By Nixon Dickenson
In this week’s article, Voices from the Streets, I am grateful to share an encouraging discussion with Levard Missick Jr. This conversation was a sentimental moment for me because I witnessed this young man develop from a baby into adulthood. He and my daughter Zalnickia are great friends and are both 24 years old.
I call him LJ, and I often encouraged him to do well at every opportunity I had and make his mother and family proud. I was proud to watch him complete his secondary education and ever prouder to sit and chat with him about the impact that young people, like LJ, can make on reducing crime in our communities.
LJ shared has experienced so many opportunities for development. He is a lifeguard at the Carnival Cruise Center, a basketball player, a rapper and a young entrepreneur. He and his two friends are partners in a water sports company called ‘Three Headed Goats’, which operates jet ski rentals.
He also receives the investment TCI MSME funding, which has allowed him to develop his business and passion financially. He shared that although it is not always easy to keep on the right path while living in the United States, he realised that so many opportunities awaited him as long as he remained focused. There, he met and became friends with young entrepreneurs as young as 13 years old, and he was determined to develop his own business upon his return to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
LJ shared that even as there is an increase in crime in our country, there are opportunities for innovative thinkers and strategic planning to create businesses for young people who are willing to work hard. However, he stressed that it was important for young people to have the right attitude and character, as no investor would be willing to do business with someone who lacked integrity. He shared that there is a heavy influence on the United States culture among our youths because of the uncertainty of who they are and where they want to go. He stressed, however, that parents play an integral role in helping their children form positive identities by engaging them early in positive activities.
He believes that social media can also be used to impact positive changes in the minds of youths, as there are so many positive messages on TikTok and Instagram that speak to developing a positive mindset. LJ believes that mentorship is vital in supporting at-risk young people, as many young men need positive role mode
ls.
He is grateful for the mentors that spoke into his life and guided him along the way. LJ shared that although life has many challenges and he is still learning and growing, he is determined to keep on the right path. He understands that he has to choose his path.
Even when life does not go according to plan, he is determined to keep trying because giving up is never an option. LJ’s insights on the importance of integrity, strategic planning, and the role of mentorship are valuable lessons for young people everywhere. His determination to stay on the right path despite challenges and his belief in the power of positive influences, such as social media and parental guidance, is particularly inspiring.
Comments