Book launch of “FIRSTBORN: The Life of Luis: Fred Kennedy 1908- 1982” highlights the success of Grace Kennedy

BY PAUL JUNOR

It was a cold and dreary day on Sunday, January 8^th, 2023, when the biography of Fred Kennedy was launched at the Jamaican Centre Association (JCA) in Toronto. The book Fred Kennedy wrote FIRSTBORN; he also happens to be the son of Luis Kennedy. It highlights the life of his father, the founder of Grace Kennedy & Co Ltd and it chronicles the: mission, passions, and contributions of this innovative and creative entrepreneur to the national development of Jamaica.

Fred Kennedy was born in Jamaica and attended St George’s College, a Jesuit High School located in Kingston, Jamaica. He subsequently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Education at the University of West Indies. He then completed his Master of Education in 1982 and his Doctorate of Education in 1995 at the Ontario Institute of Education at U of T.

Fred pursued a teaching career with the Toronto District School Board. His 27-year teaching stint culminated with him being appointed vice-principals at Midland Avenue C.I., and A.Y. Jackson High School. He subsequently returned to his Alma mater where he served as a principal from 2004 to 2006. In addition, he served as manager for St George’s College Old Boys from 2012-2014.

Fred has written two previous books. The first book was of Jamaican history fiction, DADDY SHARPE (2008), a story of the national hero, Samuel Sharpe. The second book was HUAREO (2015), translated into Spanish (2016). It tells the story of Taino Cacique. It was launched at the National Gallery of Jamaica on March 13^th, 2016. Fred spent several years working on the biography of his father; it was completed just in time to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of this international company.

At the book launch, Monica the MC introduced the guest speakers. David Belly (President of JCA) who spoke about the importance of Grace Kennedy to Jamaica’s economy, and the fact that it celebrated its 100^th year anniversary in 2022. He mentioned that he had a personal connection to the company as his father worked in the shipping department from 1988 to 2017, and he was a scholarship recipient. He described Luis Kennedy’s work as being significant to the national development of Jamaica.

Dr Mary Anne Chambers (Chair, Grace Foods Canada Inc) mentioned that she read the manuscripts of the book and spoke about the book being a, “Masterly piece” and, “A scholarly piece of work.” Mary Lou Soular-Hynes, author and educator, also spoke about the book’s worth.

Fred Kennedy describes the family background, traced to the hills of Trelawny, where his great grandfather married a Cuban woman and lived on an estate. Fred shared many of the challenges that his dad faced as he took over the management of Grace Kennedy at age 22 after the death of his father. There were many ups and downs as the company navigated changes during the 1970s in Jamaica.

Fred recounts the growth of Grace Kennedy from a small wholesale business in Kingston to a global conglomerate whose brand has worldwide recognition. His dad was a visionary in many ways by implementing pension plans and medical schemes for workers long before it became common in the private sector in Jamaica. It was largely due to Luis’s: astute business skills, philanthropic initiatives, and Catholic social teachings that made him one of the most highly regarded and respected Jamaicans.

Proceeds from the book launch went towards the establishment of a student scholarship in the name of Luis Fred Kennedy at Caribbean Maritime University in Jamaica.