‘Giving back completes me’

“All a we can’t come out bad.” ... Hykel Nunes will never forget one of his first interactions with a ‘don’ from his inner-city community in Dunkirk, Kingston, while heading home from school one day. The words carried a resonance that echoed into the life he would later lead.

TIGHT SPOT

Growing up in a one-bedroom home in Dunkirk with eight family members, Nunes knows the hardships of life. “We didn’t even have light or water,” he recalls. Amid violence and struggles, he was the only child for his mother. His lifeline was the Police Youth Club, which he credits for preventing him from going wayward.

“The first intervention that saved me was the Police Youth Club. Interventions overall, when they are transparent, give young people hope and a safe space, where they can come out and talk to people who understand their reality. Many youngsters are also able to get psychosocial support through counselling from community leaders and access to resources from different institutions. Things like these make a world of difference,” Nunes noted.

GETTING EDUCATED

His educational pursuits started early. After completing his first Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) subject – Theatre Arts – in first form at St George’s College, he went on to graduate with an impressive total of 21 CSEC and A’ Levels. From there, he hoped to pursue a career in journalism and communication, inspired by his mentor, the late Michael Sharpe, a veteran television journalist.

TURNING POINT

“I had no idea how I was going to pay for university,” Nunes shared. “But I knew I had to go.”

Nunes added: “I applied for an NCB Foundation scholarship, and receiving that $100,000 grant twice was like mental relaxation for me. It helped mitigate the financial uncertainty of going to university and really took a load off of me.”

But it wasn’t just about the money.

“The Programme Administrator for N.C.B. Foundation, Jamilia Crooks-Brown, has been like a mother-figure to me. She has always emphasised the importance of a culture of volunteerism. The foundation offered me more than financial help. They provided continuous support, urged and inspired me to give back to my community in every way that I can.”

After receiving the scholarship from the N.C.B. Foundation through the Governor-General’s Summer of Service programme, Nunes went on to study journalism at the Caribbean School of Media and Communication at the University of the West Indies. Following the completion of his studies, he began working as a production assistant and news presenter for JNN and RJR94FM, and later, Nationwide News Network.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE

His desire to give back never waned. After his successful stint in media, his next stop was Project STAR at the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). Project STAR is a social transformation and renewal programme led by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) in partnership with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

“Communication work is my passion, but giving back completes me. I was drawn to Project STAR because it was about transforming communities like mine.”

Nunes is now involved in social and economic-transformation initiatives. The focus is on entrepreneurship, employment, financial inclusion, and strategic investment.

Nunes is part of building ‘Community Transformation Boards’ so residents are directly involved in community decisions. “The community drives these changes. We are just empowering them to take the reins,” he said.

Nunes has this advice for the youth: “The way we view the world is so powerful. Don’t be too positive or too negative. It skews reality. Life is moving fast. Slow down and focus on what’s within your control. Face conflict positively, and remember, failure is just a part of the journey. You just pivot and move on.”

For Nunes, his journey started with a scholarship and a dream. Today, he is a living embodiment of transformation and hopes to inspire youth like him who dare to dream.