Elijah Sagna-Layne has lost count of the number of NASA shuttle launches he watched online as a kid, eagerly awaiting his favourite part. Two minutes in, the solid rocket boosters delivered what was the bulk of the thrust crucial for liftoff. Then they detached from the spacecraft after propelling it skyward. Elijah was enthralled.
It seems only natural then that he chose to major in astrophysics in university. Astronomy always fascinated him. He excelled at sciences at Ascension of Our Lord Secondary School in Malton, Ontario, and physics was his favourite subject. He also found inspiration in Neil deGrasse Tyson, the renowned African American astrophysicist and science communicator.
“I love how he doesn’t use a lot of academic jargon, and can make complex subjects seem simple,” Elijah said. “I think it helps, too, knowing that you have someone you see and think, ‘This person looks like me. They’ve done it, and so I can, too.’”
In high school, Elijah was part of Leadership by Design, a program of the Lifelong Leadership Institute (LLI). Led by LLI chair Trevor Massey, it empowers and encourages Black youth to become strong leaders and engaged citizens. A valued community partner, Shad awards five full scholarships to students from LLI to attend Shad.
Still, Elijah was not sure that he could excel at Shad. Elijah’s parents encouraged their son to nurture his interest in STEAM and apply to the program, where he could meet other students like him. His mother, originally from Senegal, and his father, from Barbados, have careers in finance and computer science. His brother is studying criminology.
“Clayton is an amazing older brother,” he said. “I look up to him a lot because he is a great student and is so confident.”
Thirty years after Black History Month was first observed in Canada, this year’s theme is honouring Black brilliance across generations, from nation builders to tomorrow’s visionaries. Elijah can relate.
“Black brilliance is being yourself and excelling in a field that you are passionate about. To me, Black brilliance also means not allowing yourself to be intimidated when surrounded by people who don’t look like you. As my mentor Trevor Massey liked to say, ‘Wherever your feet land, you belong.’”
Elijah attended Shad at Mount Allison University in 2023 when he was in Grade 11. Not knowing anyone there afforded him the freedom to be his authentic self.
Elijah’s favourite part of his time as a Shad was going on the planned excursions. He camped for the first time in Prince Edward Island, took a day trip to Halifax, and visited interesting locations in New Brunswick. He says the happy memories he created in Atlantic Canada influenced his decision to choose the astrophysics program at Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia.
Being a Shad also gave him the confidence to take more chances when he returned to start Grade 12. He applied for student senate of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. With other students, he met with trustees monthly to discuss changes they want to see in their schools and share their suggestions for engaging students. He made the opening address at his graduation. He successfully applied to be a program assistant at Shad. As a PA, coincidentally also at Mount Allison, he felt even more comfortable being himself.
“I consider myself to be a jolly person. I love listening to music and dancing. Even while being a PA or during my time at Shad, I was always dancing to the music in my head,” he said. “I’m always moving. If I’m standing, I’m doing a little shimmy. In the past, I was embarrassed to show that part of myself.”
That summer job helped him realize that he has an aptitude for mentorship. He is now considering a career as a physics teacher, where he could blend his love of science with his eagerness to support youth.
Now in his second year towards a degree in astrophysics, he is keeping open his career options. Just like the many space shuttles he watched with rapt attention as they accelerated towards destinations in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, the sky’s the limit.