Turbocharging Young Leaders into a Future of Excellent Leadership By Feleshia Chandler Photography contributed
BIJ and DBDLI put a call out for youth to apply for the tickets. Over 246 applications were received from leaders from all over Nova Scotia, ranging in age from 16-30. All of them were vying for a coveted opportunity to hear from the first Black President of the United States. As part of the initiative, applicants were tasked with responding to a variety of questions, like how they demonstrated leadership in their community, what social justice issues mattered to them, and what they would ask President Obama if given the chance. After a review of all the applications, BIJ and DBDLI were faced with the tough job of selecting the 100 young leaders who would receive the tickets. Three of those selected were Marcel Desmond from Antigonish; Tyeshia Angel Jordan from Truro, and Robert Downey from North Preston. They describe the once in a lifetime experience, and what it has meant for them and their futures.
Marcel Desmond
Marcel Desmond is a grade 12 student from the community of Upper Big Tracadie. He is an advocate for equitable education for African Nova Scotian youth, and works with community programs to help advance that goal. Marcel’s drive is rooted in his own experiences with the education system, where he witnessed ongoing systemic inequities for people who looked like him. “It’s important that we eradicate these inequities for the next generation,” he said. Marcel who also lobbies education stakeholders about how they can support equitable education for African Nova Scotian youth describes his experience at the Obama event as a reminder of the strength that he and other Black youth have. He felt honored to be one of those selected to see the President in person. For him, the event was surreal. “It was very inspiring to hear such rich information, gained through wisdom and experience.”
In the Fall of 2019, 100 young leaders received tickets to attend A Conversation with Obama featuring former US President, Barack Obama. Held on November 13, the event was part of Nova Scotia Co-Operative Council’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
Like Marcel, Tyeshia Angel Jordan was in awe of the President. When she found out she was chosen to attend the event, she felt grateful to be included among so many talented young people.
Business and community leaders across Atlantic Canada including among others, Stewart McKelvey, Business is Jammin’ and The Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute used this opportunity to recognize Nova Scotia’s emerging leaders through the Future Leaders Initiative. BLACK to BUSINESS
Tyeshia is from a small Black community known as ‘The Island’. She is starting her second year of a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree at Dalhousie University. Her passion is giving back to communities, and she demonstrates that in her work helping to run a youth group for African Nova 16
Summer 2020
