The Story of Lloyd “BLACKSTONE” Leitch
Turning Pain Into Purpose: The Story of Lloyd “BLACKSTONE” Leitch
Turning Pain Into Purpose: The Story of Lloyd “BLACKSTONE” Leitch
Written By Kendesi Mohammed
Lloyd “BLACKSTONE” Leitch, a Guyanese born immigrant, is redefining what it means to face life’s challenges with courage, resilience, and purpose. Born in Georgetown, Guyana, and raised in Buxton/Friendship Village, Leitch grew up in a loving, close knit family alongside six siblings. Guided by the steady hands of his parents, Estwick and Lynette Leitch, he was instilled early on with a deep sense of responsibility, curiosity, and determination to understand life in its entirety.
Leitch’s educational journey took him through J.E. Burnham Nursery School, F.E. Pollard Primary, St. Mary’s High School, and the Government Technical Institute in Guyana, later earning his GED in the United States. His professional career has been just as varied as his upbringing, including roles at Farfan and Mendez, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, the Guyana Defense Force, LSG Sky Chef, Green Oil Recycling, the U.S. Army, and G.M.S.C Security. Each experience shaped his understanding of work, discipline, and service, while preparing him for challenges that would test him in unimaginable ways.
That test came in 2021 when Leitch was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer just before his 32nd birthday. For many, such news would be devastating, yet Leitch saw the diagnosis as a turning point. “For the better,” he says, reflecting on how the illness reshaped his perspective on life. Instead of retreating, he chose to transform his struggle into a source of hope and education for others.
Through writing and sharing his journey, Leitch has become an advocate for men’s health and wellness. By openly confronting his vulnerability, he offers his audiences a rare gift: a message of love, hope, and positivity in the face of adversity. His story reminds the world that courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to act despite it.
In a society where discussions around men’s health remain limited, Lloyd “BLACKSTONE” Leitch’s voice is vital. He demonstrates that even life’s darkest moments can illuminate a path to greater awareness, empathy, and connection. His journey is not just a personal testament; it is a call to all of us to face life fully, embrace our struggles, and use them to inspire and uplift others.
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Interview with Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch
Origins and Identity
1. How did growing up Guyanese shape your voice as a poet and author?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: Growing up Guyanese in a diverse, multicultural society has influenced my literary tone to emphasize, express, and embrace what it means to be a patriotic son of the soil. The Guyanese culture of structure, discipline, mannerisms, and respect is peculiarly one like no other.
2. When did you first realize that writing was more than self expression and could become a tool for healing and motivation?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: Writing became more than self-expression because I innately understood the meaning, importance, and power of words as a motivation and catalyst for change.
3. Guyana is often described through its natural resources and landscapes. How do you see poetry contributing to how Guyana is understood globally?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: The people of the soil are our most important resource, so hopefully our poetry can reflect the meaning and authenticity of our lives, experiences, and environment, fostering preservation and nationalism.
Writing and Creative Process
4. Your work feels deeply personal. What does your writing process look like when you are dealing with intense emotions or physical challenges?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: Yes, my writings embody a slight personal undertone, but the overall message is engaging one’s thoughts and mindsets to achieve more substantial outcomes through adversity.
5. How do you decide when a personal experience is ready to be shared publicly through poetry?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: After doing the honest work of self-reflection, I understood that you are not a perfect human being, but you have the potential to become better every day.
6. Do you write with a specific audience in mind, or are you primarily writing to understand yourself?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: Yes, my specific audience is anyone and everyone willing to try something different and learn from their own mistakes.
Illness, Resilience, and Faith
7. Much of your work is influenced by your experience with cancer. How has living with illness changed the way you see time, purpose, and creativity?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: Living with a life-altering condition can make you take a step back, evaluate your entire existence, and start the process of valuing your TIME as limited, your PURPOSE as necessary, and finally, your CREATIVITY as an instrumental gift to inspire others.
8. What misconceptions do people often have about strength and vulnerability when it comes to illness?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: I think one of the biggest misconceptions most people have is that strong people are always at 100%, and vulnerability is often seen as weakness or cowardice.
9. Faith is a recurring theme in your work. How does spirituality guide you through moments of uncertainty and fear?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: My faith is nothing short of the reality that great parents prepare their offspring for life, and my spiritual journey allows me to understand my connection to the cosmos: “One in all and all in One.”
Books and Message
10. In PAINT YOUR OWN PICASSO: Ascension Of A Positive Mindset, you emphasize perspective and personal growth. What inspired you to write this book?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: An inner voice spoke to me, and the message was clear: “Write to help, encourage, motivate, and inspire others who might need it and may be experiencing different struggles.”
11. A Poetic Journey Into the Unspoken Stories of the Mind, Body, and Soul explores inner healing. What truths were hardest for you to put on the page?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: The hardest part of writing poems about one’s own life is confronting your own feelings, fears, and concerns, then communicating them in a meaningfully receptive way.
12. What do you hope readers take away after finishing your books?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: My only hope is that whoever comes into contact with my writings will find, release, resolve, and understand life’s most difficult challenges in a similar way.
Community and Impact
13. Every Thursday you share poetry on Creative Chat with Kaiya. What does that consistent engagement with an audience mean to you?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: I am constantly humbled by the way in which each of my poems resonates with each person differently and deeply. That lets me know that the gift of writing is bigger than me.
14. Have listeners or readers ever shared stories that changed how you understand the impact of your work?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: Yes, my listeners and audience have shared numerous stories and conversations with me about how a word, phrase, topic, or sentence made them look at life differently.
15. How do you balance being honest about pain while still offering hope to others?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: Simple: if you lie to yourself, then there is no such thing as honest reflection. Hence, leadership is by example.
Guyanese Literary Movement
16. There is a growing wave of Guyanese writers across the diaspora. How do you see yourself fitting into this larger movement?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: With the progressive growth of Guyanese writers, I see myself as a humble storyteller bridging the gaps of art imitating life, hopefully inspiring other young writers to embrace their own creative calling.
17. What responsibility do writers have when they are telling stories rooted in cultural and personal truth?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: In my opinion, the greatest responsibility for any writer telling stories rooted in culture and personal truth is transparency, with responsibility and integrity in mind.
18. What do you think the world still misunderstands about Guyanese creativity and storytelling?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: I think that as Guyanese creators, our talents and gifts of expression are unquestionably evident and evolving; however, more resources, attention, and opportunities are needed to gain greater notoriety and recognition.
Looking Forward
19. How has your journey shaped what you want to create next?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: The journey has opened my eyes to the limitless possibilities available when stepping out of your comfort zones.
20. What legacy do you hope your words leave, not just for Guyanese readers, but for anyone facing adversity?
Lloyd “BLACK STONE” Leitch: When my time comes, I hope that my words and writings do not fall on deaf ears; and that those who were lucky enough to come into contact with me or my work remember that there existed a man who took a chance at life, looking at it from a different point of view while reflecting on the stories of the MIND, BODY, AND SOUL, painting his own Picasso, and embracing the principles of an untapped mind. Thank you. 🙏🏾
