Maiwan Junior Moaku, a prominent Halifax-based wellness coach, public speaker, and founder of the Save Me Save We initiative, passed away in late December 2025 at the age of 36. Known simply as Junior Moaku, he dedicated much of his professional life to advancing mental health awareness across Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.
His work centered on promoting literacy, self-care practices, and open conversations about emotional well-being, with a particular emphasis on men’s mental health. Through keynote addresses, interactive workshops, and community training sessions, he encouraged individuals to view psychological health as a fundamental aspect of personal success and daily life. Moaku’s approach combined evidence-based strategies with personal insights, fostering environments where vulnerability could lead to greater understanding and support.
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Moaku pursued an educational journey that spanned multiple institutions and reflected his dynamic spirit. He attended Chicago Hope Preparatory Academy before continuing his studies at Iowa Central Community College, Cape Breton University, and ultimately Acadia University, where he earned a business degree in 2019. During his time at Acadia, he contributed to the varsity basketball team as a 6-foot-6 forward for the Axemen, bringing athletic commitment and discipline to campus life.
These experiences in competitive sports and higher education helped shape his perspective on resilience, teamwork, and the pressures young adults face, themes he frequently addressed in his later advocacy efforts. His background in diverse settings equipped him with a broad understanding of the challenges people encounter in balancing ambition with emotional health.
In 2018, while still enrolled at Acadia University, Moaku launched Save Me Save We, an initiative that began with grassroots efforts like distributing T-shirts bearing messages such as “Save Me” to initiate meaningful discussions about mental health. The organization quickly expanded to include a range of programs, from keynote presentations and workshops to community events such as the Easter Feast in Wolfville, where he organized donations to provide free meals and build connections among participants.
Save Me Save We focused on practical tools for self-care and stigma reduction, particularly targeting men’s reluctance to seek help. Moaku’s leadership emphasized that true accomplishment requires inner peace and emotional balance, a philosophy that guided the initiative’s growth and reach across provinces during a time when isolation and mental health struggles intensified for many.
Moaku built strong professional partnerships throughout his career, collaborating with groups like TEAMWork Cooperative in Nova Scotia, where he was valued as a community health advocate and contributor to career development programs. He also worked with the Nova Scotia Career Development Association and other organizations to deliver sessions on personal growth and wellness.
His outreach extended beyond in-person events, especially during the pandemic, when he adapted to virtual formats to maintain support networks and share resources. Through these collaborations, he established himself as a reliable voice in the field, drawing on his observations of social pressures and resource gaps to create accessible content that resonated with diverse audiences.
The recent public disclosure of violent sexual assault charges has introduced complexities into discussions about Moaku’s public profile and contributions, creating a multifaceted narrative around his time in the spotlight. These allegations form part of the broader record and continue to be examined, yet his established role in mental health education remains a notable aspect of his work.