Blackout Podcast Israel Ekanem

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

Kevin Hartford is a writer/director based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He is a two-time alumnus of the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP’s) FILM 5 program and twice received their nomination to Telefilm’s Talent to Watch program for his feature film To the Moon, which will go to camera in 2023 with support from Telefilm’s Production Program.
His shorts Charlie’s P.O.C. and Disco Apocalypse aired on the third and sixth seasons of CBC’s Reel East Coast and streamed on CBC Gem.
Check him out @noirgang

Praise, a model, dancer and influencer currently living in Halifax N.S
She is currently studying psychology and hopes to focus on modelling, acting and entertainment full-time after school.
She teaches dancing on the side as well and dances from time to time.
Find out more @akogunpraise

Henry Colin is a writer/director based out of Kjipuktuk/Halifax. He is a passionate filmmaker and an all-around cinephile.
Henry has directed a number of award-winning short films, including "Passage" and "In the Cold". Henry has also directed the award-winning feature film "I Am Not A Hero".
In 2023 Henry completed principal photography on his sophomore feature "Lost in Time"; a science-fiction chamber piece expected to hit festivals in 2024. 
Check him out @henrycolinfilmmaker 

Tia Upshaw is a serial entrepreneur, mother of 3, nominee for Business Leader of the Year 2022 & 2023 Halifax Chamber of Commerce, nominee for RBC Woman of Influence 2021,2022 & 2023 and founder & CEO of Blk Women in Excellence. 
She is a mentor with Rise & Scotia Bank women's mentorship initiative in partnership with the Forum.
She also is a well-known motivational speaker, entrepreneurship content creator ( Afrocentric lens) & facilitator with success stories attached to her facilitations. 
Find out more @blkwomeninexcellence

Lingjie was born in China, Shanghai and lived in Japan for 8 and a half years. She started working in the hospitality industry at an American dive bar in Tokyo.
She moved to Canada and met the owners of DearFriend Matt Boyle and Jeff van Horn through the NSCC hospitality program and started working as a server.
Having worked with and learned from so many amazing bartenders in Halifax, Lingjie got introduced to the cocktail world which opened her horizons. Due to her Chinese and Japanese background, she wants to bring more Chinese & Japanese cultural ingredients and creativity into the drinks she makes.
The Chinese liquor “baijiu”, is an amazing spirit, with a long history, and culture as well as different aromas and special flavours. 
Check out Lingjie @lingjie_0708