The entered Miss Jamaica World in 2005 with an Afro that bounced off the walls. People root for me, but they didn’t think I would win because I had natural hair. It’s like you have to pick a fight – you can’t be black or black with an Afro.
I took the stage, rocked my Afro, and the place erupted. Newspapers reported that a new day had dawned because they had a particular idea of what the standard of beauty was, and here comes this contestant, who has gone against the grain, presenting herself in her most natural form without any fear. from the consequences.
When it was time to go to Miss World in Sanya, China, the sponsors asked me what I was going to do with my hair for the international pageant and I said wash it, condition it and keep it moving. I was the most photographed contestant with my Afro. I also made the top 15 and won the public vote of the people.
When I came back to Jamaica, there was a time when it was okay to be Black with an Afro. Jamaicans called me “their Jamaican girl” because I was unapologetic about who I am and what I stand for.
I have different professional roles and it’s interesting when people try to introduce me. I tell them just say my name. I think it’s easier when others call you a media personality than when you call yourself that. I see myself as a TV presenter and speaker. Of course, after my TEDx talk, the demand for [me as] a speaker grew exponentially.
After receiving the invitation from TEDx, I wondered if it was a scam. People audition and hire audition coaches, but I didn’t. When they emailed, they said [TEDxAstonUniversity in Birmingham, England] was coming and asked me if I am interested.
I’m an unscripted speaker, so being told to write a script, submit a draft, and other requests made me want to say no. But even if you are a master of your craft, there is always room for improvement. A new level opened and it was unpleasant, but I did it.
Imposter syndrome has never been a problem for me. We’re used to marrying our capacity and ability to training or what we’ve studied, although our ability to grow increases exponentially when we jump to the bottom.
For me, it was initially a TV presenter because I am a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. I never went to the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) but I always jump in at the deep end and figure it out. No ego. I am open to learn. Plus, I know if God gave me an opportunity, He already provided for me.
Inner peace and doing what I love make me happy. Having a partner who understands my life’s calling and willingly shares me selflessly with others, while telling me that my capacity is even greater than I know, makes me happy. It’s a nice feeling when you don’t have to fade for your partner.
Culturally, very ambitious, moving and tempting, they are prisoners of families and partners because of ego. Culturally, we are used to being in second place. It makes a big difference not having to wear a mask. I don’t have to pretend to be anyone but myself. Having people understand that, respect it and emulate it makes me happy.
People say I’m confident and very self-aware. These traits came from my maternal grandmother Millicent Audrey Scott who helped me grow up in Portmore, St Catherine – and welcomed 26 [rescue] Pets. She taught me the importance of owning who you are.
In this life, people will not like you through no fault of your own. You don’t have to know anyone or say anything mean or malicious. Just the fact that it’s you, people admire you, and you’re thriving and shining – people who don’t understand that will have something bad to say.
Ask yourself a simple question: will you listen to them, withdraw and be a shell of yourself, or step into your greatness? I wouldn’t be who I am, take on tasks, give myself credit or think I have the ability to do great things if I didn’t learn to be aware of myself, who I am and what I stand for.
My biggest achievement is my daughter Naima-Kourtnae – then TEDx. Everything I do for my daughter was done by my mom Donna-Marie Scott. She balanced work and attended my recitals, my swimming… everything. She was an Air Jamaica flight attendant and a go-getter, always hard-working and independent. She showed me that it’s important to earn your own money and be the breadwinner, but it’s important to balance expectations as a mother as well. This is the model I have adopted in my life.
With the pandemic, everything was canceled and I found myself asking “now what” like everyone else… 2020 was going to be my biggest year as an event host. I had events planned in London, Paris, the Dominican Republic and more.
Whenever something happens in a crisis – even if it was on a completely different level – I don’t believe you should stop preparing, even in the midst of rejection or disappointment. This is when you do more because everyone else is panicking. So, I decided to build my own website.
The website was built, jobs came in and people kept asking the same questions about the brand. I was going to answer individually, then I realized that a cheat sheet on my website would have been more effective. But as I sat down, one page became 11, then 100. I didn’t want to write a book. I just wanted to answer questions and go about my business.
At that point, the demand for virtual hosting increased, so my time and attention began to dwindle. But my accountability partners—my daughter, mother, partner, best friends—asked where the book is, and in 2022 we launched My Brand Compass: The 13 Cs to Building Your Personal Brandwhich had an all-female production team.
My favorite C’s when it comes to building your brand are confidence and character. Before you can take the necessary steps to become a trusted and recognized brand, you need to believe in it and believe that you have something to bring to the table and that you are unique. You must believe in the power, gifts, and talents you have been given for a purpose. We all matter and the question is how much you believe it. That’s the difference between one who gets ahead and one who doesn’t. Character is your currency. Your name and your character go before you so that your name is removed because of who you are.
The further you go on your journey and don’t deviate, the right people find you. I am in a harvest season and at the same time I am preparing to plant and bear new fruit. I don’t know what role, responsibility and title I will get. I just know wherever I am planted, I want to be someone who can build community around it and can influence, enable and empower through service.
Whatever I do next will always be divinely ordained and true to my brand – Terri-Karelle Reid, Your Jamaican Girl.
