Christened HERMON EMANUEL JEROME HACKSHAW when he was born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, "Rock" came to New York in 1973 and has lived here continuously ever since. He became a citizen of the USA in 1996, and now holds dual citizenship (USA & The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago). His father (John M. Hackshaw) was a well known politician, writer, community activist, trade unionist and diplomat. He spent ten years in New York, heading up the Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Board. He later spent another decade in Canada, as the Labor Attache in the T&T High Commissioner's Office. In his own right, Rock is also as accomplished as his dad. He attended Queens Royal College back on the island, and later graduated from Columbia University in NYC (B.A.1985/ Political Science). He then attained a Master's Degree from Fordham University in 1987 (Public Communication). He has also studied Microeconomics and Macroeconomics at Hunter College, and did post-graduate studies in Education, at Brooklyn College- while teaching with the NYC Department of Education.

                             Rock is a licensed high school teacher (Social Studies), and has lectured at various universities and institutions of higher learning, including: The College of New Rochelle, The Manhattan Institute of Management and also within New York City's University System (CUNY)- at Brooklyn College, Bronx Community College, City College and the Borough of Manhattan Community College. He has been very active on the political scene since coming to this country. In 1998 he was a candidate for the N.Y. State Assembly, and he also ran for a seat in the New York City Council in 2009. He has served as a political consultant/adviser to various candidates and elected officials, and once headed up a community based organization in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. Amongst the many other hats he has worn are coach (chess and basketball), writer, reporter, education consultant, entrepreneur-businessman, journalist, radio and television announcer, community organizer and political analyst. He has held membership in many civic, sports, cultural and social organizations; and has served on many public and private boards. He is a very committed political/community activist. He is also a serious sports enthusiast and a depressed Knicks fan. He has played chess, scrabble and backgammon at the professional level/tournament circuit, and once represented Trinidad and Tobago at chess as a young man. He is a generous, humorous, loving father, who writes poetry as a hobby. He believes that politics is "the only game in town".