Dervan Malcolm "answered the call"

Tribute delivered by By Dr. Jermaine McCalpin at the thanksgiving service for the life of broadcaster Dervan Malcolm, held on Saturday, September 3, 2026 at Boulevard Baptist Church, St. Andrew, Jamaica.

Someone asked a few days ago, “How do you lionize a man such as Dervan Malcolm?” I replied, “He is already lionized. He is a Calabar lion.”

What I want to do today, in my few allotted minutes, is simply remind you of why he has been lionized.

He was short in height, but a giant in his contributions to his family, Calabar, and Jamaica.

This remembrance is twofold. It is personal, but it also incorporates the sentiments of Calabar lions across our chapters and affiliated groups in Jamaica and throughout the Diaspora—also known as Jamaica’s 15^th parish, where Dervan was mayor.

Personal Reflections

While I grew up with two of his brothers, Oneil and Deneil, in Westchester, Portmore, I first met Dervan in 1989 when I entered the gates of Calabar to learn on the banks of the Ancient River. He was, by then, a 3^rd former.

He was a dramatist, impersonator, and public speaker. By the time he was in fifth form, he had won numerous medals at JCDC competitions. He would perform some of his impersonations during chapel assembly: Sir Florizel Glasspole, then Governor-General; Prime Minister Michael Manley—“The root of our policy in the future will be humanism, self-reliance and nationalism”; and Leader of the Opposition Edward Seaga—“All of a sudden everybody turn don. You learn that in any organization there can be only one don.”

But his mark of distinction and difference was not simply his eloquence in speech or his leadership skills. It was an accoutrement—or, as we say in Jamaica, a crutchiment—that he carried: a briefcase, or, as we called it then, an attaché case.

Which high school student do you know, in the 1990s—or in any era since the Union Jack was lowered—who carried an attaché case to school? We younger boys called him “Likkle Fudgie.” The nickname of our then principal, Mr. Joseph Earle, was Fudgie. Only four men I knew carried an attaché case at Calabar: Dervan; Mr. Keith Noel, vice principal; Mr. Martin, physics teacher, aka Bush Tiger; and Mr. Coombs, chemistry teacher, aka Dr. Sudz—like the Sudsil man.

Then Dervan became Head Boy, and he took to the role as if they had made him deputy sheriff. Now, to go along with his attaché case, he had a badge. Lawd help us! He would call to the younger boys in a stern but calm tone. Every exchange was like a dramatic presentation.

Dervan was always going places—literally and figuratively. He was always a man of purpose. He walked deliberately. I have never seen him run. But he ran. He always ran to answer the call of Calabar. He ran to answer the call of Jamaica. He was always present for those who could benefit from his assistance.

Having served together on the Calabar Old Boys’ Association for over a decade, our bond grew even stronger. Our service to Jamaica in the Diaspora saw us crisscrossing the tri-state area and beyond—to the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and, with Team Jamaica Bickle, to the Penn Relays—working to strengthen the bonds between Jamaica and her scattered children.

Dervan went everywhere. In Jamaica, he travelled to far-flung places. One day, he could be heard doing an outside broadcast from Behind-a-God-Back Primary School in some parish, and two days later he would be greeting us, “Ni Hao,” from the Great Wall of China.

With all the miles travelled, he never lost the common touch. His radio presence was personable. He had the remarkable ability to make every listener feel as though he were broadcasting to an audience of one.

It is a mark of fate that it was here, in this church, two years ago, that we last attended a Calabar function together—the annual graduation on October 29, 2024. And today, in this same place, we add Dervan to the greats of Calabar.

He was green and black through and through. In a very real sense, Dervan graduated from Calabar High School, but he continued to attend Calabar for the rest of his life.

I could continue with my personal reflections, but in the time that remains, let me now represent the voices of the wider Calabar family.

COBA Jamaica

“Dervan was always an exemplar in all his conduct. He was a mentor’s mentor.”

“He always had the time. I don’t know how he managed to listen and give advice to so many people in so little time.”

“Dervan is one of the most amazing human beings I have ever encountered, and one of, if not the most dedicated, mentors and Old Boys.”

Dervan’s life was a living testament to returning thanks to the institution that had bestowed so much upon him. He was a private person who never trumpeted his good deeds to the world, but his consistency in answering the call of Calabar was one of his defining qualities and has, since his passing, become a major point of remembrance. We give thanks to God for His loan of Dervan to us.

Dervan was a good man who enjoyed serving Calabar, the young lions, and our teachers. He had an amazing way of bringing people together and making them feel comfortable and happy. He was a great servant, and that is why he was a leader. He possessed wisdom beyond his years and was a great listener, always seeking the middle ground necessary to accomplish the task at hand. A true gentleman in an era when men are often afraid to be gentle. Near or far, he always answered the call of Calabar.

COBA South Florida

“Dervan was much more than a distinguished broadcaster and accomplished Jamaican. He was a proud son of Calabar who remained connected to the school, its students, and the fraternity of Old Boys. His service, mentorship, professional achievement, and commitment to Jamaica and its Diaspora brought great credit to the Calabar name.”

“Dervan contributed his service to Calabar High School on many occasions. There was never a time when he would say no. He was always giving back to this community. Dervan, you will be missed, my brother.”

“Here Sir! Here Sir! Utmost!”

COBA Canada

“Dervan Malcolm is remembered as a gifted speaker with impeccable impersonation skills and as someone most generous to COBA Canada with his time and talent, just as he was in mentoring Calabar students on Saturdays at the school.”

Dervan was instrumental in bringing a touch of elegance and levity to the annual COBA Canada Dinner Dance when he attended in 2016. He demonstrated that he was an Old Boy who could connect Calabar men across generations, both at home and in the Diaspora.

He will be dearly missed.

COBA New York

Dervan Malcolm embodied the finest traditions of Calabar High School—a proud son of Rabalac whose life reflected service, humility, and excellence. Though he graduated from Calabar, he never truly left its gates, remaining devoted to the school, its young lions, and the fraternity of Old Boys, always answering “Here Sir” whenever Calabar called.

To COBA New York, Dervan was a brother, friend, and invaluable partner in strengthening the bonds between Calabar, Jamaica, and the Diaspora. Through his distinguished broadcasting career, he connected Jamaicans across borders and generously used his platform to advance Calabar and the wider Jamaican community. His contribution was fittingly recognized with the 2021 UJAA Diaspora Media Award.

Dervan served without fanfare, mentored generously, and carried the Green and Black with distinction. COBA New York gives thanks for the life and service of a true Calabar Lion whose legacy will endure.

Rest well, our brother. You answered “Here Sir” in life; your service now answers for you in eternity.

COBA Atlanta

Dervan Malcolm, you exemplified what every graduate of Calabar High School should aspire to become. Service with humility was one of your many admired traits. After graduating, you never truly left Calabar, returning frequently to serve as a mentor, motivator, counselor, and positive role model for its students.

Sworn to be “renowned and famous,” as our school song encourages us to become, you built an outstanding career as a broadcast journalist, producer, and program director, giving voice to the voiceless and providing a platform for people of different viewpoints.

Your internet radio program connected Jamaicans at home and throughout the diaspora, bringing Jamaica to the world, while we in Atlanta benefited from your generosity through airtime to promote our fundraising events and your service as keynote speaker at one of our Founders’ Day Dinners.

Dervan, you consistently answered “Here Sir” whenever called upon to serve our school. Your efforts were tireless and your devotion to Calabar unsurpassed. You brought great honor to our school, and we will ensure that your legacy at Calabar endures.

Rest in eternal peace, brother, truly a Son of Rabalac.

David “Wagga” Hunt Foundation

The David “Wagga” Hunt Committee expressed its profound sadness and deepest condolences on the passing of veteran broadcaster, exceptional journalist, and proud Calabar alumnus Dervan Malcolm.

Dervan consistently amplified the Foundation’s mission to support education and uplift students at Calabar High School and Kingston College. He selflessly lent his voice and platform to its fundraising initiatives and annual galas, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the values of philanthropy and camaraderie that define the organization.

His genuine warmth, unwavering professionalism, and passion for connecting the Jamaican Diaspora leave an indelible legacy. The Foundation remains deeply grateful for his years of friendship, advocacy, and dedication to its cause.

The Final Call

And I am even prouder of him because this lion surrendered his life to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ.

We mourn, but not as those who have no hope.

Dervan is pain-free and worry-free. He has relinquished earth’s fitful sojourn and entered eternity, having now joined the great cloud of witnesses, cheering us on from the great stadium of Paradise.

My brother, you have fought a good fight.

You have kept the faith.

You have finished the course.

You answered the Master’s call, and though we miss you, God knows best.

Thank you, Dervan, for answering the call to serve—not just Calabar, but wherever God’s children were to be found.

Walk good.

Dr. Jermaine McCalpin is Professor of Africana Studies, Kean University. A friend of Dervan Malcolm for 36 years, he served with him on the COBA Jamaica Executive from 2013-2023.