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It’s Friday.
It’s Diversity Community Newscast For February 26, 2021, by host Harriet Tinka and myself, Rayyah Sempala….
Sponsored by Ray Z Plumbing and Heating…..
Here are the headlines for this week…
Welcome to women elegance, “Elle Au Féminin” Magazine is here, by AJFAS…..
Mother of Black History Month celebration in Canada, Dr. Jean Augustin, inspires kids with Children’s book….
Edmonton Police Service (EPS) invites people from diverse communities to serve on its new Chief Community Council…..
Diversity TV brings to you after this newscast, our last Black History Month Zoom panel on SYSTEMIC RACISM, with guests from the police, school, politicians, and the community.
Now the news in detail with Harriet Tinka…..
1. EPS still looking for people? Tell us more…
Yes, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) invites people from diverse communities to serve on its new Chief Community Council as it redesigns its community engagement strategy to be more inclusive. As a recommendation from the EPS Commitment to Action initiative and other engagement efforts, the EPS is looking for community members with experience in marginalization, discrimination, and interested in being part of change to guide the EPS in addressing issues within vulnerable communities. The deadline is February 28, 2021.
For more information, please go to www.edmontonpolice.ca/ccc or send application to CCC@edmontonpolice.ca
2. Who’s doing what for Black History Month celebration in Edmonton and Calgary? Here’s what is up?
Saturday, February 27, 2021, 12 noon, by Africans and African Descendants Friendship Club of St. Albert – online.
Saturday, February 6 – 27, AJFAS Black History Month events on www.ajfas.ca Fort Saskatchewan Multicultural Association will be hosting Black History Educational Workshops at schools in Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park and Ardrossan,
February 10th to February 26th ( private). Also, they’re hosting virtual videos, highlighting the meaning of Black History Month, what it means to African / Caribbean Canadians who have risen above the challenges and have accomplished, highlighting their valuable contributions to the many fields such as, politics, education, sports, Arts and Culture. This will be shown throughout the month of February on their Facebook Page.
On February 27, AfroQuiz will welcome 40 contestants from four age categories covering elementary through High School. Themed, “Health and the Black Community, 2021 will take an online format. Youth participants and spectators of all ages can register at www.ccach.org/afroquiz/afroquiz-2021-registration/.
Any events coming up for Black History Month in Calgary?
Yes…
Raising Hope in a Pandemic, February 15 & 27, 1PM – online Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture, 26-27 February, 6-8 PM daily -online Black History Month Desire to Make a Difference; Community Responsibility, and Integrity, February 27, 6-8PM.
Afrikadey! Arts & Cultural Society in partnership with Pan African Music Society of Nigeria for an online music concert March 13, 2021, from 6pm to 8pm.
We have a Black History Month Offers…
Ya, SASS Marketing Agency is offering help to the black community as part of Black History Month 2021. If you’re a #BlackOwnedBusiness in the Edmonton and area in need of graphic design work to promote your business during these difficult times, you can get a FREE offer from SASS. ⠀
To request a FREE 1 (one) time design promotional marketing material before the end of February, please click here tinyurl.com/1vo4he4c Before we go to more Black History Month stories, we will take a quick commercial break….
3. It appears we have a new magazine in town’eh?
Yap!
Welcome to “Elle Au Féminin” Magazine by AJFAS. On February 20, 2021, Alliance Jeunesse et Famille de l’Alberta Society (AJFAS), celebrated 25 vibrant Black women from the Francophone community in Alberta as part of Black History Month, launching the arrival of the new feminine Black French magazine, “Elle Au Féminin”. Women were drawn from all works of life; healthcare, media, community development, entrepreneurs, education, and many more.
Here is a list of the 25 women fantastic ladies celebrated: Dulari Prithipaul, Ida Ituze, Ida Kamariza, Tina Shimatu, Adel Mwika, Mireille Isidore, Michele Katuku Ngoy, Jeanne Lehman, Joelle Kacou, Agnes Mpinda, Rachel Gnalega, Brigette Etien, Evelyne Kemajou, Abigail Lawrence , Mariama Gueye, Anna-Benedicte Kouadio, Jeanette Sonna Toukem, Victorine Abe Mimbe, Aimee Ngoumba, Valecia Pepin, Rita Tshiluba, Danielle Kadjo, Mathy Mulimba, Chantal Londji Dang, Mireille Kamin.
Take a look at the magazine on this link https://bit.ly/3brTLjc
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. Who are we celebrating this week for Diversity Profile of the Week….?
“Don’t be afraid….ask for advice….find mentors that can help you….go beyond your normal comfort zone….,” Bukky.
Bukola Ogunbiyi, popularly known as Bukky was a pharmacist in Nigeria for 5 years before moving to Canada in 2009. By 2012, she became a pharmacist too in Canada after proving her worth in the pharmacy exams. However, Bukky didn’t stop there, she kept going. She opened Hamptons Pharmacy in October 2019 on 5603 199 Street, in the Southwest of Edmonton, where she provides pharmacy services, such as dispensing medication, counselling people on their medication, medication review, and work with other healthcare professionals to provide the very best care.
Also a Prescribing Pharmacist, the hardworking Bukky squeezed time in between clients to talk to Diversity TV Reporter, Tabitha Biel for our Black History Month Special.
Take a listen…..
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….?
A. South Africa becomes the first country in Africa to roll out Covid-19 vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was rolled out after pausing an initial roll-out of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, which was apparently not effective against the Covid-19 strain dominant in the country.
B. Tanzania, whose president was saying they do not have COVID-19, and even passed a law to prevent people from publicly talking about their Covid-19 situation, is now experiencing a rise in case number with senior government members dying from the virus.
C. The Former Interior Minister of the ruling party, Mohamed Bazoum, has been declared as Niger’s new president by Niger’s electoral commission.
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 Aftican 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. Employers can now apply for their staff, Albertan frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic to receive a one-time payment in recognition of their hard work and sacrifice. This Critical Worker Benefit is a joint federal-provincial program that will see $465 million go to approximately 380,000 Alberta public and private sector workers in the form of $1,200 cash payments.
For detailed information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit: alberta.ca/workerbenefit.
B. Businesses can now apply for Alberta Provincial Government support during this COVID-19 pandemic. The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations that were ordered to close or curtail operations, and that experienced a 30% revenue loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more on the Alberta Government website
C. Our first story in the Toronto area after numerous press releases….
Now, expect more stories and keep doing the fantastic work lovely audience in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In Toronto, former Calgary based community builder, Faith Greaves, leads forward her organization, Mozia Women’s Network Society and Mozia Professional Business Centre Inc. On February 20, 2021, from 3 PM, they did a soft launch via ZOOM, Facebook, and YouTube, of their 10,000 square feet Mozia Women’s Network Society and Mozia Professional Business Centre Launch. Hear more from Faith Greaves here on Diversity TV Community Newscast….
D. 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
E. 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. Organizer, Patrick Arthur is here to tell us more…. For tickets, please go to www.diversityconference.ca
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G. In Toronto, Ontario, the highly anticipated children’s book is available now on Amazon under Miss Bonita and Friends and “THE CASE OF THE GIRL WHO HAD TO BE PERFECTLY PERFECT”. Written by Lisa Lallouz, the creator of the Miss Bonita and Friends books and Web series. The book is co-written by Suzane Coy, a Jamaican born African Canadian Actor/Producer & talent manager. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Black History Month, together they have partnered with the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian Woman elected to the House of Commons. With the objectives of the book to inspire kids across the world, we invited Dr. Augustine and Lisa, author of Miss Bonita, to inspire you as well with this story.
H. Empowered Me Inc presented by our darling host, Harriet Tinka, launches anti-bullying campaign for 2021: “DON’T MAKE ME CRY.” The conversations has to be on-going. Get your tickets for this virtual event. Registration a must! This event is the beginning of many more conversations to come during the year. We are encouraging as many youths as possible to join in the discussions. Share your story to make a difference. We will have experts participate in the conversations as well.
Thank you for watching Diversity TV Community Newscast from Harriet Tinka and Rayyah Sempala.
See you next week.
We now begin our Systemic Racism panel.
10. Diversity TV in the Community….
Our last Black History Month Zoom panel is on SYSTEMIC RACISM, a hot one coming to you this Friday, February 26, 2021, at Noon.
We invited a representatives from the Cities of Edmonton, Calgary, Government of Alberta, the official Alberta opposition, Edmonton and Calgary Police Services, School Boards, and some community leaders to share what they plan to do to address Systemic Racism. Visible minorities make up about 30% of Canada but yet hold less than 1% of positions on corporate Boards. The numbers are as depressing as you can imagine at management levels in government, academia, law enforcement, and every field that you can imagine.
Last week, students in some schools in Edmonton formed groups to fight “Black Supremacy”. Yes I mean “Black Supremacy”. This signifies how toxic the situation has become. We clearly have a problem especially the minorities in Alberta and beyond.
It’s time to start a conversation on Systemic Racism in Alberta. There’s no better time to have this conversation than during Black History Month, inviting those who pass legislation, those who enforce legislation, those who form our future leaders, and the communities who live these experiences. We know this matters to you and your organization as it does to our communities. As such, it was a pleasure to have guests to discuss how to mold an inclusive Alberta for everyone.
Here are our guests:
Kemoh Mansaray, Community Leader and Africa Centre Board Chair
Giselle General, Politician running in the upcoming City of Edmonton elections, and a Community Leader
Trisha Estabrooks, Chair of Edmonton Public School Board Trustee
MLA David Shepherd, Edmonton-Centre
Matthew Cheung, Edmonton Police Service
Mitch Flaman, Edmonton Police Service
Marilyn Dennis, Board Chair, Calgary Board of Education
