Guided to Lead: Mentorship, Service & the Justice of the Peace Pathway in Jamaica

How Marcelle Jackson, JP and Leroy Fearon, JP are helping young people see leadership, service and community impact differently

As Serenity Resource Connector (SRC) closed out its Q1 Youth Empowerment focus, one message had already emerged clearly from our Community Spotlight conversations: young people are ready to lead, but many are still searching for guidance.

That truth shaped a timely and meaningful SRC Youth Empowerment Live Forum, hosted by Clevena Brown, who invited viewers to reflect on what it truly means to be guided to lead — not by title first, but through mentorship, service, responsibility and character.

This forum featured two inspiring young civic leaders:

• Marcelle Jackson, JP — Educator and I Believe Initiative Ambassador

• Leroy Fearon, JP — Educator, I Believe Initiative Ambassador and Governor-General’s Achievement Awardee

Together, they offered more than inspiration. They gave young people across Jamaica a practical leadership framework rooted in purpose, resilience, integrity and service.

Watch the Replay

Why This Forum Matters

From the opening moments, host Clevena Brown framed the discussion with clarity and purpose: leadership is not something we stumble into; it is something we are shaped into through mentorship, service and responsibility.

That made this forum especially valuable. It was not just a motivational conversation. It was a civic learning resource that helped young viewers understand:

• How leadership often begins before recognition,

• How mentorship shapes growth,

• What the role of a Justice of the Peace in Jamaica really means,

• and why youth development is directly connected to safer communities.

Meet the Featured Guests

Marcelle Jackson, JP

Marcelle Jackson shared her journey as an educator, community advocate and founder of the MJ Foundation. She reflected on how financial challenges during her tertiary journey pushed her to create something meaningful for others. Rather than letting hardship limit her, she transformed it into service.

Her story offered a strong example of how responsibility, resilience and compassion can shape a young leader’s path.

Leroy Fearon, JP

Leroy Fearon brought a thoughtful and practical perspective to the conversation. An educator, writer, mentor and community leader, he emphasised that his early years were less about recognition and more about development, refinement and impact.

His contribution helped demystify leadership and the Justice of the Peace pathway in Jamaica, especially for young people who may never have considered it relevant or accessible.

Key Lesson 1: Leadership Often Begins Before the Title

One of the strongest themes from the forum was that leadership usually begins long before public recognition.

Leroy explained that in his 20s, his work was not driven by status. He was serving because he saw needs around him and felt compelled to respond. He described his journey as one rooted in education, student leadership, soft skills development and community engagement.

Marcelle echoed that spirit, explaining that both responsibility and purpose shaped her early years. Her lived experience made her more aware of the barriers many young people face, and that awareness led her to build something to support others.

Civic Learning Takeaway

Young people do not need to wait until they have a title to make an impact.

Leadership can begin with:

• service,

• consistency,

• compassion,

• and a willingness to solve real problems.

Key Lesson 2: Mentorship Can Be Formal, Informal — and Sometimes Found at Home

A major strength of the discussion was its honest treatment of mentorship.

Leroy shared that he has benefited from both formal and informal mentors. Some guided him directly. Others influenced him through the examples they set in education and professional life. He stressed that effective mentorship is not just about what people say, but what they demonstrate through excellence, professionalism and integrity.

Marcelle brought another important perspective: sometimes the person who shapes you most is already in your life. For her, that person was her mother, whose patience, resilience and compassion became qualities she later carried into teaching, leadership and service.

What Young People Can Learn

Mentorship does not always arrive with a label. It may come through:

• a parent,

• a teacher,

• a senior colleague,

• a community leader,

• or someone whose example quietly shapes your standards.

Key Lesson 3: If You Need Guidance, Put Yourself in the Right Spaces

One of the most practical parts of the forum came when the panellists addressed a question many young people ask: What if I do not have a mentor?

Leroy’s response was direct: put yourself in spaces where growth is happening.

He encouraged young people to get involved in:

• school clubs,

• service organisations,

• youth groups,

• volunteer opportunities,

• community activities,

• and spaces where disciplined, purposeful people are already doing meaningful work.

Marcelle built on that point by highlighting the importance of using social media intentionally. Instead of consuming content passively, young people can use digital platforms to follow positive role models, discover opportunities and connect with people already creating impact.

Youth Empowerment Takeaway

Opportunities do not always fall into your lap. Sometimes mentorship begins when you:

• show up,

• ask questions,

• align yourself with the right people,

• and intentionally place yourself in spaces that expand your thinking.

Key Lesson 4: Educators Shape More Than Academics

Because both guests are educators, this segment added strong value for teachers, parents and youth advocates.

Leroy explained that one of the most effective ways he guides young people beyond the classroom is by modelling the standard. He does not ask students to pursue excellence in writing, communication or leadership without showing them what that looks like in practice.

Marcelle also stressed the importance of modelling values such as:

• resilience,

• confidence,

• affirmations,

• and strong character.

She shared that when students face difficult work or moments of self-doubt, it is the teacher’s responsibility to model perseverance so that young people understand that not getting it right the first time is not a reason to give up.

Civic Learning Takeaway

Youth development is strengthened when educators go beyond instruction and actively model:

• discipline,

• emotional stability,

• courage,

• communication,

• and resilience.

Key Lesson 5: The Justice of the Peace Role in Jamaica Is Bigger Than Many Realize

A major highlight of the forum was the discussion on the Justice of the Peace (JP) role in Jamaica.

Many people know JPs mainly as persons who sign documents. This forum challenged that narrow understanding.

Leroy explained that his own JP journey started out of frustration. In his community, access to JP services was limited. He saw a real need, but instead of simply complaining, he applied to be part of the solution.

Marcelle’s journey was different but equally powerful; for her, becoming a JP aligned naturally with the service she was already providing through her foundation and community involvement. In her words, it was not something new layered on top of her work — it was a continuation of a life already committed to giving back.

Important Insight for Young Readers

The role of a Justice of the Peace requires:

• integrity,

• community trust,

• confidentiality,

• discretion,

• consistency,

• a strong track record,

• and the ability to withstand scrutiny.

This discussion helped young people understand that the JP role is not only for older retirees. Both guests showed that young people can serve meaningfully in Jamaica’s civic structure.

Why This Matters for Young People in Jamaica

This forum highlighted an important point: when young people serve visibly and responsibly in their communities, they help change what leadership looks like.

Marcelle noted that a young JP can influence other young people to avoid negativity and choose a more positive path. Leroy similarly emphasised that youthful leadership presence can discourage harmful behaviour and help build safer, more accountable spaces.

Key Message

Empowered youth are not only leaders of tomorrow. They are partners in building safer communities today.

That message also created a strong bridge from SRC’s Q1 Youth Empowerment focus into its upcoming Safety and Security emphasis.

Key Lesson 6: Safer Communities Need Active Youth Development

One of the most thoughtful sections of the discussion focused on the relationship between youth development, mentorship and safer communities.

Leroy reflected on how his community once benefited from active sports, church-community collaboration and meaningful youth engagement, but that over time some of those structures weakened. He made a strong case for the importance of:

• functioning community centres,

• youth clubs,

• positive programmes,

• and organised spaces where young people can develop skills and a sense of belonging.

He also challenged young people not to wait for everything to be handed to them. If a community lacks a functioning youth group or leadership structure, the first step is to start one.

Marcelle reinforced this by showing how visible youth leadership can encourage others to choose purpose over negativity.

Practical Guidance Shared with Young People

The forum ended with practical advice that young people can apply immediately.

Marcelle' Jackson’s Advice

• Put yourself out there

• Find your community centre or youth organisation

• Sign up for opportunities

• Ask for help

• Start serving with what you have

Leroy Fearon’s Advice

• Begin with self-reflection

• Examine your strengths, gifts and potential areas of impact

• Use what you have

• Stay consistent

• Find someone you can emulate or learn from

• Form a group if you do not want to start alone

A Practical 3-Step Framework for Young Readers

1. Reflect

What gifts, skills, interests or convictions are already in you?

2. Align

Who are you learning from? What spaces are shaping your thinking?

3. Serve

Start where you are, even if your resources are small.

Replay Reflection Prompts

To strengthen this article as a civic learning and youth empowerment resource, here are reflection questions to use after watching the replay.

For Young People

• What area of leadership do I feel drawn to?

• Who currently influences how I think and act?

• What community issue do I care enough about to help solve?

• What is one practical step I can take this month?

For Teachers and Youth Leaders

• How am I modelling the values I want to see in young people?

• Do the young people I guide have enough exposure to meaningful opportunities?

• How can I create more space for youth voice, responsibility and service?

For Youth Groups and Community Organisations

• Are young people in our community being guided or mostly corrected after problems arise?

• What structures can we rebuild or strengthen to support youth leadership?

• What partnerships are needed to activate safer, more engaged communities?

Follow the Conversation Beyond the Forum

Connect with Marcelle Jackson, JP

• LinkedIn: Marcelle Jackson

• Instagram: _shan.z

Connect with Leroy Fearon, JP

• LinkedIn: Leroy Fearon

• Instagram: yorel_suavity

SRC’s Youth Empowerment Partner Acknowledgement

SRC gratefully acknowledges Juici Patties, our Youth Empowerment Partner, for supporting conversations that help connect young people to purpose, opportunity and impact.

This forum reflected values that strongly align with community upliftment, leadership development and national progress. That kind of partnership matters — especially when young people need both visibility and structured support.

Why This Forum Matters Beyond One Night

This was not just another online discussion. It was a meaningful reminder that leadership is shaped over time through:

• service,

• mentorship,

• discipline,

• consistency,

• and community responsibility.

Marcelle Jackson, JP and Leroy Fearon, JP demonstrated that young people do not need to wait until everything is perfect before they start making a difference. What matters most is not simply when you begin, but how you grow, who guides you and how you choose to serve.

For young people across Jamaica, that is both a challenge and an invitation.

Watch, Reflect and Share

If you missed the live forum, take the time to watch the replay and share it with:

• a student,

• a youth leader,

• a teacher,

• a parent,

• or a young person seeking direction.

Replay:

https://youtube.com/live/qgmG9eAD_cg?feature=share

And remember:

you do not have to have everything figured out to begin. A start is still a start.