Moments after a thunderstorm pummeled New York City on the 22nd anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in US history, two perfectly arched rainbows could be seen from Billionaires Rows at 57th St. in Manhattan.
The colorful weather phenomenon followed inclement weather which created a storm that almost stifled commemoration of the devastating September 11 assault on NYC in 2001 and also fulfilled predictions of lightning, showers and the worst conditions imagined for the anniversary memorial.
Nevertheless, after a treacherous downpour and a fearful sky-show ended at dusk, the double rainbows half circled the Manhattan skyline.
Simultaneously at dusk, further downtown on the island, a book launch that could have been treacherously impacted, prevailed.
Slated to begin at 7 p.m. the inaugural media launch promised visitation from Dr. Trisha Bailey, a Jamaica-born immigrant revered for being the first female billionaire from the Caribbean island.
Touted for being an accomplished achiever, no one expected the 46-year-old to walk on water, calm the storm or lure media scribes and broadcasters to a threatened function. However, there she was, promptly at the appointed time, pacific, bejeweled, wearing full white and with focused attention on a diverse crowd of storm troopers, explained the journey she made from Woodland, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica at age 13, to arrive in Hartford, Connecticut.
Revealing, from earlier years, the young, immigrant had faced seasonable turbulence, among them, hurricanes, drought, floods and weather patterns dominant in tropical climates.
It was not an easy road, she said, “I lived in a small community, there was no running water, I walked three and half miles each way to school…I developed resilience. I didn’t know I wasn’t living a normal life.”
On arrival, Bailey realized the fictional notion that ‘American streets were paved with gold’ was just an alluring metaphor probably conceived by a shrewd Madison Avenue practitioner or maybe a concept phrased from a perception made by an overzealous U.S. ambassador.
After enduring sexual abuse, domestic violence, suicidal thoughts and other turmoil, the tide turned when she read Oprah Winfrey’s 1993 autobiography. There in black and white, a relatable story, one she could identify with.
Daily reminders from her role model’s television talk show empowered her to adopt the recruiting mantra from the US Army commercials which promised in a tag-line of the era that with application anyone ‘can be all you can be.’
More than that, like Winfrey the Caribbean native aspired to one day inspire, motivate or offer opportunity to youths and disfranchised individuals.
Bailey ran with that hope, as a matter of fact she raced with the idea.
At the University of Connecticut, she dedicated herself to track and field where she blazed a trail often finishing first and eventually emerging a winning athlete.
“Sports build a structural track, you have to finish and you’re always being coached…you practice every day.”
Bailey punctuated her nostalgia explaining lessons she learned from losing races and pain she endured through training.
However, throughout numerous triumphs, Bailey managed to best everyone in her family by graduating from college with the prized acknowledgement of being the first to ever to accomplished the feat.
Bailey’s Winfrey formula sprinted further after graduation when she became a stockbroker on Wall Street.
According to the storyteller by age 20 working at Salomon Smith Barney aka Morgan Stanley she earned the title — youngest ever stockbroker.
“I was always the last person to leave, if I start something I must finish, excellence is my brand.”
But dark days in 2008 left her in a comatose state after a boyfriend abused her leaving her alone with an impaired larynx..
“I couldn’t walk, I was alone in California and all I wanted was to get back to Florida.”
At the airport, sitting in a wheelchair she said because of the kindness of an individual she had a lightbulb moment. “I realized the handicapped are not seen.”
Then and there, Bailey’s winning streak returned with another idea to venture into pharmaceuticals.
Despite adversities in 2011, founded her own Bailey’s Medical Equipment and Supplies to provide equipment to Medicare patients.
At age 46, Bailey now boasts acquisition of 47 pharmacies scattered across America. Her portfolio also includes 15 companies she founded, stakes claim to real estate properties and from knowledge gleaned on Wall Street is credited with investments in the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, and a sprawling property in Orlando, Florida where she is envied as owner of a stable of horses.
That Bailey is the mother of five girls was not lost on her monologue.
She is known to donate scholarships to deserving youths.
“I’ve worked hard for my money, now I help others, those who want it not because their parents want it for them but because they do.”
Bailey has been abused, rejected, denied, exploited but confesses:“I never considered staying down.”
“I have always known that God has my back. I go into everything praying praying…asking God to bring prosperity.
By then the storm had calmed, some guests even left their umbrellas at the Alligator Pear where the function was held.
“Unbroken” has already sold thousands of copies and this week will introduce cheer leaders from members of the Congressional Black Caucus who are gathering in Washington D.C.
Dr. Bailey seems a sincere and alluring individual blessed with a personality money cannot buy.
Throughout the event she took time out to personally engage each of her guests. The fact there were no evasive security personnel or individuals wearing gadgets in their ears or were seen talking into their sleeves added to her charisma.
“She strikes me as down-to-earth,” Ann Tripp, news director at radio station WBLS said.
“She is the real deal,” Bobby Clarke, founder of Irie-Jam Radio added.
The true testament of ‘the triumphant story of a woman’s journey” should be told in a documentary, NetFlix feature, or other visual medium.
She is deserving of one of Jamaica’s highest orders of honor – order of distinction/order of merit (OD or OM.)
A devout advocate of all things native Jamaican she admits “I love my country” and readily admits there was where she nurtured aspirations of acquiring success.
The book is an easy-read.
Graphically depicting an athlete racing towards a beam of light, an unpaved road forms a path for a solitary sprinter.
With 285-pages filling 15 chapters titled ‘Humble Beginnings, Coming to America, Rise of the Empire” to the happy ending which find her ‘Unbroken’ an almost provocative cover finds her racing through a bushy path. There’s food for thought and a wealth of inspiration to a roadmap for success.
“My next journey is to teach Back and brown girls, there is so much love from me, it can’t be denied. I love, love, love people.”
Catch You On The Inside!
