Mikada Brown: Service is her passion

IN the words of Mother Teresa, “Love cannot remain by itself — it has no meaning. Love has to be put in action, and that action is service.” From a young age, junior butler at Sandals South Coast Mikada Brown knew her career aspirations would lead her to a field where she could serve her community and express her passion for nation-building.

Brown initially toyed with the idea of joining the Jamaica Constabulary Force or coaching a sports team. Her journey, however, led her to the hospitality industry, and a few years after graduating from Maud McLeod High School she joined the Sandals South Coast team as server in the food and beverage department.

Expressing the joy she felt every time a guest was pleased with her service and how much she valued contributing to her department’s overall operation, Brown shared that making the decision after six years to transition to the butler department was difficult, but she knew it was time to grow and spread her wings.

“My experience helps me to create unique vacation memories for my guests. I strive to surpass their expectations by anticipating their needs, particularly regarding the resort’s cuisines which I have studied extensively over the years,” she proudly added.

For the last nine years Brown has not only dedicated herself to serving her guests but has also served as an Earth Guardian and volunteered with Sandals Foundation. Through the company’s philanthropic efforts she has contributed to her community by mentoring young girls, inspiring high school students, participating in beach clean-ups, and planting trees in her hometown of Beeston Spring.

“In 2017 a friend of mine, on-resort, was hosting a community Christmas treat and requested assistance from the Sandals Foundation, and that’s how I got involved. I’ve always liked seeing happy children. Growing up, this [Christmas] was always my favourite season. I never got Christmas gifts, and being a part of this initiative really helped to pique my interest in giving back,” she added.

One of Brown’s most significant initiatives, driven by her passion for sports, is a cricket competition she initiated four years ago.

“I grew up playing sports with my brothers, and in 2020 I realised there were few community activities fostering unity among people — that’s when I decided to start a women’s cricket competition. We started small with just three female teams but it has since grown, and we’ve now added a male competition.”

Currently serving as the president of her community’s sports committee and a member of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Brown has contributed to numerous initiatives aimed at aiding those in need within her community. These include organising back-to-school treats and fostering the development of young girls in neighbouring communities.

Crediting her passion for helping others to her humble upbringing, she noted that life growing up was not easy.

“As a child, my family experienced our own challenges. There were instances when we couldn’t afford lunch money for school; we often missed out on school trips and other activities; but despite our financial struggles my parents instilled in us a sense of pride and ambition — and this fuelled my determined to succeed,” she added.

“In high school I was bullied by some of my peers for being a part of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education [PATH]. Nevertheless, I refused to allow this to hinder my progress. I remained resolute in my aspirations and accepted my reality at that time,” she recalled.

Now a mother, Brown encourages her daughter to give back to those in need. And while her daughter may not share the same passion for cricket as her mother, she actively participates in track and field at school. Brown hopes her daughter will always maintain the same spark that drives her to make a positive impact on others.

As far as life goes on-resort, she aspires to advance within the butler department and dreams of becoming an elite butler manager in the future. Her immediate goal is to visit other Sandals and Beaches resorts within the group. She aims not only to enjoy the diverse amenities each resort offers but to also gain insights on enhancing her own resort’s offerings so as to create an even better experience.

Receiving the prestigious Platinum Award at her resort’s 2023 annual awards ceremony, Brown continues to chart her path as a rising star at Sandals South Coast.