William David Simmons
William David Simmons is a teacher with the Ministry of Education and the founder and director of a dynamic
youth organization called ‘Space to Create.’ For his entire adult life he has committed himself tirelessly and
whole heartedly to the betterment of other young people. He does this through his classroom teaching and
through Space to Create’s multiple youth programmes, in visual & performing arts, environmental
conservation and intervention work with at risk boys. Simmons works virtually around the year and often
around the clock, directing or supporting programmes. Over its 11 year existence, Space to Create has had a
massive impact on the youth of the Eleuthera community, having provided programme experiences to over
1000 children equalling over 30,000 participant hours. Simmons is a firm believer in ‘being the change that
one wishes to see in the world’, and approaches his work with the idea of “If not us - who? If not now when?” At
home and abroad Simmons developed a keen interest in culture and the arts and attended, The Tring Park
Centre for The Arts in the UK, before studying anthropology at The University of London. Having grown up
between the quaint and quiet community of Dunmore town, Harbour Island and the cosmopolitan United
Kingdom, Simmons observed that there were many empowering experiences and opportunities in life, that
were beyond the reach of young people in the Bahamian family islands. He also observed as a young adult
that there were not enough programmes engaging young people and that if given the opportunity to highlight
their talents and learn new skills, youth might develop different life outcomes.
Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and creatives Simmons pondered this issue carefully and sought to
change it. It was with this in mind that Simmons returned from university one summer, with an idea. He
organized a group of volunteers consisting of family and friends. The novice team raised a tiny budget and set
out to use performing arts, as a vehicle for empowering young people. That first summer they engaged 30
children in a theatre production called “You can get it if you really want,” based on the Jimmy Cliff song of the
same name. Their goal was not only to get kids to discover their talents but to ignite a conversation about the
issues facing the community and the role of young people in addressing the challenges. 11 years later that
conversation is still going. Space to Create has now engaged a network of skilled professionals and
committed alumni in delivering programmes free of charge to youth across Eleuthera.Space to Create’s
remarkably effective methods have been sharpened through first hand experience and productive
partnerships with artists, teachers and youth workers from across the Bahamas and abroad. Simmons
continues to utilize expertise gained from 7 years in the classroom and post-graduate degree in education
(University of Toronto) to take the organization to an increasingly professional operation. Notably without
betraying its founding principles of being a grassroots organization, offering free programmes, focused on
genuine community needs. Simmons has forged connections around the world in an effort expose young
Bahamians to the possibilities that exist for those with the passion, drive and vision to pursue them. He has
used his organization to bring youngsters and colleagues to international events. In the past 2 years 55 young
people and youth workers travelled to the US on trips organized by Simmons as ambassadors for Ocean
conservation and Bahamian Culture. In these transformational experiences youth actively engaged with peers
and experts in environmental and Cultural fields. A number of the participants had never before left the
Bahamas. The organization's story and Simmons’ story are founded on hope, creativity and integrity. They
show us what young Bahamians can do for the country when they have the courage to dream, the creativity to
see new solutions to old problems and the integrity to do they we say they were going to do even if it means
some times enduring sacrifice.