Daffodils in Brooklyn: Shaquana Boykin takes her passion for nature and community to the District Assembly

Shaquana Boykin’s commitment to her community is unwavering. As a leader with Opportunity Youth United and an engagement coordinator for the New York City Mayor’s Office, Shaquana worked with people of all ages living in public housing to provide opportunities, connect with resources and build relationships. “Everybody, in every part of the community can do something. You have to unpack their stories, ask the right questions,” she says.

At 23, Shaquana was nominated for the Children & Nature Network’s Natural Leaders program by her mentor at the Brooklyn Botanic garden. Shaquana understood that nature deficit had to be addressed in a way that was authentic to her community. After hearing kids being told “don’t touch that dirt” and “you’ll get ringworm from playing in the garden,” she knew that changing mindsets about the natural world was key.

“In Brooklyn, getting outside looks different than it does in other parts of the country,” says Boykin. “A project like helping neighborhood kids plant daffodils on their block was a small way to make a big difference. By the end of the day, adults were coming up to ask what they could do and how they could help. When the daffodils came up this spring, not only did they beautify the block, they created a sense of pride and ownership among residents.”

Through the Natural Leaders program, Shaquana refined her innate leadership abilities and found a peer group of young leaders focused on creating positive change in their communities. Earlier this year, Shaquana was elected District Assembly Leader for her Brooklyn district.

The Children & Nature Network’s Youth Outdoor Equity Leadership Fund provides leaders like Shaquana with mini-grants to support their work. “Even a small donation, it’s like a seed,” she says. “It can turn into something much bigger. We’re resourceful, we reuse things, we make the most of what we have. A mini-grant can be the start of a big opportunity!”

The Youth Outdoor Equity Leadership Fund is made possible with support from Vasque Footwear.

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