“It is because of the darkness that I can be a light ...’

Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes we are faced with challenges that seem insurmountable. Whether it is a health crisis, financial hardship, or personal setback, adversity can be overwhelming.

However, Natassia Wright has had the remarkable ability to defy the odds and rise above her circumstances.

Wright grew up in Allman Town, Central Kingston and was raised in less-than-favourable conditions in a community plagued with crime and violence. She decided early on that she would become more than her circumstances.

“I have always been fascinated with what life could be. I had an active imagination then, and I was always a dreamer. My dreams were fuelled by wanting a different environment,” Wright said.

It would seem, however, that those dreams would not have become a reality when, at 10 years old, her house was burnt down, displacing her family and other relatives. A few months after that incident, she received news from her paternal great-grandmother that her father who was a police officer was killed.

“The loss of my father was quite traumatic for me. This was the worst news, as he was shot in the line of duty. He was everything to me, and it made my life very difficult afterwards,” Wright said.

Nevertheless, with the support of her family, she was able to pick up the pieces and continue her journey. She attended Wolmer’s High School for Girls and accomplished great things. Initially, she had the desire to become an attorney-at-law but, with her entrepreneurial spirit, she also envisioned that she would become a businesswoman.

Her mettle was again tested beyond measure when she lost her mother just before her Caribbean Examinations Council examinations.

“My mother died from an asthma attack and that rocked me to the core. Losing both parents had further made me feel hopeless and disenchanted. I was only 16 years old and had tragically lost them. After my mother’s death, I moved to live with my grandmother. One year after my mom’s death, my grandmother died from cancer. By the time I was in university, I had seen so many dark days, but something in me was destined to overcome poverty, tragedy and brokenness,” Wright said.

She dug deep and, despite caution from family and friends to defer her examinations, she sat them anyway - with the mental fortitude that her mother would want her to be successful. And successful she was, earning two grades one and six grades two.

MAKING WAVES

Wright learnt early in her life that her struggles would push her to become the woman she is today. Her resilience and determination has paid off, as she has realised her dream of becoming a businesswoman and entrepreneur. A graduate of the University of Technology (UTECH), she has a first degree in business administration and her master’s degree in human resources and strategic leadership.

“It is because of the darkness that I can be a light to many. I know what pain and brokenness feels like, so I can relate on so many levels. My whole life now is to help people to understand that their past doesn’t define them and that their circumstances can change for the better,” Wright said.

“You can escape poverty. You can become great. You can excel and you can be successful, if you desire to be and make the necessary steps. But it starts with believing in yourself. Today, the little girl from Allman Town, Kingston, Jamaica is making waves on a global scale,” she added.

Wright continues to share her story and it has given many hope of rising above adversity. She is now the co-founder and executive director of Mind Food International, a leadership development and HR Consultancy that equips leaders through executive trainings, seminars, human resource services such as recruitment, succession planning, and more.

It was founded by herself and husband Jamar Wright, both international speakers and authors, as well as United Nations Ambassadors NGO.

The company has employed over 100 employees through their outsourcing services and has worked with mid-level to large organisations, assisting them to meet their strategic objectives.

“The journey has been a difficult one. However, it is indeed fulfilling. We overcame many obstacles regarding business procedures and personal development and, if I am to be completely honest, growth is never-ending. Growth comes with burdensome responsibilities as well. It is not a walk in the park. And sometimes what should feel like a blessing can feel like a curse at times,” Wright said.

Mind Food International will host their acclaimed Caribbean Leadership Summit on January 31, 2024 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Kingston. The summit is intended for corporate individuals and persons in leadership. To register for the summit, email: caribleaders@mindfoodinternational.com.

The second in the series of the Caribbean Leadership Summit will be held in Canada on March 22.