Vincentian Jamal Browne has released a book “Defying the Odds – Your Personal Guide to Victorious Living”, in which he says he responds to “thousands of requests for personal and career guidance from young professionals all across the globe”.
Browne said that many of these persons first learnt about his story in 2016 through a viral post on the popular professional networking site, LinkedIn.
The post used the example of his life and career to highlight the importance of taking extravagant leaps of faith when pursuing certain personal and career goals.
Within hours, thousands of persons responded to the post, ultimately drawing the attention of over one million LinkedIn users worldwide.
“It is amazing how curious, talented and determined our youths are. The challenge is that there aren’t enough committed mentors to answer the myriad of questions that we all have about our personal lives and careers. So when the questions started being directed towards me, I immediately saw an opportunity to impart the lessons that I would have learnt thus far in my life and career. This book captures those lessons in a concise and compelling way,” said Browne, a 2016 Fellow of President Barack Obama’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), and a former United Nations Project Officer.
Browne, who is originally from Murray’s Village, was raised in a strict Christian household under the watchful eyes of his grandmother.
He recalls developing an insatiable desire for new knowledge at a very early age, and attributes this to his family’s unwavering commitment to his education.
“I do not subscribe to the notion of one being self-made, as we all need someone who is willing to sacrifice something – whether time, energy or finances – to afford us a reasonable shot at success. That has been the story of my life,” said Browne who holds a doctorate from the University of the West Indies.
The four-part book has been divided into nine chapters, with the first two chapters taking readers on a compelling journey through the author’s early life and career, highlighting the roles of key individuals, institutions and environments that helped to shape his character, and nurture his talents.
From his humble beginnings growing up in his tiny Caribbean village, to his induction as a United Nations Project Officer in Nairobi, Kenya in 2014, Browne meticulously weaves his way through a series of life-changing experiences that ultimately charted his course.
Chapters three through nine have been divided into three parts, and respond to the hundreds of questions posed to him over the years by young adults and young professionals from all across the globe — most of which follow common themes such as “overcoming fear”, “financial freedom”, “finding the right field of study”, and “practical Christian living”.
“There are days on which I find myself on the verge of tears with some of the stories and requests for personal and career guidance that I receive, and in light of my familiarity with some of these accounts. So in preparing this book, I was compelled to dig deeply into my own experiences to unearth those invaluable lessons and solutions that I found along the way,” Browne said as he reflected on the preparation of his maiden inspirational publication.
Copies of ‘Defying the Odds – Your Personal Guide to Victorious Living’ are currently available on Amazon Kindle and Amazon Books in both e-book and print versions.
Looks like another self published (i.e., Vanity Press) book to me, something most of our writers and so-called scholars specialize in.
David…. Have you read the guy book? Some time just try to say something positive..
Green eye monster much?!
C-Ben this old, yet still applicable adage comes to mind – “if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all.” I am certain you know it well (since based on your numerous posts you know everything). Maybe it’s time you start applying what you’ve learned.
GOOD DAY!
I hope the author receives much success, and his offering is an inspiration to many around the world.
Blessings
C.ben-David, I don’t wish to dismiss your statement, but Please point me to some of your scholarships so I can make comparisons.
This is good news. I hope that he has lots of success with his book to empower young adults. We need more role models like this man.
A modelled individual in the Murray’s Village community, he grew up on Cristian principles and a true Vincentian patriot, C.Ben David is not even close to these attribute. No good intention, your goal is to pull down this country, what an imbecilic man. You’ve attacked every sector with your doom and gloom preaching. Jealous, evil, envious person you’ve become. SHAME ON C.BEN DAVID, PROFESS PROFESSOR!
What does christian principles have to do with anything? Jim Jones, David Koresh, Jimmy Swagart, and all these low lives grow up with christian principles. Does Mr. Brown really want to associate with these characters? If he lives out side of the little bubble called St Vincent he will certainly know that this religious label is looked at with cynicism as it rightfully should be.
Congratulations my Brother and Friend!!!
I respect and appreciate talent, always.
Ricardo Francis, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Waiting and in the Making.