Woman power - Kicking things up a notch with Keisha Wright

Mandeville, Manchester:

She can be the loudest one in a room, but she is no empty barrel. Her character screams 'too liberal' for some, but to others one does not get 'realer'.

Keisha Wright is all woman and no one can dispute her strength, intellect and versatility; having written a book, taught, handled positions in church and practised in the field of media - all while being a full-time mom to her daughter.

"I have been a working mother since 2007, when my daughter turned eight months old. I began teaching at Spalding High School: I taught English Language and English Literature. Being the vibrant and creative person, I was later offered the opportunity to start a theatre arts programme at the school. I later left Spalding High and went to Belair School where I taught dance and drama. Within a year I left and went to NCU Media Group working as a television and radio producer. I soon had my own radio programme, The Drive."

BACK TO CHURCH

Though Wright once left the church, it was not long before she returned and assumed her duties.

" ... When I finally got back, I morphed right in as if I had never left. I got active in the Mandeville Seventh-day Adventist Church and taught Sabbath school classes, operated as director of the Pathfinder Club and went back to summer camps. Mother, Cavel Wright, (deceased) prayed for me and would often call on Sabbath mornings when I was on one of my road trips to sing at a west coast or south coast hotel, or coming from one of those excursions. That would so annoy me" said a jocund Wright.

The woman who wears many hats, still does work in media as a voice over talent and playwright. She currently teaches multimedia production and digital animation at HEART Trust\NTA and is now proud to officially add author to her list of titles.

"My first book, OH EM GEE! You Too? was completed and published in 2014. No hard copy. I published it on Amazon and left it. Contacted several publishing houses, but I heard nothing from them. So once again I did a KMT (hissed teeth) and forgot about it.

"However, while living and working in Montego Bay, I met up with a friend, Marvin McNish, who told me that he wanted me to write a book on scamming. My flabber was ghasetd!" said Wright, laughingly as she showed her colourful personality.

"I didn't know anything about scamming, let alone to write a book. Plus mi neva waan no bady come kill mi. But, I went home and though about it. I began researching, looking through the relevant news items, creating characters right away and coming up with the most far fetched scenarios as I travelled through the writing process. And so we partnered."

The book, she says, which highlights creatively the social ill, is now on Amazon (Keyword SCAMMA), in Fontana Pharmacy (Mandeville and Manchester), and in the coming weeks will be available in Sangster Book Stores with prospect for other bookshops and stores.

Though divorced and single, Wright has been able to accomplish all she has as a result of the support from her ex-husband and daughter's father.

In her down time you can catch Wright watching movies, spending time with her daughter, visiting her dad or enjoying the therapeutic benefits of shopping, cooking and painting her nails.

"If I had the opportunity, I would probably change some decisions I have made in the past, but I regret nothing else. I am driven by my daughter's college fund, passion for my crafts. Yes crafts! The desire I have is to travel the world, make people happy, and the fact that I don't wanna be broke!"

To fellow working moms she says: "Work, Honey work! And though this may sound like a cliche, pray. God hears and He answers. Love like it's the only thing you have left in this world. Don't stay upset with people - life is short and you never know when they are going to go - I know I lost my mom and brother within two years of each other and whatever you do, guh hard or guh a yuh yaad" she ended.

familyandreligion@gleanerhm.com