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Interview with Gavin Shepperd
by Lebogang Tsoametsi
Gavin (right) with Don Popo in b-boy pose at the Summit. Pic by Naomi
While most young adults at the tender age of 25 are now starting their careers, Gavin Sheppard who hails from Canada, not only founded the I.C Vision but is also the co-founder of the Remix Project.
While growing up Toronto, Gavin experienced violence throughout his community and around his peers. He saw the lack of opportunity and used this as motivation to create a path, where none stood before. Using medium of music, Gavin turned what he best related to (hip-hop) into the first hip-hop community center in north America, which gave youth the opportunity to be a part of something rather than look to the streets for comfort.
Gavin, who has been professionally involved with youth work since he was 17, proves you be one of the most driven individuals within the line of community development using hip hop as a tool of engagement. When asked about his role in the Your City International Crime Prevention & Cities Summit, he responded by saying “I am merely the tool that brings together the young minds so that they may inject inspiration into the overplayed discourse and offer an authentic viewpoint”.
Gavin feels that the link between arts and culture plays as crucial role in combating violence amongst youth in the community, as it is a language that youth relate and feel a part of.
Having traveled around various communities, including the very diverse community of South Africa, Gavin has stumbled upon the conclusion that there are more similarities than differences amongst the vision that the youth posses for social change in their community.
Struggling with identity issues during youth years in a common happening, as is finding ones ground. “I feel that self respect is the most empowering tool that a person can claim as their own, having said that most of the programs at remix are aimed to do just that! And it is through this empowerment that the youth learns the power that they as individuals posses.”
When asked about the long term impact of this youth summit, he said: “ In all honestly, I feel that the majority of summits do not have a lasting impact, but the ones that do share a common thread. That being they inspire change from within the individual. This change then travels with them where ever they may be and thus is the goal of this summit. To let the youth inspire each other, and bring this inspiration home with them for the long term”
This young man from Toronto has proven that your current situation shouldn’t have to dictate where you want to go and that you should always keep your eyes on the prize to succeed.
During the Your City International Crime Prevention & Cities Summit, the Baobab team and the 20 winners of the competition are reporting live from the summit premises! Keep checking back for daily updates.
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Bonio 16/07/2008 13:04 wrote:
Good work...youths should be active determinants of their own destiny
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mighty 16/07/2008 12:57 wrote:
Keep up the spiri Mr Gavin, thats the way to go hope all youths will emulate such a worthy cause....Ronald
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Roba 15/07/2008 15:35 wrote:
i think Gavin has done a nice thing to start something great like this....i wonder if he is going to expand soon and maybe bring one here.
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