Game Changers

Marketta McPherson

As a native of Newark, NJ Marketta has seen people fall victim to their surroundings, and resolved that she did not want to become a statistic.  She knew that the only way not to become a statistic was through an education.  As a student at Montclair State University, Marketta is currently studying Political Science with a minor in African American Studies.

Marketta’s love for helping people has also allowed her to become president of an on campus organization called Human RelationsLeadership Development Association.  HRLDA is a community service and leadership group that promotes people to discover the leader in them.  HRLDA’s mission is to 1) develop a cadre of leaders, 2) accept some responsibility for local and global concerns, and 3) commit to public action, and to strive to make our communities better.  As president of HRLDA, Maketta is the face of HRLDA and must make crucial decisions that can negatively or positively affect the organization.  Marketta must spearhead the organization’s goals which include to create an understanding of the personal involvement, social responsibility and leadership in helping ameliorating social ills within our communities, exchange ideas on local and global issues, and  promote the development of skill areas necessary for positive self-management and organizational effectiveness.

Working with HRLDA, has allowed Marketta to contribute to her own community.  One of her favorite community service projects that she participated in was the Apostle House, a shelter for women and kids in Newark.  She felt a connection with the people as they were from her hometown and to see the smiles on their face when HRLDA brought toys for the children, touched a very special place in her heart.