Gumption delivers lecture at Harvard University

Allington ‘Gumption’ Creque, one of the BVI’s most recognisable entrepreneurs, has taken the territory to another global platform, this time as a guest lecturer at Harvard University.

Creque was recently invited to speak at Harvard Division of Continuing Education, where he delivered a lecture on entrepreneurship, business leadership, and community building. The Virgin Gorda native said he was still processing the moment.

“I can’t believe I made it to Harvard University — not as a student but as a teacher,” he wrote on Facebook after the experience. “This institution has produced some of the world’s greatest problem solvers.”

Creque, who has spoken openly about living with dyslexia, has built a reputation for turning challenges into opportunities. He is best known for founding Sea It Clear Tours, the eco-friendly glass-bottom boat operation that has become one of the BVI’s standout tourism experiences. His business received its early boost through support from Sir Richard Branson and the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship after local financing proved hard to secure.

Harvard officials invited Creque to speak about his unconventional path, asking him to highlight how small-island entrepreneurs can build sustainable businesses while strengthening their communities. His message centred on resilience, creativity, and using personal obstacles as fuel rather than barriers.

Creque is the latest Virgin Islander to shine internationally, adding to a growing list of BVIslanders who have been bringing attention to the territory in areas such as culture, sport, and business. His appearance at Harvard stands as another reminder of the global impact Virgin Islanders continue to make, and the powerful stories being formed far beyond the territory’s shores.