Karlene Kelly-Reid remains rooted

Angelo Lawrence, Gleaner Writer

It certainly would not be a surprise if the average Jamaican had never heard of Karlene Kelly-Reid or was aware of her contributions to the Manchester community. However, her impact has been felt by many, and her continued efforts to better the Jamaican landscape will be a legacy beneficial to generations to come.

A native of Mandeville, Kelly-Reid grew up with twin sister Karen and brother Gerry under the watchful eyes of parents Glen and Kerline Kelly. She was seen as one of the parish's bright minds while attending Manchester High School. While there, Kelly-Reid proved herself to be a formidable debater and a young woman with her head screwed on to her shoulders. Not persuaded by the negatives around her, she yielded to the guidance of her teachers of English, Mrs Ann Dodd of Belair Preparatory, and Mrs Shirley Bartley of Manchester High schools to be the first from the parish to be crowned the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's Festival Queen when she competed for that honour in 1991.

Moral responsibility

A graduate of the University of the West Indies, Kelly-Reid is mindful of her beginnings and has made it her moral responsibility to help others and give back to her country through various non-governmental organisations such as the Rotary Club of Mandeville and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

Commanding vast experience in financial matters and possessing a master of business administration degree, she is currently the financial solutions manager for Jamaica Money Market Brokers in Mandeville, where she has earned the respect of the business community.

Although Kelly-Reid has to maintain a home with two children, she still finds time to give of herself to the parish's Victim Support Unit and lectures at the University College of the Caribbean.

However, while the academic script of her résumé is an impressive one, her humble attitude and dedication to improving the lives of the parish's young people over the years is an unofficial prescription for what commitment, giving back without expectation, and community service are meant to be. With her signature smile, she told Rural Xpress she enjoys the arts, reading, dance performances, and thought-provoking conversations.

In what appeared to be one of her thought-provoking moments, she added: "I am deeply disturbed by what I see happening to our young people today. You know, I think all of us have a duty to guide them, and if each of us grown-ups can reach even one young person and make a positive impact on his or her life, that will augur well for Jamaica's future."