Marcia Skervin: The motivator

SHE is a passionate ‘people person’ who prides herself on being motivational and inspirational to everyone she comes in contact with.

In fact, her employees will tell you she is easy to talk to, has an infectious personality, and always has a word of encouragement.

“I believe in the vision of 2030. My goal is to empower people, whether through work, involvement and motivational talks, that empowerment must come to our people,” Marcia Skervin told All Woman.

She said that growing up in Kingston, her childhood was shaped on the values of education and getting what you wanted in life through hard work.

Coupled with her own determination to break down barriers she experienced, she was forced to swim against the tide and truly chase her dreams.

“Back in the day Jamaica was not what it used to be, you could not look a particular way — have natural hair like how women rock it these days — and not face criticism. There was a stigma, but it didn’t distract. It gave me a higher purpose or calling, it allowed me to push through more, to say ‘my best self is yet to be achieved’. So while I didn’t get what I wanted initially — to be a flight attendant or a lawyer — I knew I had to inspire people, so I dived in and found my passion,” she said.

After leaving Excelsior High and completing studies at the Stony Hill HEART Academy, Skervin entered the corporate world as a secretary and eventually worked her way up enjoying the interaction with people, which now became something she looked forward to.

From there she moved on to The University College of the Caribbean, Education and Excellence/Resource Development International (Edexcel/RDI) UK and University of Sunderland, UK. Her studies included human resource management, business communication, marketing, management studies, public relations, occupational health and safety and Spanish. She is also honourably acknowledged as part of Jamaica’s history as the country’s youngest Justice of The Peace.

Now in human resources for over 20 years and currently working as the human resource manager for BH Paints, Skervin speaks on issues that are controversial and demands the attention of forward- thinking individuals.

Apart from that, she ensures that young people are equipped with the knowledge they need to make the next positive step in life.

“We are born into a society where you have to do what you have to do in order to survive. You have to dig deep. But if there are people out there with the same talents I have, why do they need to have a rocky time when the road was paved before? There is a formula for success and we must share it with people. You have to have a plan, a goal, and not just that, but you have to take action. In taking action you will know the steps to get there,” she said. “My main goal is to motivate and inspire people and change the thought process from the “cannot do” to the “I can and I will” culture.”

Her love for motivating others recently saw her launch her second company Connect Your Dots, which deals with mentoring, motivational and stress management talks in corporate companies and through schools. Her first is the Ronald Skervin Foundation dedicated to her brother who lost his battle with cancer in 2011 and provides support services for patients, families and friends locally and in the UK.

In addition to her speaking engagements, Skervin is a civic group activist, a board member of the Women’s Media Watch, Coalition 51, National Integrity Action, Women Business Owners Jamaica, University of Technology Mentoring, YOU (Youth Opportunity Unlimited), National Youth Service Mentoring, and the Lay Magistrates Association.

Skervin is also part of the JMMB Conversation of Greatness which goes into schools and assists principals and teachers to enable the mindset of children to come up to their best self.

The 44-year-old is also a freelance tutor in Spanish, a philanthropist, publicist, writer and a singer also works part-time with New Style Radio UK, where she co-hosts the programme Reggae Matrix.

The proud mother of three believes that ‘Injustice prevails when good people stand by and do nothing’ and has recently published her first book My Life in Poetry, Expressions of My Soul which chronicles her life in a poetic fashion and which she hopes young people can learn from.

“There is no limit to what we can do, and so we should never put a cap or limit on our capabilities or what we desire to achieve,” she said.