Poet and spoken-word artiste Shakira Burton is a firm believer in the power of the arts to heal, change, motivate, and make a difference, especially with the youths in the nation.
That is why this 23-year-old has been using her writing skills and voice to raise awareness on several sensitive societal issues and give voice to the voiceless for the past decade.
Burton copped the 2024 First Citizens National Poetry Slam title on April 28 at Queen's Hall, St Ann's, and the $50,000 first prize. This competition, which was part of the NGC Bocas Lit Fest, is considered the Caribbean's biggest spoken-word competition.
Burton was also one of 15 contestants who competed for the Miss La Reine Rive title on September 7, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port of Spain, in the Prime Minister's Best Village Trophy Competition, which celebrates this country's rich social and multi-cultural diversity.
Burton, who is from Indian Walk, Moruga, represented the Indian Walk Cultural Group.
Her artistic journey began when she was 13, as a student at Cowen Hamilton Secondary School (CHSS) in Moruga. Burton recalled getting a homework assignment to write a poem for English class.
"It came so naturally that I did everyone else's homework that day. That was when I realised I had a knack for poetry and words, using words to create scenery and emotions," Burton told Newsday.
As a child, she always knew she wanted to be on stage.
"I just did not understand in what capacity. I thought my calling was to become a teacher. I used to beat Mummy's plants and steps. I am still very much into education and that career path. Spoken words have taken off this year for me."
Burton works as a teacher's aide in theatre at her alma mater.
[caption id="attachment_1110636" align="alignnone" width="768"] Shakira Burton: "I plan to use poetry as my ministry to be the voice for the voiceless, to stand in the gap for the 99 per cent." - Photos courtesy Shakira Burton[/caption]
"I am in the same space where everything started. It is nice to look back and see where you were as you look to where you are going."
Burton sees herself as being even more involved in youth advocacy and platforms, advocating for young people to have more and better opportunities in whatever fields they want.
"I feel that, as a country, sometimes we limit young people to the options and opportunities available. When students graduate, sometimes they are just sitting at home or working somewhere where they do not want to work because the career path they want is not available or accessible to them.
"I plan to use poetry as my ministry to be the voice for the voiceless, to stand in the gap for the 99 per cent."
Burton hopes her voice becomes a catalyst for change when she speaks.
"I stand for young people, against injustice and for what I know to be true and right that my God-fearing personality will always be at the forefront of who I am because what I do, in spoken word, I do not do it for fame and fashion.
"It is about the message, an
