SpeakUP! International Inc.

Ellington Brown & Rita Burke

SpeakUP! International Inc. is your go-to podcast for inspiring stories, insightful interviews, and educational content that empowers listeners. Join us as we delve into diverse topics with a focus on uplifting black and brown voices, promoting creativity, and fostering personal and professional growth. 

  1. Mirror Books and Adolescent Literacy: A Conversation with Dr. Valcine Brown

    MAY 5

    Mirror Books and Adolescent Literacy: A Conversation with Dr. Valcine Brown

    What happens when adolescents lose their passion for reading, and how do we bring it back? Dr. Valcine Brown, a veteran educator who recently completed her PhD in education, is tackling this challenge head-on with innovative research and classroom practices. Reading used to be magic. Remember that feeling of getting lost in a book? Too many adolescents don't – they find reading "boring," a sentiment Dr. Brown has found to be universal across different countries. Her research explores how "mirror books" – literature where students see aspects of their identity reflected – might rekindle that lost love of reading. Through careful measurement of reading attitudes across academic and recreational contexts, she's uncovering insights that challenge traditional approaches to literacy education. Dr. Brown's own educational journey – earning her bachelor's degree over seven years while raising children as a single mother – informs her compassionate, practical approach. Her innovative credit recovery program allows students to demonstrate mastery through performance tasks rather than retaking entire classes, helping dozens of students catch up on missing credits each semester. What does the future hold for adolescent literacy? Dr. Brown suggests more research, more student choice, and more interventions beyond third grade. The good news? Sometimes the solution is as simple as 15 minutes of daily reading in a student's "zone of proximal development" – starting where they are and growing from there. Ready to transform how we approach adolescent literacy? Subscribe to hear more conversations with innovative educators challenging the status quo and creating better outcomes for all students. You can reach Dr. Valcine Brown using the following social media platform: Website: https://drvalcinebrown.live-website.com/ Thoughts on the podcast? Send us a text message. Support the show

    52 min
  2. The Chandler Method: Kem Frasier's Revolutionary Approach to Anti-Bullying

    APR 28

    The Chandler Method: Kem Frasier's Revolutionary Approach to Anti-Bullying

    What would happen if we responded to bullies with kindness instead of confrontation? Kim Fraser's groundbreaking approach turns traditional anti-bullying strategies upside down, with remarkable results! Growing up in the Bronx, Fraser experienced bullying firsthand and once resorted to faking an epileptic seizure to escape her tormentors. Today, as an author, former teacher, and counselor, she's developed a revolutionary method that disarms bullies through unexpected compassion. In her book "Chandler the Handler: You Can't Bully Me," her protagonist responds to bike-stealing bullies by inviting them to a baseball game—his treat. This "shock syndrome" creates a pathway to transformed relationships and returned property. Fraser's insights stem from 18 years teaching in diverse communities, where she consistently observed children defaulting to physical defense against bullying. Her approach recognizes something deeper: bullies act from profound insecurity and devaluation, desperately seeking recognition through negative means. By appealing to their innate human desire for belonging, Fraser's method addresses the root cause rather than just the symptoms. The conversation explores how bullying extends beyond schoolyards into workplaces through subtle intimidation, looks, and power dynamics. Fraser emphasizes that parents establish the foundation for handling conflict, with children mimicking behaviors witnessed at home. Her upcoming short film aims to spread this message through classrooms and streaming platforms, creating an alternative to the violence dominating media. Perhaps most powerful is Fraser's reminder that "where you live is not who you are"—wisdom from her fifth-grade teacher that propelled her beyond circumstance. Connect with Kim Fraser through LinkedIn to learn more about implementing her strategies for creating safer, kinder communities. You are welcome to connect to Ms. Kem Frasier through her social media platforms: Website:  https://deniseproductions.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kem.frasier/reel/DIA6B4mAk5A/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kem-frasier-a0012173 Thoughts on the podcast? Send us a text message. Support the show

    48 min
  3. From Spoken Word to Community Leadership: Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony's Journey

    APR 27

    From Spoken Word to Community Leadership: Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony's Journey

    What does it truly mean to "do the work" in the arts world? Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony  answers this question through her remarkable journey from shaking like a leaf during her first spoken word performance to becoming an award-winning curator and advocate who's secured over a million dollars for arts organizations. This conversation sparkles with insights about the transformative power of artistic expression. Paulina shares how poetry literally took her "everywhere" after being introduced to spoken word at age 18. With mentors like Dwayne Morgan guiding her development, she blossomed into a two-time national finalist at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and performer at the prestigious "When Sisters Speak" showcase. But Paulina's talents extend far beyond performance—she reveals how she's used her dual perspective as both artist and administrator to champion equity in the arts sector. The most compelling moments come when Paulina discusses her work chairing the Black Arts Granting Program at the Toronto Arts Council. Rather than creating just another funding pool, she pushed for a holistic approach that included mentorship and physical space access—addressing the full spectrum of challenges facing Black artists. Her development of the Next Up Leaders Lab similarly demonstrates her commitment to lifting others by focusing on skills, mentorship, and social capital building. Paulina doesn't shy away from personal struggles either. After facing job loss and her father's sudden death in 2023, she reached a breaking point that forced her to say "enough" and take a month-long reset trip to Trinidad. This revelation about setting boundaries provides a powerful counterbalance to her ambitious nature, offering listeners permission to prioritize self-care alongside achievement. Ready to take your creative pursuits to the next level? Listen now and discover Paulina's three gems for success: jump despite fear of failure, build infrastructure early, and be your biggest cheerleader. Her story will inspire you to use your unique voice to create meaningful change in your community and beyond. You can connect with Ms. Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony using the following social media links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulinaokieffeanthony/?originalSubdomain=ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulinaokieffe/ Website:  paulinaokieffe.com Thoughts on the podcast? Send us a text message. Support the show

    55 min
  4. Connecting with Divine Intelligence: Ellen Edmondson's Spiritual Awaking.

    APR 26

    Connecting with Divine Intelligence: Ellen Edmondson's Spiritual Awaking.

    Have you ever sensed there's more to reality than what meets the eye? Ellen Edmondson's extraordinary journey from logical federal executive to spiritual messenger began with profound loss—her mother's passing just months before her son's birth—triggering questions that would transform her understanding of life's purpose. Through meditation intended simply to process grief, Ellen unexpectedly discovered her intuitive abilities awakening. "I started having these amazing mystical experiences," she reveals, describing how she began receiving spiritual messages through automatic writing for ten years before compiling them into her award-winning book, "A Place of Love and Light." These messages offer guidance on compassion, authenticity, and purposeful living that transcends religious boundaries while acknowledging divine love as the universal center of all spiritual paths. The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Ellen describes how her young son simultaneously developed remarkable intuitive abilities, speaking of past lives and seeing departed relatives. This experience led Ellen to create resources for parents raising highly sensitive children—establishing a community that normalizes these experiences rather than dismissing them as strange or imaginary. "Fifteen to twenty percent of the population has this kind of sensitivity," she explains, noting how conventional education often suppresses children's natural intuitive gifts. Ellen's compassionate approach to grief offers particular comfort, reframing our understanding of death not as an ending but as energy transforming. "Love never dies, it only changes form," she assures listeners, explaining how departed loved ones communicate through songs, scents, or subtle signs. Her intuition coaching helps individuals reconnect with their authentic selves while recognizing these messages from beyond. Perhaps most powerful is the wisdom Ellen received from her young son when she encouraged him to embrace his gifts while hiding her own: "I can't be me until you be you." This simple yet profound statement encapsulates Ellen's core message—that by fully expressing our authentic selves and embracing our unique spiritual gifts, we create ripple effects of positive change throughout our communities. Join us to discover how embracing diversity in all its forms creates a vibrant, rainbow-like tapestry of collective human experience. You can reach Ellen using one (or more) of her social media platforms: Website:  https://www.ellenedmondson.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ellenedmondsonmedium Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ellenedmondson_medium/ Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNTMZ4D3 Thoughts on the podcast? Send us a text message. Support the show

    55 min
  5. Elise Harding-Davis: "We Have a History That's Left Out, That Makes History Incomplete."

    APR 12

    Elise Harding-Davis: "We Have a History That's Left Out, That Makes History Incomplete."

    The threads of African-Canadian history weave a story of resistance, resilience, and remarkable achievement that spans centuries—yet these vital narratives remain largely untold in mainstream historical accounts. Elise Harding-Davis changes that through her lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting Black Canadian history. As a seventh-generation Canadian whose family has been in Canada since 1798, Harding-Davis brings personal connection to her work as a historian, author, and former curator of the North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Center. She shares how the proud Black history she learned from her grandmother contrasted sharply with school curricula that erased these contributions, fueling her determination to ensure these stories would not be lost. Harding-Davis takes us on a fascinating journey through untold chapters of Canadian history, including the crucial role of Black soldiers in the War of 1812. These freedom fighters formed Runch's Rangers and fought not just for British interests but to protect their own hard-won liberty from American expansion. Some American soldiers found themselves "looking down the barrel of a gun held by one of their former slaves"—a powerful reversal that standard histories rarely acknowledge. Her global travels as a lecturer and consultant have allowed her to correct misconceptions about Black Canadian experiences from Ghana to China. When asked to enter a room where enslaved people had died during a tour of Elmina Castle in Ghana, she powerfully refused: "My people were forcibly taken through the door of no return in this building. We did not die. We survived." Through decades of research, teaching, and advocacy, Harding-Davis reminds us that historical knowledge forms the foundation for identity and empowerment. As she eloquently states, "Without Black history, history is incomplete." Her work demonstrates that knowing our past—all of it—is essential to building a more inclusive future. Join us for this powerful conversation with one of Canada's foremost authorities on Black Canadian history.  Connect to Ms. Elise Harding-Davis via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-harding-davis-3452ba80/ Thoughts on the podcast? Send us a text message. Support the show

    56 min
  6. Breaking Barriers: A Conversation with Rohan Thompson, Dufferin County's Director of People and Equity

    MAR 30

    Breaking Barriers: A Conversation with Rohan Thompson, Dufferin County's Director of People and Equity

    What happens when personal experience with discrimination fuels a lifelong commitment to equity work? Mr. Rohan Thompson, Director of People and Equity for the County of Dufferin, takes us on his remarkable journey from youth worker to systems change leader. Rohan reveals how childhood mentors who kept him "on the straight and narrow" inspired his mission to pay it forward. This calling led him through various roles working with at-risk youth before stepping into pioneering equity leadership positions. Beyond his municipal work, Thompson maintains a private therapy practice using client-centered, trauma-informed approaches—a career path sparked by his own harmful experience with a non-Black therapist who asked if his father was "a typical Jamaican." The conversation explores the evolution of equity work from community development frameworks to today's EDI terminology, with Rohan offering a historical perspective on why current pushback against social justice initiatives shouldn't discourage practitioners: "Anytime there has been progress, there has been resistance. We've seen this before, we've experienced this before." Among Thompson's proudest achievements is the "Black Brilliance" initiative he helped establish in Waterloo Region, which transformed from a one-day event into a powerful platform where Black students documented their school experiences through digital storytelling, becoming educators to the system that was failing them. Drawing from his own experience as a football player and coach, Rohan shares how sports teach accountability, resilience, and self-confidence—lessons that translate perfectly to equity work where persistence through resistance is essential. For aspiring social workers, he offers three profound principles: focus on not doing harm, recognize people are doing their best with what they have, and understand that with proper support, anyone can thrive. Join us for this inspiring conversation about building more equitable communities and the personal journey that drives this vital work. Subscribe to SpeakupUP! International for more thought-provoking discussions with changemakers from around the world! You can reach Mr. Rohan Thompson using the following platform:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohan-thompson-8b39111b2 Thoughts on the podcast? Send us a text message. Support the show

    54 min
  7. Queen D. Michele - Discovering Your Roots: How Ancestry, Travel, and Self-Awareness Shape Healing

    MAR 27

    Queen D. Michele - Discovering Your Roots: How Ancestry, Travel, and Self-Awareness Shape Healing

    What would you do if you discovered your teacher's pension wouldn't be enough to sustain you after retirement? For Queen D Michelle, the answer came in a life-changing decision to leave Atlanta behind and start fresh in Mexico's Lake Chapala region. Her remarkable journey reveals how necessity can become the catalyst for profound personal transformation. Queen D Michelle's story begins with a practical problem faced by many retired educators. After 27 years in the classroom, she found herself working multiple jobs to supplement her pension—driving for Uber, shuttling railroad engineers, designing curriculum online. When the realization hit that "I will always have to do this," she began researching alternatives and discovered Mexico's expat-friendly communities where her dollars would stretch further in a place with "the second-best weather in the world." This geographical shift became the doorway to something far more significant than financial relief. Freed from constant work demands, Queen D Michelle embarked on a journey of self-discovery through meditation, yoga, writing, and community building. She authored multiple books including "Considerations: A Guide for Moving Abroad" and "Traveling Home Together," a spiritual guidebook. Her DNA testing through African Ancestry revealed her Fula heritage from Guinea-Bissau, leading to a powerfully emotional homecoming visit to her ancestral village where her people "wiped tears from her face and welcomed her home." Today, Queen D Michelle focuses on helping others through her nonprofit organization addressing generational trauma and developing curriculum for "Generation Alpha"—children born between 2010-2024. She believes deeply that "if trauma can be passed down, healing can be passed up," and champions meditation as the essential pathway to spiritual awakening. Her own journey exemplifies what's possible when we dare to step beyond conventional expectations and reclaim our authentic selves. You can reach Queen D. Michele using her social media platforms: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/qdmichele/ X/Twitter:  https://x.com/1Light1Luv YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MovingInwardOnward Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/considerations2020/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cots/  Thoughts on the podcast? Send us a text message. Support the show

    55 min
  8. Beyond the Margins: Tina Garnett's Journey Through Systemic Barriers

    MAR 23

    Beyond the Margins: Tina Garnett's Journey Through Systemic Barriers

    "We are not what the system has told us we are," declares Tina Garnett, a powerful voice in the fight against systemic oppression. As a seventh-generation Black Canadian descended from Charlotte and James Handy, Garnett brings three decades of experience championing marginalized communities to this profound conversation about resilience, purpose, and transformation. Garnett's journey through racism began in London, Ontario, as part of one of the few Black families in the area, before taking her to Northern British Columbia where she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of systemic violence against Indigenous women. These experiences crystallized her understanding of racial hierarchy and white supremacy, driving her to pursue education as a tool for change despite being told as a child with a learning disability that "school was not for me." Now serving as Executive Director of the Jean Augustine Center for Young Women's Empowerment, Garnett creates spaces where young women ages 7-17 can develop holistically through mentorship, after-school programs, and civic engagement initiatives. Her previous groundbreaking work implementing EDI strategies at SickKids Hospital challenged institutions to move beyond merely counting diversity to creating genuine inclusion. The conversation delves into Garnett's personal practices for sustaining her work—beginning each day with prayer and gratitude, practicing yoga to release trauma held in the body, and dedicating Sundays to family. Despite making "half of what I made" in institutional settings, she finds "ten times as much more joy" in her current role empowering young women to envision futures where they see themselves represented. Throughout the discussion, Garnett weaves together historical injustice, personal loss, and hopeful transformation. Her message that "there's no wrong way to do your life except to quit" serves as both challenge and comfort to listeners navigating their own journeys through systemic barriers toward authentic self-expression and community empowerment. Listen to her account and be inspired! 1.     Website: https://equityinprovidence.com/ 2.     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-garnett-ma-b3866621/ Thoughts on the podcast? Send us a text message. Support the show

    53 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

SpeakUP! International Inc. is your go-to podcast for inspiring stories, insightful interviews, and educational content that empowers listeners. Join us as we delve into diverse topics with a focus on uplifting black and brown voices, promoting creativity, and fostering personal and professional growth. 

Information

  • Creator
    Ellington Brown & Rita Burke
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 SpeakUP! International Inc.
  • Show Website
    SpeakUP! International Inc.