Former Professional Athlete and Owner of Mr. Ship It, Leo Lightbourne Promises to Deliver in Family Island Seat

Sun, Apr 18th 2021, 09:32 AM

As a former elite basketball player and a businessman, Leonardo “Leo” Lightbourne, knows how to deliver when expectations are high and opinions strong. And the founder of Mr. Ship It is not afraid to tackle the tough issues. His solutions-driven approach to problem solving is what he will bring to office should he win the North Andros & The Berry Islands seat for the Progressive Liberal Party in the upcoming elections.

His goal is a lofty one, to help liberate voters within his constituency from a government he said is too heavily focused on issues impacting New Providence.

“This is about demanding equal access to opportunities. It is about understanding that where you are born in this country should not dictate how far you can go as a Bahamian,” said the 38-year-old who has served as a councilor and deputy chief councilor in Andros.

“Being an Androsian myself, I can relate to the challenges, issues and concerns that we are faced with in our communities. It is a humbling experience growing up on a Family Island. Even with limited resources, when you enter the job market or seek higher education outside of your community, you are expected to perform at the highest level, and we do just that. The idea that, you have to leave where you are born in order to succeed is a decision that no young person should have to face.”

After completing Mangrove Cay High School, Lightbourne attended Marshalltown Community College in Iowa where he graduated with nationwide distinction and received the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award. He then earned a full basketball scholarship to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and played on the school’s NCAA Division I team. In 2005, he graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration.

Due to his work ethic and strong commitment to excellence he gained the opportunity to play professional basketball overseas with four different teams in Turkey, Austria, Chile and Uruguay. The Androsian gained a global perspective, met people from around the world, learnt their culture and how to work within very diverse settings.

A transformational experience, it resulted in the father of three not only becoming more well-informed but also more open-minded. He doesn’t tell voters what they want to hear. Rather, he listens to what they have to say. Armed with that information, the accomplished businessman and basketball coach formed his plan for the North Andros & The Berry Islands constituency.

“With the support of a PLP government, we will focus on renovating the dock at Morgan’s Bluff and upgrading our clinics and health care facilities. Our vision is to revitalize BAMSI to offer new programs and new initiatives to benefit the local economy like a canary for farmers, develop a processing plant and provide opportunities for local and international export,” Lightbourne said.

“With unemployment in North Andros & The Berry Islands at more than 60 per cent, there needs to be greater opportunities for young persons in the community to have access to the tools needed to earn a living in new and innovative ways. Our plan looks at providing programs for young adults to learn new skills and use technology to build viable careers where they can a operate business from within the community.”

As the Chief Executive Officer of Mr. Ship It and president of the Three Brothers Investment Group – overseeing a portfolio encompassing entertainment, wholesale, transportation and fishing – he’s able to level with voters and share his business experience with constituents who come for help. In fact, he believes his business interests will help to make him a better lawmaker.

“It’s time to bring a bigger slice of the pie back home to North Andros & The Berry Islands,” he said.

Known for his work throughout the community, supporting the Red Cross and chairing his Homecoming Committee, Lightbourne’s growing popularity is beginning to transcend normal party alignments as he builds broad-based support.

Upcoming events include a heavy-duty, debris removal and clean-up exercise in The Berry Islands and an entrepreneurial workshop in North Andros.

“We want to make our community better, not watch residents grow bitter. The people are becoming frustrated. Every day they are making huge sacrifices just to get by. The people of North Andros & The Berry Islands want effective leadership. They want to be heard and they want action. That’s exactly what I intend to deliver.”

Former Professional Athlete and Owner of ‘Mr. Ship It’, Leonardo “Leo” Lightbourne Promises to Deliver for the PLP in North Andros & The Berry Islands.

Former basketball player and PLP Candidate Leo Lightbourne shooting hoops and sharing plans for North Andros & The Berry Islands with residents.

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