Her Story - Son Histoire à Elle Kathleen Stavert

A year into this pandemic, we look ahead and we realize that there is still a long way to go. I can’t help to think about the front line workers and how much they’ve been carrying on their shoulders. If you’re anything like me you’ve been curious about how they’ve been coping, how they’ve been continuing on. I’ve wondered a lot about the situation in the long term care homes and how bad it actually is.
Melissa Carter joins me on the podcast this month. 

   She stepped up to the Quebec governments call to train new PAB’s or personal support workers in a very short period of time. Melissa talks about her experience working in these homes, and her experiences and stories literally brought me to tears. Her strength amazes me. So sit back and take this one in. 

   After listening back to our episode I am in deep gratitude to Melissa and everyone who’s out there doing their best to ease and lessen the blow of COVID-19.

In this episode I invited my dear friend Benita Bailey up to the mic and she stepped up brilliantly.  Benita is a an actor in theatre, film/tv and also the creator and host of a new show called Yell It! that is gaining momentum across Canada and Germany. I was so delighted to be able to have her on the show, nestled in between trips to Germany and mothering her two young children.  We talked relationships, the reality of parenting, trying to juggle it all but one of my favourite topics at the moment was about the healing nature of diverse representation not just on screen but across the board.  You're gonna fall in love with Benita's groundedness in this one and be astonished and inspired by everything she is doing and working for and towards.

www.benitabailey.com

Insta: @yell_it_from_the_mountain

My next guest needs no introduction. But I’m going to introduce her anyways cause that’s what I do here on the show.  If you’ve been in Montreal for long enough you’ll recognize her voice as a broadcaster on CBC’s the Bridge and the Arts and Culture contributor on Daybreak. She’s a regular panelist on like, every panel in town, she’s a hip hop artist part one of the only two women in the group Nomadic Massive who were nominated for an award at L’ADISQ this year by the way, she’s also a mom. I can go on and on about Nantali Indongo but I’ll let this interview speak for itself. I gotta say I’m bowled over by her generosity and openness. Ladies and gents Nantali Indongo. 



Artists mentioned in this episode: 

@witchprophet

@sunsunart503

@sunsunbeats

@fiyabruxa

@teenadultt

@nik_brovkin

Hair.  It's political,  it holds power, trauma, our little girl memories in it's coils as tightly as we hold our identities to our hearts.  That's why talking with Abisara Machold was such an exciting experience for me, especially being the owner of one of my favorite places in Montreal.  She is a queen, and I definitely had a fan girl moment interviewing her.  Abisara owns inHairitance, a salon that specifically targets curly hair.  She has built a community, an essential service, if you ask me, and every one of her customers.  Her upbringing has so interestingly paved her way towards leadership, activism and reclaiming her femininity and black identity.  She shares her heart, her own path, how Covid-19 has affected her business and also bonus for you curly folk out there gives us a masterclass in how to take care of your locks.  This is a one of a kind episode.

Instagram: @inhairitance_curlcare



Links to Black business' mentioned in episode: 

Tourist in my city

Marché Coloré

Librairie Racines

Fimo Mitchell (meditation teacher)

Boutique Espace Urbain

I had so much fun in this one.  Dayane and Aiza Ntibarikure joined me and shared some wise life tips and how to live big celebrate the sh*t out of everything.  If you haven't heard yet singer/songwriter Aiza is pretty much a Canadian star in the music industry and Dayane has worked across Canada, onscreen and onstage as a director, actor and creator in many artistic mediums.  They are honest about their struggles and anxieties, especially during this time.  Dayane and Aiza share such a deep sisterly bond and realness and they are letting us in! Both on the podcast and on their IGTV show which is now in development with CBC.  I   laughed a lot in this one and came out of it supercharged and energized.  Their spirits are infectious.  This is a good one y"all.

DnA Unscripted IGTV Monday 7pm est

@aizabby

@dayaneKN

Actress, singer, producer, mentor, creator, and mother Mariah Inger joins me on the podcast as part of the Black Voices Matters series.  Mariah has a very strong voice & screen presence and had some very poignant thoughts about racism, and how it has been affecting her and her community.  We go deep into representation in media and how important this moment is in defining the next generation of creators and story tellers.  Mariah reminds us that we it is about time we make space for ugly conversations.



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