"I want to believe and behave as if better will not come unless I become better. I want to believe and behave as if change will not come unless I bring about the change."
The poet was born Jermaine D Gordon to his parents Ira and Beatrice Gordon, on July 3, 1975, the eighth of 9 children. Little did his parents know that this little bundle of joy, although a sickly child, would turn out to be a travelling light to many - illuminating hearts, whilst transforming minds.
Jermaine Gordon is a motivator. Firmly believing in and relying on God, he has been endowed with many talents, from the original Creator, from whom he gets his inspiration.
Gordon who is highly creative as a musician, singer and poet, says he discovered his musical talent from the age of 4 years old, and his writing skills during his teens. "I actually started playing drums at age 9 at a New Testament Church in Bull Bay, St. Andrew," where he grew up. He has since travelled across the island with bands such as the Breakthrough, Hummingbird, Redeemed and Soul Seekers.
Today the alert musician serves as one of the National Directors of Music for The Church of God of Prophecy in Jamaica and Grand Cayman. In his role as Director of Music he says, "Music is a very powerful tool which is oftentimes misunderstood even by those professing to be 'professionals' such as musicians, DJs, producers.
Among his thoughts on music he observes "We eventually represent the words we consistently entertain, and we become the songs we consistently sing." So he also warns "A song is not just words to music, rather it is a part of the soul being expressed, and, with assigned wings it flies from one soul to another."
He has always, since childhood, been encouraged along in expressing and using his skills, as he discovered them. Then the church provided him with many opportunities to express, and to this end he remains loyal to the Creator.
At his church he is referred to as the 'Psalmist' for being able to compose and produce a full song on spot. He writes 6-8 songs daily. Members appreciate his anointed and in-depth music, and are awed by his ability to invoke the presence of God when he commits his gifted fingers to the piano.
As one who plays the drums, he also is a sound engineer, trained in live broadcasting techniques, event planner, worship leader, music and choir director, songwriter and arranger, producer, counselor and a bit of a photographer. More often now he is called upon to make special presentations, based on his record as an impacting motivator.
The 1994 graduate of the Kingston College (KC), he attended Edna College for the Visual and Performing Arts (Jamaica School of Music), where he studied classical piano and flute.
At 13 Gordon had his first 'job' experience. Interestingly by profession he is an accountant. After KC, he went directly to KPMG, where he assumed the role of auditor. Today, a certified accountant under the ACCA board, he is a Junior Manager at KCT Services Ltd, the management company for The Kingston Container Terminal on behalf of the Port Authority of Jamaica.
This level of accounting developed an understanding of leadership and following as a sense of accountability for success. He speaks about the "art of following" in a recent interview. He observes that "not many people today know how to follow, even those who lead are sometimes poor followers." In that vein, he hopes more will be done to develop better followers, and reiterates that good followers become the better leaders.
Gordon is inspired by many elements, especially from nature. "My creative energy oftentimes is also sparked by very strong passions, love, hurt feelings and disappointments, sexual energy and a desire to achieve."
Gordon admits that he enjoys chatting on the phone. Its easy to understand as Gordon is a socialite, who indulges in the progress of all who he encounters. He leaves no conversation without sharing a thought that quickly flows from his tongue tip, inspired by even a moment's encounter with him.
His hobbies are nature walks, alone time along the seaside, watching movies, sporting events, travelling.
It comes easy to combine his commitment to expressing himself, honing his skills and his full time job. He says he is an "art of nature" and an "artist of the world"; hence he simply makes everything connect. Still there are challenges when he adds his family life which he believes in to the picture.
Gordon who for now works alone in promoting his inspirational services and products, besides his full time job, has simple objectives. "Inspire hope, put a smile on a sad face, bring encouragement" says Gordon who reiterates that he just loves for people. So he uses all his talents and skills to sow seeds, which will spring up for harvest, as many will realize the calls from God, the creator.
That aside he also hopes to write and produce songs that will be performed and presented in the churches in Jamaica and the world.
To date he has released only one instrumental CD "Led by The Spirit"; which has already drawn many, from Jamaica, Canada and the UK, thirsting after his offering. He hopes to make public his self-produced debut album in November and has already released 3 of its singles. Those released are "If I trust your hands", "Stubborn Man - How long" performed by Ryan Berry and "Jesus, Oh Jesus" sung by Dawn Martin.
His book series, is a compilation of his penned thoughts, his determination to"inspire the heart and mind of people with positive, and thought provoking words.Already he has left marks on thousands. The book Colour and Power of Your Thoughts, in his opinion, is "his parents' contribution to making the world a better place". He explains that they raised him "a healthy boy to help to heal the world."
His second book "DISCOVERING THE GOLD IN YOU" is already edited and paginated, and slated to be launched by July. Discovering the Gold in You was inspired by the true story of a man who sold his 52 acres of land to go on a quest around the world to discover diamonds. Through this book, he seeks to assist others in finding and undestanding their 'gold.'
Jermaine hosts 'Sing-shops'- vocal and worship training workshops, across the island. Currently, he is slated to making presentations, as a musician, poet, motivator throughout schools and colleges. He targets secondary and tertiary level students on his own, and with the OAaSIS International Foundation he visits children at the primary and basic level, in schools, communities and churches.
He prioritises young teens and older with his motivation sessions, but with the Foundation his motivation is expended to empowering the creative mind of youth the main aim of the entity.
His passion is to transform the 'victimisation' of especially the teenagers, and Alpha Academy is one high school accustomed to his motivational visits.
One of his key memories is encountering young women who are victimised because they remain virgins, unlike others who have at least two children by age 25, or younger.
Come March 28, he will venture to Seargantville, St Catherine on the way to Bog Walk, and April he will be in Port Royal with the foundation. St Theresa's Preparatory will have a chance to hear him during education week and plans are being made for Trelawny when the Diaspora visits.
His website to be launched March 27 is to be "A place my heart can live, a place my mind can grow."
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