10 Literature and Poetry
“The crown of literature is poetry.” – W Somerset Maugham
Wali Shah
Wali Shah is a Pakistani-Canadian who was born in Pakistan on September 9th, 1994. 1 Shah’s family immigrated to Canada and settled in Toronto when he was three years old and later on moved to Mississauga, Ontario. 1
Shah experienced a challenging period during his early years that ultimately led to his arrest at the age of 15. This event marked a pivotal moment in Shah’s life, where he transformed his path through guidance and determination, shifting his focus towards making a positive impact on the community 2. In June 2018, Shah successfully earned an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus. 5
Shah is well-recognized for his multifaceted talents as a speaker, poet, musician, and philanthropist 1. He has garnered attention for his compelling discussions on topics like bullying, mental health, and social change. Furthermore, he creates customized spoken word poetry to complement his various projects and engagements 1. In 2013, he released his album “Rhythm & Poetry” with the anti-bullying single “King of the Castle.” He collaborated with organizations like the Peel Region District School Board and the We Day conference. In 2015, he received the 3M National Student Fellowship. 1 He was also featured in Maclean’s in 2016 and performed at Microsoft’s World Partner Conference. In 2017, he became a local ambassador for the World YMCA and received the YMCA Peace Medal. 1 He has also been an ambassador for organizations like Crime Stoppers International, Bell Let’s Talk, and United Way. Wali Shah’s contributions extend to various events and initiatives, including the JOGGO Purpose Backpack launch and the Canada’s Walk of Fame induction ceremony. 1 He has been a speaker at WE Day events across Canada. 1
In 2014, he earned recognition as one of Canada’s “Top 20 Under 20” by Plan Canada 1. Presently, he holds the position of Poet Laureate for the city of Mississauga2 In 2019, he was honoured with the 2019 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards from Canadian Immigrant Magazine, acknowledging his significant contributions as an immigrant to Canada. 3
Key Takeaways
Through his spoken word poetry, Wali Shah is not only inspiring youth in Toronto but across Canada and beyond with themes that include diversity, anti-bullying, mental health, and more. An underlying message in his work is the importance of staying true to oneself, and as he continues on this path, he is poised to become a significant voice for his generation 3
Find out more:
1. Wali Shah – Wikipedia
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Boonaa Mohammed
Boonaa Mohammed was born on April 14, 1987. He is well known as a Canadian spoken-word poet as well as a writer. His ancestry goes back to the Oromo people, who are known as the Kushitic ethnic group.2
The Oromia are the natives of parts of Ethiopia and northern Kenya.1 His father came and settled in Canada, seeking political asylum following their participation in Ethiopia’s Oromo liberation movement. Therefore, he is the second-generation Ethiopian immigrant who grew up in downtown Toronto. In his early life, he was heavily engaged with the street life. He studied in Oakwood Collegiate Institute and graduated as the top of his class while being entitled as valedictorian. In 2011, he graduated from Ryerson University, which is currently known as Toronto Metropolitan University, with a degree in the Radio and Television Arts program.3
At a very young age, he started composing poetry. Super-spiritual Boonaa Mohammed describes himself as a storyteller who uses poetry to express his innermost feelings, attitudes, and ideas regarding politics, religion, different kinds of relationships, and other topics that interest him.4
Apart from his poetic profession, Mohammed is also an activist who works actively with youth. Through his writing workshops and seminars, he typically shares his knowledge with young people from marginalized communities. Mohammed highlights the value of transferring the age-old storytelling heritage to the next generation and displays a sincere enthusiasm for working with children.4
Mohammed won the 2007 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Poetry Face-Off and was named “Best New Artist”. In addition, he is a resident playwright at Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille. Among his noteworthy appearances are a TedX Toronto feature and the release of a short tale in the “Piece by Piece” anthology published by Penguin Canada. Mohammed is proud to have founded the Islamic media production company Safina Media, in addition to his contributions to poetry and theater. Through various media platforms, he carries on the illustrious legacy of narrative.3
Key Takeaways
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