“Leggo career”.

The phrase which recently found new prominence on social media, has blossomed into a genuine movement, pushing young people to achieve their best self.  

At the heart of that is Kirk Douglas and Hakeem Bryan. Both have made waves on social media with their hashtag #leggocareer2016 – under which young people posted various achievements amid their respective challenges. The two final year students at the University of the West Indies (UWI) stated that ‘Leggo Career’ is a movement aimed at promoting and exposing young artists and entrepreneurs to the wider public in effort to promote networking opportunities.

‘Leggo Career’ started out as a simple slang used by the two on social media and in their everyday life. Fueled by their drive to be successful, Douglas and Bryan realised that ‘leggo career’ could be more than a slang, but a movement which would help others to achieve their goals. 

In keeping with their mission, the dynamic duo partnered with an artist, Shaundel Campbell to host an art show “Imprint”, which showcased young Jamaican talents. Bryan declared that art and expression are critical to their brand as their vision includes the promotion of cultural identity as there is great emphasis on European and North American influences but often blatant disregard for Brand Jamaica.  The two hope to branch out in digital marketing, content creation, ad creation, social media management services and event coverage for cultural events as they seek to modernize Jamaica’s media industry.

Both gentlemen have shared that they were not always this confident, they did not always believe that their careers would “leggo”. Hakeem reminisced that in fifth form he was told by teachers that he “wouldn’t amount to anything” and was considered an outcast. Subsequently he labelled himself negatively. It has been since this year that he has begun to believe in himself and his future. Becoming a panelist on Talk Up Yout Season 6 has also given him a platform to speak about issues facing him and other youths. He has decided to become a symbol of change through this movement while working on the University of the West Indies Guild Publications Committee to develop his media talents. Douglas, too, was told the same things by his teacher up until he transferred schools to enroll in a sixth form program. He credits his sixth form experience at Charlie Mount High School for his new outlook on life as it allowed him to realize that conforming did not necessarily equate to success. He joined the quiz team and was made captain within two months. He admits that it is hard to persevere amid discouragement, a crucial reason for their encouragement of fellow youngsters. 

They have received positive feedback not only from other young persons on social media; they have been commended by members of the public and private sector and are now under the tutelage of Gordon Swaby, the founder of EduFocal Limited. 

The two do not view the fact that the name of their brand and movement is spoken in Jamaican creole as limiting, but see it as a tool to appeal to the masses they hope to reach.

In the words of Bryan: “the talent is strong, the art is strong, the brand is strong”.