By Steven Vickerie
It usually takes one person to make a difference in the lives of others through simple acts of kindness. But doing good can sometimes place you under a microscope; the kind that can make you rethink or regret giving selflessly. Thankfully, this was not the case for Social Media Personality Kelvin Fortune, who went from being a comedian to helping thousands of persons through various kind acts. Fortune is part of a group of youths who give of their time, effort and some of their own resources to help the less fortunate.
Fortune, otherwise known on social media as “Selfie Boss” explained that his group has helped thousands of Guyanese with the assistance of donors from around the world. He noted that what started as a simple act of kindness to one family, caught on like fire and has become part of his life’s work to help those in need.
HOW LOSING HIS MOM CHANGED HIS LIFE
Fortune told Guyana Standard that he was motivated at a very young age by the small acts of kindness his mother gave to many who came to her house. He noted that while his family came from humble means, his mother gave whatever little she had to those who were in need.
“I watched this woman, even if it was one of them glass bottle drinks, she would share it with some ice to whoever came over. Even with food, she would basically rather do without and share the little we had with those who were hungry and needed a meal. She gave selflessly to everyone and that is what made me want to become a Doctor so that I could do the same for others,” Fortune said.
Sadly, Fortune would have to face the first major hurdle of his life, after losing his mom. He recollected that his mother passed away just a day before he was scheduled to write the National Grade Six Assessment, which was popularly known back then as Common Entrance.
“Losing her, my whole world turned upside down. I couldn’t get over it right away and the sad part was that I had to face an exam knowing that she wasn’t there. She was such a good person to many and while it took me sometime to deal with the grief, I still wanted in some sense to honour her legacy,” Fortune said.
But just about five years later, Fortune relived the same trauma he faced after losing his mom. Again, just before writing the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exam, his grandmother passed away. This however resulted in Fortune not being able to write the said test.
“It was hard. I didn’t fully get over the death of my mother and then my grandmother passed just before I wrote another exam. It took me some time after that to really find myself and also find the strength to face life again,” Fortune said.
FROM COMEDY TO VILE ACCUSATIONS
Fortune first started becoming social media famous after posting videos, in drag, with his alter-ego personality “Vicious”. Vicious was known primarily for her unfiltered opinion on not only social issues, but all the drama that found it’s way on social media.
Soon after, the persona became a household name with thousands tuning in to catch “the tea” from the character who eventually faded away after some amount of years. Fortune said that he found peace in making others laugh through the Vicious character.
He noted that while he enjoyed making people laugh, there came a time where he had to put down the makeup, the hair and the phone, to focus on his work with his youth group. Fortune said back in 2021, one year after the birth of the JBL Youth Group, he came under the microscope after he was accused of embezzling funds from donors.
The accusation was brought against him by someone who reportedly promised to assist. It was however, not the first time he was accused of such an act. Fortune was asked by this news outlet to address criticisms about financial irregularities within the group.
“We have literally helped thousands of people with the help of donors from around the world. The one thing we always do is make sure that when he help someone we post it to social media as a record of transparency and accountability. We also send reports to donors showing where and how their monies or even items were used. These are things we do onto this day,” Fortune said.
Then last year, another vile accusation rocked social media, as Fortune was accused by a woman on National Television of playing a part in her nephew’s death. While Fortune denied the allegation last year through his social media, he told Guyana Standard that the accusation had an adverse effect on him.
“Suicide is something serious in this country and for people to think that I had something to do with it affected me emotionally. It also affected the group to some extent as well but at the end of the day, the focus was and still is, to continue to do good for others. It broke my heart when I heard the story but I had nothing to do with it,” he said.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE
Fortune said that an important aspect of dealing with the trauma of his life was always having good people on his side. He noted that while there were others who had ill-will, in their heart, he matured and became old enough to discern who were good or bad.
He however encouraged young people to avoid negativity and pursue a sense of purpose.
“You have the remote to your life. You get to decide what you want to become, no one else. You have to be strong mentally to achieve any number of goals in your life. It is not by chance you’re here, so make it count,” Fortune said.
