Jamaican author’s travel lessons inspire new book

At 27, Jamaica-born author and business owner Kadeem Leslie is drawing on years of travel and cultural immersion to shape his latest book, which reflects lessons learnt while building success and identity far from home.

Leslie said his interest in travel began while he was attending Campion College, where international trips felt out of reach.

"I used to wonder how people were attending these summer trips, how they were going to Paris," he said. "What do they know that I don't?"

That curiosity followed him to Seton Hall University in New Jersey, in the USA. Although the questions initially remained unanswered, Leslie said one moment on campus marked a turning point.

"I was having lunch and it just came to me, 'Summer is coming up, what am I going to do?'" he recalled. After speaking with friends about their travel plans, he decided to take his first trip. His first solo journey took him to New Orleans, Louisiana where he spent 10 days staying in a hostel. From there, he travelled to South Carolina, again choosing hostel accommodation.

"I took it upon myself to go halfway across the country by myself," Leslie said, noting that the experience pushed him to adapt quickly and interact with people from different backgrounds.

Reflecting on his travels, Leslie said his experiences often challenged narratives he had seen online, particularly around race. While acknowledging the reality of racism, he said his in-person encounters were often more nuanced.

"When you see so much hate on social media, you expect the worst," he said. "But, in person, it's different. Everybody is friendly. Yes, you might see a Confederate flag (seen by some as a symbol of the southern US' legacy of slavery) but the same person is saying, 'Hey, how are you doing? Are you from Jamaica?'"

One constant throughout his travels, Leslie said, has been the global appreciation for Jamaica.

"There is a different kind of love for Jamaica everywhere," he said. "No matter where you go, there is no place like Jamaica. Everybody loves Jamaica." He recalled a moment in Ushuaia, Argentina, that underscored that connection.

"There was a shrine to Lionel Messi after the World Cup, and right next to it was a picture of Bob Marley playing football," Leslie said. "That's how deep the love is: Messi, then Bob Marley."

Leslie told THE STAR that his entry into real estate, investment and business played a major role in enabling his travel. After earning his first six-figure income in 2019, he said he became determined not to live a life limited to work only.

"I didn't want to just work all day, not enjoy life and have no story to tell," he said. His travels also informed the content of his new book, Full Money, which explores financial systems, literacy and mindset across different countries. Leslie said the book draws from conversations with financially literate individuals he met abroad.

"Someone once told me you can't write about money until you understand it," he said. "Everything I've learnt is in this book."

Leslie has travelled to 13 countries and covered 35 states in the USA over an 18-month period.

"I don't do three-day trips," he said. "I stay for weeks, sometimes up to a month, immersing myself in the culture."

He cited Brazil as an example, where he spent six months travelling through Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and the Pantanal region.

"It gives you a better understanding and appreciation," he said.

While most of his experiences were positive, Leslie said Chile stood out for instances of overt racism. He attributed this partly to tensions involving Haitian migrants.

"Because I'm black, I got it too," he said. Still, he added that negative encounters were outweighed by positive ones overall. Among his most memorable experiences was visiting Sao Luis in Brazil, often referred to as "Brazilian Jamaica" for its strong reggae culture.

"Every Thursday, there are reggae festivals all over the city," he said. "They celebrate Jamaican culture in a way we sometimes take for granted." Despite his global travels, Leslie said Jamaica remains unmatched.

"There's really nowhere compared to here," he said.

Leslie added that proceeds from the 400-page publication will support charitable efforts, including rebuilding initiatives following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.