‘The Distinguished’ is an annual celebration that recognises women who have made tremendous impact in various fields across Jamaica. It was first staged as a luncheon in March 2018 and since then, has become an important calendar event that allows The Gleaner’s lifestyle magazine, FLAIR to showcase female pioneers, innovators and powerhouses from all over Jamaica. The awardees are selected based on their consistently high standard, not only in their respective fields but also, the impact of their activities on wider society.

Despite graduating as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Terri-Karelle unexpectedly pivoted into the field of Media and Communications and never looked back. With over a decade of experience in the field, she has established herself as the consummate professional, a deep researcher and articulate presenter who moderates and navigates some of the most complex discussions. Terri-Karelle has built a track record that makes her a highly respected and influential leader in media and communications. Her innovative strategies both on and offline, and creative approach to problem-solving has helped to redefine and shape the industry and inspire countless others in the field.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Terri-Karelle has also demonstrated a deep commitment to giving back to her community with her spirited discussions around various topics via her ever-growing social media community. She uses her platforms to voice social issues and has been actively involved in numerous charitable organizations such as, Eve for Life serving as an advocate and champion for women and minorities across the island.

The Gleaner’s Flair ‘Distinguished’ Award is a highly prestigious honour, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and leadership in their field. Past recipients include some of the most accomplished and respected female leaders in areas such as business, the arts, education, fashion, law, science and technology, communications, and agriculture. Past winners include Audrey Tugwell Henry, Nicole McLaren Campbell, Keneea Linton-George, Elaine Thompson Herah, Alia Atkinson, Chorvelle Johnson Cunningham, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Leonie Forbes just to name a few.

When asked about receiving the award and what it meant for her, Terri-Karelle expressed her gratitude and stated, “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award. Back in 2020 I received The Distinguished 2020 Social Media Personality of the Year award based on a public vote system and that was humbling to see that I had touched so many lives with such purpose. Now, three years later, to be awarded this honour from the panel of adjudicators it is really a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone on my team, as well as the support and guidance of my family members and well-wishers throughout my career. I’m particularly proud to share this moment with fellow awardees who I know personally. I hope my work will continue to inspire and empower others in the industry for many years to come,” she ended. The 2023 Distinguished Ceremony was well attended by industry leaders, colleagues, and friends of the RJR Gleaner Group who all came together to celebrate the achievements and legacy of these ‘Distinguished’ women.

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Terri-Karelle was excited about the announcement which she says is a step in the right direction especially for persons who are living with disabilities. “Ideally, I wanted to release it on the day that the National Disabilities Act came into effect in February but I changed course at the last minute due to a few other projects and shifted the focus to my first year book launch announcement anniversary.” She continued, “The audible was inspired by my grandmother who received the first copy of my published book. However, she wasn’t able to read it due to her deteriorating eyesight. So, while she was overjoyed that I had written the book; she wasn’t able to read it and so I thought about others, who, like her would not be able to read it.”

“As a strong advocate for inclusion especially for persons with disabilities, I thought that launching an audible was a great way to encourage others to express love in different ways outside of our partners and spouses but to include persons outside who are often very marginalised,”

Terri-Karelle further stated that launching the audible was even more important to her since 2023 was the first anniversary of the Disabilities act in Jamaica. “The act makes provisions to safeguard and enhance the welfare of persons with disabilities across Jamaica. It also aims to protect and promote equal rights for the disabled and prohibits discrimination against them, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), of which Jamaica is a signatory.”

Terri-Karelle further stated that launching the audible was even more important to her since 2023 was the first anniversary of the Disabilities act in Jamaica. According to her, “The act makes provisions to safeguard and enhance the welfare of persons with disabilities across Jamaica. It also aims to protect and promote equal rights for the disabled and prohibits discrimination against them, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), of which Jamaica is a signatory.”

Last Year, Terri-Karelle embarked on a book tour and shared in a statement that that tour in 2023 was a way to get to her TK Tribe members and to receive feedback about the lessons that they had learnt from the book. Now, the audible is an extension of that to cater to a wider demography of people of which she shares a special love and appreciation.

“The Audible is special gift to my people living with disabilities because not many Caribbean-authored books are available on that platform. I wanted to make it available on different channels for different kinds of readers who simply want nuggets of wisdom to be poured into them,” she ended.

Last year, Terri-Karelle embarked on a number of book signings across Jamaica as well as in Trinidad and Tobago and Miami.

The audiobook is available on Audible, click here to listen.

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Inside the magazine, readers are treated to a detailed profile of the media personality and her rise to fame. From her early days as an aspiring vet with 26 pets at her home in Portmore, St. Catherine to her breakout on the world stage back in 2005 when she represented Jamaica at the Miss World finals in Sanya, China.  The former beauty queen, now one of the islands most sought after international hosts, has become a household name and a staple in the homes of people in Jamaica and the Caribbean at large.

The article delves into Reid’s approach to her craft and her dedication to her her family and the people that she serves. As an event host, Terri-Karelle is known for her preparation and research, often immersing herself in every event she participates in, ensuring that the audience members are able to connect the dots. This dedication has paid off in the form of numerous speaking opportunities, the most recent of them being as a TEDx Speaker at the Aston University in Birmingham.

However, it’s not just her talent that makes Terri-Karelle Reid a beloved figure. The article also explores her relatable personality and down-to-earth nature. Reid has always been open about her personal journey growing up as a child in a single parent household with a matriarchal head of the house. “This is certainly a full circle moment for me. My grandmother gave up her job in order to nurture me while my mom began her career as a flight attendant on Air-Jamaica. They have helped to shape me into the woman I am today; curious, open, inclusive, and self-aware.”

She continued, “For many of us as West Indians, the magazine has a reputation for showcasing the best of the Caribbean, from places, lifestyle, food and culture to its people. To be considered, much less chosen for the cover of the Caribbean Beat magazine is an honour.  I endeavour to make my mom and grandma proud. I hope to fly Jamaica’s flag everywhere I can, every chance I get,” she ended.

Reid is also an advocate for the minority or disenfranchised community and uses her platform to bring attention to issues such as gender discrimination, child abuse, rape and gender inequity. She has been vocal in her support of the deaf community and uses her position to amplify marginalized voices. Overall, the ‘Caribbean Beat’ piece paints a picture of a talented and charismatic woman of the world who has earned her place in the spotlight. With several upcoming projects in the works, it’s clear that Terri-Karelle Reid’s star has only just begun to shine.

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With students out in their large numbers, the curated garden like setting was tastefully littered with blankets imprinted with positive words of affirmation, throw pillows and umbrellas that provided the perfect backdrop with books dangling from a guango tree.  While many students brought their own post-it filled or bookmarked copies, others gathered around the designated area as the recognized storytelling writer and TEDx Speaker, Dr. Terri-Karelle Reid, read excerpts from her favourite chapters. During her message, Reid reinforced the importance of reading; “Read to Escape, Read to Elevate, Read to Transform,” she noted as she casually perused the pages of her book.

‘My Brand Compass: the 13 C’s to building your personal brand’ is an excellent resource for individuals looking to gain a deeper understanding of self-branding and marketing. The author, experienced motivational speaker, event host and community builder, Dr. Terri-Karelle Reid, provides practical tips and insights that university students can apply to their academic and professional careers.

During the event, Terri-Karelle led a discussion around one of the 5 C’s (character) that she considers to be the most important when it comes to self-branding and shared some personal experiences from her time as a student through her corporate stint, finally landing at her pinnacle of entrepreneurship.

The students were attentive and actively engaged in the discussion, asking insightful questions, and sharing their own views and experiences. When quizzed about how to bounce back from negative back lash with the advent of social media, Reid easily responded, “Not performance or performative but with purpose and passion.” 

After the book reading and discussion, participants had the opportunity to network with one another and connect with Terri-Karelle in a more intimate one-on-one manner. Additionally, the students got the chance to document the occasion through social media moments, ask further probing questions and receiving autographs from the author.

 The first Reading of the ‘UWI Special 75^th Book Club’ was an excellent experience that enriched the minds of students and introduced them to the world of branding and marketing. It was an event to remember and one that the university should be proud of.

The UWI’s 75th anniversary initiatives are purposely designed and aligned to reflect on its past, confront the present, and articulate plans for its future across all five campuses, as well as internationally through partner associations and affiliates. The UWI 75th anniversary is celebrated under the theme: UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.

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The A-Team

It is important as well for your team to be competent and experienced. As prepared as you are, you need a support system. Execution is like a chain; every link is required to keep it intact. It’s the same way that the team has that symbiotic relationship. Even if we are not employed to the same company, once we have the common aim of executing the event, we are a team. I am on the same team as the production personnel, the décor personnel, marketers and any other person who shares the goal with me at any given event. 

Real Work

Nothing you do should be treated like a side hustle. It is work and it should be treated as such. I like to characterize this concept with the 4 Ps: Be Punctual, Be Presentable, Be Professional and … like I said, Be Prepared. An honourable mention to be great at what you do is Be Passionate about it. It is serious business and it is absolutely necessary to apply yourself. In that, I suggest you find your flow. This is essentially your working identity. Build that confidence that is supremely and purely yours – created and harnessed because you took the time to understand the frequency in which you operate. When you find your flow, everything you touch will be incomparable. Only then will you be able to leave your legacy through your work. 

Don’t Assume

Never assume that your client or employer knows or immediately understands all that you’re experiencing. For this reason, it is extremely important to communicate. If you need to renegotiate the terms, make it known. The relationship cannot be mutually beneficial if each person does not understand the true status and the challenges or blockers. Nothing gets done, efficiently at least, if you ghost the client and try to navigate the challenges independently. Be honest about where you are and find a common working ground or way forward. 

Trust

Confidentiality is a fundamental principle of any successful business relationship. Clients should have that confidence in your integrity. People are often of the view that once a Non-Disclosure Agreement is not involved then it should be all ears for everyone they meet. While there may not be any legally binding agreement, lack of confidentiality can make or break the legacy of your work. Be discreet and respectful of people’s privacy – whether it be your clients or colleagues. Confidence in the legacy of your work begins with their confidence in you.

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Terri-Karelle will be set to make history as the first Jamaican female to deliver a TEDx Talk at Aston University.

On January 6, 2022, I received a Google alert that indicated that a Gleaner article written about my upcoming TEDx talk in Birmingham, UK made the Top 10 Lifestyle stories in 2021. On a bright morning, I was interviewed by journalist Debra Edwards whose warmth oozed through my laptop screen. We sat and spoke about my family life, parenting, and my preparation for my TEDx Talk at Aston University.

The Gleaner

Saturday, September 18, 2021

By Debra Edwards
Assistant Online & Lifestyle Editor

(excerpt)

She’s your Jamaican girl. Dr Terri-Karelle Reid has won us over without even trying. Being your authentic self allows for that, and one thing is for certain, Reid gives off genuine vibes.

The TV presenter, host, social media guru, human Ethernet, and connector of dots has designed a life that works for her. On how she’s done this, Reid says with humility, “You have to control your narrative. You simply cannot accept definitions or the narrative that people put on you, and therefore it is absolutely imperative that we design who we are.” Making it clear that curating your life does not equate to falsifying anything about your livity, she continues, “We are making a conscious, intentional effort to say this is who I am, and this is what I stand for.”

Renowned South African cleric and activist Desmond Tutu once said, “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you as you are to them.” If you follow Reid on social media, you quickly realise that her family means the world to her and are the roots of who she is. Considering herself extremely lucky to be part of a female four-generation family, she is simultaneously inspired and kept grounded by her grandmother ‘Jeanie baby’, mother Donna, and daughter Naima-Kourtnae.

Read the rest of the article here

See related article here

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The Jamaica Observer

Friday, August 27, 2021

By Claude Mills
Observer Online Writer

(excerpt)

Roman Emperor Nero once wrote that “hidden talent counts for nothing”.  And that’s why the subject of tapping into untapped potential in children is so fascinating to media specialist Dr Terri-Karelle Reid, one of two Jamaicans who will speak at TEDx Aston University next month.

The other speaker will be businessman Zachary Harding.

The theme of the event is ‘Untapped’ and Reid will be speaking on “The untapped potential in raising children holistically” on September 25 at the university in Birmingham, United Kingdom. 

“The overall theme for all speakers is ‘Untapped’, looking at how the world has been, how people have had to dig deep, try things that are very different…adapt, adjust,” she told Observer Online, adding “A lot of us have had to tap into different aspects of our lives in order to survive and even thrive in one of the darkest periods of our lives.

“When I was approached (by TEDx), I thought they were approaching me because of my ability to move from veterinary medicine and branch off into media and other areas but when they asked me to focus on my parenting style, I was blown away by it,” Reid said. 

You can read the rest of the article here

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Many unsuspecting participants went viral for all the wrong reasons, from using the bathroom on camera, being naked and forgetting to disable the camera, breaking wind while unmute and attending meetings in pyjamas. Quite frankly, there were too many to recall. And while they provided entertainment for many, especially during a time of uncertainty, job loss, economic downfall and depression, truthfully it reminded many of us of what not to do. Yet, almost 2 years in and participants still have trouble navigating the presentation of themselves during a zoom meeting or any other virtual meeting for that matter. So I decided to make a cheat sheet that hopefully will help anyone who has trouble with online etiquette or presentation.

Oh, and whether you are presenting to a group or just attending, it is just as important for you to show up and show out with the understanding that although the environment has changed, the professional expectations haven’t. Your personal and/or professional brand is ALWAYS on display.

Charge your devices

This may seem very simple, but you would be surprised to know how many people show up to their zoom meetings late or have their presentations interrupted because they didn’t charge their devices the night before. It’s 8:00 a.m. and your computer is now shutting down because it has 1% battery life *rolls eyes*. Zoom meetings consume a lot of power because of the camera and that battery power depletes rapidly once you launch your meeting. I have found that charging devices from the night before helps mitigate or avoid unnecessary issues that can make you seem unprofessional. PRO TIP: I bought a UPS so that in the event electricity went, I have a power source to give me at least one hour.

Be Early For Your Zoom Meetings

Be punctual! Not on time, but early. The same approach you would hopefully take when attending an in-person meeting should be the same for a virtual meeting. Therefore, I would recommend that you actually add the zoom meeting to your calendar. Some persons don’t RSVP or add to the calendar and as such lose out on the benefit of alerts and other notifications.

Additionally, try to set up your “meeting space” the night before. I tend to place my laptop on my laptop stand and attach my webcam from the night before to avoid the last-minute rush. It’s one less thing to worry about. Even if the meeting is scheduled for a particular time, I tend to sign in 15-30 minutes earlier. I would rather wait for the host to let me in, rather than enter late.

Check your Lighting and Frame

Unless you are trying to conceal your identity by doing what’s called a silhouette interview, you might want to sit somewhere that provides natural lighting (window or door) or invest in a lamp or light source (ring light) that can light your face adequately. Light your face from the front, not the side because that casts a shadow on one side of your face. The quality of your on-screen presentation diminishes in the eyes of your participants who can’t see you clearly and they quickly lose interest in what you have to say.

While we are on the topic of your face, frame your face before you go on camera. i.e. try to ensure that you are in the centre of your display screen. Your audience doesn’t want to see half of a head or face. Of similar importance, is your audience’s vantage point. Raise your laptop preferably on a laptop stand. (Some persons use a stack of books but depending on the length of the meeting, that can overheat your device). Why raise it? Because we don’t want to see your brains through your nostrils. If you are presenting and seeing your “nose holes” (as we would say in Jamaica), it means that your audience is seeing the same thing. Raise your device to eye level, you should never be looking down into your device. I wrote a blog outlining all my affordable equipment that enhance my online video presentation

Check your internet connection

No one likes to get caught frozen with mouth agape and eyes looking all crazy, it makes for a perfect meme. Or worse- you get bumped off! And yet, that happens all the time and can totally detract from a presentation you are delivering. Close all windows/tabs on your computer so that you aren’t pressuring your WI-FI unnecessarily and try to situate yourself near your router. I personally plug directly into the ethernet because I will be damned if I get interrupted while hosting my online events. If your router is too far from you, you can always purchase an extra-long ethernet cable.

Check Your Background

Many of us may not live in mansions that offer us specially designated areas like offices, dens, mini-libraries, conference rooms etc. We understand that some of us live in small studios or may share quarters with a housemate or multiple persons but we really need you to check your background area. Try your best to find a neutral space that doesn’t distract or compete for your participants’ attention. It is advised to find a space with the least noise possible, as well as clutter. It could be as innocent as having family photos in the background (your audience will try to identify everyone in those photos) to things like seeing your unmade bed, dirty clothes on the floor, bathroom towel hanging on a door, broken blinds or peeling paint. People will side-eye you, screenshot and your background will end up being discussed in a private WhatsApp group.

PRO TIP: Some of you constantly disappear into your virtual backgrounds because you aren’t using green screens. Portable green screens have become very popular to mitigate that unsightly experience. I simply bought green material from a fabric store and attached it to my photo studio backdrop support stand.

Dress Appropriately

Everyone wants to go viral, but go viral for the right reasons. You wouldn’t wear pyjamas to your office, so why would you attend a zoom meeting in them? Why are you showing up on camera in flexi-rods, bonnets and du-rags? Why are we showing up with crusties in our eye corners and bridles at our mouths? Some participants are seen lying in bed, on camera! Jesus take the wheel! If you aren’t feeling well, you should sit it out rather than showing up like that. You will come across as unprofessional and discourteous. Dress appropriately and I will go a step further to say, dress from head to toe.

Some participants sometimes forget that they aren’t fully dressed. Only to move or stand while on camera while in underwear. Fam, you won’t die if you dress fully for a few hours. PRO- TIP: Be ready! Even if it is said to be an off-camera meeting, never get caught unprepared. If your chairman or boss requests an impromptu on-camera meeting, emerge looking as sharp as a stepping razor. You aren’t dressing for your boss, you are dressing for your brand. Self-pride is a beautiful thing.

Eating During Zoom Meetings

I get it, you are at home relaxing and comfortable but crunch, crunch…slurp ain’t it! Typically, during in-person meetings, we don’t eat. Long Board meetings or gatherings that have been scheduled as breakfast, lunch or late-night meetings permit eating. Other than that, we tend to schedule our food breaks outside meeting hours. Eating hominy porridge or sipping a Heineken at 9:00 a.m. during your virtual zoom meeting, can look unprofessional. Attendees will question your leadership abilities if they see you eating a chicken lunch or crunching Cheetos during a meeting.

If it’s an off-camera meeting and you are muted, knock yourself out. Just ensure that if you enable the camera, there is no food hoarded in the corners of your mouth (you are not a hamster) or food in your teeth. I personally don’t like to take unnecessary risks, so I tend to eat during my breaks.

Mute Your MIC During Zoom Meetings

Shhh!!! Thou shalt surely mute thyself in zoom meetings.  How many times have we heard hosts trying to advise persons to mute their mics? And yet audience member’s ears are assaulted with plates, washing machines, arguments, phone conversations, the TV and in some cases rude romps *SMH*. Mute your mics so that your background noise doesn’t interrupt or disrupt the meeting.

There may be lots more! Feel free to add your 2 cents in the comments. They will help the community to avoid potentially embarrassing moments that can stain their personal or professional brands.

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Chris has achieved success time and time again. He did it as CEO of the National Commercial Bank and continues this legacy by consistently leading Proven to double-digit net profit growth in the billions. His success is so laudable that he has been nominated to receive the Observer Business Leader Award, a most prestigious honour reserved for the highest performing CEOs in Jamaica. He is a man that is not led only by his convictions, but the results he attains.

When asked what has led to his success so far, Chris chalks it up to one thing: training his mind. He believes that the mind is the most powerful tool a person has in their arsenal and it is the one thing that determines your success.

We spend in our youth, convinced that we need to be born with an innate ability to do things, and if we don’t have that ability, then that’s the end of the road for us. The truth is, there are the Usain Bolts and the Lebron James of the world, who are born with natural talent. But even if you don’t fall into that category, you can still train your mind to deliver the results you desire. In our hour-long chat, Chris shared a few specific areas to focus on to achieve just that. Let’s take a look at them.

“For everything you do, have a goal.”

Chris is a big believer in having SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound) goals for every area of his life. His own goal for appearing on Digicel Business Masterclass is to beat Gary Peart’s viewing numbers from the last masterclass. Ha!

On a serious note, he encourages others to train their mind to seek success in every endeavour. Even if they don’t achieve it, they’ll get the best possible outcome by working towards something, rather than just being there for being there’s sake.

“In life, you either win or you learn. You never lose.”

Every car is built with shocks. No matter how fancy, beautiful or well-designed they are, they are built with shocks to absorb the impact of a blow. Why? Because no matter how good you are, you are still going to meet bumps along the road.

Your attitude in life is your built-in shock absorber. No matter how intelligent you are or how good you become, mistakes will happen. For whatever reason, you will not attain what you set out to achieve. When that happens, you have to be able to bounce back.

While Chris has had setbacks in life – to the point where he’s had to sell his matrimonial home to keep his business running and pay his bills – he always comes back stronger. His mindset is that he doesn’t fail, he’s just learned a valuable lesson.

“Be down to earth, practical, and frank about who you are.”

One of the key tenets of a success mindset is emotional intelligence – you must be self-aware. Being frank and honest with yourself about who you are, what your strengths and what you want to attain in life are the only way you can get there.

Once you’ve identified these strengths and weaknesses, you can determine how to handle them. One thing I’ve learned, which I shared with Chris in the session, is to “focus on your strengths and delegate your weaknesses, which can be very useful in business.

However, Chris recommends that if there are areas of weaknesses that you want to improve, particularly if they are crucial to the goals you want to achieve, then you need to take on little challenges that force you to improve on these areas.

“You can’t drive a car looking in the rearview mirror.”

What’s gone is gone. If you spend your time celebrating past successes, you never get to focus on what’s next.

Chris never allows himself to get complacent. He’s always focused on the upcoming challenge. When asked what motivates him to keep going, he says he stays motivated by his stretch goal. What’s that? Growing to the level of his previous employer, NCB.

Despite his current level of success, making 4-5 billion dollars in profit with Proven, he still has a way to go to achieve his ultimate dream – being one of the top five performers in the finance market in the region, making somewhere between 15-20 billion in profit.

He encouraged viewers to keep focusing on the future by always having a to-do list, because as the old adage says, Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.”

“Don’t waste time with excuses.”

Earlier in his career, Chris remembers going to his boss, Group CEO of NCB, Patrick Hylton, to explain why he hadn’t achieved the targets they had set. In the midst of lamenting about all the reasons he failed, Mr. Hylton fell asleep. He was simply not interested. Instead, he told Chris not to waste his time giving excuses and to simply assess what went wrong, learn from it and keep moving.

That’s the philosophy Chris lives by today. He believes you must hold yourself accountable and take responsibility for your actions, and not just blame it on external factors. The only way to improve upon your previous performance is to zone in on what you did wrong and learn from it.

“Inspire and be inspired by others.”

Successful people tend to leave breadcrumbs – little nuggets of wisdom along their journey that you can use to inform your own path to success. Chris is a firm believer in following the breadcrumbs. He prefers listening to motivational speakers, because these help him train his mind.

On the flip side, he believes in giving back as much as he gets by mentoring others, and believes that mentorship can have as much of an impact on the mentor as it does on the mentee. In fact, it is from a conversation with a mentee while at NCB, who asked him why he was encouraging others to become entrepreneurs but not doing it himself, why he made the decision to start Proven.

Even though the live session is over, Chris still needs help beating Gary with views on YouTube LOL. So if you haven’t watched this episode yet, watch it here . As for Gary Peart, CEO of Mayberry Investments, here are the takeaways from that interview

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Nevertheless, I got some reading done and oftentimes, it was my escape from reality. That’s the thing about reading, it allows you moments to escape, learn, swoon, get angry or feel whatever emotion the author or authoress wants to evoke. In June, 3 months after the first case of COVID-19 hit our shores, we were under severe restrictions and at the request of my community, I shared the “Books I’ve Read In Lockdown” as a way of serving my community. There were 23 in total. This list will just be a continuation of those so as not to duplicate or bore you.

Before I list my books, there are things I want to make abundantly clear:

Reading books is a personal journey.

It is never a competition. There is nothing to be ashamed of IF you only read one book. That’s fine, the next year, you can push for 2 and maybe even surpass that.

Reading books is subjective

If I got a dollar for every time someone asked me to recommend a book for him/her/them, I would be an extremely well wealthy woman. My response if always “it depends.” It’s personal, individual and subjective. It depends on your likes, preferences and objectives. A person who is trying to learn more about digital skills is more likely to consume books that are related to that objective. For those who are fierce feminists, their books might be curated to their interests. It’s never easy suggesting any book to anyone because what is beautiful or informative to me, may be traumatic to you and vice versa. So when I share my list, I am sharing what I like, not telling you what you should. The more you read, is the more you find out what your preferences are.

Reading Books is exploratory

This year, I read more books that fall outside of the “norm.” You know, sticking to authors we know or cultures we are familiar with. This year, I explored more books that highlighted social and cultural differences- from Arabic, to African, to LGBT. We can’t truly understand people if we never read their stories. Naturally, no one is forcing you to read any material that you aren’t comfortable with. It’s a suggestion to broaden your general knowledge.

Reading books forms community

What do I mean by that? With books being published everyday, Amazon, New York bestsellers being advertised, contradicting reviews, it can be difficult narrowing down and finding books that you might like. That’s where communities come in- communities that you can trust. They offer objective opinions, offer insight, suggest good options, provide reviews and oftentimes facilitate book clubs and meet-ups. In other words, you don’t have to feel alone. I have a few resources that I follow on IG:

• rebelwomenlit
• decentredlit
• bookofcinz
• 2treads
• bookmanexpress
• semicolon
• books for diversity (children)

Special Book Community shout outs

Rebel Women Lit. 2020 was theirs, they launched a Like A real Book Club podcast , started the RWL Library (83 library users across Jamaica, 300 books in their catalogue), conducted RWL Book Club meet-ups online, author interviews and the works, launched the RWL Bookstore Subscriptions and planned RWL events like poetry festivals and movie nights.

Congratulations to Book of Cinz becoming a Samsung Ambassador in the Caribbean. Goes to show that micro niches have just as much impact and influence as the larger, more recognizable personal brands.

Lastly, Bookman Express recently published and promoted the children’s book “Ian Takes Flight” written by Richard Nattoo, who won the Prime Minister’s Youth Award in the category of Arts and Culture weeks later. BOOM!

As always, do your research before purchasing a book. Try something different, new, have fun and be intentional. So let’s get to my 2020 Booklist:

Fiction

24. A Woman Is No Man -Etaf Rum ******

25. The Mothers– Brit Bennett

26. Grown – Tiffany Jackson

27. Silent Patient– Alex Michaelides *****

28. Love After Love– Ingrid Persaud

29. When No one is Watching– Alyssa Cole

30. The Vanishing Half– Brit Bennett

31. Before We Were Yours– Lisa Wingate******

32. The Girl In The Letter – Emily Gunnis *******

Memoirs (my favourite category of books)

33. My Own Words – Ruth Bader Ginsburg ******

34.The Promised Land-Barack Obama

35. Why Should White Guys Have All The Fun– Reginald Lewis

36. Untamed – Glennon Doyle

37. By Faith, Not By Sight – Senator Floyd Morris ******

38. Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter – Curtis Jackson

Business

39. That Will Never Work– Marc Randolph ******

40. Alibaba, The House that Jack ma Built– Duncan Clark

Feminist

41. Ain’t I A Woman -bell hooks

42. Sister Outsider – Audre Lorde ******

Personal Development

43. Mastery – Robert Greene *****

44. The Four Agreements– Don Ruiz *****

45.What A Time To Be Alone -Chidera Eggerue

Non-fiction

46. The Penguin Book of Historic Speeches – Brian MacArthur (this is an ongoing book- it’s isn’t one to finish within a year but rather reference)

Miscellaneous – An irreverent book that has no category LOL

47. Your Children Are Boring– Tom James ******

I really would like to take the time to acknowledge all the persons in my community who just 2 years ago told me they never even read one book for the year. Some have now reported that they have graduated from 2-8 books, another informed me that she managed 31. I commend and thank each and everyone who has ever sent me a message indicating that I inspired their efforts to read more. I love you and keep up the great work.

Cheers

TK

The post The Books that made my 2020 Booklist. What were yours? appeared first on Terri-Karelle.