HAVING been through bouts of tragedy in her youth, Natassia Barrett-Wright became overwhelmed as an adult by those body blows. But in 2013, she sat in the congregation at Power of Faith, Portmore, listening attentively to Bishop Delford Davis.

Barrett-Wright recalled him delivering a powerful sermon that seemed directed at her. It was a game-changer.

“It all came together that what I had gone through was not to destroy me but should be used to help others,” she said.

Shortly after that sermon, Barrett-Wright and her husband Jamar started Mind Food International Limited which “aims to develop, activate and transform people to become leaders”. They have provided leadership/human resource training for companies including Geddes Refrigeration, K&M Meats & Groceries, Tax Administration Jamaica, and Kiwanis Club.

“Mind Food facilitates empowerment sessions for organisations seeking to invest in their staff’s well-being, especially in times like these. The HR consultancy arm provides recruitment services to small and medium-sized entities to assist with a seamless, yet efficient recruitment process, relieving the HR department of cumbersome activities,” she explained.

The Wrights steer these sessions with assistance from experienced contract workers. Since launching their company, they have also conducted over 50 seminars aimed at empowering persons from diverse backgrounds who have lofty career goals but may lack confidence.

The most ambitious of those seminars, the Caribbean Leadership Summit, was held last June in Kingston.

Barrett-Wright identifies with persons who show potential but are burdened by self-doubt. For years, personal setbacks placed her in a similar position.

Raised in Allman Town, central Kingston, her home was razed when she was 10 years old. Her father, a police officer, was murdered shortly after; and while in sixth form at Wolmer’s Girls’, her mother died.

“After completing university I was lost and uninspired. I was so depressed and thought there was no meaning to life, especially given all that I had gone through. My turning point came when my then boyfriend, now husband, invited me to church,” she recalled.

‘Church’ was Power of Faith Portmore where Bishop Davis’ inspirational sermon lifted Barrett-Wright’s spirit and changed her outlook on life.

“I have never looked back since that day,” she said.

To date, the Wrights have co-written two published books — Mind Food: Recharge Your Mind: 31 Day Inspirational Guide Jump Start Your Day, and Your Life, Your Dream and 30 Days to A Renewed Mind.

Their outreach earned the Wrights the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Leadership this year.

Barrett-Wright is keen on making an impact in Allman Town. She went through a lot of hard times there, but along with her husband, she stages an annual sports day and treat.

“It is always a blessing to give back to my roots, to let others know that achievement is still possible even coming from a poor community. Giving back allows the Mind Food team to provide the well-needed assistance, whether through scholarships or back-to-school supplies to the residents. It gives the youngsters hope and something to look forward to.”