Background & Upbringing
Marcus grew up in a vibrant Jamaican American household in northeast D.C. His parents, who emigrated from Kingston, worked tirelessly—his father in construction and his mother as a nurse—to create opportunities for Marcus and his siblings while maintaining strong cultural ties to their Caribbean roots.
Education
A product of D.C. public schools, Marcus earned scholarships that propelled him to Georgetown University, where he studied Political Science. Drawn to the intersection of policy and storytelling, he went on to complete a Master’s in Public Policy at the Kennedy School (Harvard).
Professional Background
Marcus started as a staffer on Capitol Hill, drafting policy memos and speeches. Realizing his talent for narrative, he began contributing op-eds to national newspapers, eventually parlaying that experience into a series of political thrillers that showcased the behind-the-scenes machinations of D.C. politics. Today, he balances novel-writing with social advocacy, focusing on underrepresented voices in government.
Places Lived
Marcus’s roots run deep in D.C., but he spent a significant period in Boston for graduate school. He has also traveled extensively to Caribbean nations for familial and cultural research.
Influences
Deeply inspired by the writings of James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison, Marcus also counts modern political commentators like Ta-Nehisi Coates among his influences. Musically, he grew up on both reggae (Bob Marley) and local go-go beats (Chuck Brown), blending these rhythms into his sense of identity and the lively pulse of his prose. His view of romance and sophistication often revolves around communal uplift, political consciousness, and the vibrant cultural mosaic that is D.C.
