Black Boys Code is helping Black youth build the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive in technology and the innovation economy. Through our partnership, Shad awards five full scholarships to Black Boys Code participants each year.
Meet Nadi Tinseaw, one of this year’s scholarship recipients. Originally from Eritrea in East Africa, Nadi came to Shad passionate about basketball, science and exploring future career paths. During his Shad experience, he stepped outside his comfort zone, made new friends and discovered he was more social and confident than he thought.
We caught up with Nadi to hear about his favourite Shad memories, what he discovered about himself and his advice for future Shads.
Tell us more about yourself. Where are you from, what are you passionate about, or what were you involved in before coming to Shad?
My name is Nadi Tinseaw, and I’m from Eritrea in East Africa. I’m passionate about basketball, science, and learning about different careers. I’m especially interested in dental hygiene because I like science and helping people. I also enjoy being active, working with others, and meeting new people. I wanted to come to Shad to challenge myself, learn new things, and make new friends.
Looking back on your Shad experience, what’s one person or one moment you’ll never forget, and why?
One moment I’ll never forget from Shad was our camping trip. Since we weren’t on our phones, we actually spent more time talking, laughing, and enjoying nature together. I feel like the trip brought everyone closer and helped us make memories that we wouldn’t have made if we were all on our phones.
What’s something you discovered about yourself during Shad that surprised you?
During Shad, I discovered that I’m more social than I thought I was. I usually don’t talk to everyone right away, but being around so many new people helped me come out of my comfort zone. I learned that I enjoy meeting new people, working in groups, and making connections with others. It made me more confident in myself and more open to trying new things.
What was something you tried at Shad that you never imagined yourself doing before? Whether it was an activity, project, presentation, or experience, what made it memorable?
Something I never imagined myself doing before Shad was presenting and working on projects with people I had just met. I had to communicate my ideas, listen to other people, and work together as a team. It was memorable because I became more comfortable speaking up and sharing my ideas, even when I wasn’t completely confident at first.
What’s one thing you’d tell a future Shad participant before they arrive? What advice would you give to help them make the most of their Shad experience?
My biggest advice would be to talk to as many people as you can and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Put your phone away sometimes, enjoy the activities, and actually get to know the people around you. Some of the best parts of my Shad experience came from random conversations and spending time with people I had just met. You only get one Shad experience, so make the most of every moment and make friends you’ll remember.