BridgeTO Youth Superstars: Buba
We are excited to introduce snapshots of some of our remarkable students from the BridgeTO graduating class of 2020. They have not only mapped out their dreams into actionable goals but have begun to take their first steps to achieve them. The Summer 2020 we will be highlighting a few who have generously shared their stories with us in order to better reflect who we serve, who you are helping with your donations, and to motivate our future students.
Changing the World Through His Words
BridgeTO's co-president, Abubakary Drame lovingly titled Buba, who has accepted his offer to the University of Guelph-Humber’s Journalism program where he hopes to pursue a 4-year co-op degree to explore the options available in this diverse field. Buba aspires to use his passion for media to work for the people and change the perception of the masses. He desires to use his platform to amplify those without the stage or opportunity to share their stories. But this advocate-nature wasn’t always prevalent for Buba.
During his early high-school years Buba had a lack of direction in his future; he didn’t have the motivation to put effort into his studies and he was even unsure of his desire to pursue university. Buba underestimated his capabilities to achieve success because his background did not house the resources and support required to achieve what he truly desired. But-
“When I joined BridgeTO in the fall of Grade 11 it was a wake-up call… Sammer and BridgeTO made me think of my future, which made me think of what I wanted to do and figure out where I was headed.”
As Buba became an integral part of the BridgeTO community, he was exposed to a variety of opportunities that amplified his, once, subdued talent.
Buba was introduced to CP24s Leena Latafat at the prestigious MAX Gala, who conversed with him about her career path and passion for journalism. She not only took the time out to meet him for a one on one coffee chat, to answer any of his questions, but she also invited an entire group of youth from BridgeTO to the sets of CP24. Buba had the opportunity to see the fast paced breaking news room as well as the many other segments hosted at CityTV headquarters.
Additionally, BridgeTO had the exclusive opportunity to visit TVO and watch a live recording of The Agenda with Steve Paikin, graciously invited and hosted by producer Jeyan Jeganathan. Earlier in the year, Buba had the opportunity to meet Jeyan over coffee and discuss a career in journalism. Like Buba, Jeyan was also raised in an under-served community and understood the difficulties it is to persevere and succeed in journalism as a visible minority. He encouraged Buba to use these differences to his advantage and to not be afraid to take opportunities that may seem out of the ordinary. At TVO, Buba toured the studio with Jeyan and Nam Kiwanukam and learned more about a career in media. As Buba met more influential figures such as Desmond Cole, a Black journalist and activist, he began to visualize a path for himself, something unfeasible to him in the past. BridgeTO was monumental in assisting Buba to pave his road towards success.
Along his journey with BridgeTO discovering his dreams, Buba often doubted his capabilities:
“Where we come from not a lot of people make it to where they want to be. So you end up comparing yourself to the people around you and you get in your head and don’t know where you are going to be”
Yet through his resilience and motivation from his mother and BridgeTO family, Buba now accepts the opportunities that come his way to further develop his skills, experiences, and kind character.
Buba is endlessly grateful for his 2 years at BridgeTO for allowing him to discover his pathway and most importantly, his potential to enact real change by amplifying the voices of the underprivileged.
Buba’s advice to new students:
“Don’t stay in your bubble. you never know what you like and don’t like it if you’re not trying new things. You never know what can happen, do as many things as you can and I promise you won’t regret it.”
Buba’s openness to becoming a BridgeTO student was a true escape from his past bubble and an entryway to finding his words and himself.