Shakira Rouse is the creator and founder of Special Compass, keynote speaker, facilitator and yoga instructor. She has an incredible passion at connecting people to understand that learning disabilities shouldn't deter one from accomplishing their goals. As an adult with a learning disability, Shakira regularly experiences emotional frustration and stress but, at twenty-five, this ambitious young woman decided to turn her set back into a comeback to help other students with learning disabilities.
Recognizing there was a gap in how students with learning disabilities were being supported, in 2015 Special Compass was created. Special Compass is an organization dedicated at helping students with learning disabilities achieve success in and outside the classroom. Merging her personal experience and education, Shakira Rouse creates and facilitates workshops and programs for students, parents and educators. Speaking and presenting at events such as the Ontario National Alliance of Black Students Educators annual conference, the Learning Disability Association of Canada Speak Up 4 Ability conference and presenting at the National Alliance of Black Student Educators 2019 annual conference in Dallas, Texas. She has been interviewed in various media outlets within North America.
In 2018, she was the recipient of the Black Female Role Model award, has been interviewed in nationally and internationally outlets, sharing her story of how she overcame challenges with her learning disability in her education. Her work extends beyond the classroom and helping people to love their special gifts, talents and most importantly themselves. For the past three years she has been working and giving back to her community as a career mentor at York University.
Juggling multiple commitments, Shakira found herself consistently burning the candle from both ends. Discovered yoga to help bring harmony to her mind, body and soul. Immediately yoga became a part of her routine, she completed her teacher training in 2020.
Calling her practice Harmony & Flow she realized this was another way to bring change and help others. Although, Shakira enjoyed yoga she did not always feel connected to the community and found barriers to developing her own practice. Becoming a yoga teacher permitted her to remove these barriers and bring wellness to marginalized groups in the community.
Some people break glass ceilings, Shakira Rous is kicking downs barriers. No one should be limited or feel discourage from reaching their full potential because of a difference. Everyone is created differently, and is beautiful in their own way. This is why her mission is to “Navigate You To Success.”
