Adrian Leckie competes in Speaker Slam Identity event at Toronto's Lula Lounge

Adrian Leckie, a Scarborough youth leader who oversees the Imani Black Academic Mentorship Program at University of Toronto Scarborough, will compete in Speaker Slam's Identity competition on July 21 at Lula Lounge in Toronto. He will deliver a five-minute speech about releasing an old identity and finding the courage to live more authentically.

Leckie previously placed second at Speaker Slam's Belonging event after sharing his experience of being stopped by police at 16 while walking home from a homecoming game at East York Collegiate Institute. Two officers stopped him in connection with a convenience store robbery he had nothing to do with, asking him to empty his backpack on the street to prove his innocence. The experience changed how he understood the way others could perceive him because of his race.

"It was that moment when I was picked out, out of a group of people, a sea of people who were walking by," he said. In the months afterward, Leckie questioned whether he could have responded differently and initially tried to convince himself the officers were simply doing their jobs. However, he continued to feel exposed, fearful, and resentful.

Despite the experience, Leckie went on to become valedictorian of his graduating class. Sharing his story at the Belonging event helped him connect with people who had experienced similar feelings of discrimination, isolation, and silence. Youth organizations invited him to continue the conversation with young people.

Speaker Slam describes itself as North America's largest inspirational speaking competition. The Identity competition will bring together 10 speakers to explore the labels, expectations, and experiences that have shaped their identities. The winner receives a prize package valued at up to $10,000, including $2,000 in cash, and advances to the 2026 Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals.