013 - Disruption with Dewayne Martin
Accelerate Access Episode 013 - Disruption with Dewayne Martin, 2017 Nyah Project Fellow
Welcome to the next episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast! We share stories of how access to opportunity changes lives. Hosted by Nyah Project founder, Leigh-Ann Buchanan, the podcast provides an inside look into the transformational journeys of our Nyah Fellows as they navigate college, careers, and personal growth as young leaders in the community.
This week’s guest is Dewayne Martin, a 2017 Nyah Fellow and soon-to-be graduate of Hamilton College in New York. He 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?”
“I think that when you are in precarious situations, you have no choice but to ask critical questions about your life.” - Dewayne Martin
They 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
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Amazon Music
