Spotlight interview of Shaun Pascal

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When a passion is ignited deep within you, even starting at a very young

age, it will continue to grow. Detective Constable Shaun Pascal knows this

feeling very well, since his passion was ignited at the young age of five.

Although his road was not easy, his passion never dwindled.

Due to the stigma associated with the police force in Shaun’s community,

as a teenager he felt discouraged about pursuing his dream. The thing he

wanted most, to join the force, he was now questioning. It was 2004 when

Shaun received the final push he needed. This particular inspirational push

came from an older colleague who had worked on the force. After

considering things, he finally took the leap. Even though he struggled at

first, he persevered through to the end, completing all his training and

exams. It was at the end where his family was able to proudly watch him

march in his uniform for the first time.

As a member of the Metropolitan Police Force for 17 ½ years, Shaun is still

motivated to make a difference. He strives daily to bridge the gap between

the force and the community. Shaun’s purpose on the force is to serve the

‘whole’ community, not just part of it. If he sees something wrong inside or

out of the Metropolitan Police Force, he has made it his duty to take a

stand. Shaun hopes his presentce on the force and in the community will

lay a foundation that paves the way for the next generation.

There came a time in Shaun‘s life, five years ago to be exact, when he

realize something about people. It dawned on him that people did not Think

the way he did, nor did they see things the way he did. He felt the Black

community needed a platform that creates equal opportunities and

educates on our history as seen through our eyes. He stated that during his

entire life, he watched mainstream media portray Black people as

criminals. Shaun then began questioning where the media was that puts out the Black community’s perspectives, values and interests? When he

took these issues to the people in the media industry, what he received was

a whole lot of blank stares.

He knew that before we could educate others, we first needed to educate

ourselves. This includes the process to heal all the trauma we have been

through as a community. It was then he decided he could and would take

on this venture himself. Shaun then created and co-founded Black Wall

Street Media. He did this by recruiting various global majority ethnic media

organisations and influencers, bringing them together to create a Black

empire as a community. Shaun continually searches for resources and

brings them to this platform, so the profits can be used to give back to the

Black community. This would create entrepreneurs, sustainability, the ability

to acquire equity, and to have a voice.

Shaun’s message to the youth:

Understand your worth; know you are very valuable and very much in

demand in terms of jobs and the future.

You must not sell yourself short, but be sure to work hard.

Do not see things as a failure, rather look at them as lessons to learn

from.

Learn your craft, your history, and most importantly find out who you are.