Sasha Paul is a Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur who passionately navigates both the Accounting and Creative realms.As the co-founder of Mauya, The Fine Arts Tribe, Sasha actively cultivates a community that nurtures creative connections and self-expression across diverse age groups and backgrounds. Through this platform, she thoughtfully crafts experiences that resonate with and represent fellow racialized individuals in her city.Sasha aspires to leverage her skills to further develop meaningful encounters that can drive important discussions on mental health and financial well-being education through Art, within racialized communities.Find out more @mauya_theabstract@sasha_nauleen

An accordionist with a bag of pocket-sized instruments & a dedication to cultural ecology, Mary Beth Carty fuses traditional songs, instrumental tunes, & songwriting. With a live show that runs the gamut of emotions, transporting us from the heights of dance-paced ecstasy to the calm of contemplative airs, she has had the opportunity to tour in North America, Europe, and Africa. Most recently, Mary Beth has performed at the Celtic Colours International Festival, FrancoFest Halifax, and Festivals Acadiens et Créoles in Lafayette, Louisiana. “She got the crowd singing along. It was something else!” - Bill Roach, CBC.Mary Beth released her second solo album, “Crossing the Causeway” in November 2022. Since then the album has made several appearances on the Earshot! College Radio Charts in Canada has reached No. 1 on Richard Gilman’s Folk Radio DJ Chart, and No. 3 on the Folk Alliance International radio play chart. It has also been nominated for two 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards.Mary Beth’s debut solo album, 2017’s Les biens-nommés, earned nominations at the Nova Scotia Music Awards and the ECMA’s. It features original, accordion-fueled songs in French and English, with Donald MacLennan on violin and the Melchin brothers on double bass and percussion.As a member of the former duo Bette & Wallet, Mary Beth was nominated Traditional Singer of the Year at the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards. The duo toured extensively and released two albums, Voici… and Électrique. Their most popular song, “Squeegees,” transforms a public domain French-Canadian song into a humorous, bilingual anthem about urban winter hardships.In addition to her work as a solo artist, Mary Beth is in demand as a guitar accompanist for Celtic fiddlers and has performed with many of the best, including Cape Breton’s Ashley MacIsaac, Colin Grant, and Chrissy Crowley. She is known for her distinct, rhythmic style, keen ear, and mastery of the unusual DADGAD tuning. Mary Beth is also a square dance caller and dance instructor and has done extensive research on dances from communities all over Eastern Canada.Learn more @stompinmary

Teo founded TEO CREATIVE STUDIOS as a brand expert and entrepreneur with 11+ years of professional experience in marketing within the automobile and film industries while currently serving as the Program Coordinator for the Halifax Partnership.He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and broadcasting and also possesses a degree in graphic design.Inspired by his positive experiences since relocating to Halifax, Teo is passionate about sharing the vibrant diversity and positive energy he has discovered in Halifax with others.Check him out @studioteo.ca

Over the past 25 years, Vanessa has had a rewarding career in both the social impact and for-profit sectors and has held positions in special events, fundraising, communications, marketing and B2B sales.Through educating, mentoring, researching and writing, Vanessa now provides a One Stop Grant Shop.A proud member of the Grant Professionals Association, Vanessa aims to deliver a higher standard of practice within the grant writing space. When not wearing her consulting hat, Vanessa is a passionate rock and ice climber as well as the President of Climb Nova Scotia.She is a mother to two daughters and dog mom to Arthur, the Border Collie.Her life motto is by Marie Forleo “Everything is Figureoutable”.Find out more @vanessaburnsconsulting

Meet Taylor Milne, the multi-talented Annapolis Valley educator, entrepreneur, and actor extraordinaire. By day, she's shaping the minds of the future generation in an elementary school, ensuring an inclusive learning environment where barriers are broken, and dreams are built.Beyond the classroom, Taylor takes on the role of the Director of Maritime Model & Talent Management, representing a diverse range of talent across the Maritimes. Her vision is to create an inclusive and supportive community, celebrating the uniqueness of each individual and fostering feelings of acceptance and empowerment. Breaking barriers and building dreams is not just a slogan for Taylor; it's a way of life.But that's not all – Taylor is also the mastermind behind "The Thirsty Smuggler," a Mobile Bar Business that she runs alongside her family. Whether it's weddings, birthdays, festivals, or backyard BBQs, Taylor can craft a customized package tailored to your vision and budget. She brings the same dedication and individualized approach to bartending as she does to teaching and talent management.A graduate of Acadia with a B.Sc in Psychology, Taylor initially planned to delve into counselling or psychiatry. However, life took her on a different path, one where she wears many hats and thrives on the excitement of meeting people, learning, and overcoming challenges.Join Taylor on this episode as she shares insights into how she effortlessly juggles her three full-time roles while still managing to maintain a social life, spend quality time with her husband, family, and furry companion, and continues to film another season as a host on the documentary series, "Ocean Playground".Tune in to discover the secrets behind Taylor's success in managing diverse careers and breaking barriers to build dreams.Find out more @mmtmanagement

Real life. Storytelling. Melodies. The B. brings an afro-futuristic vibe with every rhyme. Check her out @bibi.wav

Kuraaku is a Music Producer/mixing engineer, graphic designer, video editor and creative director born and raised on the island of Barbados (Caribbean) also home to the queen herself Rhianna.Now residing in Halifax, Ns, Canada, Kuraaku aims to push boundaries through his production helping to shape modern sound with his unique way of fusing genres with his background knowledge of dancehall, reggae, hip hop, trap and also through Afro beats and the amapiano world which has now become a huge influence in his music venture.He is set to release his debut album titled « Big Man le boss » which is a project with a collective of artists from back in his country along with some new artists here in Canada showcasing versatility through genre-bending.Kuraaku is also releasing an EP titled « Shesh »  in the spring with the collaboration of some talented artist friends here in the city of Halifax.Kuraaku aims to become an emperor of sound in making an indelible imprint with his future productions/recordings with new and upcoming talented artists.Check him out @kuraaku_

 As the founder and CEO of Diaspora Servus Immigration, Duntan understands the complexities of Canadian immigration like the back of her hand. Her dual expertise – a Bachelor's in Computer Science from the University of Lagos and a Diploma in Immigration Laws and Policies from the University of British Columbia – ensures a meticulous approach to every case. With many years of experience, coupled with her membership in the Immigration Consultants of Canadian Regulatory Council (ICCRC) and the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), Duntan guarantees you not just an authorized practitioner, but a dedicated advocate. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or a family reuniting, your Canadian dream deserves expert guidance and unwavering support. Duntan is your trusted partner, paving the way for a successful journey from your aspirations to Canadian residency. Find out more @diasporaservusimmigration

 Sarah McCann is a Halifax, NS-based elementary school teacher by day, content creator and budding entrepreneur by night. She has been teaching for over a decade, with a special interest in early literacy that stems from her own life-long love of reading and writing. Looking for a creative outlet beyond her daily life as a teacher and mother, she turned to writing and combined it with another childhood passion, fashion, to begin creating style and beauty content as @starrysky_style. Sarah quickly realized how much she enjoyed not only content creation but also engaging with and supporting others.  She has a particular interest in supporting small or sustainable fashion and beauty brands that make a difference to the planet or to women by encouraging them to feel good about themselves.  She firmly believes in the adage that when you feel good, you look good, and vice versa. Her deep appreciation for all things beautiful, for female entrepreneurs, and for those who engage in lifelong personal growth has led her to the next step in her growth process:  a venture into the beauty business.  She and her sister will be opening @starrysky.aesthetics in early 2024, with the hope of helping others feel their most beautiful so that they have the confidence to reach their goals. Learn more @starrysky_style

 Michaela Jessome is a 27-year-old makeup artist from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia with over a decade of experience under her brush belt. From the early age of 16, Michaela began working on brides across the island and servicing clients in a photography studio before their shoots.  Once she had finished high school, she headed for one of Canada’s top makeup schools, John Casablanca’s Institute of Vancouver. While living in Vancouver, BC, she fell in love with the city life. Missing her family, she knew she wanted to move back and settled for a city closer to home. Michaela now calls Halifax, NS, home. Michaela’s style or “niche” in the makeup scene is now rooted within the music industry. Taking a step back from everyday makeup bookings and bridal, working on music videos and looks for performances is her forte. Check out her work @micjessome

Hawa Swaray transcends the role of an esthetician, championing self-care and empowerment. A proud alumna of Saint Mary’s University and HDC Hair & Esthetics - School of Cosmetology, her journey of self-discovery began after welcoming her son, Christopher, in 2020. Recognizing a gap in beauty services, she noticed a scarcity of skilled estheticians knowledgeable about diverse skin types, particularly those of a darker complexion. Hawa's commitment to lifelong learning propels her to fill this void by continuously expanding her expertise in the esthetic realm. This dedication ensures her clients receive unparalleled, personalized care tailored to their unique needs, setting her apart as a provider of the highest quality esthetic services. Find out more @keitabeautycare

Leanne Hoffman is a multi-disciplinary artist, songwriter, and producer living in Halifax, NS. She released her first solo, full-length album in May 2019 which was nominated for four Music Nova Scotia Awards, winning two, and a nomination for an East Coast Music Award. Her second album, The Text Collector, was co-produced with award-winning producer Erin Costelo and released in June 2023.The Text Collector is a multidisciplinary project that deconstructs poetry and pop music, rebuilding the pieces into a listening experience even richer than the sum of its parts. The songs use the swirling melodies and glitzed-up production of Top 40, and lyrics that address the interconnected relationship between desire and despair.The album was written from a poetry project where Hoffman wrote one poem a day for 365 days. All of those poems are now published in a book called “The Text Collector: An Anthology”. In addition to the written work and the songs, The Text Collector was accompanied by eight art pieces, handmade by Hoffman, and four music videos.By pressing light up against dark until it’s evident they’re just different parts of a multi-faceted whole, Hoffman dismantles illusions of duality on her sophomore record, clearing space to meet her feelings on their own terms instead of forcing them into a box.Check her out @hmleanne

Tori Yeomans is a Nova Scotian salon owner, passionate about inclusion within the beauty industry. With a background working in community mental health, Tori brings their expertise to the salon industry. Tori's vision is to create a salon atmosphere that clients AND beauty professionals can come to and feel free from judgement and discrimination; while advocating for other beauty businesses to turn in the direction of inclusion as well. Find out more @pridebeautylounge@toriatpride

JupiterReign, also known as Thaydra Gray, has been surrounded by music since the beginning of her life. She began singing in her father’s church choir in Montreal, Quebec, where she grew up directed by her mother, even before she could put together full sentences. She grew up the youngest of four daughters, and through her sisters she found her deep love for RnB music. Because of her exceptional vocal gifts, commitment to her craft, and charming stage presence, she also got the opportunity to sing background vocals with the legendary Roger Waters, of Pink Floyd. She was honoured to perform a special song with gospel icon, Donny McClurkin.She studied Musical Theatre training at the MSOPA (Montreal School of Performing Arts) under the guidance of some of this country’s leading actors and directors. In October of 2022, she debuted her theatrical abilities and starred as the main character, Lauren Johnson, in the premiere of “Love, Peace and Hairgrease”, written and directed by Tara Taylor.After receiving a spotlight while backing up platinum award-winning Canadian artist Jocelyn Alice, opportunities began to pop up. She debuted her first single "Don't Wanna", in the summer of 2022, which originated as a class assignment in the NSCC Music Arts program,. From there, she developed her debut EP “Intergalactic”, influenced by the sounds of Keyshia Cole, Kehlani, Summer Walker and SZA.She is the 2023 ANSMA Rising Star of the Year award winner, as well as a 3-time ANSMA nominee, including Artist of the Year and Single of the Year, and a 2023 Music Nova Scotia African Canadian Artist of the Year nominee.Rooted in the rich traditions of R&B, her music aims to evoke emotions, tell stories, and forge connections with a diverse and passionate audience. With every note, lyric, and performance, she strives to craft a unique, sonic experience that leaves a lasting impact on the souls of those who listen. She has a profound belief in the power of music to heal, uplift, unite and tell a story.Check her work out @jupiterreignmusic

Over the past couple of decades, Meghan has worked in a variety of roles in the music industry in Canada- from artist management to festival, event and venue management. She even managed a world-famous recording studio for a time, in Vancouver. Her passions include providing spaces and stages for artists of all genres to play and creating memorable experiences for audiences through the lens of live music. As President of Music Nova Scotia, Meghan (along with the entire board and staff of MNS) advocates for the MNS membership in any and all ways that could further the careers of the talented artists and industry members in Nova Scotia. She has woven refreshing elements of empathy, acceptance and inclusion in her approach to board governance, which has positively changed the landscape of the organization's operations, community involvement, and relationships. Meghan now owns Bent Ridge Winery with her husband and business partner Glenn Dodge. In addition to managing the winery and restaurant, Meghan is also the Events & Weddings Manager for their new seasonal Events Pavilion, which will soon be home to a new live music venue in the heart of the Avon Valley, NS. Find out more @bentridgewinery@musicnovascotia

Thauana Morais is a Brazilian Internationalist and Entrepreneur, devoted to cultivating a more equitable business environment in Halifax. With a diverse professional experience that encompasses experiences in Europe, South America and Asia, her work extends to various opportunities worldwide.Thauana currently coordinates an entrepreneurship program at YWCA Halifax. Before this role, she managed similar programs most notably in China and Brazil, where she co-founded SheUp and auspicious woman. Hailing from northeastern Brazil, she finds inspiration in her roots.Thauana's passions include education, music, and art.In early 2023, she co-launched a collective in Halifax, aimed at providing a secure space for community expressions through music & art.She recently has been investing in her own venture "Auspicious Woman Educational Technologies", which is an SaaS educational platform based on holistic approaches to entrepreneurial journeys.Find out more @thauana.morais

Uche is an energetic individual. Always striving to be better.In this episode, we talk about how he juggles banking, modelling and acting.Check him out @datguyjoel

JayTheKidd is a name that’s rapidly rising in the Nova Scotian hip-hop scene. With a vision to inspire the new generation and make an impact as both an artist and a person through his music, he sets his sights high. He aspires to become the face of the new era in Nova Scotia Hip-Hop, recognizing the untapped talent within his vibrant community and aiming to lead the charge.JayTheKidd’s talent has not gone unnoticed, with appearances on CTV Morning Live, where he’s been featured in multiple segments and interviewed. His music has found a home on Virgin Radio, and his story has graced the pages of prominent provincial and local press outlets, including dozens of articles on Saltwire, NG News, Pictou Advocate, 94.1 The Breeze, Elevator Magazine and Maritime EDIT; to name a few.With over half a million streams on just five songs, JayTheKidd has solidified his position as an emerging artist within the hip-hop landscape. He’s had the privilege of sharing the stage with esteemed artists like NLE Choppa, Classified, JRDN and Quake Matthews, with exciting future collaborations in the pipeline, including the latter three. Beyond his artistry, JayTheKidd has taken on the roles of producer, promoter, and manager, achieving a remarkable feat by selling out the Glasgow Square Theatre for his very first headlining show in just five days.In July, JayTheKidd made waves with the release of the lead single for his upcoming project, ‘Better Late Than Never,’ titled ‘Watch The Ride,’ complete with a captivating music video. While the project has faced unforeseen health-related delays, anticipation for its release remains high.

Yuhe Guo came to Halifax as a Chinese international student.An office lady who makes friends with clients.A model who never wears high-heels off the runway.A bartender who hates drinking.Find out more @yuhe_solimodels

Fantanesh Attomsa is the Founder of Blue Nile Massage & Wellness, which exists as a holistic health practice with a vision to create therapeutic and inclusive spaces within our communities.Her practice is on a mission to elevate the health of our communities through holistic therapies and accessible self-care education. As a compassionate leader with over 15 years combined in the health and social service field, it is her passion to empower others along their wellness journey.She aims to increase representation for black women well-preneurs by creating community wellness programming, facilitating community wellness workshops and providing mentorship to entrepreneurs.Fantanesh has been nominated for RBC's "Woman Of Influence", as well as Halifax Chamber of Commerce's "Small Business Of The Year" - and is a proud mother of 3.Check her out @fantanesh.attomsa

Amelia Cornick is a Canadian actor based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has recently played a lead role in Ron Foley MacDonald's latest feature film 'Love and Doom' (winning Best Screenplay and nominated for Best Ensemble Cast at the MBTF Awards in the UK) as well as his previous feature film 'Sleepwatching' which aired last fall on Eastlink TV. She has previously played recurring characters on Bell TV show 'Real Wrestling' and Eastlink TV show 'The Motherload', as well as a police officer on the Bell TV true crime show 'Halifax Homicide', which became a number one show on their network.She has had the joy of playing in twenty-three short films over the past few years, including 'Blue Nude', a Nova Scotia College of Arts and Design production which was featured in FIN (Atlantic International) & NFFTY film festivals; and 'Flesh of my Flesh', a Goblin Den Productions short film which was a semi-finalist in the 15 Second Horror Film Challenge. She also appeared in the 48 Hour Film Project with Goblin Den Productions 'Alter Ego', which won six awards.Originally from Labrador, Amelia performed in a number of local theatre productions and attended the Royal Conservatory Music Speech Arts and Drama Youth Program. After moving to Nova Scotia to study at King's-Edgehill School with a music & theatrical arts scholarship, she furthered her training in acting with various coaches, workshops, and classes; and studied acting at Dalhousie's Fountain School of Performing Arts (earning a 4.3 GPA in both of her acting courses); alongside continuing to act and perform in local theatre productions, before choosing to pursue a career in film and television in 2020.

Stephanie Folahan is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a rich history in the field of accounting and finance. As the CEO of Premier Accounting and Tax, Stephanie has made it her life's work to provide essential financial services to both individuals and small businesses. With a true passion for helping clients manage their financial affairs, Stephanie's expertise, experience, and unwavering commitment set her apart as a leader in her industry.Stephanie brings to the table nearly two decades of professional accounting and financial experience, making her a seasoned expert in the field. Her journey in finance began with a diploma in Accounting and Payroll, obtained during her college years. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for her impressive career.Early in her career, Stephanie spent five years as a Tax Preparation Specialist at H&R Block, honing her skills in the intricate world of tax preparation. This experience allowed her to develop an intimate understanding of tax regulations, which continues to serve as a valuable asset in her work today.Following her tenure at H&R Block, Stephanie transitioned to a role as a Senior Accountant at ABK Biomedical, where she spent another five years. This role broadened her expertise and proficiency, offering exposure to advanced financial principles and practices. Her work at ABK Biomedical further solidified her understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and enabled her to master essential financial software tools like MS Excel, QuickBooks, and Sage50.Stephanie's professional journey is underpinned by her unyielding dedication to assisting individuals and small businesses with their financial needs. Whether it involves taxes, accounting, or bookkeeping, Stephanie is devoted to providing timely, efficient, and supportive solutions to her clients. Her friendly, understanding demeanor and professional approach reassure clients that Premier Accounting & Tax Inc. is the ideal place to address their financial and accounting requirements.Outside of her professional endeavors, Stephanie is a loving mother of three and a devoted wife. Her ability to balance the demands of her career with her family responsibilities demonstrates her remarkable commitment to both her loved ones and her clients. Stephanie's passion for helping individuals and small companies with their financial affairs, combined with her extensive experience, makes her a respected and trusted figure in the world of accounting and taxation.

Krista Collier-Jarvis (nek’m/she/her) is a PhD Candidate at Dalhousie University and an Assistant Professor at Mount Saint Vincent University, both of which are in the Departments of English. She graduated with a BA (honours) from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2013 and a Master of Arts from Dalhousie University in 2016.She describes her work as a process of watching zombie films and trying to say smart things about them. She’s a member of the Mi’kmaq Nation, and her culture influences much of her research. In addition to studying and teaching Indigenous literature and film, she incorporates Indigenous knowledge approaches in much of her research and seeks to elevate Indigenous voices.In late 2014, she joined inesS, a pole and circus studio located in downtown Halifax. She started with aerial silks but fell in love with pole dancing. She started competing in pole art and pole doubles beginning in 2017 and holds three gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals in competition.After winning a bronze medal in pole doubles at nationals, she and her pole partner, Jill, were offered positions on Team Canada to compete at Worlds. However, between the pandemic and the kind of time and energy required to compete on the world stage, they never did compete at that level. She now teaches and performs at inesS. You can find her performing annually at such events as Fringe and Nocturne or you can sign up to take one of her classes.When she’s not studying or hanging out at inesS, she can be found paddleboarding, photographing, or hanging out with her husband, her dog, and her three cats at her home near Peggy’s Cove.Find out more @mikmawmutiny

Chiedza (Shona for light/dawn) was born in Harare, Zimbabwe and moved to Halifax 12 years ago. She has been working in the non-profit sector for several years, supporting communities and organizations through project management, research, data management, evaluation, communications, grant administration and advocacy.She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Strategy Implementation Professional (SIP) with a master’s degree in international development studies from St. Mary’s University and is passionate about addressing complex socioeconomic challenges through sustainable development and innovation, as well as using her experience and expertise to support organizational growth and sustainability.Chiedza is also passionate about the Arts, from music to film and drama, and has been a Spoken Word Artist for several years, using her pieces, some deeply personal, to inspire, challenge, and heal.Outside of work, Chiedza is a wife and mother to two beautiful children. She finds great joy in motherhood and purpose in raising her children. She is a Christian and credits God with enabling her to be a “professional juggler” of work, marriage, motherhood, community, family, and everything else in between.

Former lawyer Sarah Birch is a Halifax-based content creator who is best known for her loud laugh and her many adventures.She talks openly about seeking therapy to help her parent, and about living with ADHD. She runs her own English/French translation business and loves to be outdoors in her free time.Find out more @littlesarahbirch

BASYL is a Palestinian artist, based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.Achieving breakthrough success with his debut release “No Pants Till February” in February of 2022. Since then, BASYL has accumulated over 700,000 streams, primarily through major Spotify playlists such as Mellow Bars, Northern Bars, and Hip Hop Central.In his first year, BASYL has performed on multiple stages in Nova Scotia. Showcasing in the Hopscotch 2022 Festival, alongside headliners such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, Scratch Bastid, and TOBi, and opening up for Alchemist in 2023.His song Conversations was also featured on Virgin Radio Halifax’s Top 40 slot in November 2022.Check him out @baselsabri

Nailah Moon (She/They/We) is a MAD writer, community worker and artist active in Mi'ma'ki.They are a Black futurist who uses mixed mediums to explore themes of immigration, alienation and Afrofuturism focusing on the beauty and power found within the African diaspora.They are often seen running through cities armed with a book and headphones.Keep up with their eccentric life @nailahmoonkipuktuk

Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Julien grew up in a household filled with musical influences.At the age of five, Julien began playing the drums, shortly after that he started writing and recording raps. It wasn’t long before the home studio that Julien created became the neighbourhood recording studio. Being able to create a space, and provide resources, knowledge, and access to equipment was what Julien enjoyed the most. Today Julien does just that through artist management and development, live music production, and public speaking.Julien served as an active member on the board of The African Nova Scotian Music Association (ANSMA) from 2020-2023. During this time on the board of ANSMA, he curated panels and showcases and fundraised to fuel the organization's mission. While engaged in his volunteer work, Julien stepped in as Interim Investment Program Manager at Music Nova Scotia in 2022. In this role, he provided information to those pursuing a career in the music industry, in addition to overseeing the distribution of public funds allocated to each of Music Nova Scotia’s Investment Programs, and much more.Julien is currently the Programming Committee Chair at ADVANCE Canada’s Music Business Collective and also serves on the East Coast Music Association’s African Canadian Music Committee.In 2023, Julien was hired as ANSMA’s first Executive Director in the organization's history. In this position, Julien aims to serve the African Nova Scotian/Black community with greater emphasis on youth and career development in music. Following Julien’s time working at Music Nova Scotia, he embarked on a path to start his own music business consulting and management company. Through his company, Julien offers artist management, facilitation, public speaking, grant writing, promotion, project management, live music production planning, and will soon be adding royalty and publishing collection services.Check him out @matwawanajulien

Robert is dedicated to spearheading a cultural renaissance on a global scale, emphasizing the essence of African creativity and ingenuity.His mission revolves around cultivating a robust community and fostering dynamic creative collaborations with visionary artists who share a profound appreciation for Africa's promising future. Through his endeavours, he aspires to pioneer a transformative revolution that celebrates and amplifies the unparalleled creative spirit emanating from the African continent.Check him out @[email protected]_

Fikayo Kayode (she/her) is a 21-year-old creative artist from Nigeria. After spending a couple of years in the Philippines, she moved to Canada in 2018 for her undergraduate degree and graduated with a BA in Political Science from Acadia University.She enjoys reading anything from realistic fiction novels to academic pieces on topics like race, womanhood, and current or past politics and started reading at a very young age. Fikayo developed an affinity towards writing at 14 and would start with short stories and poems. She started to put her craft out there in 2020 when she launched her podcast, “OkayThoughts”. Since then, Fikayo has performed at spoken word events, created a social media platform for her writing and her podcast, and is currently working on a blog.Slowly but surely, Fikayo is building confidence in sharing and honing her craft as a writer and spoken word artist and allowing her work to speak to her, and for her. She is doing this by taking up more opportunities to share her writing and putting pen on paper whenever she feels inspired to.Find out more @fikayo_k

Palm Tree Kitchen is inspired by the vibrancy of Caribbean culture, colours, and fresh, flavour-packed island ingredients.As Halifax’s only rum bar, Palm Tree Kitchen is bringing a splash of the Caribbean to Quinpool Road. Offering sandwiches and handhelds by day, and small plates by night.Palm Tree Kitchen is a small place that brings big island love. Need a vacation? Come and feel the island vibes.Owner: Demetrius Ferguson @bigmeech6Bar Manager: Andrew Keyes @mezcalkeyes Check them out @_palmtree.kitchen

Lumen Lux is a multifaceted performer who fell in love with the arts at a young age. Beginning her fire journey in 2016, Lumen progressed from spinning fire to eating fire to breathing it. Their many talents also include hooping, flow arts, gogo and burlesque.Lumen Lux has performed at festivals such as Evolve Music Festival, Fire and Water Cultural Festival, Nocturne, Future Forest, Fredericton Pride and many other events throughout Atlantic CanadaThey have done collaborations with many other artists and also work with performing organizations such as Serpentine Studios and Luminosity Circus and has recently started producing her own burlesque and drag shows under the alias Lumen Lux ProductionsFind out more @lumenlux_@lumenluxproductions_

MichNat Fashion is an Afrocentric fashion brand and the epitome of bespoke and customised fashion.One of the main goals of Michnat Fashion is to help our clients stay true to their identity by reflecting this in their fashion styles. All garments are carefully constructed with strategic cut-outs to emphasize the natural curves and this great attention to detail makes us stand out and distinct.The brand was founded in 2020 by Funmi Odeniyi to share her passion for fashion with the world and also use this to promote diversity. Her hard work and unique designs have earned her some recognition and awards since inception.Funmi is a wife and mother of 4 beautiful kids, She also volunteers as the Treasurer of two organisations - Craft Nova Scotia and The Africadian Empowerment Academy. She helps impact the community by collaborating with organisations such as Halifax Central Library and other organizations to offer free sewing classes to the youths and any adults interested in improving their skills.Learn more @michnatfashion

Having lost her parents at only 15 years of age and subsequently placed into foster care, Patricia refused to let her past hinder her future.As a Creative Director and visual storyteller, she firmly believes that everyone has a compelling story to tell. Elevating voices, whether for individuals or for business brands, is where her passion lies and what drove her to start her creative agency. She works to advocate for increased representation of the BIPOC community within the arts.Now, she is doing projects beyond the Canadian border. She loves to reminisce on the extraordinary experiences, people, places, struggles & successes that have made her who she is today.Check her out @patriciachareka.jck

Yasmine Wasfy is a fashion/textiles designer who graduated from NSCAD University in Halifax in 2019.Yasmine developed the concept behind Ange while working with handprinted/ painted silks for her graduation project that hit the runway at her university’s gala in 2018. The project was based on hand-painted sheer white silks and elegant duchess satins.Yasmine worked as a bridal consultant and this helped her get closer to realise the huge demand for modern, unique and light features in bridal gowns. This led to her going back to her painted white silks and creating something out of them. From that moment, Ange was born!Find out more @yasmine.h.wasfy @angemariage

Serving punchlines delivered timely with rizz and a phenomenal flow, F$rgo is a songwriter, rapper and singer From Ekiti state Nigeria. Born and brought up in the streets of Agege, Lagos state.Check him out @fsrgoo

Luke 2.0, an out-of-the-box thinker with an unorthodox style and sense of humour, adds a touch of personality to each piece of work.With a decade of knowledge from cartooning, animation,  illustration,  video editing, graphic art, and logo design; Luke will not hesitate to stop until your expectations are exceeded!From years of self-education as well as learning skills from film school and working as a tattoo apprentice, Luke has worked on various projects such as cover art and animated music videos for rappers in the Halifax scene, logos for small businesses, podcasters from LA and many more!Providing a friendly open mind, a strong attention to detail and the ability to take on challenging projects; Luke with bring forth what it takes to help your vision come to life!Check him out @luke_2.o_

Nami is a South Asian entrepreneur with ADHD who moved to Canada from Oman at the age of 18. She always enjoyed a balance of creativity and analytics and was able to make the most of it by starting her own social media marketing business, namely, DreamTalk Creative. DreamTalk helps small-to-medium-sized businesses make the most of their social media presence by creating content that efficiently articulates their brand and developing strategies that attract future customers.As a deeply creative child who lived with undiagnosed ADHD, Nami spent a good chunk of her childhood and teenage years playing the piano, reading books, journaling and observing the world around her. After getting diagnosed as an adult, she shared her experiences of living with ADHD on Tiktok (@namisayshello). She built a community of like-minded people who engaged in conversations about invisible disabilities, shared resources and coping strategies, discussed the inefficiencies of ADHD treatment in Canada and more.Find out more @namisayshello

Ibe Ananaba, born in Belgium and raised in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, is a multidisciplinary visual storyteller. He graduated with Distinction from the Institute of Management and Technology, specializing in Painting. Ibe explores cultural and socio-political themes and their influences on contemporary living in his art using traditional and unconventional mediums.In addition to his studio art practice, he is involved in various creative roles such as Fashion Illustrator, Designer, Muralist, Art Director, Calligraphist, and Cartoonist. He also dedicates his time to empowering the youth through art mentorship.Ibe's artistic achievements have gained recognition, including being listed in the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. His work has been exhibited internationally, from Nigeria and South Africa to the USA, London, Israel, and Canada. He has won awards in his art practice, including the 1st Prize Winner of the Art Masters Contest at Art Vancouver 2019.Academically, Ibe's art serves as case studies for project theses by several scholars in different universities in Nigeria. His artwork has been featured in notable publications like "Fashion: A Second Language," "Watercolor Artists Magazine," "Masters of Watercolors," "The Villager - How Africans Consume Brands," "Fashion Illustration Africa - A New Generation," and "Artist of Nigeria." These publications showcase his diverse skills and contributions to the world of art.Check him out @ibeananaba

Pamela is the owner and seamstress behind Stone Sewn, a small business that provides customsewing services and textile products in Halifax.She creates playful, colourful designs inspired by nature, architecture and family connections intrinsic to used fabrics.After completing her undergrad at NSCAD University, she began sewing for local businesses andtaking on commission work. Pamela’s passion for thrifting and upcycling (and saving every fabric scrap) led her to create environmentally friendly textiles with little waste.It was this interest that motivated her to become an entrepreneur and keep extra material out of landfills.You can follow Pamela on Instagram or Facebook at @stonesewn.

Blanche Israël is a multilingual Moroccan-Canadian cultural strategist and musician.Originally from Montreal, Blanche moved to Nova Scotia in 2020 and quickly integrated into the music community here. As a funding specialist, she has helped artists and arts organizations raise over $10 million in grants and donations since 2015.As a cellist, she has performed and recorded with artists including Jeremy Dutcher (JUNO Winner 2019), James Baley, Kristi Lane Sinclair, Mo Kenney, The Town Heroes, The Public Service, Rankin MacInnis and the Broken Reeds, and more.Find out more @blancheis

Benjamin is a Vietnamese Canadian Filmmaker/Cinematographer/Photographer working in the NS film industry and abroad. He believes in sharing the truth on the creative industries.Community and learning are the main drives to his goals to make it in the game, working hard relentlessly is just part of the formula. He shares more that’s below the surface compared to what people see. Check him out @benjbdwards

Damini Awoyiga is a 16-year-old high school student.She is an activist, spoken word poet and Halifax’s Youth Poet Laureate.Damini is the founder of Damini Creatives and the Afro-Indigenous Book Club.Learn more @damini.awoyiga

Omotola Oyefodunrin is a Nigerian digital artist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.His artistic disciplines include concept art, illustration, Background Design, Graphic design and Video editing.Omotola's art style is defined mostly by vivid colours with inspiration drawn from life, entertainment, experiences and a God-given imagination.He believes his best version is yet to come and he wants to unlock that version, firstly by getting closer to God and secondly by collaborating with other artists so that they can all tell their own stories and to that effect, he is currently in development of several projects to be released soon.Omotola is currently accepting commissions.Find out more @artoftolagram

Originally from the Maritimes, Shawna Garrett has held registrarial and enrolment management positions at Acadia University, NSCAD University, College of the North Atlantic – Qatar, and Mount Allison University.She has also worked as a superintendent, principal, and dean at international schools in Japan and China. Shawna holds degrees from the University of Prince Edward Island and Acadia University and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in educational studies through Nova Scotia’s inter-university doctoral program.She has been the President and CEO of EduNova for just over a year and a half and was on the organization’s founding board in 2004. She is passionate about helping international students study and stay in Nova Scotia.

Badisun is currently represented by Soli Management based out of Halifax.After completing her first runway shows last summer, Badi’s love for fashion heightened and inspired her to start her line "Chaotic Luxury" in 2023.Badi is coming out with new items in the summer for “Chaotic Luxury”.Badi continues to create content on her social media platforms and is exploring new ways to collaborate with the art community.Find out more @badi_sun_

Jimmy P Torres is born Chilean, Canadian by choice, who moved to Nova Scotia 14 years ago.Jimmy is a sound engineer who works doing films and photography. He has been a published photographer in many international magazines and is always open to new ideas, concepts and challenges.Jimmy loves chasing the light in a creative way.Check him out @jimmyptorres

Mary Beth Piper is a metal artist who recently returned home to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Piper works mainly in sterling silver with freshwater pearls and semi-precious gems, as well as reclaimed materials such as copper and wood.They are interested in making unique jewellery that explores humanity’s place within the natural world and the constructed nature of identity.Piper’s work has been exhibited at the New Brunswick Government House and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.They attended NBCCD and graduated with a diploma in jewellery and metal arts in 2018, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2011. Piper’s artistic career blossomed from an existential crisis regarding a political theory thesis and their love for making odd little things, and they’ve happily managed to merge both those loves into their practice today.Find out more @mb.piper