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Meet Our Director of Research and Development, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji.
Posted in: Blog, Communications, Miscellaneous, News & Updates by c.dunton on July 26, 2011 | No Comments
My name is pretty much a tongue twister so most people just call me “E”. However, if you are one of those curious cats who want to know everything, my full name is Iyinoluwa Aboyeji. I am going to be building on the successes of pioneers like Michael Pett as Director of Research and Development. A lot of what my new job description means is that I will not be as visible as some of my other colleagues however, I will be planning and executing logistics with every major project we do at Empowerment Squared.
Perhaps I should tell you a bit about myself.
I am a 19 year old, male, international student from Nigeria (sorry, Canada!) and I study Legal Studies and Economics at the University of Waterloo. I joined Empowerment Squared from Imprint Publications (one of Canada’s largest student publications companies) where I served as President. I also write columns and articles for a lot of publications and consult for a number of non-for profits on youth engagement and long term strategy.
I lived in Hamilton when I first came to Canada in January of 2008 for my last year of high school at Columbia International College. I have been drawn to this city ever since I moved here. Even when I had to leave for University in Waterloo, I often make trips back to see my friends from around here.
As you can already tell, I am totally a nerd. I usually sit at the computer for long hours (while I work) reading and sharing amazing articles from all over the web and sharing my thoughts on important issues of the day through social media. Nonetheless, I do manage to squeeze in a bit of a social life and I manage to have a good time when there are no deadlines a-calling (which is very rarely). I listen to a lot of weird classical music (on repeat!) and some other hippie genres. I especially love music from Beirut. You should check them out. They totally rock!
A few of the many things I am passionate about are diversity, education, entrepreneurship, Africa and international development.
This year, at Empowerment Squared, I will be focusing on building a movement of empowered young people across Southern Ontario through our Driven: Beyond Boundaries program. I am also very excited about organizing our project to make an accurate documentary about our United FC’s experiences last summer with some talented filmmakers just in time for the Toronto International Film Festival, so watch out for that.
If you have any amazing suggestions, questions or comments (and I know you do!), you can reach me at i.aboyeji@empowermentsquared.com
Check out our Summer 2011 Newsletter!
Posted in: Blog, Communications, News & Updates by c.dunton on | 1 Comment
If you aren’t a subscriber to our mailing list, please see our Summer 2011 Newsletter here for updates on Empowerment Squared: http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b2a871011bd69a84834d4f461&id=89bd9ebc29 . You can subscribe here on our website. Don’t forget to also follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!
Leo Johnson Wins Albert Lager Prize
Posted in: Blog, News & Updates by c.dunton on June 6, 2011 | No Comments
We congratulate Executive Director Leo Johnson on receiving the Albert Lager Student Prize for Student Initiative from the McMaster Alumni Association. The award is given to exceptional current students for outstanding support, leadership, community involvement and service to their faculty, program or to McMaster University. Recipients of this award have made a significant volunteer contribution that improves student life, university affairs or supports the Alumni Association. Leo is being recognized specifically for his hard work in linking McMaster students to the greater Hamilton community and increasing student involvement in the community via Empowerment Squared projects. For more information, please see http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/story.cfm?id=8029. Congratulations, Leo!
An Evening in Support of Our Executive Director: Leo Johnson
Posted in: Blog, In the News, News & Updates by Create Media on April 18, 2011 | No Comments
Leo’s effort in our community since his arrival four years ago as a government sponsored refugee will be celebrated and recognized.
All donations and gifts will go towards supporting Leo’s reunion trip expenses and the site development efforts of The Campaign for the Samuel Morris Memorial Library and Community Centre.
Saturday, April 30, 2011 6:00pm – 8:30pm Globe Youth Centre 24 Main Street W., Hamilton, ON. Admission: $15.00
Formal remarks at 6:10pm Documentary screening to follow : Pray the Devil Back to Hell
Pray the Devil Back to Hell chronicles the remarkable story of the courageous Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their shattered country. A story of sacrifice, unity and transcendence, Pray the Devil Back to Hell honors the strength and perseverance of the women of Liberia. Inspiring, uplifting, and most of all motivating, it is a compelling testimony of how grassroots activism can alter the history of nations.
Meet Our New Communications Director: Hali Farah
Posted in: Blog, Communications, In the News, News & Updates by Leo Johnson on February 6, 2011 | No Comments
Hamilton, ON—Yes, we have been quiet lately, after such a busy and exciting summer for Empowerment Squared. There have been lots of changes, (great changes) on our side. My name is Hali Farah, I am the new Communications Director at Empowerment Squared, and I am super excited to be part of the team. Being the Communications Director means you will be hearing A LOT from me! A LOT!
If I had to describe myself in three words it would be; dynamic, approachable, and eager to learn. I graduated from McMaster University way back in 07 with a BSc. majoring in psychology. I have lived and been involved in the Hamilton Community for some time now. At McMaster, I was heavily involved with the McMaster African Students Association; I was part of the MASA exec for three of my four years.
I am from Kenya, but of Somali origin, so basically a Kenyan-Somali. I went back to Kenya last summer after 20yrs and it was such an amazing experience. I cannot even begin to explain the sentiment of feeling foreign in your country of origin; it’s been so long since I’ve been back to Africa. Apart from the fact that I looked local and could easily blend in, I was as awkward and at awe as a typical tourist. I have never felt so Canadian, and had to admit to myself that YES, a lot has changed.
My trip to Kenya made me reflect, and want to give back. We are fortunate to have so many opportunities that we easily take for granted because they come in such abundance. We are so fortunate that the things we’ve come to expect and even demand are a distant dream for many others. I am very excited about joining the Empowerment Squared team to have the opportunity to help empower others in our communities so that they can help themselves and others.
Empowerment Squared is constantly looking for enthusiastic interns who want to make a difference and join our team. For more information, please visit our Job Opportunitiessection for future employment and volunteer opportunities.
Oh Canada?
Posted in: Blog by Kate Weersink on July 12, 2010 | No Comments
With Canada Day having just passed, I thought it would be appropriate to talk a little about our favourite country. Every year when we all proudly wear our red and white while watching fireworks on July 1st it makes me think about what we’re actually celebrating. Yeah sure, Canada’s birthday, but what does it mean to be Canadian? What really makes Canadians, Canadians? Read more…
