Jerome Hanson building the nation through youth empowerment

ON THE evening of Saturday, May 31 when Jerome Hanson was announced as the recipient of the 2024 awardee for nation building at the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence (PMNYAE) on the lawns of Jamaica House in St Andrew, there was a loud and sustained roar from his entourage of supporters. It begged the questions: Who is he, and why was the roar so loud?

The May Day High School, Knox Community College and University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona alumnus was born in Mandeville, Manchester. From UWI he received a bachelor of science degree in public policy and management, with a minor in management studies.

Hanson is a procurement practitioner with the Government of Jamaica, supporting public procurement planning, compliance, and policy implementation. He should ensure that government spending is efficient, transparent, and aligned with national priorities. He is also the first deputy chairman of the National Youth Council of Jamaica, and a member of the Vision 2030 Youth Thematic Working Group.

The biographical notes in the event’s programme say he is a youth advocate, social entrepreneur and community leader, and so The Gleaner asked him, “What does that mean?” He replied, “These roles are deeply connected. As a youth advocate, I work to ensure that young people are heard, represented, and included in decision-making processes at every level, whether through policy consultations, town halls, or national councils.

“As a social entrepreneur, I lead and support initiatives that address social problems with practical, sustainable solutions, especially in under-served communities. This includes digital inclusion, youth leadership training, and community transformation projects.

“As a community leader, I actively mobilise people and resources to address real-life issues affecting Jamaican families from environmental concerns to educational access. Leadership for me is not about position, but about responsibility.”

So, what has inspired him to get involved, and to create opportunities for young people? “I was inspired by my own journey, growing up with limited resources, but unlimited potential. I’ve seen too many talented young people fall through the cracks due to poverty, lack of exposure, or absence of mentorship,” he said.

“I didn’t want to be successful alone; I wanted to create pathways for others to rise. That belief is the foundation of all my work. My work is rooted in the belief that every young person deserves a chance to dream, to lead, and to succeed.”

So, to give young people a chance to dream, to lead and to succeed, Hanson started The Aspirar Mentorship Programme because he saw “a clear gap between potential and opportunity for young Jamaicans” especially those from deep-rural communities and non-traditional high schools. He said he understood firsthand what it meant “to have drive and ambition, but not always the access, guidance, or platform to grow”.

Community development

Over time, it evolved into Aspirar Jamaica, a broader youth-led movement focusing on leadership, advocacy, community development, and empowerment. He is its executive director. He is also involved with ‘Recycle Fix’, which tackles plastic pollution by combining hands-on clean-up efforts with community education.

“We focus especially on plastic bottles, which are a major issue in our gullies, streets, and beaches. Through organised beach clean-ups and bottle collection drives, we physically remove plastic waste from the environment. But, just as important are the sensitisation sessions we lead with youth clubs, church groups, and schools,” Hanson shared.

“Receiving the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence in nation building is truly an honour and a humbling experience. It’s a reminder that the work I’ve been doing often quietly, on the ground, in rural communities, is making an impact,” Hanson shared with The Gleaner.

“This award isn’t just about me; it’s about every young person who has felt overlooked, underestimated, or unheard. It represents what’s possible when we stay committed, rooted in purpose, and driven by service. I’m grateful for the recognition, but even more so, I’m motivated to keep pushing forward to do more, reach more, and continue building a better Jamaica with and for our youth.”

Before the PMNYAE, Hanson had received other national and regional awards including the International Caribbean Studies Institute Under-30 Change Maker Award, and The Eternal Fathers Award – Marcus Garvey Award for Community Leadership/Community Hero. These awards are saying much about the way in which his hard work is being recognised, and the impact that it has been having on Jamaican youths. And, he is not done.

“Looking ahead, my goal is to continue building platforms that empower youths, especially in under-served communities. I plan to pursue a master’s degree in international public and development management, which will equip me to drive more impactful policies and community-based initiatives both locally and across the region,” he told The Gleaner.

“I also want to expand Aspirar Jamaica’s reach, scaling projects like Recycle Fix, and deepening our work in education, leadership, and environmental sustainability. Ultimately, I see myself serving at the intersection of public service, youth development, and social entrepreneurship creating spaces where people, especially young people, are seen, heard, and supported to lead meaningful change.”

It is now clear why the youths were there at the PMNYAE to support him, and to show their appreciation.