At 14, this author hopes to inspire other Black kids to write

Kenneth Nyamusa Jr. started scratching out the idea for his new self-published novel when he was only 10. Now, at 14, the London, Ont. teen has crafted a story about a Black youth who has amazing super powers. 

It's called Survival of the Fittest and the Grade 9 student hopes it will help inspire other kids to write when he presents it at one of London's Black History Month events this February. 

"I can be sort of an inspiration to other Black youth out there to show them that, yeah, you can do it. You can write a book yourself. Don't think you're too young to do it," Nyamusa said. 

He credits his mum for encouraging him to think through the story - which happens to see the main character "embark on a wild roller coaster ride" with his mother - and convincing him to write it down. 

"At first it was just for fun, not really going for publication. But I showed it to my mom and she thought it was really good. So she said that we should try to get this published. And here we are," Nyamusa explains.

So what gave him the skills to craft a novel? He says he reads a lot, plus he takes part in spelling bees at school. 

"As long as you try and believe in yourself, then you can do almost anything you put your mind to," the teen said.

Nyamusa is one of several guests who will join a virtual family celebration for Black History Month hosted in collaboration with the London Public Library.

The events will take place every Monday in February, starting at 6:30pm, and will showcase stories, music and dance. If you want to hear from the teen, tune in Monday Feb. 8. 

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.