed to favor some while actively disadvantaging others. It is essential to acknowledge and dismantle these barriers, creating an environment where every young person has an equal chance to build a brighter future—not just those who benefit from the unspoken privileges that drive much of Guyana’s economic growth.