It’s the End of the Week
It’s a Beautiful Friday It’s Time for Diversity Community Newscast For March 5, 2021,
by hosts Harriet Tinka and myself, Rayyah Sempala….
Sponsored by Ray Z Plumbing and Heating…..
Here are the headlines for this week…
CDÉA Celebrates Black entrepreneurs as part of Black History Month celebration…..
A special Black History Month ceremony took place in Ontario to welcome new Canadians, supported by a list of Black trail blazers….
Alberta’s new budget not so friendly to universities and cities according to big cities mayors……
Diversity TV brings to you after this newscast, a panel on sickle cell from those going through the experience….
Now the news in detail with Harriet Tinka…..
1. CDÉA Celebrates Black entrepreneurs as part of Black History Month celebration…..
A virtual celebration of Black Francophone entrepreneurs took place on February 27, 2021, by Conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta known as CDÉA.
A good turnout of Black Francophone entrepreneurs, and an engaging panel of entirely Black entrepreneurs, indicated that CDÉA is for everyone and it’s time for the organization to take advantage of the Black entrepreneurial interest. Many more events and programs are in the pipeline after this successful Black History Month virtual celebration.
“The event was awesome….,” Lyse Riza reiterated the feedback of event participants. Calgary based Lyse Riza told Diversity Magazine that she learnt a lot from the panelists and want to see more to help her grow her new skin balm making business.
2. A special Black History Month ceremony took place in Ontario to welcome new Canadians, supported by a list of Black trail blazers….
On February 25, 2021, Marco Mendicino, the federal Minister of Immigration hosted a special (virtual) Black History Month citizenship ceremony, with special guests, Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black Woman elected to Parliament, Nicholas Johnson, Princeton’s first Black valedictorian, Caroline Xavier, the first Black Deputy Minister in the federal government. Poetry reading was by Lysiane Kouakou and a rendition of O Canada by Ineza Mugisha.
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino and Citizenship Judge who presided the event, Rochelle Ivri, found time to talk to Diversity TV about the significance of the Black History Month ceremony. Let’s hear from them….
AJFAS (L’Alliance Jeunesse-Famille de l’Alberta Society Décerne) celebrates 20 years of community service in the Black Community by handing out awards to entrepreneurs.
Awards for entrepreneurial excellence:
I. EVELYNE LANKWAKI, owner of Tropical House Food Market Ltd.
II. ELDAH POULIN, owner of BELLA’S BEAUTY, chez Eldah Poulin
III. AIMEE MPILIDI, owner of Wenze Market and Grill
IV. FRANKLINE AGBOR, founder of Diversity Magazine
John Ware Recognition of community leadership:
I. KALIFA GOITA of the Edmonton Malian community
II. EVELYNE KEMAJOU, founder of PIA (Portail de l’Immigrant Association, Calgary)
III. SA EVA KATUSEVANAKO from the Francophone Association in Brooks
VIOLA DESMOND recognition for exceptional entrepreneurial and innovative accomplishments
EVA KABUYA
3. Who is taking Cree lessons and culture to schools?
In an effort to revitalize, reclaim, and preserve their culture, 2 Northern Cree ladies, Doreen and Carol joined Lana from the Fort Saskatchewan Multicultural Association (FSMA) to embark on an education program in schools and community.
They have created Cree classes open to the community for a free learning of the language. At the schools, they teach Cree, as well as, customs and traditional ways of living. Elder Doreen Wabasca and Carol Cardinal are the Indigenous team who make this happen.
All 3 spoke to Diversity TV about their program. Listen
4. Suiting men up for Fashion of the Week…..?
There’s colour and beauty in the horizon as Spring nears and Black History Month winds up. A colourful eye-catching men tie set will not be a bad idea for your man or a friend. A hand crafted African wax print or ankara. A high quality set of tie, bowtie, and pocket square to compliment an outfit. The set comes elegantly wrapped with a bow which makes it the perfect gift for this Black History Month.
For more information, please go to kynapparel.ca
5. This week, we’re celebrating 3 medical doctors of African descent all working in the same clinic. Can you please tell us more….?
Yes!
3 friends; Dr. Raymond Asongwe of Cameroonian heritage, started Gateway Family Medical Clinic 5 years ago. He was later joined by Dr. Olusegun Ajayi, and Dr. Olajide Alfred Durojaye both of Nigerian descent. Together, they are the 3 doctors working in the Gateway Family Medical Clinic on Unit 236 – 2 Hebert Road, St. Albert.
Listen to the 3 doctors on Diversity TV…..
6. Coronavirus Project Cool Times:
Alberta Health has reported scams where victims are asked to provide personal information, send money, or buy gift cards to secure a COVID-19 vaccine early. If you’ve received such a call, contact Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or your local police.
7. What do you have for Diversity TV International News….?
Ghana and Ivory Coast receives 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) free COVAX support to countries who can’t afford the COVID-19 vaccine.
8. What’re we cooking this week for Dish of the Week…..?
This week, Krazy Jerk Restaurant in Calgary led by Chef Joshua prepares for us Ackee and Saltfish, popularly known as the Jamaica’s national dish. It is made with the Ackee fruit, which was imported to the region from the African nation of Ghana in Africa by slaves. You can try the delicious Ackee and Saltfish at Krazy Jerk, located on, 1715 52 St SE, Calgary.
9. We have lots of announcements this week…?
A. The National Black Coalition of Canada (NBCC), Edmonton Chapter Black History Month publication is now out. The 44 years 2021 cultural magazine can be accessed on this link https://bit.ly/3sfuXBG
B. Edmonton will host a very important Diversity Conference this Summer on July 6-10, at 9AM, inviting big names like Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. III.
For tickets, please go to www.diversityconference.ca Business For Sale
C. Interested in taking over a business…..?
Women Clothing Boutique for sale. Start making money right away. Ready to go and can be moved to anywhere. Very profitable. No Experience required. Needed training and support provided. Good deal Including Inventory, suppliers etc.
Interested, please call 780.709.0965
D. The University of Alberta is now accepting applications from Black high school students for the University of Alberta Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership program.
This is an interdisciplinary program that seeks to socially and economically empower black youths. More information about the program is on their website. Application deadline is April 15. https://www.ualberta.ca/nursing/research/research-units/health-and-immigration-policies-and-practices/black-youth-mentorship-program/apply.html
E. The BCW International Women’s Day (IWD) Celebrations will take place on the 6th and 7th of March.
The theme is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World”. 6th March 2021 – BCW Celebration, 2:00PM – 4:30PM 7th March 2021 – Virtual Expo/Summit, 2:00PM – 3:30PM
There will be various presentations on the 6th: Keynote Speaker: Dr. Wanda Costen, Dean, School of Business, MacEwan University Presenters: Dr. Angele Alook, Assistant Professor, School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, York University Dr. Bukola Salami, Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta Panelists: Alethe Kabore: BSc, MPH: Founder and Designer, KYN Apparel Megan Vernon: MBA, MSc, BA, CME: Founder, The Melanin Studio Ltd Dr. Simi Aderibigbe DDS: Founder and Dentist, Flourish Dental Rehana Malik-Mbanga BSc: Founder and CEO, Stimbok Corporation March 7th will be more focused on the business aspect, which will be the expo for women in business to showcase their products and services. This is to support women in business.
F. The Edmonton Muslim community is coming together to offer self defense classes to ensure the protection of hijab wearing Muslim women on the streets of Edmonton.
Some Muslim women were assaulted, yelled racial slurs at, and threatened in separate incidents in Edmonton in the last 3 months at South Gate Mall, University of Alberta Transit Centre, and other locations.
At a press conference, the Edmonton Police Chief, this is what the Police Chief said on the issue.
We also invited someone from Al Rashid Mosque to tell us more about their self defense program to enable women protect themselves.
G. Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership (RDLIP) needs your help in making their communities safer for all!
They are worried about the growing reports of racism in their community. Because of this, they’re reaching out to ask you questions about these three topics. In the past five (5) years: Have you seen incidents of racism in their community? Have you experienced racism personally? How do people respond to racism and what are your needs for support? Take the survey here https://rdc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TwuufiC2XOQ9WS?fbclid=IwAR0uV7hFK1yio2jwJiHVZxIzLyJDbkN4VdiVnNM4CvoNXTmThwzxWyjQFnc
H. Alberta President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, Travis Toews, presented the provincial budget on February 25, 2021.
In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic recession, and tumbling oil and gas prices, the budget is big on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic recovery, the minister said. As expenses surpass revenue, cuts, cuts, and more cuts appear to be the spirit of the budget, drawing quick reactions from the mayors of Alberta’s largest cities – Edmonton and Calgary.
“For a budget focused on health, recovery, and finding savings, I am confounded and disappointed that the Province is not prepared to work with Edmonton on supportive housing and has cut critical infrastructure funding to our city,” Edmonton Mayor, Don Iveson.
“Today’s AB budget cuts almost $160M from the city, preventing us from building needed infrastructure and creating jobs when we most need them. Even more troubling, it’s a missed opportunity. Coming back from the pandemic will be hard, and we need a roadmap. We didn’t get that. Cuts to post-secondary education are particularly troubling….,” Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary.
This budget that cuts support to cities according to the mayors, runs the risk of cities increasing property taxes to makeup the shortfall, thereby leading to an indirect increase in taxes, contrary to what the minister was saying in his presentation. In a pandemic period that has hit minorities the most, any budget cuts experienced by the cities is only going to make a bad situation worst for you. So, we invited your Alberta President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, Travis Toews, for some explanation on this issue but got no response.
Learn more on this new budget on www.alberta.ca
Thank you for watching Diversity TV Community Newscast from Harriet Tinka and Rayyah Sempala.
See you next week.
We now begin sickle cell panel.
10. Diversity TV in the Community….
Here is the list of those sharing their sickle cell journey as part of Diversity TV sickle cell panel:
Tristan Lee, professional model and sickle cell advocate Elle Cole, award winning author and sickle cell advocate
Ufuoma Muwhen, founder and CEO of non-profit organization, NotJustYou, sickle cell advocate
