The Journey is here. đź–¤
It’s about time, I know a lot of you have been waiting, so thank you for your patience.
The Journey began with me training for my first marathon at 17, but became something bigger: resilience, representation, and community. The aim is simple, to inspire and create more opportunities for youth like me in the future.
Huge thanks to @zachkimphoto for filming + producing, @quinton_jacobs for always being in my corner, and to the community that carried me, @kickbackfoundation , @jamaljburger , @7onsundays , @asicscanada , @asicsrunning , @culture.athletics , @wilcramer , @goddamngram , @mari__atelier , @iamjarrhettbutler , @lesleyloughlin , @techrep_cher , @nfick17 , @miymocha .
This story is much bigger than me, and I’m honoured to share it with you as part of The Journey.
Watch the full documentary in the link in bio
It takes a village.
8 years ago I got to run his first 5k with him in a youth running & reading program where I volunteer. Last year, I got to run along side @abdih3000 for his very first half marathon in Toronto. This year (at 17 years old)… to reward his dedication, drive, and perseverance, we surprised him with a special first marathon experience… @chimarathon ✨
Upon surprising him, we learned that his friend @zachkimphoto (also 17) was shooting a documentary on Abdul’s journey, and they had even written a screenplay. A good one.
So as we pulled this trip together, there was nothing else to do but find a way to bring Zach along to tell this beautiful story.
It takes a village, and one of my biggest blessings is that I’m surrounded by people who seek to be a part of communities that aim to inspire, uplift, and contribute to something bigger than their personal successes and accolades.
@kickbackfoundation@jamaljburger@7onsundays@asicscanada@asicsrunning@culture.athletics@wilcramer@goddamngram@mari__atelier@iamjarrhettbutler@lesleyloughlin@techrep_cher@nfick17@miymocha …This weekend couldn’t have happened without you, and for that I’m eternally grateful. More importantly though, the lives of two inspiring, driven, and ambitious young men has been primed for even more greatness in the future.
Ya’ll stay tuned for that doc.👀🎥🎬🍿✨
Photo 1: @notafraid2fail
Photo 2: @zhetrick
Photo 3: @zachkimphoto
Chicago… Nuthin’ but love for you.
🙏🏽❤️
(2/2) “I was born in Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea. And there was some trouble there back home. So my parents decided that we should move. With my mom and brother and sister, we arrived at Toronto Pearson Airport in January of 2014. We arrived at a women’s shelter and stayed there for three weeks, and then we moved to another shelter–government housing, and we were there until grade three. That’s all in the communities of Moss Park and Regent Park.”
“In my community, especially for the fact that it is underserved and is limited in opportunities, I think that has, at times, driven the youth to not have a safe place to go for what they really want to do or have a safe place to be creative, be passionate about something, you know what I mean? And I think having a home or having a community that supports you in any way or in a certain way can ease your mind. Having the habits, a schedule–just a pattern in your life that’s positive makes a huge impact in the way you go about life and in the people that are in your circle because you wouldn’t be negative; you wouldn’t be violent; you wouldn’t be distracted with access to easy sources to dopamine such as drugs, You wouldn’t waste your time at home, like say bingeing or whatever. You feel accomplished in a way. And I think that’s important.”
“I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of a positive circle because of the access that Kickback has and the opportunities they provide for youth. And I can only dream of doing something similar in the future.”
“So I think where I go from now is just seeing how I can impact the next kid tomorrow or today. And if an opportunity strikes, then I’ll take it. It’s just that I want to be happy–and what makes me happy is seeing others happy. I do know that I want to make an impact. If that’s through work or if that’s through a project, then so be it. We’ll see where all that takes me.”
“If I had one piece of advice for anyone who’s worried about not being successful or not feeling accomplished, I hope that my story reinforces that with enough patience and intentional ambition, opportunities will come to face.”
#RefugeeJourney#TorontoYouthVoices#ImmigrantVoices
Abdul hit a huge milestone and with Zach by his side, they brought an incredible story to life that spoke to resilience, representation, and community.
To everyone who showed up, donated, and poured into this moment, thank you. Your support truly allows us to continue this special moments, as this year we will be sending Kevin to Berlin in September. We are forever grateful.
A special thank you to Q and Will for leading the charge and holding it all together with love and vision.
Thank you also to @asicscanada and @culture.athletics for outfitting and supporting Abdul and the whole Kickback team through his Chicago journey!
In Abdul’s words: “The journey began with me training for my first marathon at 17, but became something bigger: resilience, representation, and community. The aim is simple to inspire and create more opportunities for youth like me in the future.”
Watch the doc via the link in bio.
This is it. The time has literally come. Been training all year to complete the dream that has been deemed impossible my whole life. Through a journey of highs and lows in a world that can seem so out of reach in goals and achievements, this will be the day that I prove to myself that the dreams are limitless if only they are driven by one’s commitment and urgency. The pursuit of living everyday to grow 1% better at a time. Please join me in that day to celebrating the pursuits of chasing after your dreams. Much love to all of you who have supported me throughout the Journey. Like @quinton_jacobs said “Just a lickle 4 hour fitness”.
A couple of shoutouts go to:
@kickbackfoundation@asicscanada@culture.athletics@wilcramer@lesleyloughlin@mari__atelier@goddamngram And last but not least @quinton_jacobs Follow me on Bib #19911
Final FNL. Wow, something I would have never imagined to say. I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to be apart of a night full energy and parade for the past three years. FNL is a time of reunion and embracing community and spirit and even though we did not get the result that we wanted, you guys (the supporters) still came out uplifting the team, uplifting the atmosphere and showed the team and myself what it means to have a full school and community in your support through every challenge. So a massive thanks to all of you🙏. This is one of those things in life I’ll never forget, so thank you for making it memorable. It has been a journey, but it’s not over💪🏾, this one’s for y’all🫵🏾.Thanks again for your supports and stay blessed🤙🏾❤️
Much love to all of the support I’ve been receiving💙. It’s a privilege to have this honour and I couldn’t have done it without certain individuals. More specifically Coach @quinton_jacobs , for his commitment to inspire others from all backgrounds to continue being great and shine✨ amongst their communities. And to the @kickbackfoundation for giving me the opportunity and space to shine and grow to eventually inspire others. I am deeply grateful and will continue to grow and inspire.
News platform🌎 - @globeandmail
Publisherđź“‘ - @irunningben
/canada/article-canada-marathons-runner-registration/
What an adventure. I had the privilege of visiting one of the most beautiful countries in the world and it was truly life changing. Not only did I learn so much about the ecosystem but I learned so much from the people of Tanzania, from their lifestyle to the way they treat each other (with pure and genuine love). I’m forever grateful for this experience and will definitely be going back.🇹🇿❤️
