FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
MAY 7, 2025
SYGNUS UNVEILS ORIGINAL CHILDREN’S COMIC STRIP FOR READ ACROSS JAMAICA
DAY, REACHES OVER 100 STUDENTS AT RIVERTON MEADOWS AND ST. FRANCIS
PRIMARY
(Kingston, Jamaica) – Sygnus has added a creative twist to this year’s Read Across Jamaica
Day by launching an original children’s comic strip, Captain Capital and the Popcorn Plan,
aimed at encouraging early readers while introducing young students to basic ideas about
business and problem-solving. The comic was unveiled during visits to Riverton Meadows
Early Childhood Centre and St. Francis Primary and Infant School, where Sygnus engaged
with over 100 students through storytelling, interactive activities, and giveaways.
The comic, inspired by the Sygnus Investment Banking team, simplifies concepts like
entrepreneurship and investment through a fun, age-appropriate story. It follows the journey of
Captain Capital, a new superhero who helps a successful popcorn business expand, showing
children how ideas, teamwork, and smart money decisions can create real change. This fun,
fiction-based comic was designed with young readers in mind, supporting their engagement with
text while also planting early seeds of curiosity about how businesses grow and help
communities thrive.
“This year we wanted to do something special, something that would make reading not just
educational but also inspiring,” said Elizabeth James, Vice President and Head of Wealth and
Client Services at Sygnus Capital. “Captain Capital and the Popcorn Plan is our way of
connecting with children on their level, introducing them to the world of business and finance
through storytelling they can enjoy and understand. We believe when children see themselves
in stories, they start to see what’s possible for their own futures.”
As part of its Read Across Jamaica Day activities at Riverton, Sygnus team members spent part
of the day reading to students, hosting lively question and qnswer sessions, distributing prizes,
playing games and in a playful nod to the story, students were treated to popcorn, adding a fun
and flavorful touch to the interactive session. The highlight of the day was not just the comic
strip debut, but the joy and curiosity it sparked in the classroom.
Mrs. Marcia Smiley, a literacy teacher for the 5+ age group at Riverton Meadows Early
Childhood Centre, shared, “Most of our students are ready, but we still have a few we’re working
with to get them up to standard. Many are at the preliminary level and are well-prepared for
Grade 1; they can function independently. For those who aren’t quite there yet, we have a
compulsory reading club during the week. Along with the reading books we receive from
initiatives like Read Across Jamaica Day, we focus on letter sounds, phonics, basic sight words,
and sentence construction. Read Across Jamaica Day, and the involvement of organisations like
Sygnus, is a great venture to help prepare our students and make them more equipped for
society.” She continued, “I’d like to say a big thank you to Sygnus. We really appreciate the
effort they’ve put into helping to build and strengthen our school. We’re grateful for everything
they’ve donated to this institution.”
In addition to the reading sessions, Sygnus also made an official handover of essential supplies
to Riverton Meadows Early Childhood Centre. The donation included children’s books for ages 3
to 7, along with general school supplies and other classroom materials designed to support both
students and teachers.
The celebration continued with a heartwarming visit to St. Francis Primary and Infant School,
where Sygnus team members once again brought stories to life by reading a range of books,
including Sygnus’ original comic. They also hosted engaging giveaways, sparking excitement
among the students. The children enjoyed popcorn and an interactive session filled with energy
and fun, while teachers were honoured with a special cake in celebration of Teacher’s Day.
The visit to St. Francis not only brought joy to students and teachers, but also laid the
foundation for a meaningful partnership. Principal Shallette McIntyre, expressed her gratitude
and shared how the Sygnus team’s involvement aligns with the school’s mission. “The
participation of the Sygnus team in Read Across Jamaica Day at the St. Francis Primary and
Infant School has forged a new relationship between the business community and the school.
Their interaction with the students from the Infant Department to the Primary level along with
their generous donation of books to the library, has cemented this year’s theme of ‘Safe
Guarding the Future of our Children: Adapting a Culture of Reading’. The wide range of
books will expose, enlighten, educate and entertain our children, helping to foster a culture of
reading. Thank you to Sygnus and we look forward to future endeavours with the team.”
This collective support underscores Sygnus’ commitment to literacy and education, not just
through engaging experiences but through tangible resources that strengthen learning
environments.
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About Sygnus
Sygnus is a leading alternative investment firm in the Caribbean and Latin America, dedicated to driving economic development across the region through creative and innovative financing solutions. By offering a range of investment alternatives, including private credit, real estate financing, and private equity, Sygnus addresses unmet demands, unlocking capital for growing enterprises and playing a pivotal role in regional economic growth. The cutting-edge alternative investment (AI) platform is fueled by transformative strategies designed to accelerate development across the Caribbean and Latin America. This platform is backed by a team of forward-thinking experts who craft tailored solutions for our clients, complemented by dedicated investment banking and wealth management services. Sygnus also provides specialised services in Puerto Rico through Sygnus Capital PR LLC, formerly known as Acrecent Financial. As of December 2023, the company expanded its offerings, reaffirming its commitment to delivering innovative and personalised financing solutions that foster the island’s economic growth.
