WOMAN POWER: Kenisha Dwyer-Powell - The powerhouse unmatched – Part II
Published:Sunday | October 13, 2019 | 5:34 AMTamara Bailey - Gleaner Writer
Mandeville, Manchester:
Wow! I don’t know that I balance. I know I am balanced in all I do with the help of my ever-supportive family – my husband, Nigel, who I still think is an angel in disguise; my daughter, Sasheika, who keeps me grounded; and my mother who can love me back to reality if ever I get distracted,” said Kenisha Dwyer-Powell as Family & Religion sought to find out how she handles family, career, and all her extra-curricular activities.
The powerhouse admits that it can be overwhelming being so involved, but she says that she continues to be driven by her passion.
“It’s not easy to wear many hats and still have it fixed neatly on the head. It takes a lot of gymnastics, compromise, and a family who understands your passion and can see the big picture for all concerned. I know I could not have done it without my husband’s support as he is always willing and ready to jump in and save me when I get overwhelmed.”
She said it is her daughter who helps to keep her household in check sometimes, ensuring that a plan is made for the immediate future at all times.
“Every new year at my house you will hear our daughter, Sasheika, summoning us to the family table to complete our personal and family vision boards. This is an activity that helps us to bond and get to know each other more. In times when schedules get too packed and stress levels increase, looking back on our boards and remembering my and our ‘why’ puts back the balance where it was tilted.”
Known for her winsome smile and infectious laughter, Dwyer-Powell said that coming from a genuine place and simply staying true to who she is are the main reasons why she does so well, generally.
“One of the biggest things that I have always tried to do is just to be myself – nothing more and nothing less. So the Kenisha you get at work, church, play, or other groups never changes. I love to laugh and find things to make fun at as laughter keeps me young and energised, and it just makes you feel good. So if it is a goal conversation with one of my clients at JMMB, or a directors’ meeting at the Chamber, I love to incorporate some elements of fun and laughter as it always makes everything easier and more pleasurable. Every time I get a good laugh (which is almost daily) I get a migraine, but somehow, I can never stop laughing.”
But what does she do for fun?
The answer: make everything fun.
“I do almost everything for fun because I make fun out of everything! You will find me going to the beach, watching movies, travelling, visiting my mother – who lives a stone’s throw from me – and most of all, I enjoy singing while driving and just pretending to be a pop star. It sounds crazy, but I never ever want to consider myself grown up. I always want to remain a kid at heart who can enjoy the simple things and make the most of everything.”
She said that with the principles of honesty, self- discipline, and hard work instilled in her from an early age, she had no choice but to be deliberate in her actions and move forcefully to making her mark on the world.
“Most persons would say I am confident, and I would say that is true, but it took years to grow into that confidence. When you are a teenager and your forehead was the first thing that everyone saw when you approached, you had to have a lot of confidence to withstand bullying and all those other things that youngsters did to each other. Nowadays, we say affirmations. Back then, I would just self-talk and know that I was worthy, and that made me confident. My confidence also grew from me knowing that my Father loved me endlessly, and that made all the difference.”
Dwyer-Powell is looking forward to the completion and release of her book, which will share her experiences and, hopefully, bring others into full consciousness of themselves.