At only 16 years old, Alisha Aslam is daring to stand up, speak up, and create change.
We’re so excited to bring you our youngest and most daring speaker. Let’s let youth lead.
About the speaker
At 16 years old, Alisha Aslam has been featured by CBC, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, National Observer, and more for her advocacy for positive social change with youth at its centre. Her words have impacted many around the world as she is in numerous councils and change groups. From being in her board's Student Senate to a Page at the Assembly of Ontario, she has drafted policies for the youth of Ontario, collaborated with the US Consul General in Toronto, written for UNICEF, provides STEM opportunities to marginalized groups, writes articles to empower youth to persevere despite hardships so the next generation doesn’t have to face them, and much more. She believes everyone carries a version of her story and that we may be discriminated against, but she believes no one is impaired from making a change which is why she thinks everyone who believes in this is an activist. As she puts it, she aspires to bring the "unity" in community, and build a world where youth are not only able to survive, they are able to thrive!
You can check out more examples of how Alisha dares to stand up for what she believes in here. See what she's up to on Instagram
Favorite quotes from this talk
if i want to speak up, i have to get out of my comfort zone.
Meet our perfomer:
Nathan Baya is an artist, spoken word poet and dancer born and raised in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood. Nathan came from humble beginnings from two Congolese parents who raised him. Drawing on his art at a young age, Baya used his artistic talent to redefine what his community means to him and the world. He aspires to create opportunities for himself as a local artist but for other artists as well. He aims to open the door for fellow artists as he uses his work to inspire others. To him this is the true definition of following the way of his ancestors. Each one, teach one! Check out his work on Instagram: @nathan.baya