This week, two African American men were arrested for waiting in Starbucks without placing an order. As a clean up, Starbucks will close over 8,000 US stores on May 29, 2018, for staff to take racial-bias training. Some community leaders are suggesting a boycott on Starbucks. Have you ever yell and someone in a far away land heeds to your call and respond positively? This is what happened this week.
In a week Diversity Magazine gets countless press releases, and invitations from countless multicultural communities, non-profits, businesses, politicians, and political organizations to share their events, share their stories, and present what they do, or their cultural heritage with the world on our multimedia platforms. As you might know, community journalism or ethnic media as it is called has become a public service which we can hardly cope with demands across Alberta and beyond, and communities cannot afford communications services to meet their needs. It is fair to say the mainstream media too provide similar services too but with some strains due to the changing nature of the industry.
After long calls from Diversity Magazine for some form of public recognition, and support for community journalism from the City, the Provincial, and Federal Government, Ontario has taken the lead. As a province that strives to be ahead of the rest, this week, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport of Ontario, announced that it is supporting multicultural news journalism through a new fund that will increase multicultural coverage of local, regional and national news.
The press release reads, “…This will strengthen professional multicultural news journalism with a new fund aimed at increasing the breadth, depth, and reach of multicultural news coverage across the province. The Multicultural Journalism Fund will help to increase coverage of local, regional, and national issues from diverse perspectives. It will assist independent journalists as well as news organizations that produce journalism to serve multicultural communities, build audiences for multicultural news journalism and attract advertising revenue”.
The world is changing, so too are its technologies. There has been an evolution of communication technologies from the printing press, the typewriter, to the fax machine, the telephone, and today the internet that is revolutionizing the way things are done in every industry.
Today, we consume media, talk, chat, connect, apply for jobs, learn just about anything, or buy something from any corner of the world for no distance covered as fast as our fingers can touch our phones or computers. This internet platform has changed entire industries and how business is done. Media is no exception. We can get our stories in front of thousands of people faster, cheaper, more and better stories, bypassing the printing press, using the internet as more and more people get connected through the internet, especially the younger generations. This also implies stronger competition as our competitors has become a world wide media community and the average internet user.
It makes sense for any government that worships in the altar of diversity and inclusion to budget for this global change and position its people for the future, especially the cultural heritage of its poor, underprivileged multicultural communities, as well as, educate its people through main stream, and ethnic media on multiculturalism, religious tolerance, and racial-bias. This will go a long way for the media outlets to take in more student interns, hire more people, give opportunities to newcomers expertise who cannot launch their Canadian careers or are not offered opportunities or prevented from it by the word “Canadian Experience”. This will certainly add a drop in Premier Notley’s diversification bucket, taps tons of local talents to compete in a global media world, prevent our smart and creative minds from going else where in search of opportunities. This positions a community platform with tools to best educate the community, especially those with views of boycotting Starbucks and punish an entire company to the detriment of our brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbours who rely on Starbucks for their livelihood, rather than using this as a teachable moment for staff, customers, and the public, the impacts of the action of one short sighted manager.
The Ontario Multicultural Journalism Fund will also support digital innovation in multicultural news journalism to reach new audiences, including the development of digital platforms. This fund is part of the Ontario Culture Strategy’s commitment to connect people and communities by sharing and celebrating the province’s diverse heritage. Hope Alberta Government, Albertan Cities, and the rest of Canada can follow this lead to make hay while the sun shines.
Testimonials
What the communities are saying about Diversity Magazine
Krygyz Association in Alberta
Krygyztan Summer picnic and Tushoo Toi event
Hi Albert,
On behalf of my community, I would like to say big-big thank you for your article and amazing pictures! Deeply appreciated! It was a great pleasure to inform my Association members and send them your link!
I look forward to working with you more!
Sincerely,
Naz Aitkulova, Board Member and Public Relations Coordinator, Krygyz Association in Alberta
Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations (CEFA)
Thank you Albert for this nice article and lots of nice pictures too.
Mandy Servito, President, Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations (CEFA)
Edmonton Chinatown Multicultural Centre
Diversity is a true multicultural magazine bringing news and activities among ethnic groups in Edmonton. It promotes understanding , cooperation, racial harmony and multiculturalism. It also encourages ethnic groups and/or individuals to participate and enhance the welfare and cooperation among ethnic groups and the large society through achievements and Award Day.
Edmonton Chinatown Multicultural Centre
Africa Centre, Edmonton
Diversity understands what we want to achieve, provided opportunities to extend our reach. I admire the team’s energy, focus, and passion for our organization. They are  a pleasure to work with.
Africa Centre
Edmonton Sierra Leone Community
Diversity Magazine holds a particular public and community trust and gives legitimacy and publicity about our culture, products and our history to be accepted in our city.
Diversity Magazine is a community magazine that have boosts and expose our community to the broader Edmonton community and beyond. Diversity has promoted our community functions, activities and events such as our independence celebrations, Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections, and our annual Family Fun and Picnics.
They have empowered individuals by given them Awards which in turn have inspired others to either start something new or improved on what they are already doing. Diversity is the people’s magazine, it is our own because it speaks for us.
Diversity have also boosted our community economy – both through advertising and in news coverage. Diversity Magazine showcase our community businesses and promote entrepreneurs by allowing community businesses to reach their most likely customers.
Diversity Magazine has helped and is still helping Sierra Leoneans get to know other communities in Edmonton by connecting African Community Leaders.
They often report on our anniversaries, community events, family reunions and events, reminding people of the things they like.
Diversity Magazine as a community magazine provides a forum for us to express ourselves when we will necessarily not be opportune to do so. They allow readers to make their voices heard, and they enable ordinary immigrants who are citizens to deliberate on the future of their community. They encourage civil, issue-oriented discourse and they often set the stage for it.
One thing that I like about Diversity is that the people who operate these magazine work and live in the communities they cover. They’re our brothers and sisters. They share our values. They understand your community because they’re a part of it.
Community newspapers pull communities together. They help connect people with those around them. In this way, community newspapers provide a valuable form of public service. If you want to be encouraged, read your community newspaper.
Kemoh Mansarah, President, Sierra Leone friendship Society of Edmonton
Filipino Fiesta, Edmonton
Diversity Magazine and Frankline were very supportive of the first ever Filipino Fiesta held in June 2016. Frankline granted us one of our first media interviews! We are especially grateful for the advice that Frankline imparted as he is very well versed with cultural and diversity matters. Diversity Magazine featured the Fiesta extensively following the event and we were able to leverage this coverage when we began soliciting for support for the 2017 Filipino Fiesta.
Filipino Fiesta Board
Cariwest FestivalÂ
I appreciate having a resource like Diversity Magazine in the community. The coverage of local events, business, politics, and commerce keeps me personally informed.
Bert Richards, Business owner and board member, Cariwest Festival
Association of Kenyans In Alberta (AKA)
As the president of the Kenyan Community in Alberta, on behalf of the community I would like to thank the Diversity Magazine for its tremendous work to the community. The magazine, for the last two years, have joined hands with our community to participate in highlighting the work of not only our community but other African communities in Edmonton area. The dedicated staff of the magazine have through their coverage of community events made it possible for the communities to regain their confidence and identity in the Canadian Society. Thank you for your coverage of our past four events here in Edmonton and I would say that this has helped the leadership reach as many community members as possible, who in turn been able to rally the community to projects intended to help the community especially the youth. Personally, I find your magazine incredible, inspiring, and informative to read. We look forward to your attendance in our next community event, Madaraka Day in June.
Juliah Maru President Association of Kenyans In Alberta (AKA)
Budusiri Organization, Sri Lankan Community, Edmonton
Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton(SCCSE)
Diversity magazine is making a significant difference in Alberta by presenting ethno-cultural contribution to the overall Canadian multiculturalism. Please keep up the good work that you do and take it to the next level to all provinces. Multi-multiculturalism makes Canada stronger and makes Canada an example to the rest of the world that people of different cultures can live together peacefully and celebrate together.
Thanks, Â Â Jibril Ibrahim, P.Eng, President Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton(SCCSE)
Our Physical address: North: 13160-127 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5L 1B2 South: Suite 200, Tower II,7609 38 Ave Millwood’s Road NW Website: www.Somaliedmonton.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLilEjnK08IG_d9iKQP_y6XRAwDUG59U5tCell: 780-267-7992 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 64088,Edmonton, AB,T5H 4K2,
Nigerian Canadian Association of Edmonton
Diversity Magazine has been like a media partner to the Nigerian Canadian Association of Edmonton, providing media coverage for our community events, and featuring the businesses of Nigerians in Canada. We worked together during the Heritage Festival 2016 providing our pavilion with vendors.
Nigerian Canadian Association of Edmonton
Ghana Friendship Society of Edmonton
Diversity Magazine’s contribution to the City of Edmonton is invaluable. By always being on the ground, the magazine throws light on the various activities of diverse groups which enriches the cultural and intellectual fabric of our society. Singularly, Diversity Magazine makes our communities proud by being a strong medium through which our individual and collective achievements are recognized and celebrated. The stories of my community and many others continue to be increasingly relevant and appreciated because of the tireless work of Diversity Magazine.
Ghana Friendship Society of Edmonton
