As seen in the Jamaica Observer

When Kevaun Birthfield opened the email from the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation back in 2018, he stopped cold in his tracks. He had been awarded financial support for his university studies. As he had begun preparing for college, his family wondered how they would manage tuition and housing, and here was the answer they sought, timely, almost providential.

“I vividly remember reading the email and becoming emotional,” he recalled. “It felt like divine intervention.”

For his mother, who had worked at GraceKennedy since the 1990s, it was more than relief. It was, as he put it, “a full-circle moment.” After years of service to the financial and foods conglomerate, she watched the same organization invest in her son’s future.

That moment set in motion a journey that would carry Kevaun from a university student to his current role as Client Care Services Associate at GK General Insurance (GKGI).

More Than the Money

But the scholarship was more than just about money. It was, as he describes, “affirmation.”

“It allowed me to focus on my studies without the constant anxiety of how the next semester would be funded,” he said. Beyond tuition, Kevaun recollected how he also benefited from the GraceKennedy Foundation’s GK Campus Connect Food Bank whilst at university, which he calls “nothing short of a lifeline.”

The Food Bank, which was founded in April 2019, has helped close to 8,000 students get healthy meals whilst focusing on their studies. Its aim? To end hunger on college campuses in Jamaica.

“There were periods when I had little or nothing to eat, yet I still had to attend classes and perform academically,” he admitted. “The support restored dignity and reminded me that someone cared.”

Those seemingly tiny yet mighty interventions gave him the confidence to engage fully in academics, explore leadership opportunities, and start seeing himself not just as a student, but as a future changemaker. This he says has helped him find purpose in his calling at GKGI.

Building a Career at GraceKennedy Financial Group

After graduating from the University of Technology, Jamaica, with a degree in general management and a minor in accounting, his next step felt natural: joining the very company that had invested in him. And while insurance was not his first calling, like most who join the business, he’s learnt much along the way. As the first in his family to earn a university degree, he believes joining the GraceKennedy family was both an honour and a responsibility.

“Being accepted into GraceKennedy felt like being admitted into an Ivy League institution,” he said. “It was significant to me.” He aims to make every use of the GK opportunity, making the customer journey memorable.

“A typical day demands problem-solving, empathy, and multitasking,” he explained. “I want every client’s experience to reflect the professionalism and customer focus of the GraceKennedy Financial Group.” His day-to-day role involves guiding clients through the claims process, verifying documentation, and ensuring accuracy and empathy at every stage.

Birthfield is thankful for those who positively influenced him, including the late retired CEO of GraceKennedy Group, The Honourable Don Wehby.

“Don Wehby’s leadership left a lasting impression on me,” he said, noting the emphasis on integrity and servant leadership.

He also credits Claims Manager, Kelli-Anne Reid, for her patience and guidance. “Her mentorship has empowered me to thrive in my role and continue evolving.” Speaking on the impact Kevaun has had and his full-circle moment, Chaluk Richards, General Manager for GKGI had this to say:

“Kevaun’s journey is a powerful reflection of GKGI’s commitment to nurturing talent and fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsibility,”.

He added, “His story shows how strategic investment in youth can yield full-circle outcomes.”

Across the GraceKennedy Group, the long-term impact of investing in the next generation goes beyond academics, it demonstrates how educational support translates into real-world success, growth, and brand ambassadorship.

Today, Kevaun is as committed to giving back. He mentors younger colleagues, volunteers in community outreach, and represents GraceKennedy Financial Group as its Chief Good Moves Ambassador, a role that highlights wellness, community engagement, and positive change.

“Being named Chief Good Moves Ambassador is both a privilege and a responsibility,” he said. “Through this role, I want to inspire others and uplift communities while embodying GraceKennedy’s values of honesty, integrity and trust.”

Richards sees this as the natural extension of Kevaun’s journey: “Since joining GKGI, Kevaun has brought a vibrant and purposeful energy. He has become a valuable ambassador for the brand, internally and externally.”

Kevaun, now pursuing ACCA certification, hopes to move into a leadership role within GraceKennedy Financial Group in the next decade.

“GraceKennedy is more than a workplace, it’s a family,” he said. “The company believed in me long before I walked through its doors. That cultivates loyalty and a responsibility to give back.”

For the company, stories like Kevaun’s are a demonstration of its We Care ethos in action. Richards emphasised: “These narratives highlight the long-term impact of investing in the next generation. They show how our support translates into real-world success, growth, and loyalty.”

From an anxious student wondering how to afford his next meal to a professional guiding clients and inspiring communities, Kevaun’s story underscores the deeper purpose of community investment at GraceKennedy.

As he puts it: “The Grace & Staff Foundation invested in me, and I want to become someone who inspires and uplifts others. That’s how I honour the opportunity.”

As Richards says, “The goal is to build a robust pipeline of future team members who are not only academically equipped but also aligned with GKGI’s values and mission. By continuously investing in these programmes, GKGI aims to amplify its impact and ensure that more young people like Kevaun can realize their full potential.”

In his journey, the lines between scholarship, career, and service blur into one —reflecting both personal perseverance and GraceKennedy’s commitment to shaping futures.

Ahead of the 2025/26 academic year, GraceKennedy, through its Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation and GraceKennedy Foundation, has invested over J$70 million in scholarships, bursaries, and other educational support in Jamaican students. The GK Foundation also continues to operate the GK Campus Connect Food Bank on Jamaican university campuses, providing critical assistance to students in need.