Dewayne Martin, 2017 Nyah Fellow and soon-to-be graduate of Hamilton College in New York, is a storyteller, organizer, and so much more. The youngest Nyah Fellow ever selected at 14, Dewayne sits down with Leigh-Ann to dive deep into his personal definition of freedom, the connection between his philosophical and emotional journey, and the importance of unlocking opportunities and individual narratives. Also find out Dewayne’s childhood dream and how he’s helping those around him figure out, “What do we want for this life?”
They also discuss:
- The value proposition of an individual's ability to contribute
- Walking as a form of meditation
- Translating feelings of freedom into action
- Growing up in a single mother, queer matriarchal household and reconciling his relationship with an absent father
- Overcoming speech impediments and racial slurs in school
- “Being a 2020 Graduate Baby” and lost rites of passage due to COVID-19
- Existential life questions
- The importance of personal reconciliation and its broader societal implications
- Human factor leadership as an economics concept
- The disruptive nature of Nyah Project and its influence on his understanding of purpose, ability to identify and obtain resources, and his opportunities to travel to three countries
- The potential of unlocked opportunities in Miami and the need for local residents to benefit from and contribute to the city’s future
“I think that when you are in precarious situations, you have no choice but to ask critical questions about your life." - Dewayne Martin
