Rihanna Western Hemisphere Entrepreneurial AwardRihanna will receive a Western Hemisphere Entrepreneurial Award for her inspiration to young people across the Americas.

The award is to be presented to the music diva during the Summit of the Americas in Panama early next month when United States President Barack Obama and heads of government in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America, including Barbados’ Freundel Stuart, will discuss the region’s pressing economic and social challenges.

The award is being given by the Young Americas Business Trust, an arm of the Organisation of American States which is arranging the summit.

The presentation to Rihanna is to take place in the presence of Obama and his counterparts from the Americas.

“The Trust has selected Rihanna for this prestigious award because of her highly successful track record in music, her ability to remain at the top of her profession for so many years and because of the example she sets as an artiste and businesswomen.

“Millions of young people, especially women across the Western Hemisphere, view the Barbadian as a role model as they dream of being successful in the global entertainment industry and in life,” said John Beale, Barbados’ ambassador to the US and the OAS who is vice-chairman of the Trust.

“Rihanna represents youth, a young and extremely talented female star who has used her skill to maximum advantage,” added Beale.

The summit will be held in Panama City from April 10 to 11. (TB)