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The Interview
MEET KENDESI MOHAMMED
Personal Background & Early Life
- Where were you born, and what was your hometown like?
I was born in Buxton, Guyana, a historic village with a powerful legacy of resilience and freedom.
- What is your earliest memory that shaped who you are today?
Watching my elders turn soil into food and ideas into income taught me resourcefulness and determination.
- Can you describe your family and their influence on your life?
My father’s family from Annandale taught me discipline and entrepreneurship, while my mother’s family from Buxton instilled courage and the determination to build a future no one else could define.
- What traditions or values from your childhood still guide you?
Farming, saving, self-reliance, and building businesses within the family community are values I still hold today.
- Were there any pivotal moments in your early life that defined your path?
Growing up between Annandale and Buxton and witnessing the strength of my community taught me the importance of leadership and vision.
- How did your upbringing in Guyana influence your work ethic?
In Guyana, being resourceful wasn’t optional; it was survival. This instilled a relentless work ethic in me.
- What lessons did you learn from your parents or elders that you still use?
I learned how to lead, be disciplined, and turn vision into reality. These lessons drive everything I do.
- Were there obstacles in your youth that you had to overcome?
Yes, I faced the limitations of growing up in a community where resources were scarce, but I learned to thrive despite that.
- How did your childhood communities, like Buxton or Annandale, shape your identity?
They instilled a sense of ownership, unity, and the drive to create opportunities for myself and others.
- What inspired your first interest in journalism, art, or entrepreneurship?
I was inspired by watching the adults in my life create businesses and by my natural curiosity about the world around me.
Education & Early Challenges
- Did you face any challenges in school or learning?
Yes, I had learning disabilities that affected reading, writing, and spelling.
- How did you overcome learning disabilities or other obstacles?
Through determination, persistence, and resourcefulness, I focused on action and results rather than letting academic struggles define me.
- What role did formal education play in your personal growth?
Education was important, but I learned that ambition and tenacity often outweigh formal schooling.
- Were there mentors or teachers who influenced your path?
Yes, teachers who recognized my learning challenges pushed me to find alternative ways to achieve success.
- Did you have early entrepreneurial experiences as a child or teen?
I watched family members start businesses and learned to hire and work with family, which shaped my early entrepreneurial mindset.
- How did your cultural heritage influence your education and ambitions?
Growing up in communities built by freed Afro-Guyanese taught me self-reliance, leadership, and vision.
- What books or authors inspired you early on?
I was inspired by Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and hip-hop artists like 2Pac and Biggie Smalls.
- How did your learning experiences shape your leadership style?
They taught me to lead with empathy, persistence, and the ability to create opportunities for others.
- Did you have a moment where you realized your potential?
Yes, when I started building my own businesses and achieving milestones despite academic challenges.
- How did growing up between Annandale and Buxton give you perspective on life?
It gave me a deep understanding of resilience, community, and the power of building something from nothing.
Career Beginnings & Growth
- What was your first professional job or project?
My first major project was founding Party TV Guyana, a television show that promoted events, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants.
- How did you transition from early work to your current career?
By leveraging media, promotion, and networking skills, I expanded from Guyana to covering events in the U.S.
- What inspired you to pursue journalism, commentary, or media?
A love for storytelling and a desire to showcase talent and events to the world.
- Who influenced your decision to enter the creative industry?
Authors like Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, and hip-hop icons who used art as a platform for influence.
- What were the biggest obstacles you faced in your early career?
Limited resources, moving to a new country, and learning to navigate media and promotion from the ground up.
- Did you ever consider giving up, and how did you persevere?
I never gave up because I believed in the vision of creating opportunities for myself and others.
- How did moving to the United States impact your career trajectory?
It gave me access to broader opportunities in media, networking, and entrepreneurship.
- What role did risk-taking play in your early success?
Every step of my career involved risk, from moving countries to starting businesses and media projects.
- How did you discover your passion for promotion and event coverage?
By seeing the impact that media could have in highlighting talent, businesses, and events in both Guyana and the U.S.
- What was the turning point in your professional journey?
Founding Party TV Guyana and expanding coverage internationally was the turning point.
Achievements & Projects
- Can you describe your first major success and how it felt?
Launching Party TV Guyana and seeing it grow to cover international events felt like proof that hard work and vision pay off.
- What inspired the creation of Party TV Guyana?
The need to give artists, venues, and events proper media exposure and recognition.
- How did you expand your work to cities like Washington DC, Baltimore, and New York?
Through networking, partnerships, and a commitment to covering events wherever opportunities arose.
- What has been your proudest achievement so far?
Building VPS Media Center, a production hub providing free resources for artists and creatives.
- Which project challenged you the most, and why?
Advocating for the Overtown community in Miami, where systemic issues required persistence, strategy, and collaboration.
- Can you share a story of a project that changed your perspective?
Helping 750 people in Miami avoid fines and arrests showed me the power of advocacy and media in creating real change.
- How have your initiatives empowered others in the creative community?
By providing resources, mentorship, and exposure, I’ve helped artists and creatives reach new audiences.
- What role does mentorship play in your work?
Mentorship is central; I aim to pass on the lessons I’ve learned to inspire the next generation.
- Can you describe the vision behind VPS Media Center?
To create a fully equipped production space where artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs can thrive without financial barriers.
- How do you measure the impact of your projects on the community?
By the opportunities created, lives improved, and the growth of talent and businesses within the communities I serve.
Philosophy & Personal Insights
- What drives your ambition and persistence?
The legacies of Annandale and Buxton, and the desire to uplift others through opportunity.
- How do you define success?
Success is turning vision into reality while empowering others along the way.
- Who inspires you today, and why?
Visionaries and creatives who use their talents to make lasting social impact.
- What life lessons would you want to pass to younger generations?
Be resourceful, take initiative, and don’t wait for opportunities; create them.
- How do you stay motivated through setbacks?
By remembering the lessons of resilience, community, and hard work instilled in me from childhood.
- How do you balance personal life with professional responsibilities?
Through discipline, planning, and surrounding myself with supportive people.
- What is your approach to leadership and community building?
Lead by example, provide resources, and create environments where others can succeed.
- How do you handle criticism and public scrutiny?
By focusing on the vision, learning from feedback, and staying grounded in purpose.
- What is your vision for the future of the media and creative industry?
To build a global network where creatives have access to tools, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive.
- If you could sum up your life philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?
Turn obstacles into opportunities, lift others as you rise, and leave a legacy that empowers future generations.
