How did someone who grew up with an abusive father, amidst constant ridicule and the negative influences that pervade one of Kingston's fiercest garrisons, manage to become a world-renown inspirational speaker?

Florida-based Jamaican Kirk Nugent, founder of the Kirk Nugent Ministries, epitomises the ideal of success in the face of adversity. Today, he lives by his message of self-belief and the role of choice in realising one's own destiny.

In addition to touching the lives of individuals across the world, Kirk also finds time to juggle his other passions of writing books and performing poetry. His latest projects, a book entitled “The Unpopular Truth” and the compact disc “I Want to Testify”, have established him among the leaders in his field. He is clearly now a far cry from the troubled path that he once faced.

Kirk spent his early days surviving the gangster-infested streets of Brook Valley, Duhaney Park and a troublesome sickle cell disorder. However, his real struggles were fought a little closer to home. For him, there was no such thing as “home, sweet home”, as the constant ill-effects of his ailment coupled with the non-existence of love from his abusive father carved the picture of a deeply troubled and insecure individual.

His current message of progression and confidence ultimately proved to be his antidote to the constant isolation and derision he encountered at home, but not before his troubles became magnified. After leaving the Wolmer's High School for Boys and Jamaica behind for the supposedly “greener pastures” of the United States during his third form year, Kirk was exposed to a wider level of struggles as he came face to face with the scourge of racism. A “lifeline” was, however, handed to him by veteran motivational speaker and best selling author, Les Brown, whose words, “There is greatness in you”, planted an irremovable seed of self-assurance.

“I was maybe 16 or 17 at the time and I just kept listening to that message. I always wanted to do something great, something nobody from my community had ever done so that I could come back and have a message that would touch someone’s life…so I kept reading a lot and attending seminars until finally I got the courage to come out and do my own thing,” he shared.

Doing his “own thing” has led to international acclaim, countless accolades and ten years of inspiring and challenging people all across the globe. Kirk has also made presentations before some of the most prestigious companies and universities in the United States.

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