Kevin O’Brien Chang to Receive CD on October 19

Renowned businessman, author and social commentator, Kevin O’Brien Chang, is to be conferred with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD), on National Heroes Day (October 19), for his contribution to business development and culture.

For Mr. Chang, the national honour is both a humbling milestone and a deep privilege.

“Who wouldn’t be happy to be honoured by their country? I think everyone would be. So, I’m grateful and thankful,” he tells JIS News.

Born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston, Mr. Chang was raised in Christiana, Manchester, as the eldest of seven children born to Bobby and Angela Chang.

He spent his early school years at Sacred Heart Academy before attending Campion College and deCarteret College. In 1974, at the age of 15, his family migrated to Canada, where he pursued his university education.

Mr. Chang earned a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and later a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Toronto.
In 1989, at age 30, he made the decision to return home to Jamaica.

That decision paved the way for his multi-decadal involvement in his family enterprise, and cultural development.

Mr. Chang joined the family business, Fontana Pharmacy, which was originally established by his parents at the Manchester Shopping Centre in Mandeville, in 1968.

Over the decades, Mr. Chang, who now serves as Chairman and an Executive Director, has helped guide the retail brand’s expansion across the island, alongside his sister, Anne Chang, and brother-in-law, Ray Therrien.

While business provided his livelihood, the businessman notes that his lifelong passion lay in literature and writing.

“I like business, but I love books… I read a lot, and if you read a lot, you always want to write something too,” Mr. Chang explains.

His passion has manifested in columns written for the island’s main national publications over two decades.

Through his commentary, the businessman highlights Jamaica’s resilience and extraordinary global impact.

He emphasises that “[Jamaica] is a very complex country… Three million people, and we have basically conquered the world… The world’s youngest, smallest, cultural superpower. We have put an imprint on the world which astonishes everyone.”

The businessman’s love for writing has also seen him produce landmark historical books exploring the nation’s social and musical identity.

In 1998, he co-authored ‘Reggae Roots: The Story of Jamaican Music’ with Wayne Chen, followed by ‘Jamaica Fi Real!: Jamaica Fi Real: Beauty, Vibes, and Culture’, in 2010.

Mr. Chang is currently finalising a two-volume series, which chronicle the nation’s historical arc from 1494 to the present day.

“So, there are two volumes – The Jamaica Story: Freedom, Justice, Respect (1494 to 1938) and The Jamaica Story: Out of Many (1939 to 2025). The first volume should be out, hopefully, by Christmas; if not early, in 2027,” the author shares.

Meanwhile, in reflecting on the secret to his success, Mr. Chang credits the support of his family, his wife Nicole, his children, and the staff at Fontana, whom he considers extended family.

He emphasises that they have all been a big source of inspiration for him.