Randell’s Rise
“Regardless of our age, ethnicity, beliefs, identity or any other factors we use to define ourselves, inevitably, we will all experience suffering. It is not the suffering itself but our response to the suffering that can truly unleash the pure potential within us.”
Randell Adjei is an Author, Inspirational Speaker, Arts Educator and Community Leader who uses the spoken word to empower and transform through Edutainment. He is the founder of one of Toronto's largest and longest running youth led initiatives; Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere (R.I.S.E Edutainment).
The beat of his art was found after years of being lost. He found himself by turning his struggles around to inspire others. His story is one of an Alchemist who truly transformed his life from rock to gold inspiring everyone he comes into contact to strive to unearth the pure potential within them.
Randell shares these messages on various stages as an emcee/host, performer and arts practitioner.
Randell is also a MaRS DD - Studio Y Cohort 2 Fellow, 1 of 5 coaches involved in the Toronto Public Library’s (Poetry Saved Our Lives) project and a regularly sought after speaker and presenter with the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic School Board.
A featured performer on TEDxUTSC and has shared stages with the likes of Jessie Reyez, Terry Crews, Paul Mooney, Maestro Fresh Wes and D’bi Young.
Featured Articles
Torontonian of the Year
“Randell Adjei went from being arrested at 12 years old to being named his high school's valedictorian in the span of five years. Now he is helping others who have artistic ambition”
150 Neighbours
“What started out as 23 people in a small room at Scarborough Town Centre grew into a city wide movement of youth finding themselves through their creative voice.”
Local Hero: Randell Adjei
“I want to give space to other people because it’s not all about me… I want them to think about how they fit inside of it, too, and how all of us have contributed to it.”
Awards and Accolades
2021
Named Ontario’s 1st Poet Laureate
2020
ArtworxTO,
Year of Public Art - Scarborough Curator
Economic Club of Canada,
Opening performance for Barack Obama
2019
JAYU Canada Arts for Human Rights,
Established Artists Award
Ghanaian Community Association, Community Award
ABSOLUT Vodka,
Agent of Change
2018
Toronto Arts Foundation,
Mayor’s Youth Arts Award
2017
Local Hero,
NOW Magazine
Public Speaking Certification,
150 Scarborough Neighbours
MarS DD Fellow,
MarS
2016
Strategy Certification,
Toronto Youth Equity
Excellence in the Arts
Emerging Artist Nominee,
Premier’s Awards
Vital Ideas,
Toronto Foundation
2015
Torontonian of the Year,
CBC Metro Morning
Public Speaking Certification,
Black Isle
MarS DD Fellow,
MarS