Dancehall artiste Shaka Pow understands the value of giving back in a meaningful way.

On Tuesday, May 6, he participated in the Read Across Jamaica Day initiative by taking time out to read and mentor grade 9 students of Kingston High.

“I decided to participate in the Read Across Jamaica initiative because it aligns with my own commitment to help to build a better, more sustainable Jamaica. As a medical professional and an entertainer, I believe in investing in the future of Jamaica. Literacy is a critical part of that foundation, as it empowers young minds and sets the stage for a brighter tomorrow,” Shaka Pow told the Jamaica Observer.

He added, “It was a really fulfilling experience. The children were engaged, their eyes lit up with every page turn, and it was clear they really enjoyed themselves. It’s moments like these that affirm my commitment to community support and youth empowerment.

Shaka Pow, who is a medical doctor by profession, earlier this year wrapped up his Fully Bright School Tour, where he visited several institutions across the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, St Thomas, Clarendon and St Ann.

Some of the institutions include Edward Seaga Primary, Kingston High, Kingston College, Meadowbrook High, Spanish Town High, Papine High, Oberlin High, Point Hill Primary, Linstead Primary, Excelsior High, and Louise Bennett Primary.

“The aim of the school tour was to reinforce the importance of education and not to succumb to peer pressure from trying to be fully dunce so as to fit in with the popular group. They can be great at excelling in school and be at the front of the class and not at the back. It’s really about balancing the narrative, dunce vs bright,” Shaka Pow explained.

In recent years, the ‘dunce’ culture has taken prominence in conversations and has been given a lease on life by some entertainers, who have been pushing the narrative.

“The dunce culture does not promote attaining one’s full academic potential by choice or peer pressure despite having the capability to excel academically. Dunce promotes engaging crime, violence and gang related activities as a means of becoming rich quickly without promoting the reality that these activities lead to demise or imprisonment at a young age and is potentially a glorified dead end that could have been avoided,” he reasoned.

He said the message was received by the students. At some of the schools, he was accompanied by fellow entertainers Blacker, Mr G, Scantana, and others.

“The message was well-received by most of the students as well as the teachers. We had to be more creative with the messaging, which was amplified by my co-workers in the entertainment industry. The tour was also coordinated by Eugene Pitter,” Shaka Pow shared.

He is currently promoting his latest releases Kings (produced by Baby G), Make it Clap (produced by Outfytt Records and Iwaad Music LLC), Rubba Bounce (featuring Samboni and Unconditional.

Shaka Pow (real name Garth McDonald) is a former Kingston College student. He made his entry into the dancehall arena in 1996.