Life Through Music with Mervin "Spectac" Jenkins

Mervin A. Jenkins is an educator who has worked for and with people, especially youth, for more than a decade. Mervin also leads a dual life as the hip-hop artist known as Spectac.

Significant numbers of young people are struggling with overwhelming obstacles and circumstances. These situations could lessen or prematurely end their chances for success. Many face such issues as negative home and school environments, peer pressure, unsafe communities and lack of vision for the future.

In his presentation, Mervin motivates students to talk to their parents and other responsible adults about what they want to do with their lives. He also encourages adults to remember their role and responsibilities regarding the youth. While his presentation discusses hip-hop music, his focus is on improving student achievement and self-esteem. Mervin makes sure students understand that they cannot change a system while on the outside of it.

The goal of the presentation is to use Mervin’s experiences to show the limitless possibilities that life has to offer.

Mervin Jenkin's Bio

As an educator, Mervin taught middle school art, worked as a high school assistant principal, central office administrator, middle school principal, and most recently accepted a position as the Assistant Director for AVID Eastern Division (a non-profit organization dedicated to getting students in the academic middle on track for a four-year college or university education).

Under his hip-hop alias "Spectac," Mervin managed to tour most of the East Coast and perform at some of its biggest music venues. His career as a hip-hop artist soared in 2003 when his single titled ‘Lessons from Da Ghetto’ made its mark by gaining a spot on the billboard as one of the top 100 songs on the hip-hop and R&B charts.

However, it wasn’t until Jenkins combined his passion for education and music that he made his proudest accomplishments. Mr. Jenkins decided to engage the youth by presenting life lessons to them using the technique of storytelling combined with a touch of hip-hop music. As a result Life Through Music was founded—and that was just the beginning. In October 2005 and March 2007 Mr. Jenkins was twice awarded the “Education Award” by the Zeta Phi Beta Southeastern Regional Chapters. The ‘News & Observer’ named Mr. Jenkins “Tarheel of the Week” in February 2006. In the fall of 2006 radio host Dick Gordon of the NPR (National Public Radio) show ‘The Story’ interviewed Mr. Jenkins. In May 2007 Mr. Jenkins performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, where he collaborated with several artists on the ‘Shakespeare is Hip Hop’ project. He was also highlighted on WRDC- channel 28 on the ‘Brandnewz’ television program for his work as a school administrator using hip-hop to connect with our youth. Mr. Jenkins was honored as the Chatham County School District’s 2007-2008 "Principal of the Year." Soon after, Mr. Jenkins was recruited to join the national program called AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). Over the years, many organizations have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Jenkins to help motivate and inspire both youth and adults.

Mr. Jenkins earned his B.A. degree from Benedict College in Columbia, SC, and his M.Ed. in secondary education administration from Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC. Mr. Jenkins completed 110 hours of prevention coursework through the Governor’s Academy of Prevention Professionals (GAPP) through the University of North Carolina.

For information on tech requirements and scheduling, please contact Flocabulary at 877-473-3077.