Hundreds attend inaugural financial literacy summit
The Lumina Festival welcomed nearly 500 dreamers, builders, and doers over to its inaugural Financial Literacy Summit, in partnership with the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, on Friday, September 26. Attendees also included high school and college students from Bermuda College, The Berkeley Institute, and Bermuda Institute and clients of the Department of Financial Assistance. The event tackled a variety of financial literacy topics and the growing wealth disparity in Bermuda to promote financial literacy.
CEO of Signature FX Mandela Fubler, who hosted the summit’s keynote interview with the Honorable Curtis L. Dickinson, elected Member of Parliament for Constituency 21 – Pembroke South East and the Options 101 workshop, said, “Financial literacy is a subject near and dear to my heart. Growing up in Bermuda, I always felt there were many opportunities for support and guidance, but there was a lack of financial literacy education. Lumina Festival has stepped up in a massive way and provided that essential information for those most in need. I feel honored to have been included in this transformative event. Lumina has ignited a financial movement in Bermuda and I look forward to what the future holds.”
The summit featured panel discussions with local financial experts and successful entrepreneurs such as Neville Grant, CEO of Bermuda Bankers Association, former CEO of Bermuda Commercial Bank; Kimwana Eve, Founder and CEO of Lookie Lookie; and Ryan
Robinson Perinchief, lawyer, strategist, and public policy advisor; and headline speaker 19 Keys. The event also held several workshop sessions about budgeting and investing, with one session tailored for high school students to prepare them for transitioning to independent life in college. All attendees had access to an exclusive vendor marketplace that included Ahmani’s Cookie Company, Natural Mystic Hub, Duch Pops, Jazzy Treats, and many more.
Students who attended the summit described their experiences as overall positive with several networking opportunities and engaging presentations and stated that the core financial literacy concepts addressed were relevant to where they are in their journeys to financial freedom.
Sylvia Taylor, a panelist in the Beyond the Paycheck: Building and Preserving Your Legacy discussion and co-leader of the Budgeting 101: Building a Plan That Works workshop, said, “My vision for financial literacy education on the island isn’t just about people understanding the concepts behind finances but also closing the gap when it comes to accessibility. Whether it’s access to information or access to the people that can really help you along your financial journey, Lumina can provide the opportunity to bridge the gap. The possibilities for future summits are endless, and I am hopeful that each year it will keep getting better and attendance will keep growing.”
CEO and founder of Lumina Festival Zach Wilson, who hosted the summit, said, “As we mark the one-month anniversary of the Lumina Festival, we are proud to reflect on the energy, engagement, and meaningful conversations that ignited on the island. What began as a vision to bridge financial literacy and cultural empowerment has already sparked momentum across Bermuda bringing together students, professionals and community leaders in a dynamic space of learning and inspiration. With panels, workshops and keynotes led by local trail-blazers, and set against the backdrop of our one-day summit on September 26, the excitement for what’s next is stronger than ever. As we look ahead, we are already planning how to expand access, deepen impact and build a legacy of financial empowerment from sponsorships for students to corporate development partnerships so that the knowledge shared and the mindset shifts initiated will continue to ripple through Bermuda for years to come.”
The Lumina Festival will return on May 20 and 21, 2026, with smaller events slotted to lead up to the festival. Follow Lumina Festival on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn and check out luminafest.com to get the latest news and updates on upcoming events.
The Lumina Festival’s Financial Literacy Summit was generously supported by several partners including Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, the Centennial Foundation, Ambiance Bermuda, Rose of Sharon, Bermuda Community Foundation, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Burrows and Lightbourne, Paradise Mobile, Bermuda General Agency, and Spanish Point Entertainment.
The Lumina Festival is a Bermuda-based social enterprise dedicated to bridging the worlds of finance and culture through a unique blend of non-profit and for-profit initiatives. Through financial education, entertainment, and cultural celebration, it aims to make a social impact and promote inclusive economic growth.
Sylvia Taylor is a Qualified Accountant in the Life Reinsurance industry with a passion for personal finance. Like most people, financial literacy was not a topic of conversation in her household growing up and learning how to manage money as an adult came through trial and error. This trial and error led her to create The Frugal Onion – a place to document her financial journey, the good and the bad. Sylvia’s goal is to make learning these concepts easy for all no matter what their economic background.
Mandela Fubler is a professional trader, specializing in US indexes and commodities, with a diverse background spanning US equities, foreign exchange, and commodities. Born in Bermuda, and now based in London, he practiced law for 7 years before transitioning into financial markets. His curiosity for trading began in his second year of high school, when he first started trading US equities. Over the years, he expanded his expertise into foreign exchange and later transitioned to US indexes, refining his strategies to capitalize on intraday price movements. Now a full-time trader, he focuses primarily on the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and key commodity markets, applying a systematic approach to identify high-probability trading opportunities. Beyond his trading career, Mandela is committed to giving back to the trading community. In October 2017, he launched a YouTube channel to share his experiences, insights, and lessons with aspiring and fellow traders. Through educational lessons, live trading sessions, and market analysis, he aims to demystify trading and help others develop the skills needed to succeed in financial markets. With a disciplined approach, a deep understanding of market correlations, and a dedication to continuous learning, Mandela remains a respected member of the trading community, both as a professional trader and an educator.
Zach Wilson was born and raised in Bermuda. He started his career working in the digital marketing space after completing a Digital Media Marketing Certification at NYU. With a passion for music and creative expression, he transitioned into songwriting and vocal production, catching the attention of executives from Roc Nation, Sony/ATV, and Warner Publishing. Wilson found his creative home at Warner/Chappell with Grammy Award winning, platinum-selling producers, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, for several years. He has worked with artists Ella Mai, Rotimi, Rick Ross, Mack Wilds, Mali Music and more, earning him a top 3 Billboard international single and the Abe Olman Scholarship Award from The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Beyond the studio,
Zach’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through his partnership with renowned speakeasy Blind Barber as he hosted R&B/Art exhibition events that attracted a niche audience, curated a luxurious urban experience, and opened the door to other opportunities in artist management, brand collaboration and creative consulting.
