Kalvonix

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu is a writer, performer, motivational speaker, rapper and aspiring counsellor working to inspire people through music and creativity. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at twelve months, Calvin knew he had to work twice as hard in order to break free from the various stereotypes that accompany growing up with a physical disability. During elementary school, he became an easy target for bullies due to walking on crutches as well as using a wheelchair. On the worst days, Calvin was whipped with skipping ropes, kicked down onto the gravel, pointed at, laughed at and told that he would never get anywhere because of his limitations. Upon hearing this every day, Calvin began to grow useless and depressed. It wasn’t until he heard Eminem for the first time at the age of twelve when he discovered not only his love for hip hop, but also his voice. A voice that would speak out for those who felt different, isolated and alone.
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Teaching himself how to work recording software along with acquiring a studio microphone, Calvin has both written and self-produced over twenty solo albums. Some of which got the attention of Grammy winning producer, Chin Injeti who has produced for the likes of Drake, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Eminem himself. In 2010, Calvin performed in Yaletown in front of 12 000 people as part of the Winter Games celebration and has gone on to perform at numerous charity events as well as events with language and creativity at the forefront such as WORD Vancouver and The Walrus Talks. On top of this, Calvin also had his third year collaborative essay and album with Rick “Big Love” Kumar published at TheJUMP (The Journal for Undergraduate Multimedia Projects) based at Texas State University. As a result, Calvin gained a sponsorship with Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Coca-Cola in which he and Rick began an English outreach program entitled “Frontier Poetics” that focused on the benefits of self-expression through rap, poetry, and spoken-word. Having been to over 15 different high schools and brought this program to over nine hundred students, Calvin was awarded Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 Award in 2015 from Surrey’s Board of Trade for his initiatives within the community as well as his push for creativity. Calvin recently graduated from KPU with a Bachelor of Arts in English as well as a minor in Counselling. Currently, Calvin is helping to raise mental health awareness and providing one on one support as part of KPU’s Peer Support Program. He is also a peer advisor in which he helps new students in having a comfortable transition into university. Calvin hopes to continue with his studies and get his masters in Counselling Psychology. With all of his accomplishments, he hopes to show that with determination, confidence, and a passion, one could accomplish the impossible.