LiteratureShayna ‘Simba’ Castano
Local Poet & Teacher, Exodus United
by Mary McGinn
The first time I saw Shayna “Simba” Castano, her shine stole the light from the room.
I watched her win the Women of the World
poetry slam qualifier with strong pieces about
social justice issues. Nearly two years have
passed, and she has since represented Central
Florida on a national stage. In addition to being a mother, wife, and local writer, 23-yearold Castano is now an 8th-grade teacher, and
founder of the grassroots non-profit, Exodus
United. “We started about a year ago,” she
tells me as we air-dry. We both got caught in
the city’s daily downpour. “We work with atrisk youth—homeless, juvenile, low income.
Exodus United educates them on social issue
topics.”
might take an uber.” They all wind up in the that will turn today’s at-risk youth into tomorsame place, but through unique experience.
row’s global leaders, and it begins with Poetry
and Pedagogy. “It’s not just about poetry—it’s
Castano is excited to see how her students de- an arts and education program. I started it off
liver their thoughts. Some will share their ideas with poetry because that’s what I know. I want
in the workshop, before sharing them again to stick to one program and build it up before
on the stage. Her Covenant House students I introduce a second one.”
have a slot in Exodus United’s quarterly showcase, Merging Artists: The Movement. The Those interested in helping Castano further the
Fall Edition will take place on the evening of movement, please contact shaynacastano@exOctober 22nd and will highlight “youth and odusunited.com or visit exodusunited.org for
varying artists of diverse backgrounds, ethnic- more information. Follow them on Facebook
ities and socioeconomic status.” At this event, & Instagram at @ExodusUnitedInc.
Exodus United plans to release their new poetry album. Through a sponsorship by Real Feel
Recording, they recorded an EP called “The
Making of an Exodus”. This album features
We sip our caffeine in a crowded coffee shop. poetry and song from the youth of the CoveIt’s a little after five and she’s dressed in her nant House.
work clothes. Today was Meet the Teacher Day. It’s been a long one, but Castano is Exodus United is making plans for expansion.
You can see more at:
still electric with energy. “I think it’s import- Their vision is to create sustainable programs
ExodusUnited.org
ant to understand that it’s not always about
photo provided by Shayna Castano
you,” she explains. “You can either be an
entertainer or an activist. So, I choose to
be an activist. Don’t just talk about it, be
about it.” Castano lives by example. After
class on Wednesdays, she teaches at the
Covenant House. The Covenant House is a
haven for homeless youth of Orlando.
“Our first main program is called Poetry and
Pedagogy,” she says. “We actually combine social issues with creative writing. We go in and
we might do an hour and a half workshop. We
introduce a social issue topic, and then we
complement with creative writing.It gives
substance and helps them to become cognizant of what’s going on in society.”
Recently, she tasked her Wednesday night
class to pick a topic for themselves. “They
have to research it and prepare a 5-10 minute presentation.” Castano values the unique
perspectives of her students and wants to
learn from them as much as they want to
learn from her. In typical poet fashion, she
explains this idea with a metaphor. “Let’s
think of a social justice issue as a [commute
to] school. One person might have taken four
busses to get there, one might’ve walked, one
person might’ve got dropped off, somebody
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