Mervin Jenkins

Dr. Mervin Jenkins, also known as Spectac, is an author, entertainer, and lifelong educator whose work has landed him an NPR interview and a seat at the table in the 2014 Barack Obama White House as a participant in the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. For almost three decades, he has served as a teacher, school administrator, assistant director for a national nonprofit, and senior manager in the ed tech arena. Dr. Jenkins’ love for music has afforded him the opportunity to work with Grammy-nominated hip-hop artists and producers. Dr. Jenkins is the author of two books: Before They Leave Here, While They Are with Us, and most recently, To the Beat of Leadership: A Story of High and Low Notes. Dr. Jenkins currently serves as a National Academic Advisor for Renaissance/Nearpod, where he focuses on sharing the educational joys that hip-hop pedagogical practices can bring to the classroom. He lives on Johns Island in his native state of South Carolina, with his wife, Chiffon.