Meet Damini, Shad Alum and Imhotep Legacy Academy Scholarship Recipient
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Damini Awoyiga, and I am a high school student. I am an activist, spoken word poet, and the former Halifax’s Youth Poet Laureate (2023-2024). I am the founder of Damini Creatives and the Afro-Indigenous Book Club, a book club created to encourage young people to read books written by Black and Indigenous authors and to share the realities and experiences of Black and Indigenous Canadians. I was the Junior Artist in Residence for Wellness Within, a community organization working for reproductive justice, prison abolition, and health equity, and the CBC’s artist-in-residence for the Michaelle Jean Foundation Canadian Black Summit held in July 2022, where I hosted an interactive community poetry booth. I am also a youth freelance journalist for CBC Mainstreet. I have enjoyed being a board member of the Nova Scotia Girls Institute for Resource and Learning (NS GIRL) and a member of the HRM Youth Advisory Committee. I have received multiple awards including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. I love to dance, write, create, sing, and perform. I also love meeting new people and hanging out with friends.
Q: What motivates your interest in STEAM and entrepreneurship?
My enthusiasm for STEAM is rooted in my constant quest for new knowledge, creativity, and fresh experiences. Throughout my life, I have participated in various STEAM camps and workshops that have significantly influenced how I perceive the world using critical thinking. My entrepreneurial interest is fueled by my determination to assist others and explore new opportunities. When I established my African print mask business in 2020, my primary objective was to keep my family and community safe from COVID-19. In doing so, I was able to make a positive impact on people and bring them joy through the use of African print masks.
Q: What was your biggest takeaway from your Shad experience?
My biggest takeaway from Shad is the connections I made. Going into Shad, I was unsure of what my experience would be, but as I started settling into the experience, I started to make friends. An example of this was in my House group; house Group 5. I enjoyed being part of the team because I was able to grow from the experience. I learned how to communicate my thoughts even If I was unsure of how my ideas would be received. We all learned the key elements of teamwork, listening, problem-solving, and good communication.
Q: At Shad we are leaders in social innovation, how do you plan to use #STEAM4Good?
I intend to use the knowledge I’ve gained from Shad to explore and innovate in new ways. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned to real-world challenges, whether that’s through creating unique art, developing new technologies, or solving problems in my community. I also want to share my experiences with others, inspiring my peers to embrace STEAM fields and showing them how science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics can come together to create positive change.
Q: What lessons would you share with incoming Shads?
I would say, be kind to yourself and others. Be open to new experiences, and get to sleep on time. Make as many friends as you can in the first two weeks and try to talk to everyone, including Program Assistants, because the friendships you make at Shad are what make the experience even better. Also, for me, the third week was the best!
