Wali Shah

Wali Shah

Wali Shah was the City of Mississauga 2017-2019 Poet Laureate. This honorary position recognizes a poet who writes poetry or spoken word and has written on themes that are important to the citizens of Mississauga. The position holds four key objectives:

  • Become the City of Mississauga's literary ambassador both within and outside the City;
  • Promote poetry and literary arts within the City;
  • Raise the profile of writers in Mississauga; and
  • Create an artistic legacy through public readings and civic interactions.

About Wali Shah

As a poet and public speaker, the voice of Wali Shah has reached audiences across the country. From hundreds of schools, TEDx Talks, and collaborations with national organizations such as The CFL and Canada's Walk of Fame, Wali has become an icon for social advocacy and custom curated content.

His performance with Microsoft reached 16,000 people at the Air Canada Center and since then, Wali's personality, style, and captivating delivery, have inspired companies across North America.

Wali recently completed his post-secondary education, graduating from the University of Toronto. He is an ambassador for the Bell 'Let's Talk' campaign, and has helped in raising over one million dollars for United Way.

At 24 years of age, Wali is a creative force, with collaborations that include free-styling with hip-hop artist, Kendrick Lamar. From boardrooms to classrooms, Wali uses his art of story-telling to empower audiences and inspires them to empower others.

April 25, 2019 - Mississauga Central Library - Noel Ryan Auditorium
City of Mississauga First Official Poetry Slam

April 4, 2019 - Mississauga Central Library
Pre-Slam Poetry Workshop for Youth

April 3, 2019 - Council Chamber, Mississauga Civic Centre
Poetry Reading at Council to Celebrate National Poetry Month

March 13, 2019 - Malton Library
Pre-Slam Poetry Workshop for Youth

March 13, 2019 - Erin Meadows Library
Pre-Slam Poetry Workshop for Youth

December 31, 2018 - Mississauga Celebration Square
Poetry Reading at New Year's Eve Celebrations

November 11, 2018 - Mississauga Celebration Square
Reading of "Flanders Fields" at Remembrance Day Ceremony

November 8, 2018 - Living Arts Centre
Speaking Engagement and Poetry Reading at Creative Cities Network Conference

July 1, 2018 - Mississauga Celebration Square
Dear Mississauga written for a temporary public art work installed on the stairs leading up to Civic Centre between June - October 2018 and read at Canada Day Celebrations

January 14, 2018 - Council Chamber, Mississauga Civic Centre
Poetry Reading at Mayor's New Year's Levee

December 31, 2017 - Mississauga Celebration Square
Sauga City written for and read at New Year's Eve Celebrations

October 14, 2017 - Council Chamber, Mississauga Civic Centre
Poetry Reading at 2017 Mississauga Welcome Day

September 23, 2017 - Mississauga Celebration Square
To Mother Nature written for and read at 2017 Earth Market

July 1, 2017 - Mississauga Celebration Square
Happy 150th written for and read at 2017 Canada Day 150 Event

April 26, 2017 - Council Chamber, Mississauga Civic Centre
Official Poet Laureate Announcement

Wali Shah interview on CBC's Metro Morning with Matt Galloway
cbc.ca/listen/shows/metro-morning/segment/15601367

#UofTGrad18: Meet Wali Shah, spoken word poet, motivational speaker
utoronto.ca/news/uoftgrad18-meet-wali-shah-spoken-word-poet-motivational-speaker

inSauga Spotlight: Wali Shah
insauga.com/insauga-spotlight-wali-shah

CBC Here and Now [audio]
soundcloud.com/cbchereandnow/wali-shah

Toronto Star Article
thestar.com/news/gta/2017/05/07/from-troubled-mississauga-teen-to-poet-laureate.html

InSauga: Meet Mississauga's New Poet Laureate
insauga.com/meet-mississaugas-new-poet-laureate

My Mississauga: City's New Poet Laureate Has Been Announced and Hits the Stage this Summer
mymississauga.ca/2017/04/29/citys-new-poet-laureate-announced-hits-stage-summer/

Metro News: Mississauga's Poet Laureate wants youth to embrace arts
metronews.ca/news/toronto/2017/05/01/young-poet-laureate-wants-youth-to-embrace-arts.html

Mississauga News: UofT student Wali Shah named Poet Laureate of Mississauga
mississauga.com/community-story/7272905-uoft-student-wali-shah-named-poet-laureate-of-mississauga/

Contact Us
For more information on the Poet Laureate Program Contact:
Kathryn Garland
kathryn.garland@mississauga.ca