Youth

Wali Shah is the voice of a generation of youth. From hundreds of schools and colleges across North America, to performing at WeDay, Wali uses his poetry for a purpose. Thousands of youth follow him on social media, as he sparks honest and authentic conversations and raises awareness on social issues using his art and his platform.

Wali is an advocate for issues such as diversity and inclusion, leadership, bullying prevention, masculinity, and mental health. Via workshops, keynotes, and videos with school boards — Wali delivers a message youth can relate to.

15 years old, and labelled at-risk, a teacher introduced him to poetry. Since then, it became an avenue for Wali to share his story. Being Muslim, being Pakistani, and being a teenager wasn't easy — but with the right mentors and a coping strategy, it became easier.

Now, Wali speaks to educators and parents about the power of mentorship and promoting self-expression through creative writing. His journey has led to working with Bell Let's Talk, and he’s had multiple TEDx appearances. At 27 years old, he is one of RBC's Top 25 Canadian Immigrants and an honors graduate of the University of Toronto. He's performed for President Barack Obama, and he's even freestyled with hip hop artist, Kendrick Lamar.