Jenniffer Brown

Jenniffer Brown is a Jamaican-born entrepreneur who has risen above childhood tragedy to achieve phenomenal success in her field. She was born in the village of Petersfield, which is located in the parish of Westmoreland. Her mother Joyce Yvonne Spence played a special role in her life. Details about Jenniffer Brown’s inspirational story was shared in a press release issued on Thursday, March 20th,2025 by Sure Thing Productions. The press release shares: her early childhood, loss of her mother at nine years old, education at Westwood High School, marriage to her first love, Elorde “Lexy” Brown, three children and professional and working experiences and involvement with the Westwood Old Girls Association, (WOGA) New York Chapter.

I interviewed Brown on Friday, March 28th regarding her story of: resilience, empowerment, hope, and faith. She grew up in a tightly knit family of six and recalled fond memories of her mother. She shared with me the special significance and important role that impacted her life. Her mother passed away when she was nine years old, but she was ill for two years prior to her death. For Jenniffer, moments that stands out were: her diligence and attentiveness to her three girls and one son, her running behind time, and attending to the needs of her family. The loss of her mother at such a tender age had a great impact: mentally, emotionally and psychically. “I firmly believe that the challenges we experience in childhood can serve as the inspiration for us to do as much as we can to make the lives of others better. This is my story,” Jenniffer shares

Brown attended Westwood High School (located in Stewart Town in the parish of Trelawny, Jamaica). It is recognized as one of the top academics performing schools in Jamaica whose alumni have distinguished themselves in many fields such as: law, education, medicine, business, politics and science. It was the dream of her mother that her three daughters would attend Westwood, which was fulfilled.

Her time at Westwood was particularly challenging. After her older sister graduated, she felt all alone, as she lost the closeness of her sisterly bond. Her younger sister was boarding at the school and did not live with the family in Westmoreland. There were not many times when the family could visit the school in Trelawny, compared to families who were from nearby parishes such as St. Ann, or St. James. Not seeing her family regularly was even more painful. She felt all alone when she saw other families visiting often.

She studied Human Resource Management at Pace University in New York. She launched her career as the Firm Administrator at the Markham law firm Weiner, Millo Morgan and Bonanino where her role involved different aspects. She told me that it was during her 23 years stint at this law firm that she learned many valuable leadership skills that helped her later when she ventured into the non-profit sector.

The year 2014 was very important to Jenniffer. She was indebted to Westwood for the tremendous academic foundation and like skills that she acquired while she was there. Many of the leadership skills that she developed were nurtured in the: supportive, empowering, and inspiring environment there. She was busy with her family and career that were priorities. However, after hosting a delegation of students and teacher chaperones who came to New York for a conference at the United Nations, she made the decision to give back to Westwood.

Brown was instrumental in the revival of the New York Chapter of the Westwood Old Girls Association ( WOGA). She states, “I was able to contextualize the distress I had experienced while there, with the knowledge that the education I received really played a crucial role on who I am today.” The vital and lifelong lessons that she learned from time at Westwood has enabled her to develop resilience. She states, “If found a way to turn lemons into lemonade at Westwood and now it is time to pay if forward.”

Brown told me about specific needs that Westwood currently has. The New York chapter has donated laptops to the school since the COVID-19 pandemic and has erected and equipped an AUTOCAD (Computer-Aided Design) lab. There is still a need for additional: sponsors, donors and mandatory fundraising to raise funds for scholarships. The adoption of the slogan, ”Westwood Strong” is intended to attract more members in 2025 and reach more alumni. Also, there are three levels of involvement. In addition, the school is still recovering from two fires, which occurred in May 2017 and February 2023. The first in-person Meet & Greet event was held on Monday, April 7^th at the Jamaican restaurant, Dunns River Lounge located in Rockville Centre in New York.

Brown believes in the power of a good education. She knows the multiple benefits that accrue to the individual from getting one as she can attests to from her time at Westwood. She states, “With all my heart, I believe that the greatest tool you can give to anyone is that of a good education. For young women, especially in the world we currently inhabit, it is vital, because once it’s yours it is the one thing that nobody can ever take away. It can literally set the course for your entire future, and that has been never been truer than it is today.”

Brown mentions several words of advice that she would like to give to young people. “Study hard, stay consistent, be adaptable, embrace lifelong learning.” She adds several other words of practical wisdom such as, “Consider prioritizing your mental health, be resilient and practice self-care.”