Melanistic Magazine - Vol. 6 We Are Kings

Page 28

Arts & Culture

quickfire with

jeff martin author of knew me An author, coach and public speaker tell us a bit about Jeff Martin: I grew up in Toronto; my family is Jamaican. I got tired of seeing my people struggle. I always want to see people become the best version of themselves and help people along that journey. Everything that I do is about uplifting others. Was there a single transformative moment in your life that propelled you into this career? Toronto in 2005 was described as the ‘Summer of the gun’ due to the high rate of gun violence. In that same year one of my biggest dreams came though - I became a police officer. While I grew up with the negativity and even police harassment, I really believed that I could use this opportunity and position to help my community. 15 days later I woke up to missed calls. I contacted a family member and got the news that my cousin Omar was murdered. I had a huge part to play in molding him; It was a struggle, a struggle to not want revenge.

26 MELANISTIC


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