Redirection with Terri-Karelle

Dr. Terri-Karelle Reid, Miss Jamaica World 2005, a veterinarian turned Premier host, TV host, Media Personality, Podcaster, Speaker and everything in between, got the chance of a lifetime to deliver a TEDx Talk at the Aston Unversity in Birmingham, UK on September 25, 2021. She sits with her best friend Garfene Grandison to discuss micro and macro moments leading up to this talk and beyond.  This time around she becomes a guest on her own podcast "Redirection With Terri-Karelle." 

From a troubled teen to a global titan! I recently sat with Mr. Dushyant Savadia, CEO & Founder of The Amber Group at the National Youth Consultative Conference on October 7. This year's virtual conference was organised by the 'I Believe' Initiative an arm of the Governor-General's Programme for Excellence. He came to speak about Technological Justice and shared so much more of his journey and experience into becoming a technology disrupter, humanitarian, advocate of social change and global technology company. He is proof in the pudding that your passion and purpose can both combine for the greater good.

"Heavy is the head that wears the crown" is the famous saying and it is true for Miquel-Symone who is the reigning Miss Universe Jamaica. She is gracious, humble, composed, intelligent, and has a heart of philanthropy. She is an advocate for mental health in children and it isn't a random choice for her. Her mental health advocacy comes from a personal place. Onlookers on the might be easily distracted by this statuesque stunner, but it's her story of resilience that you need to hear about. We speak about her preparation, her interests, and how she copes with the loss of her mom. I wish her all the best at the international pageant on May 16, 2021. We'll be cheering her on as she competes for the Miss Universe crown. SHE CAN WIN IT! May she continue to show us by example, that mental health and inner peace start with us. 

In part 2 of our conversation, Serika expresses with pride how she had found purpose, graduating from school, starting her own business, and having a fulfilled marriage. What could possibly have given rise to depression and even thoughts of suicide thereafter?  Baby loss! It's mind-blowing hearing her recall the heart-wrenching experience but it is awe-inspiring to see how despite her anguish and pain, she would use her knowledge and experience to serve other women across Jamaica in the most meaningful way ever. Serika Sterling is a woman for all seasons. 

Serika Sterling is "the little train that could". Her presence is undeniably strong. She is positive, confident, outspoken, one of the leading CPAs in the country, founder and MD of Senior Accounting Services, and the founder of the Preemie Foundation in Jamaica. But when she shares her story, one quickly realises that she is more than a fighter, she is a survivor- taking the brutal cards that life dealt her and redefining the entire game for herself and others. She took many hits, had many disappointments and rejections. Abandonment, self-doubt, low self-esteem, and repeated failures, gave rise to this amazing Phoenix.

Over three decades ago, after failing repeatedly in the faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, Tanya gave up her unexamined dream of becoming a doctor and embraced her true calling as an educator.After losing a job opportunity and with no plan B, she would try a career in teaching which was never her dream but rather a suggestion made by Miss Daphnie Morrison, the then vice-principal of St. Hugh's. Ms. Morrison who was recruiting teachers at a job fair at UWI.  Tanya discusses her journey from failure to a college professor, her transition and her experiences in migrating to Canada and becoming the stalwart she is today. It is a message of possibilities and hope. You are going to love her candor, vivacious personality and positivity.

Keron's presence is undeniable but it is his scope of knowledge when it comes to e-commerce, building online businesses, perfecting content creation and empowering Caribbean entrepreneurs that are remarkable. His drive and impeccable work ethics make you wonder what got him here and more importantly what were the mico and macro moments that contributed to his amazing journey. He opens up about strained family relations, fatherhood, making grave errors and even prison time. His story proves that life isn't linear, neither is it perfect. It also teaches us that we are the authors of our lives, capable of overcoming past mistakes, redefining our purpose and finding redemption.  

Quidi-Ann King is no ordinary law graduate. If perseverance had a face, it would be hers. Despite growing up in one of the most volatile communities in Kingston, Jamaica and seeing her mother shot at age 6 she was determined to make it. At a very tender age, she made up her mind to plan, get an education, excel, and escape the environment she was born into. Her story is one of determination, self-belief and hard work. With her mom displaying the attitude of a strong, black woman, Quidi-Ann is the perfect example of the saying "we are not defined by our circumstances." 

From humble beginnings in Jones Town, Jamaica to simply living one day at a time with no concrete idea of what he wanted to be or do, John Dacosta would apply excellence in every role he was afforded, learn from the people around him, strive to be "the professional" in the room that now he is one of the go-to Lighting Directors and Designers in the world! Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Maxwell, Maroon 5, Sean Paul and Demi Lovato just to name a few have experienced John's prowess. His humility, calm personality, impeccable work ethics and servant leadership style make him the best in class. His name is John, but you can call him Superlighting Guy! 

Put some respect on the name! Antoinette "Toni" Aiken was just recently awarded the National Award, Order of Distinction (OD) in the rank of Officer for her contribution to the Deaf Community. But here's the catch, although she is a child of deaf adults C.O.D.A, being a sign language interpreter was never her interest or goal. She wanted to be a pilot! But rejection would shape her for the role she was always created to occupy and so much more. From the Deaf to the LGBTQ community, Toni has become the face of change and inclusivity.

Patrice J White is the Personal Trainer to the Stars! And she did this by building the “Dynamic Lifestyle Training Studio” brand known for professionalism, fierce work ethics and sheer grit. What most wouldn’t know is how she got there. From childhood trauma to school fights, janitorial work to her battle with weight loss and breaking negative generational cycles. Her story is one for the books!

I have known Ibrahim Konteh for years and yet I never knew he was from Sierra Leone. From escaping a civil war to becoming a refugee and finally settling in Jamaica, he is a testament that you are more than your circumstances. IB would go on to master entrepreneurship, brand management, event management and consultancy, banking and becoming an author. 

“Walk by faith, not by sight” literally describes Senator Dr. Floyd Morris. He was a top academic student who started losing his sight at the age of 15 and as a result, saw his grades plummet and would eventually graduate from high school without a single subject. What he would become years later, is nothing short of amazing. His story is one of absolute redirection.

From experiencing self-doubt and self-worth issues to boldly starting a venture which would transition from just being a mere side hustle to a bonafide local beauty brand, Yolande Kumea Gooden-Rhoden will show us that life doesn't always work out how we expected and that even when we are scared to take that leap, do it anyway. Learn from the mistakes, continue to grow and never give up. Meet the mompreneur, founder and CEO of Kumea's Hair Perspective, author, and legit woman of God. 

You are not defined by your past. From being kicked out of school, not maximizing on second chances, and having no clear goal in mind, Kevin Gordon would take his losses, start from the bottom, change his attitude and approach, and work his way up from technician to CEO of one of the largest international mobile phone network and home entertainment providers. 

If go-getter was a person it would be Toni-Ann Lalor! From being uprooted from Portmore and moving to Manchester, she learns to farm to fuel her dream of becoming an actress.  Her dreams are crushed but life takes her to Japan and the 2019 Miss Universe Jamaica pageant. She even became a recipient of the Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence in Youth Development. Toni-Ann embraced all new opportunities but ultimately returned to farming where she now operates her own farm. 

From Haiti to the USA, from speaking Haitian Creole and French exclusively to being a self-taught English speaker, from packing boxes in a warehouse to becoming a Client Success Manager at Microsoft, Dr. Stevens Bonhomme shows us how it pays to believe in oneself, stay the course, set goals and timelines and aim higher even when you are already at the top!

Welcome to my podcast.It was inspired by my own story of having graduated as a Dr in Veterinary Med (from Cuba), dealing with accreditation issues at home, changing course, navigating unfamiliar territory and charting a new path. It came with disappointments and rejection but they led to places I never imagined or dreamt of. Essentially, the redirection is what I needed to truly unlock who I am today. Presently, lots of people struggle with dealing with life’s uncertainties, identifying some losses as wins all while not labelling themselves as total losers or failures.My guests will be from a wide cross- section- young, old and in between; male and female; students and professionals; those between jobs, careers and traversing other unexpected experiences.