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The Power Of Your Social Imprint – The Nipsey Hussle Model

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“The value of our lives is not determined by what we do for ourselves. The value of our lives is determined by what we do for others.” – Simon Sineck

On the morning of April 1, 2019, I woke up to the breaking news on social media and the major news networks of the death of Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle, following a shooting outside his clothing store in Los Angeles. For a while, I was lost, as prior to this, I had never heard of him. The simple explanation was that I am not a follower or fan of rap music and therefore, I have never listened to his music.

My lack of knowledge turned to curiosity after I listened to a report on CNN online (https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/31/us/nipsey-hussle-los-angeles-shooting/index.html) and as I followed other news reports, his life and his work captured my attention. What stood out for me was the statement he made in an interview that, “…the highest human act is to inspire”.

Nipsey, whose birth name was Ermias Davidson Asghedom, was not just a rising success in the entertainment industry having just released his debut rap album, which was nominated at this year’s Grammy Awards, but he had built a reputation as someone who made a positive difference by giving back to his community. According to media reports, his good deeds included assisting with the needs of students, providing jobs and shelter for homeless residents and investing in Destination Crenshaw, an art-and-culture project that celebrates Los Angeles’ Black history. Listed among his social causes was a co-working space and center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) called Vector 90, which he opened in his community. He described it as a bridge between Silicon Valley and the inner city to give young people more options and opportunities than he had as a child.

The tributes from people within the entertainment industry and from community leaders, politicians and residents in LA attest to the fact that Nipsey Hussle was an inspiration, through his life and his work as a community organizer, social activist and entrepreneur.

During an Instagram LIVE session hosted by personal branding coach, Naomi Garrick @ThePRChick last week, guest presenter Paul C. Brunson, entrepreneur and TV host, stated that Nipsey Hussle’s personal brand was his “social imprint” which continues to grow even after his death. I am of the view that your social imprint is not just about having a huge social media following or an international fan base but in your impact through acts of giving back to your community or to improving the lives of others, particularly, marginalized groups.

Here are some lessons that I believe Nipsey Hussle, through his life can teach aspiring entrepreneurs about the power of your “social imprint”, which I define as “the power to transform or improve the lives of others through social or community activism.”

1. Our greatest value is in investing in others: If all we live for or aspire to do as entrepreneurs is to make millions or build an enterprise for ourselves, then we will fail as we have missed the real value and purpose of our existence. Our greatest impact is in investing our time, our resources, our talent and our expertise to empower and improve the lives of others and our communities.

2. The importance of integrating “social good” as a core value in building your personal brand or business: Branding experts focus on the value of building a brand through thought-leadership, networking, and using social media and other platforms to position yourself as an expert in your industry or to market your products and services. I believe that another effective strategy in building your brand is in understanding the importance of integrating “social good” as a core value in your business strategy and culture. A “social good” is traditionally defined as “an action or item that benefits society, such as education, potable water or even access to services such as healthcare. The term implies a positive impact on an individual or society as a whole.”

Peter Gasca, entrepreneur, consultant and author and founder of GascaCo, LLC, writing on When Should Entrepreneurs Pursue a Social Good? in the Entreprenuer.com, emphasizes that social good is in fact an investment in a company’s future. He further argues that any Return on Investment (ROI) on social good for any company will always be worth the investment.

The concept of social good suggests that it is not simply donating to a charity but rather the act of giving your resources with a view to helping to solve the problems of an individual, community or society. I believe it is driven by one’s core values, a system of belief in the greater good, a passion to do good and to make a positive difference. I further believe that while the ROI may not be measurable, in the long-term it will build trust, confidence and credibility in you as an entrepreneur and in your brand.

There are many entrepreneurs, entertainers and sportsmen who understand the importance of “social good” and have leveraged their success and resources to help solve the socio-economic problems within their own communities and other communities globally. They are generally motivated by a belief in the greater good and that they can use their resources to improve the lives of others and to make a positive difference to humanity.

3. What you do tells who you are, and it speaks louder than what you say: Your brand is the reputation you build through what you do and how you live. It is not what you market about yourself but more importantly, the impact you make on others and how your life inspires others. To quote Jeff Bezos, Founder, CEO and President of Amazon.com: “your brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room.”

4. Your personal story has the power to influence and inspire change that outlives you: Nipsey Hussle spoke openly about being involved in a gang in LA as a teenager and his experience with gang-related murder and violence. His experience became a motivation for his message for change and advocacy to help create a different legacy for the next generation of youths growing up in LA. In an interview on February 21, 2018 on the Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM he said he wanted his message to impact gang culture and young people living in the areas controlled by gang violence and to help create a different narrative for them.

His work and impact as a philanthropist and a social activist communicated in a powerful way his story and his message. In the words of entertainer, Pharrell Williams, who tweeted, “you were about something .. positive and for your community in every chance you had to speak . . . and because of that You inspire millions . . . millions who will uphold your legacy forever.” Nipsey Hussle, is an example, of the fact that the power of a brand is in its legacy. He had an international fan base as an entertainer, but he has left behind a “social imprint” that extends beyond the entertainment industry and continues after his death.
What Is Your “Social Imprint”?

I believe that our legacy is about creating something that will live beyond us and from which the next generation can benefit and even carry on. Through my inspirational blog, Make Life Count, I encourage others to live every day in a meaningful and impactful way by doing what you can to empower and improve the lives of others. Through your acts of social good, you leave a “social imprint” on the lives of individuals, your community and your world. That is the most effective expression of your legacy.

What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal. – Albert Pine

Misha Lobban Clarke is a Public Relations/Communications Consultant, Writer and Editor with over 20 years’ experience. She is the head of ML Consulting Services and the former CEO of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), a regional body representing the interest of the accountancy profession in the Caribbean. For more visit me on LinkedIn or follow my blog at https://mlcblog.org/

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Who is Marlene J. Street Forrest, Managing Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Group?

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Transforming the JSE into a Global Benchmark
Dr. Marlene J. Street Forrest, CD, JP, has been a transformative figure at the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), serving as its Managing Director for nearly 20 years. She is credited with steering the Exchange into a modern era characterized by transparency, technological innovation, and diversified offerings. Under her leadership, the JSE has seen major milestones, including the demutualization of the organization and the establishment of the Junior Market and the US Dollar Denominated Market. These initiatives have significantly increased capital accessibility for businesses and bolstered the Exchange’s regional and global profile​

A Career Defined by Leadership and Vision
Dr. Street Forrest’s journey in financial services and leadership spans multiple sectors, both in Jamaica and internationally. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies and an MBA from Barry University in Florida. Her academic grounding paved the way for a career marked by strategic vision and operational excellence. Recognized as a Certified Business Consultant, she has brought expertise in enterprise risk management, cybersecurity, and governance to her work at the JSE​

Celebrated Achievements and Global Recognition
Her contributions have garnered numerous accolades, including the Order of Distinction (Commander Rank) in 2016 and the Afroglobal Excellence Award for Global Impact the same year. She has also been recognized as a Business Leader of the Decade and honored with an honorary Doctorate in Public Policy by the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean in 2021. Her authored works, such as On Leadership: Discipline, Discretion, and Daring, offer insights into her philosophy and strategies for effective leadership​.

Facing Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry
As a female leader in a male-dominated industry, Dr. Street Forrest overcame significant challenges through a combination of resilience, strategic networking, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Her success reflects her ability to lead with integrity while navigating the complexities of the financial sector.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for the JSE
With Dr. Street Forrest set to retire, her successor will need to embody characteristics of innovation, foresight, and adaptability to sustain and surpass her achievements. The incoming leader will face the challenge of continuing digital transformation, expanding market reach, and maintaining the JSE’s reputation as a global benchmark in financial services.

The legacy of Dr. Marlene J. Street Forrest will undoubtedly serve as a guiding beacon for the next era of leadership at the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

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Who Is Hon. Fayval Williams, Jamaica’s New Minister of Finance and Public Service?

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Trailblazing Leadership
Hon. Fayval Williams recently made history as Jamaica’s first female Minister of Finance and Public Service, appointed on November 1, 2024, following Dr. Nigel Clarke’s transition to his new role as Deputy Managing Director at the International Monetary Fund. This appointment marks a pivotal moment in Jamaica’s governmental landscape, reflecting a strong commitment to gender representation at the highest levels of public service leadership. Prime Minister Andrew Holness highlighted this move as part of a broader strategy to shift towards aggressive economic growth policies​

A Career Marked by Excellence
Before her groundbreaking role as Finance Minister, Williams served as Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Youth, and Information, where she tackled critical reforms in education policy and skills development. She has also held positions in the private sector, including as a Senior Vice President at Cable & Wireless Jamaica and as Chief Financial Officer at Air Jamaica. Her extensive financial expertise, underscored by a strong academic background—including an MBA from The Wharton School and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard University—has prepared her for the intricacies of managing public finances​

Vision for Jamaica’s Future
As Finance Minister, Williams is expected to focus on accelerating Jamaica’s economic growth while maintaining fiscal discipline, a hallmark of her predecessor’s tenure. She inherits a robust financial portfolio, but her challenge lies in building on Jamaica’s economic stability to drive transformative development initiatives. With a senior advisor in financial strategy, Alok Jain, supporting her, Williams is positioned to engage with private sector stakeholders to create impactful partnerships​

Looking Ahead
Williams’s leadership underscores her ability to break barriers, adapt to complex challenges, and inspire through innovation. As she embarks on this historic journey, her tenure promises to reshape Jamaica’s fiscal policies and growth trajectory, setting a new benchmark for inclusive leadership in the region.

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Business Leaders Express Confidence in New Minister of Finance and the Public Service

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Business leaders in Jamaica are expressing confidence in the ability of newly appointed Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, to manage Jamaica’s macroeconomic affairs.

Stakeholders from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), and the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (MSME) Alliance concur that Minister Williams has the requisite qualifications and experience to build on the sound economic management platform laid by her predecessor, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke.

PSOJ President, Metry Seaga, pointed out that, “whilst she has big shoes to fill, Minister Williams has the credentials and the experience to do a fine job”.

“We encourage her to maintain the policies that have brought us to a solid fiscal place internationally. We also encourage her to look forward to developing growth in the economy,” he added.

Mr. Seaga maintained that growth must be paramount in the new Minister’s plan, pointing out that, “we have done the hard work as a country; it is time now for the people to reap those benefits”.

JCC Chief Executive Officer, Larry Watson, is also of the view that, “Minister Williams is well qualified for the post”, adding that “we have full confidence that she will do well.

“She follows on the heels of Jamaica’s most successful Minister of Finance and the Public Service, so she has big shoes to fill. Her success will, in part, be measured on the extent to which Jamaica can achieve substantial and sustained economic growth. We wish her all the best in her new role,” Mr. Watson stated.

Meanwhile, the MSME Alliance pointed out that a majority of its members, “view the appointment in a favourable light”.

The Alliance further stated that 83.3 per cent of its membership believes that there was no better option for appointment by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, than Mrs. Williams.

Meanwhile, the JMEA, in a release, also expressed confidence, “in Minister Williams’ leadership and commitment to advancing Jamaica’s economic landscape”.

The Association added that it, “looks forward to working together to foster a more competitive and resilient business environment”.

“The JMEA looks forward to continued engagement with the Ministry and the private sector, in pursuit of Jamaica’s macroeconomic stability. We believe strongly in the need to address red tape and bureaucracy that hinder private-sector growth and development,” the organisation further stated.

The entity indicated that it would continue to lobby for the promulgation of laws that will simplify the process for doing business in Jamaica.

“We urge the timely implementation of regulations under the Pioneer Industry Act and the Large-scale Industry Act, part of the OMNIBUS Incentive Act that has been pending since 2014, to create an environment that encourages investment and growth,” the JMEA release outlined.

Mrs. Williams was appointed Minister of Finance and the Public Service on Wednesday (October 30) by Prime Minister Holness, who made the announcement during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Mrs. Williams holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with concentration in Finance from the Wharton Business School and a Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) in Economics from Harvard University in the United States.

Mrs. Williams, who is Member of Parliament for St. Andrew Eastern, is the first female to be appointed Portfolio Minister in the Finance Ministry.

By: Andrew Laidley JIS

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Who is Angelique Parisot-Potter, Massy Holdings’ Former General Counsel and Executive Vice-President of Business Integrity?

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Early Career and Rise in Massy Holdings
Angelique Parisot-Potter served as the Executive Vice-President of Business Integrity and Group General Counsel at Massy Holdings Ltd. Before joining Massy, she had an extensive career in law and corporate governance, holding significant roles that positioned her as a key player in the corporate legal landscape.

Whistleblower Revelations and Impact
Parisot-Potter’s tenure at Massy took a dramatic turn in December 2023 when she made allegations about questionable practices within the company’s executive training programs. At Massy’s 100th annual general meeting, she revealed that the leadership programs involved bizarre rituals, including communicating with the dead and self-healing with “white light energy,” which she claimed were a misuse of foreign exchange and resources. Her whistleblower revelations were detailed in a 13-page document submitted to the company, leading to significant media coverage and internal turmoil at Massy​​.

Resignation and Aftermath
Following her public disclosure, Parisot-Potter was placed on administrative leave. Massy Holdings initiated a disciplinary investigation, asserting that she had disclosed confidential matters. Despite the company’s denial of her claims, Parisot-Potter resigned from her position on December 27, 2023, just nine days after going public with her allegations. Her resignation came amidst a period of significant scrutiny and internal review within Massy Holdings​.

The Resignation of Gervase Warner
The fallout from Parisot-Potter’s revelations had far-reaching consequences, including the resignation of Massy’s President and CEO, Gervase Warner. Warner, who had been with Massy since 2009, announced his retirement on February 8, 2024. While his early departure was officially attributed to personal reasons, it closely followed the controversy sparked by Parisot-Potter’s claims. Warner’s leadership was notable for significant profitability and growth, with the company seeing a compound annual growth rate of 15% over the last five years of his tenure. He was succeeded by David Alfonso, a long-time executive within the company​​.

Conclusion
Angelique Parisot-Potter’s career at Massy Holdings was marked by her commitment to corporate integrity and governance. Her whistleblower actions underscore the complexities and challenges of corporate governance and the personal and professional risks involved in exposing potential misconduct. As Massy Holdings continues to navigate the aftermath of these events, Parisot-Potter’s role in bringing these issues to light remains a significant chapter in the company’s history.

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A Legacy of Leadership: Dr. Marlene Street Forrest and the Future of the Jamaica Stock Exchange

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“As the JSE looks to the future, it will be crucial to find a leader who can match, if not exceed, Dr. Street Forrest’s impressive legacy.”

Introduction
Dr. Marlene Street Forrest, who has led the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) for nearly two decades, is set to retire, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and resilience. Her tenure has been marked by significant achievements and overcoming challenges in a male-dominated field, setting a high bar for her successor.

Accomplishments and Achievements
Dr. Street Forrest’s tenure at the JSE has been transformative. Under her leadership, the JSE has seen a notable increase in market activity, listings, and the introduction of new financial instruments.

She spearheaded the launch of corporate secretarial services to assist smaller companies in maintaining compliance and accurate reporting, which is crucial for their growth and sustainability​​.

In recognition of her outstanding leadership, Dr. Street Forrest received several prestigious awards, including the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) in 2016 and the Afroglobal Excellence Award for Global Impact from Canada the same year​.

Her efforts have not only enhanced the visibility and credibility of the JSE but have also contributed significantly to Jamaica’s economic resilience and development.

Overcoming Challenges
Leading the JSE in a male-dominated industry came with its challenges. Dr. Street Forrest often had to navigate skepticism and bias, proving her competence through relentless hard work and strategic vision.

The global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic posed additional challenges, yet she successfully steered the JSE through these turbulent times by promoting market stability and investor confidence​.

Her focus on digital transformation and enhancing regulatory compliance helped the JSE remain a pivotal player in Jamaica’s economic strategy. She emphasized the importance of high-quality, timely financial information and investor education, which are critical for maintaining market integrity and attracting capital​​.

The Road Ahead: What Her Successor Needs
As the search for Dr. Street Forrest’s successor begins, the JSE requires a leader who can build on her legacy of innovation and resilience. Key characteristics for the next managing director include:

Visionary Leadership: The ability to foresee and adapt to market trends and technological advancements.
Strong Regulatory Knowledge: Ensuring compliance and fostering investor trust through transparent practices.
Commitment to Digital Transformation: Embracing new technologies to enhance market operations and accessibility.
Economic Insight: Understanding market dynamics and economic policies to drive growth and stability.
Collaboration Skills: Building strong relationships with stakeholders, including regulators, investors, and listed companies.

Benchmarking against global stock exchange leaders, the new head of the JSE should embody a blend of strategic foresight, regulatory acumen, and innovative thinking. Leaders like Adena Friedman of Nasdaq and David Schwimmer of the London Stock Exchange exemplify these traits, balancing market growth with robust governance.

Conclusion
Dr. Marlene Street Forrest’s leadership at the JSE has set a high standard, marked by significant achievements and resilience in the face of challenges. Her successor will need to bring a mix of visionary leadership, regulatory knowledge, and a commitment to digital transformation to continue driving the JSE’s growth and success. As the JSE looks to the future, it will be crucial to find a leader who can match, if not exceed, Dr. Street Forrest’s impressive legacy.

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