The youngster is in charge of the K-Style hip-hop program in the Kwinana community, and it has seen him nominated for WA Youth Award for Cultural Endeavours.
“It means quite a lot, especially from where I started, getting picked on and everything like that,” he said.
“Now I’m helping kids like myself who are struggling with the same issues.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“To be nominated for something like that… everyone who has helped get me where I am… it’s such an honour to say thank you to them,” he said.
Working with disadvantaged youth, K-Style’s vision is to build self-esteem in young people and express feelings through choreographed routines.
“Dancing was always there for me to help release the emotions I was feeling, so I didn’t put them into things like drugs, fighting, self-harm and things like that,” he said.
“So for me to be able to use what I have helped to get me through the tough times, and to be able to teach it to these kids and give them the options other than just the bad ways of doing it…”
Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams was full of praise for the self-taught dancer and his determination to help those around him.
“Shaquille is a remarkable example of what a young person can achieve when they follow their passions and channel their talent in such a way that achieves great outcomes, not only for themselves, but also for the community,” she said. The WA Youth Awards will be announced on November 27.