Chartered accountant Dr Kesha Christie, managing director of KCLH Full Business Solutions, swapped her universe of spreadsheets for a world of words with the launch of her first book, ‘The Currency of Grit‘. 

The book was published by SEMS Writing & Publishing Services.

The book launch, which took place recently at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, is symbolic of the heights Christie has climbed from abject poverty, as a “barefooted, hungry girl who once lived in an unfinished house in Brooks Level in Stony Hill.”

‘The Currency of Grit‘ is an autobiography of Christie’s life, where she delves into issues of parental abandonment resulting in her taking on the role of a mother to her younger sisters, Tamara and Stephanie, while attending high school.  

Sharing her experiences in a raw and unfiltered way, she reveals the dynamics of navigating poverty and the long-lasting impact of childhood trauma from rejection, abuse and dysfunctional and predatory relationships.

Christe revealed that the book is not intended to be a sad story and focus on survival but on growth. “When I started writing this book, I didn’t set out to write something perfect. I set out to write something true. Something real. I peeled back the layers of my story, my struggles, my fears, my failures, and I put it all on paper, because I believe in the power of testimony. I believe that when we tell the truth about our journey, someone else finds the courage to keep going on theirs.” 

The newly minted author revealed “there is purpose in my pain”, which is to give a voice to the voiceless and to inspire others.

“’The Currency of Grit‘ is my offering to everyone who’s ever questioned if they were enough. It’s for the girl who grew up in silence, the woman still healing from childhood wounds, the man who’s been told to stay strong but is crumbling inside. It’s for every unfinished version of ourselves that still deserves love, grace, and a fighting chance.”  

Her message to all readers is encapsulated in the subtitle, “You already have everything you need to succeed. (As) it was during those hard times, I discovered that the true currency of success is not found in wealth or privilege, but resilience forged through struggle.”  

In reflecting on her journey during the up-close interview segment with the author, Dr. Christie shared, “As the eldest one, I just had to brace myself and do what I needed to do to take care of my sisters…All I knew was that I had to find a way out and that would be through education, so although we were poor and many days we did not have the money for food or even bus fare, we never missed school.” With a triumphant smile, the global business leader, is proud to embrace her scars – metaphorical and physical – as badges of honour that have shaped her into the successful business leader she is today. Making light of the moment she shared, “A long time me a balance the ‘books’ to make the budget work.” 

She captivated the audience with reading snippets of the book, which she later autographed for attendees. Entertainment was provided by Abijah Livingston also known as ‘Naki Wailers’, who shared several songs from his latest catalogue. 

As she officially brought the curtains down on the book launch, Dr. Christie, decked in a red floor-length gown, stood like a phoenix rising from the ashes, in her sea of supporters, family, friends and specially invited guests to celebrate what she describes as a God-inspired project to write this book.