Michael Ammar III

SSL Stocks & Securities Investment Banking, Sales Associate

What makes Kingston a postcard-perfect destination to enjoy a distinctive Carnival experience?

The people, the vibes and the love. Carnival has ingrained itself in the lives of many Jamaicans as shown by the thousands of revellers and spectators across Kingston. While it may be hard to compare Carnival with our reggae/dancehall culture, Jamaicans love to party and have the best time possible, and that is exactly what Carnival is all about. It has transcended to the hearts of many Jamaicans with a passion and vibrancy displayed every year while we parade through the streets. Our carnival is one of the best-kept secrets in this part of the world.

Where is the best place in Kingston you’ve indulged in an unforgettable meal?

Without a doubt that would have to be at my grandmother’s house. Nothing beats a good-old family lunch on a Sunday.

As a financial investment associate, how do you pitch short- and long-term money-yielding options to young people who mightn’t think their financial futures need strategic planning?

Most young people are spending a large percentage of their income now to enjoy all that life has to offer. While it’s great to attend all-inclusive parties or spend weekends on the North Coast, if you don’t start investing, you will quickly find that this lifestyle cannot be sustained in the future, and, furthermore, that you cannot afford some of life’s basic privileges like owning a home or having a pension plan for retirement. I try to educate people about the effects of devaluation and inflation, and show them in real terms why investing is important. By actually breaking down the numbers and showing people the real worth of investing, I think the younger generation can put more effort into ensuring their future financial stability.

What defines a man of character?

Grit and integrity: grit to follow his passion relentlessly and to stand up for what is right and just in the face of challenges. Integrity to remain true to his word and loyal to his people. A man of character possesses the ability to look at situations objectively and evaluate what the right or wrong action to take is.

Which untapped growth industries do you believe are being forsaken locally, but which can assist in moving Jamaica’s Gross Domestic Product to significant proportions?

Business Process Outsourcing has been growing rapidly and employs a large pool of skilled labour on the island. It is a great way to reduce unemployment and generate foreign exchange for the economy. It’s also insulated from the local business cycle as it is mostly driven by demand from foreign firms.

If you lived in an alternate reality, what film, and/or big screen character would you envision your life as?

I would love to be in the same shoes as Joseph ‘Coop’ Cooper played by Matthew McConaughey in one of my favourite movies, Interstellar. Coop is tasked with exploring the unknown universe in search of new worlds for humans to inhabit. He moves past his personal desire to return to Earth in time to be with his children and he sacrifices everything to search the unlimited expanse of time and space, and in the end he truly gains an understanding of life’s meaning as well as its fragility.

In matters of the heart, when does love mean the most?

Love always means the “most”. When you love someone or something, everything you do should be with the fullness of your heart and the complete dedication of your mind and body.

Soca music gives what kind of powers?

All kinds of music give you powers, but soca music specifically gives you a sense of freedom, and self-fulfilment!

Trump-phobia is at an all-time high outside the United States. However, if you had to pick one redeemable quality of his, what would it be?

He wins. He won an election that everyone thought he would lose. If we figure out how to do this, we would be in a better position to shape our future and livelihood.