Nakissa Koomalsingh, a Nipissing University graduate was recently honoured with the Rising Star Alumni Award.
The former Lakers women’s basketball player, also known as Keesa K, is credited with being the founder of HOOPQUEENS, Canada’s first paid women’s basketball league.
HOOPQUEENS is described as a “Network for Canadian female basketball players. Providing opportunities for the underserved and underrepresented.”
The former varsity athlete is a strong advocate for women in sports and business.
“Basketball means so much to me that the work and the legacy that I’m building is still connected here at Nipissing. I loved my time at Nipissing and all the people that I met in the community, have been so supportive, to this day,” said the recent graduate. “I spent three years here and the people, the friends, the mentors, the community members that I’ve met here are lifelong friendships that we have built,” shared Koomalsingh.
The transferable skills learned in North Bay have helped to shape her into the woman she is today.
“In hindsight, I found that being able to connect to community with people of all different walks of life, helped to create that community and friendships, that were lifelong. I think being here in North Bay really connected me to business people and business-minded people. I took business at Nipissing, and they really taught me a lot. The teachers were really, really helpful and that one-on-one kind of relationship that I built, to this day I can still reach out and ask for some advice and help.”
Koomalsingh continues to give back, inspiring young local women to become strong women. Inclusion is a big part of her focus.
“I would say take that step. It’s hard being a woman, being a black woman. Just create a space, create your own lane sometimes. A lot of times when we step into rooms, we don’t have the confidence. Walk in a room with your head held high and know that you belong there with the skills that you have, just being able to be yourself because everybody comes from different journeys. And I think once we start speaking up for ourselves, and making room for ourselves I think the young women will start to see that everyone is just trying to figure it out,” stated Koomalsingh.
“The young women that I mentor and that look up to me, even here in North Bay, I always challenge them to challenge themselves to be the best versions of themselves.”
Koomalsingh continues to inspire women in North Bay.
“I do still connect with the women’s basketball team. So, I’ll try to connect them with any programming that we have through HOOPQUEENS because our reach and our goals are trying to not just be in Toronto, but across Ontario, and the country.”
The HOOPQEENS founder has big goals.
“With HOOPQUEENS, I aspire to do so much. With HOOPQUEENS, I really want to give opportunities to young women who are either athletes or businesswomen who are trying to connect with sport and business and be that representation I’ve never seen growing up. And I really want to be able to offer programs and opportunities and create a support network for women that want to be in sports.”
