I’m a certified yapper
Written by Akwal herself
Hello! My name is Akwal Magek. That’s “Ak-uo-wal” (you’re welcome for the pronunciation guide.) Fun fact: I’m a certified yapper – officially graduated with a Degree in Yappology back in 2020.
My dream? To start an interview series (not a podcast, okay?) to chat with local legends and highlight people doing amazing things in the community. As a proud, certified yapper, I’ve landed in my current role as the Engagement Lead at Culture Spring. Basically, I’m a community connector – a bit of an organiser extraordinaire. I love connecting with young people, hearing their unique takes on life, and helping them find cool opportunities they never thought of or didn’t know existed.
Culture Spring’s big mission for 2025 is all about engaging young folks, building community, and teaming up with organisations to develop impactful projects that drive social change. Lucky for me, that’s right in my lane. *Stares at the camera and winks*. I’ve been with CMY for nearly six months, where I’ve had the amazing chance to work on projects like “The Unsaid Says a Lot” campaign, planning a short series with Project Rockit, and now, helping young people dive into radio with the NEMBC.
Oh, and by the way, I’ve been involved in the community and arts sector for nearly seven years now. I started as a storyteller, sharing my journey with other young people to show them the power of community and the doors that open through community programs. Those experiences shaped my path, and now, in my role at Culture Spring, I’m all about creating safe spaces for young people to be authentically themselves.
Thanks for tuning in to my TED Talk!