Archive by Author
May 23, 2013 

TORONTO NEWNESS: Rebirth Of A City + Herbert Carnegie Gala

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Topics about Toronto have been on my mind for the last little while, and no – a certain alleged crack-smoking mayor and the media maelstrom surrounding him have little to do with it.

Toronto is a small town in a big city, if that makes any sense. Everybody seems to know everybody, or know of everybody – and social media has just made the circles even smaller. I’ve been feeling a bit disillusioned with Toronto as of late, and almost felt that I had out-grown it altogether. Was it time to peel off this too-tight sweater of a city and look for a roomier fit somewhere else? HomieLoverFriend and I spent an afternoon playing “Where In The World Should We Go?” before sighing and resigning ourselves to the fact that we probably wouldn’t be leaving any time soon.

Within the multifarious Black community in Toronto, it often felt that I was seeing the same faces at events. The same voices behind podiums. The same names listed alongside the titles that have become known to hold weight in our city. Strong and consistent leadership and inspiration is necessary, but stagnation has to be avoided at all costs. If you’re a “leader” who would rather stall progress in order to keep your grip on perceived power, how effective are you?  If you’re a “leader” who functions from an egocentric paradigm, how can you help anyone except yourself? Do you know when it’s time to trust someone to inject fresh energy into your movement?

It seems that a collective disenchantment has given way to fresh, new perspectives. Perhaps my internal yearning for something new led to an external display of all those people who are doing something new. I’m finding a new offering of intelligent and entertaining events. I’m finding a new offering of grassroots organizations that are actively doing crucial work. I’m finding a new definition of what it means to be a “young Black professional” in Toronto, and I’m finding a new demographic of innovative, thought-provoking, passionate people who fit the bill in so many different ways. Call me naive, but it feels that some of the dust has been cleared. The city feels newer to me, filled with more opportunities – and I’m again tasting that delicious anticipation that I haven’t tasted since I first moved here.

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 Photo source: LIWI68

Tonight, I’ll be attending the Herbert Carnegie Future Aces Foundation Gala. The Future Aces Philosophy was created by Herbert Carnegie (one of the first Black NHL players and an accomplished businessman) in 1956 as a way to help youth develop self-knowledge and self-confidence, take control over their lives, and use their abilities in a positive way. Since then, the Foundation has offered scholarships, community projects, and educational programs to assist youth and fulfil Carnegie’s Philosophy. Tonight’s gala will be honouring the work of Bernice Carnegie, daughter of Herbert and Executive Director of the Foundation for the last 17 years. A new Executive Director will continue where Ms. Carnegie has left off, building upon Herbert Carnegie’s legacy and mission.

If I believed in coincidences, I’d call this exactly that – for two reasons. One, being that attending this gala is another new and exciting opportunity for me, continuing my trend of meeting new and exciting people. Two, being that the Future Aces Foundation is a microcosm of the positives I’ve been seeing in Toronto – leadership that trusts the process and creates opportunities for new blood to course through its veins.

Tonight, I’ll be live-tweeting and sharing the Gala via various social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), so make sure you tune in! Next week, I’ll also be posting a recap post about the event, so if you’re not there, you’ll be able to feel what the experience was like. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come for the city and its inhabitants that are craving something more. Keep showing me newness and progression, Toronto. I might just stick around.

Have you ever felt like you’ve outgrown your hometown? If you’re in Toronto, have you felt stagnant or cramped in the city? Are you sensing anything new in the city that is changing your perspective? Lastly, if you’re going to be at the Herbert Carnegie Future Aces Foundation Gala tonight, let a sista know!

May 21, 2013 

EVENT RECAP: Curls, Coils & Cocktails in Toronto

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I am STILL on a high. This past Saturday, in partnership with my homegirl Ann Marie from Soulafrodisiac, I held my first event called Curls, Coils & Cocktails – and it was AWESOME.

Since I started this blog, one of the most common questions I’ve received has been “When are you going to start organizing some events and meetups?” We’ve all been witness to the incredible events that bloggers like Curly Nikki, Afrobella, and others have thrown in the States, but here in Canada (and specifically Toronto), we’ve seen much less action. Thankfully, this is starting to change – and Curls, Coils & Cocktails was my addition to the offerings of natural hair and beauty events in the city.

photo credit: Toni

photo credit: Toni

Held at the lovely and unique Saviari Tea & Cocktail Lounge, the event kicked off with time for mixing and mingling. If you haven’t hit up Saviari yet (on King West), you’re missing out. Amazing tea-infused foods and drinks in an intimate atmosphere – I’ll guarantee you’ve never had an experience quite like the one Saviari offers. The Trendsetter martini was our signature drink, and we saw everyone partaking of the yummy appetizer platters circulating the room. We had two amazing photographers on deck – Tanya Petraglia and Ashton Chambers – and they expertly captured all of the beautiful women (and a few fellas!) who came decked out in all of their gorgeousness.

About an hour into the event, the only emotion I felt was overwhelmed – in a good way. We had received a great response for our advance ticket sales, but the amount of women who still came through and paid at the door had us at standing room only. The sheer number of attendees who were in the house was one thing, but the vibe itself was incredible. I saw women laughing, smiling, talking, hugging, shaking hands, air kissing, complimenting, and just genuinely showing love. Many reflected on how nice it was to be in an environment filled with women without the shadiness, side eyes, and screwfaces, and I had to agree. I make an effort to surround myself with positive people, so I wasn’t at all surprised that a room full of lovely women were getting along – but it just felt nice. A big shout out to Juliana and Vee who held down the door for us like champs! Working the door at an event is rarely as simple as it seems, but these ladies kept things moving smoothly.

Thea Mitchell from Cocoa Bloom Cosmetics and Trudie, Karlene, and Dixie from Curl Bar Beauty Salon were on hand to offer free mini hair and makeup consultations, and the women in attendance didn’t waste any time taking advantage of their knowledge! I recently coloured my hair for my birthday, so any compliments I got on my hair colour and style were directed to Curl Bar’s way – Karlene did my amazing summer colour, and Trudie and Dixie both tag-teamed me the morning of the event to hook me up with a gorgeous twist-out.

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It was soon time for our panel discussion on natural hair and diversity in beauty – moderated by myself and featuring panelists Yemi of the awesome blog Shakara Natural Tips, Thea from Cocoa Bloom Cosmetics, Trudie from Curl Bar Beauty Salon, and Deb from the En’tyce Your Beauty product line. I have never in my life moderated a panel, but I think it went well! We discussed topics around the new views of Black beauty in the media, natural hair and the corporate work environment, how to deal with the frustrations of accepting our natural textures, the importance of healthy hair (regardless of style), natural hair and relationships, and much, much more. With the panel, I wanted to illicit more of a discussion than a straight Q&A feel – I often feel that we too easily want someone to give us an answer or solution to an issue, but I wanted to encourage more thought, debate, and new perspectives. The panelists loved the segment, and we got great feedback from attendees, so I was happy!

photo credit: Jaeda

photo credit: Jaeda

photo credit: Monique

photo credit: Monique

photo credit: Christine

photo credit: Christine

We also did a product swap, where attendees came up to the mic to discuss the gently-used products they had purchased that just didn’t work for them. We got a great response and had some awesome products that were then up for grabs for anyone else who wanted to try them, free of charge. We also made sure to highlight the various stylists (Hair by Glenna, Curl Bar, independant stylists) that were in attendance so that women would know what resources were available to them for their hair care needs. Finding a trusted stylist can be so difficult, but more and more options are becoming available to us in Toronto.

Ann Marie and I also wanted to make sure we highlighted a very special woman – Christine Tonkin. Christine is the creator of the Curls, Coils & Cocktails Meetup.com group that inspired the entire event. Months ago, she had reserved the date of May 18th for a special event, in order to mark International Natural Hair Meetup Day here in Toronto. However, due to some family health crises that needed her time and attention, Christine was unable to continue with plans. She asked if I would be able to take over the reins for the event – Ann Marie jumped in right away to partner with me, and we ran with it. Christine is an amazingly strong and faithful woman, and Ann Marie and I wanted to make sure that the event was true to her vision. Christine told us that we had created exactly what she had envisioned, so we were so happy to make her proud.

Toni and Christine (top) Toni and Ann Marie (bottom) photo credit: Toni

Toni and Christine (top)
Toni and Ann Marie (bottom)
photo credit: Toni

Oh – have I mentioned the FABULOUS giveaways we had on deck? We’re so thankful to all of our generous sponsors who went above and beyond to contribute to the event:

A big shout out to the bloggers/media coverage that were in the house! We did interviews with Caribbean Vibrations TV and Toni Daley, and had Noni and Winnie from Three Naturals (we missed Juli-Anne, but she has a beautiful new baby keeping her busy), Jacqueline from Anancy Magazine, and Carcia & Telly from It’s MusicFashionLife out as well! I saw a ton of other folks conducting mini photo shoots and interviews with attendees, so we can’t wait to see all the photos and event recaps!

photo credit (top): Christine (bottom): Toni

photo credit (top): Christine
(bottom): Toni

When I started organizing sponsors for the event, I was reaching out across the border to American brands – but didn’t get much response back. No one seemed to value the consumers here in Toronto, and it brought to mind my discussions with brands at a conference last year in Philly. The shock and surprise that so many displayed when they asked “There’s BLACK PEOPLE up in Canada?” was telling. While we’re a much smaller number than the Black population in the States, we’re still a relatively unknown consumer group in their eyes. Thankfully, the Universe started opening my eyes and led me to find the amazing resources and talent we have right here in the city. Our mission was not necessarily to host an event filled with vendors expecting attendees to buy. We wanted to create an environment of interaction, engagement, and awareness – getting to know who’s here, what they’re doing, and how you can find them was paramount.

If you’ve made it this far in the recap, I thank you. I knew it would be a long one, but there’s so much to say! All in all, Curls, Coils & Cocktails was a success, and I’m so proud of what we were able to accomplish. In my typical perfectionist way, I’ve spent mo’ time than a lil bit critiquing myself on what I could have done better, where I flubbed certain things, and chiding myself on areas where I can vastly improve. However, I take those self-critiques as learning lessons to make the next time (yes – there will be a next time!) even better. Curls, Coils & Cocktails exceeded all of my expectations, and I’m so thankful to everyone who supported in any way. Like I said at the top of the post, I’m still riding the high – thank you, Toronto!

Were you in attendance at Curls, Coils & Cocktails? Let me know what you thought! If you’ve got any photos you’d like to share, please feel free to email me copies to bee(at)83toinfinity(dot)com! Professional photos will be coming soon! 

May 8, 2013 

BEE’S HAIRCARE REVIEW: Coconut & Vanilla Elixir By B.U. Beauty United

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a new Parisian company called B.U. Beauty United, who asked if I’d like to review their Coconut & Vanilla Elixir. Mama ain’t raise no fool, so after a chat and Google search, I said “Hell yeah!” Let me tell you – this was one of the BEST hair decisions I’ve made in a long time!

B.U. Beauty United’s main ethos is to provide the highest quality in natural products without sacrificing efficiency. With one line dedicated to salon professionals (to encourage them to utilize natural products versus heavily chemical ones), and one dedicated to the public, B.U. Beauty United is on a mission to increase the use of natural ingredients in curly and coily hair care.

I was sent the Coconut & Vanilla Elixir and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

B.U. Beauty United Coconut & Vanilla Elixir

B.U. Beauty United Coconut & Vanilla Elixir

Ingredients include: coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sesamum indicum seed oil, vanilla planifolia fruit extract, and natural coconut fragrance

I utilized the elixir in a couple of different ways. First, I used it as a moisturizing product as I set some Bantu-knots on my previously blow-dried hair. As I separated each section (about 12), I detangled then applied the elixir before twisting and knotting. I added a tiny bit of Shea Moisture Coconut Milk to help seal my ends, then knotted it up.

The next day when I took the Bantus down, my hair was noticeably softer – and smelled delicious to boot! I suffered from serious hand-in-hair syndrome for most of the day which turned my billowy Bantu knot-out into a semi-frizzy mess, but it was SOFT.

Yummy, soft hair

Yummy, soft hair

I also used the elixir as a scalp treatment, with wonderful results. I applied small amounts all over my scalp, especially around my front hairline where it was most dry. I tied my hair down with a satin scarf and headed to bed…then woke up in the morning with a happy, non-itchy scalp! It’s been a couple of days since I applied it as a scalp treatment, and the flakes and dryness have yet to return.

I’m looking forward to trying the elixir as a hot oil treatment, which I’m already predicting will be divine. Should you decide to purchase (it retails for 22 Euros), the good news is that while it’s a 30 mL bottle, a little bit goes a LONG way. I find that some oils just sit on my hair, but my hair and scalp were able to soak up the elixir without greasy residue.

I’ve got a little treat for y’all – in efforts to add the “multi” to my media, I put together a quick little video with the help of Qwiki and YouTube for your viewing pleasure! Get into this visual softness!

YouTube Preview Image

All in all, I’m digging the Coconut & Vanilla Elixir. Merci beaucoup, B.U. Beauty United!

Be sure to check out B.U. Beauty United’s site! To my French readers, let me know if you’ve tried any B.U. products, and what you think! I’m definitely interested in the global natural hair scene, so let me know how things are in your neck of the woods! 

May 6, 2013 

COUNTDOWN: My Last Week As A 20-Something

bee20post8This week, I say farewell to my 20s – and I’m feeling a bit nostalgic.

I absolutely love my birthday, and I’m not one to shy away from birthday acknowledgement and celebration – in fact, the running joke between HomieLoverFriend and I is that years ago, I told him one day my birthday would be a national holiday. To date, I haven’t figured out what amazingly influential thing I’ll do to make that come true, but it’s still part of my life plans. In the weeks and days before each birthday, I tend to sit within myself and reflect on the year that is coming to a close – but with my 29th revolution around the sun reaching its finish, I’m sitting here looking back at the decade that was, and imagining the life I want to create in the decade to come.

If I could give my 20s a theme, I think I’d call it the decade of lost and found, or I’d liken it to the act of picking a bouquet of flowers. In my 20s, I gathered experiences that matured me and subsequently felt the winds of change blow away everything I thought I knew. More than once, I’ve had to start gathering my bouquet over again, but the act of lost and found defined me throughout my 20s.

My 20s: When I'd wear denim bikini tops under sheer shirts.

My 20s: When I’d wear denim bikini tops under sheer shirts.

My 20s: When I'd dance on poles in basement jams.

My 20s: When I’d dance on poles in basement jams.

I found the greatest love of my life, then suffered the worst heartbreak of my life. I felt a false sense of power in relationships where he cared about me more than I did him. I had wild nights with my girls, lived the line bypass life, and made Tequila Rose shots my signature drink of the summer of 2005. I achieved educational excellence and started to step out of my shy shell. I took a leap and left the only home I had ever known for the bright lights and big city of Toronto. Health issues knocked me on my ass, but I got back up again and kept living. I worked hard and felt a sense of pride in what I did. I grew to love soca and learned how to cook. I put stamps in my passport. I re-found love, got married, and obtained a new alter-ego – “Mrs. Quammie.” I lost family members in the physical sense, but found myself visited by angels who watch over me closely. I lost sister-friends who were supposed to be there forever, but either found ways to redefine our relationship, or found ways to move on and be OK with the bittersweet memories. I got brave, I got creative, and I found my voice. I stopped thinking about how I was “supposed” to do things, and started doing them in the ways that made sense for me. I nearly reached the end of my rope, but time and time again learned that my grip is strong.

My 20s: When I met Teedra Moses on New Years Eve and my one eye fell asleep.

My 20s: When I met Teedra Moses on New Years Eve and my one eye fell asleep.

My 20s: When I was heavy into modeling.

My 20s: When I was heavy into modeling.

29 was a particularly challenging year. It seemed like my 20s wanted to cram in as much lost and found as possible before I hit 30, but I choose to believe that it happened in such a way to prepare me for the future. I’ve never been more grateful for good days. I’ve never been more hungry for the best life has to offer. I’ve never been as sad as I’ve been at some points this year, but I’ve never been so hopeful for the amazing things to come. Like I wrote in a recent post, I like the woman I’m becoming. Sometimes she needs to be coaxed out of her shell, and sometimes she makes me work hard to earn the right to revel in my womanhood, but she’s there. 30 has got to be good – it’s going to be good, and I know it will because my 20s (especially 29) showed me just how much I can guide the happenings of my life.

I’ll be taking the next few days to ponder what was and think about what’s to be. A new decade, let alone a new year is the time for a fresh start, so I’ll be letting go of that which doesn’t serve me and will get ready for the wonderful things that will find room for themselves in my life. The 20s were a hell of a ride and made a beautifully elaborate bouquet – and I’ll look back fondly at the lessons learned and life lived forever.

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How would you define your 20s? For those who are in their 30s (and beyond) how was the transition into that new decade? Are the 30s as good as everyone says they are? What’s the best thing you’ve experienced in your 30s? 

May 2, 2013 

GLAMOUR & INSPIRATION: 31st Annual Harry Jerome Awards Recap

Whew! I feel like I’m just NOW starting to get back to normal after my crazy hectic weekend! One of the events I’d been looking forward to for a while was the 31st Annual Harry Jerome Awards, and it went down this past Saturday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. I was a first-time attendee AND the official blogger for the night, so I was excited to get dolled up and hit the scene!

Ready for an insider’s view? Here we go!

First things first, I had to get my hair situation handled. I headed down to my friends at Curl Bar Beauty Salon and tried out a new sleek, ponytailed look:

CurlBarHJA

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I pulled out an old dress from my closet, touched up my red toenail polish in the car like a real G would, and I was ready to go!

The Harry Jerome Awards (organized by the Black Business and Professional Association) is a feature event in Toronto every year, honouring excellence in the Black Canadian community. I was looking forward to meeting some of the award winners who I interviewed last week, watching performances from awesome Canadian talent like Ray Robinson and Belinda Brady, and networking with the other attendees in the house.

Prior to the main event, I got to peruse the silent auction (that had items like autographed Mike Tyson gloves, art, and Bulova watches), I was interviewed for BBPA’s YouTube channel, and got to catch up with some friends who were both in attendance and volunteering. And let me tell you – people showed OUT at the Harry Jerome Awards! Suits, gowns, the works – everyone that I saw came correct, and I loved the eye candy of all kinds!

Silent auction art

Silent auction art

Tyson gloves and photo

Tyson gloves and photo

After a bit of confusion, I finally got to my seat to enjoy dinner and the show. Political bigwigs like Premiere Kathleen Wynne and Tory leader Tim Hudak were in attendance, and I was impressed at the large-scale production around the awards. Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper attended a year or two ago, so I knew this wouldn’t be a small affair – but it was still impressive to experience in person.

After a series of opening speeches and performances, we got into the awards ceremony, and I really liked the way it was done. Representatives from either the specific field or from the corporate body sponsoring the award would introduce the recipient – instead of having to endure a nervous, long-winded speech, we watched a pre-recorded speech from each winner that showcased them at their best and most relaxed. Then, the winner came out on stage to receive their award and smile for all the cameras. I thought that was a very smart way to go about it – there’s nothing worse than a painfully nervous speaker, or one who “didn’t prepare a speech” and subjects the audience to an excruciatingly long acceptance. The awards ceremony moved along well, and save for a few low points, was full of energy that made you want to pay attention.

HarryJerome-Bee

As full-length as I could get.

HarryJerome-book

One of my pieces was published in the Harry Jerome Awards program book!

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Art piece by Mark Stoddart – Dr. Carlos on the left, Harry Jerome on the right.

HomieLoverFriend and I

HomieLoverFriend and I

A live auction was also worked into the awards, and given that I’ve never been to an auction before, I found it very interesting. You best believe I stayed still as a statue when the bidding was going on – I’ve seen one too many sitcoms where someone sneezes or stretches, and all of a sudden they’ve bid on a $5000 painting. At that point in the night, I was dying for a bathroom break – but there was no way I was going to move while those big ticket items were up for grabs!

Dr. John Carlos (who I interviewed last year) was the keynote speaker, and was the highlight of my night. He spoke about knowing Harry Jerome back in their Olympic track days, and also about the type of man Harry Jerome was. After doing my own research on Mr. Jerome, it was refreshing to hear a first-hand account of this incredible man. Plus, I just love Dr. Carlos, so I was happy all around.

Dr. Carlos and I!

Dr. Carlos and I!

As if listening to his keynote wasn’t enough – imagine my glee when my friend Mark Stoddart introduced me to Dr. Carlos himself? THAT became the highlight of the night, and I’m still basking in the compliments he gave me about enjoying our interview and being impressed with how thorough I was. He said “I thought to myself, ‘Damn! This girl did her homework!’” and that just fueled me even further to keep doing good work.

All in all, it was quite the night. It would have been perfect if there was more of an opportunity to interact and network with the special guests and attendees, but it was inspirational to be around so many people who are doing so much good work in our community. I left motivated to do amazing work – and hey, who knows. I might just snag a Harry Jerome Award of my own one day!

Did you attend the Harry Jerome Awards? If so, what did you think of the night?

 

April 26, 2013 

HARRY JEROME AWARDS: 7 Questions With Award Winner Anne-Marie Woods

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The 31st Annual Harry Jerome Awards are one day away, and I couldn’t be more excited! As part of my official HJA blogger duties, I’ve been posting interviews with various award and scholarship winners – and today I’m hittin’ y’all with one more before the big night!

The Harry Jerome Awards celebrate excellence in the African-Canadian community in all different arenas, and today I’m highlighting Anne-Marie Woods, winner of the G98.7FM Excellence in Entertainment Award.

Anne-Marie a.k.a. Amani is an actor, poet, singer, writer, artist educator, producer, and creative consultant. With a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre from Dalhousie University, Woods has used her talents to achieve some incredible feats. Performances at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, opening for legends like Maya Angelou and Roy Ayers, and headlining at the world-famous Nuyorican cafe in New York City are some of the items on her resume. She is a resident Artist Educator at Young People’s Theatre, created a theatre outreach program for youth called Word Up and continues to give back to the community via workshops on literacy, anti-bullying, and diversity at schools and organizations around the world. Without further ado, let me take it away to Ms. Woods, who tells us a bit more about herself in my 7 Questions series.

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Tell us a bit about your business and what you do. Also, what is one interesting or little-known fact about you?

Imani Enterprises is the name of my company and it was founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1994 as a response to the need for positive cultural programming with an arts education focus. I moved to Toronto in 2000 and my company has continued to evolve over the years. We are now a Global Arts Education Service that introduces creativity as a means of communication and outreach. We provide creative and innovative services to individuals, schools, community based organizations and corporations. Our services are designed to help our clients realize that arts and creativity can add to a better quality of life and we make our clients part of the creative process. I am also currently in the middle of developing my third diversity presentation contract for TJX Canada/Winners Distribution Centre in Mississauga and Brampton, Ontario.

As a multi-disciplinary artist I am a: singer, writer, dancer, spoken word artist, producer and artist educator.  I started my company and often have to deal with the many misconceptions about what being a professional artist actually means. My degree is in theatre, I have an SEB Small Business Certificate, and years of experience as a professional performer.

In the 90’s I  founded the Imani Women’s Artistic Project, a theatre program developed for young women in Nova Scotia aged 16-25 to enhance their self-esteem through theatre and performance art.  In 2011 during my Artist Educator Residency at Young People’s Theatre I started I started the Word Up Spoken Word and Theatre Youth Outreach Program and have directed three productions – the first two at YPT and then the last one this February as part of Kuumba at Harbourfront Centre.  So, the question is: how do I earn my living when I do so many different things?  To me it’s simple. I teach, write, act, produce, perform and create. I will focus on three major projects a year and I make sure that my work is excellent which is why I have recurring clients.  I have been teaching theatre at Young Peoples Theatre for five years now and have also done work for various schools and school boards repetitively since I moved here in 2000.

One interesting or little known fact about me is that I have been on my own in every way since I was in grade 12. So, I know the true meaning of success through hard work, of finding a way to be able to put myself through University and finding my way from a very young age. It’s why I have that fighting entrepreneurial spirit to this day.  Another fun little known fact is that I started out as a rapper and won the first major Rap Contest in Nova Scotia held at George Dixon Community Centre in 1986.

What was your first reaction when you heard you won your Harry Jerome Award? What did your family/friends/colleagues think?

My reaction getting the news was probably a bit out of the ordinary (just ask Angelina [Harry Jerome Award Chair] who called me). I was taking a nap because I had a performance that evening for the Viola Desmond Awards. My phone rings and this lady says “Hi, this is Angelina Williams and I’d like to congratulate you for winning the Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Entertainment!” To which I responded…“huh?” so she repeated herself, and then I said “What um uh…is this a real phone call?” She laughed and assured me the call was real. So, I was definitely completely thrown off guard, and I stayed that way for a few weeks – probably until the actual Media Launch in March. My family is proud of me, including my siblings in Nova Scotia and my family back home in Trinidad. I have had emails and support phone calls from various key members of the Black Community in Nova Scotia as well.

My cousin who has never been to Toronto is coming up to support me the night of the event, my niece will also be there and 2 of my good friends bought their tickets right away. My really good friend Tara was also proud, and the youth that I work with also gave me props. It’s been an interesting journey for me. But the praise I also listened to was the congrats and well deserved comments from the many mentors in my life…that was definitely a good feeling. And of course the public congrats from Diaspora Dialogues on Twitter and their website and also from the Playwrights Guild of Canada made me smile deeply when I ran across them online.

The one feeling I didn’t know I would have was a bit of sadness having lost a sister to lupus and my mother to breast cancer, and it made me sad to think they aren’t here to experience this. However, that soon passed and I feel that their spirits will be with me on the 27th smiling and cheering me on.

amani

Have you been to the Harry Jerome Awards before? If so, what was one of your top memories of the event?

I have never attended the event outside of being a performer, and that is primarily due to me being self-employed. In the year 2002 I opened up the Harry Jerome Awards with a poem I wrote for the event called I Am Canadian. It was a take on the beer commercials that were on at that time, but I made it about African Canadian History. That poem earned me a lot of recognition in Toronto and I performed it at many galas, conferences and events for the rest of that year, and to date I have integrated into one of my artivational speeches “Why Black History Month is for Everyone”. I remember being nervous because I opened up the entire award show… but I had the full support of the audience for that performance and it was exhilarating!

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s awards? Is there anyone you’re looking forward to meeting?

I am looking forward to sharing this special night with my cousin and niece and my good friends that will be attending. I am also looking forward to sharing the night with the other recipients and hoping to really be able to connect with them though we represent so many different walks of life. When I was at the Media Launch in March what I truly loved about the recipients was that amongst us there are those who are well recognized for their contributions and there are a few of us that are unsung Sheroes and I really liked that element… that perhaps some of us who are involved in grass roots work may not be the type of person that is normally recognized.

I also hope that there will be youth in attendance who will find each of our stories motivational and inspirational.  As far as looking forward to meeting anyone, I really am just looking forward to living, breathing, and taking in the entire experience because it is a true blessing.

What do you feel is the significance of the Harry Jerome Awards in today’s African-Canadian community?

Having also performed at the Awards last year, as well as having to look up the history of Harry Jerome, I feel that knowing our history is so important. A few ladies in my church were friends with Harry Jerome so since this happened I got to hear about the type of person he was, how he truly cared about community and was humble. I feel that by recognizing individuals through his name we are keeping the history of his story alive in Canada. It is so important to let our HIS stories and HER stories continue to live!

What does winning this Harry Jerome Award mean to you personally?

Personally, this means that for those of us who are self-made, and who may have been voted least likely to succeed when we were younger because of our skin colour or behavioural issues, that we can persevere through anything and gain recognition. It means that the little girl who came to Nova Scotia from Trinidad that they wanted to kick out of nursery school for telling the kids scary stories had a future after all. It means that dedicating my life to performing and working with youth and always being diligent and excellent in my artistic endeavours has proven to be a good thing. It means that I am glad I have always faced my fears or else I would still be sitting in a room in Nova Scotia dreaming about many of the places I’ve traveled or performed or taught. I have always been one to face my fears even when I was truly afraid to make that phone call or pursue that festival or showcase – I would never let that fear stop me. Finally it means that even when we think no one is paying attention…someone out there is, so always be mindful of what messages you are putting out there. I am a product of my family, my culture, Nova Scotia, Trinidad, my education and my miseducation. So it means that if I can live dreams especially doing this on my own, then anyone can!

Finally, what is your key to success?

My key to success is my sticktoitiveness, my perseverance, and my ability to never take no as an answer. My key to success is also having faith and a huge sense of humour to get me through the challenging and difficult life moments. I believe in what I’m doing, have done and will continue to do.  I will continue to be organized, focused, driven and never see my confidence or the successes that are yet to come as a negative. And I will continue to live by my daily Mantra “Work Hard, Play Hard, Rest Hard, Pray Hard!”

Keep up with Anne-Marie via her Imani Enterprises site! Will you be at the Harry Jerome Awards tomorrow night? If so, make sure we meet! If not, keep up with my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as I capture the night – and tune in to Caribbean Connections TV for a live feed of the blue carpet at the awards! Stay tuned for more awards fun! 

April 25, 2013 

HARRY JEROME AWARDS: 7 Questions With Award Winner Dr. Nadine Wong

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 Achievement.

Contribution.

Excellence.

Among this year’s Harry Jerome Award recipients, these three characteristics are commonalities that cannot be ignored. Honouring success within the African-Canadian community, the Harry Jerome Awards prominently highlight those who have displayed achievement, contribution, and excellence in their respective fields.

The BBPA has chosen to feature a few of the 2013 award-winners, allowing them to share their stories and tell us a bit more about themselves. Dr. Nadine Wong is this year’s Sterling Dental Excellence in Health Sciences Award winner.

Dr. Wong is an immigrant of Jamaica, who has resided in Canada for over 20 years. CEO of Alabaster Wellness Clinic, author, and creator of Alabaster cosmetic ointment, Dr. Wong has taken her love of health, wellness, and beauty to new heights.

With Doctorates in Cosmetology and Trichology, General Practice Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychotherapy degrees, a diploma in Hairdressing, and certificates in Psychology, Interpersonal Group Skills, and Black Hair Dressing, Dr. Wong is an expert in her converging fields of holistic wellness – healing the mind, body, and soul.

In 2010, Dr. Wong founded the Alabaster Charity, which focuses on enhancing children’s education in third world countries. The charity was founded under the vision and mission that no child living in poverty or who was less fortunate should feel behind in their education due to a lack of resources.

With all that Dr. Wong has accomplished, it’s no wonder that she has been awarded the Sterling Dental Excellence in Health Sciences Award at this year’s Harry Jerome Awards! Here are Seven Questions with Dr. Nadine Wong:

BEE: Tell us a bit about your business and what you do. Also, what is one interesting or little-known fact about you?

DR. WONG: My business is a unique blend of wellness through the scientific studies of hair, mind, and nutrition. A little-known fact about me is that I am a philanthropist who loves to take the time to smell the roses.

 

BEE: What was your first reaction when you heard you won your Harry Jerome Award? What did your family/friends/colleagues think?

DR. WONG: I cried, praying tears of overwhelmed joy and thanksgiving, for there were no words to frame and express that moment. Family and friends stated [that the award was] timely and well deserved.

 

BEE: Have you been to the Harry Jerome Awards before? If so, what was one of your top memories of the event? 

DR.WONG: Approximately four or five years ago I was a busy volunteer at the Harry Jerome Awards, and in spite of my tasks I was moved and motivated by the keynote speaker, then Governor General Michaëlle Jean.

 

BEE: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s awards? Is there anyone you’re looking forward to meeting?

DR. WONG: It would be a pleasure to meet and make contact with everyone, if possible.

 

BEE: What do you feel is the significance of the Harry Jerome Awards in today’s African-Canadian community? 

DR. WONG: The significance of the Harry Jerome Awards is that we as African-Canadians are still focused on unity of talent, gifts, strength, and love that can only encourage us never to give up on self or each other.

 

BEE: What does winning this Harry Jerome Award mean to you personally?

DR. WONG: Personally, this award confirms that my gifts made room for me to be the recipient, and it’s empowering.

 

BEE: Finally, what is your key to success?

DR. WONG: The key to success is don’t be afraid to be successful.

 

Dr. Nadine Wong accepts her award at the 31st Annual Harry Jerome Awards on April 27th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. To connect with her and learn more about her work, please visit the Alabaster Wellness Clinic website.

Still planning on getting your ticket to the event? Visit the Harry Jerome Awards website! See you on the 27th! 

April 24, 2013 

HARRY JEROME AWARDS: 1 On 1 With BBPA Scholarship Winner Heather Tay

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This coming Saturday, I’ll be attending the Black Business and Professional Association’s (BBPA) 31st Annual Harry Jerome Awards, and I’m SO excited! Never mind that it’s my first time attending this event – it’ll be even more special since I’ve been named the Harry Jerome Awards’ official blogger!

If you aren’t familiar, the Harry Jerome Awards is an event held here in Toronto to honour the achievements of Black Canadians in a variety of fields. The awards are named after Harry Jerome – one of Canada’s famed Olympic athletes whose social consciousness and civic works matched the impact he made on the track. Every year since 1982, this illustrious awards ceremony has recognized excellence in the Black Canadian community. Amazing people like Tonya Lee Williams, Trey Anthony, and Ben Johnson all call themselves Harry Jerome Award alumni, and this Saturday, more names will be added to the list.

As the official blogger for the Harry Jerome Awards, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing current winners, past winners, and even a past BBPA scholarship winner. Today,  I want to share one of my features so that you can get a feel of what the Harry Jerome Awards and scholarships are all about. So without further delay, meet Heather Tay – a past BBPA Scholarship winner!

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Here’s Heather’s impressive bio:

Heather is technology executive with a passion for design.  In the midst of a career change, Heather consults with and is part of the Advisory Board for the Israeli based mobile start-up tawkon.  She is on the board of OCADU’s (Ontario College of Art and Design University’s) Imagination Catalyst creative industries incubator in Toronto where she now lives. She also serves on the Board of Directors for ODC/Dance in San Francisco, currently holding the position of board secretary.

Prior to that, Heather was Vice President, Client Services for The Nielsen Company’s Telecom Practice Group (former tech start-up Telephia) in San Francisco.  There she led teams in providing market research and business insight to senior management clients at companies including AT&T, Sprint, Bell Canada, Telus, RIM and Rogers Wireless.  Her focus has been on strategic revenue growth for mobile service providers and handset manufacturers.

Before joining Nielsen, Heather was a management consultant at Adventis advising telecommunications companies on international expansion strategies, market growth and business plan creation.

Prior moving to San Francisco, Heather spent a year in London, England at a Nortel joint-venture start-up marketing their new Internet access technology solution to energy companies, which included time in Iceland helping to secure their first client.  She spent other brief stints living in Copenhagen and Paris consulting for companies such as Bang & Olufsen.  Prior to that, Heather was at Nortel Networks in Toronto where she led manufacturing operations teams whilst contributing part-time to the development of Nortel’s diversity strategy and training programs.

Heather holds an MBA from McGill University and an honors degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Canada.  She is deeply grateful for her Barbadian and Ghanaian parents who provided structure, guidance and exposure to many amazing opportunities.

Tell us 3 interesting/little-known facts about yourself.

1. I speak a little Danish – just enough to entertain a three year old.

2. I ride motorcycles. My last bike was a 750cc Ducati Monster in matte black. Now in the summers I get around in a cute little Vespa scooter.

3. I am a big believer in personal development – education outside the standard classroom.  I’ve pursued development through Landmark Education, PAX Programs, and mindfulness training among others.  This, alongside formal education, has had a huge impact on who I am and where I am today.

What year did you win the Scholarship?

In 1986 I believe.  I graduated high school in 1987 so that should be right.  It was a long time ago.

What subjects did you pursue?

I studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, graduating in 1992.  I later went on to complete my MBA in International Business at McGill University.
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What did winning the Scholarship mean to you?

It meant recognition for the work and focus I had put in in high school.  When studying long hours I sometimes questioned “Why? What’s the point?” It was encouraging for me to have my efforts be seen (and rewarded) outside of my immediate circles.

What advice do you have for other scholarship winners in terms of pursuing their dreams?

Do it!  And learn as much as you can about your dreams through lots of different channels.  Go talk to people, try out internships, go to conferences (many offer student discounts), shadow a person in that field.  The more you learn, the better you’ll be able to see if your dream aligns with you and what you really want.  As you find out more along the way, don’t be afraid to update what you dream about doing.  Nothing is fixed in stone.

What do you think needs to be done for our youth?

Exposure, exposure, exposure – to different people, different cultures, different professions, different religions, different ways of living.  One of the quickest ways to expand one’s world is to see how other people live, what’s important to them, what choices they make and the impact of those choices. It will help youth to expand their knowledge and in-turn what they dream about doing with their own lives.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?

These days it is getting harder and harder to predict where one will be in future.  I hope to be combining my love for design with my background in business and technology, ultimately helping people to see beauty in their everyday lives.

Heather Tay is a shining example of what passion, dedication, and recognition can accomplish. Assisting youth to find their passion, motivating them to stay dedicated to their development, and recognizing their achievements are all crucial to their future. Thanks to the BBPA scholarships, more students have the chance to follow in Heather’s footsteps and become our communities’ next success story! Are YOU going to this year’s Harry Jerome Awards? I hope to see you there!  

April 22, 2013 

AWESOME EVENT ALERT: Curls, Coils & Cocktails w/ ’83 To Infinity & Soulafrodisiac!

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It’s funny how life works.

For the longest time, I’ve wanted to organize an event – an ’83 To Infinity meetup where I could meet some of my readers in person, enjoy some yummy food and drinks, and discuss life, our passions, and our various journeys. First, I put it off because I thought I didn’t have a big enough readership (I remember meeting Afrobella a couple of months after starting ’83 To Infinity, and she was the first one to encourage me to do an event regardless of how many people may be reading). Then, I thought I’d do one for my blog’s 1st anniversary, but that didn’t pan out. Then, I thought “OK. You’ve been putting this off. Just get down to it.” I started plotting venues, special guests, what my event would be about, and I actually started getting excited. However, not too long after I got excited, I got scared. My idea for a June event in Toronto started to slide closer to July…then maybe August…and y’all know what that means. I started to chicken out, and almost succeeded.

In an interesting turn of events, I was asked to help organize an event in Toronto for International Natural Hair Meetup Day because the original organizer had to tend to family issues. Of course I said yes – I knew she was looking forward to the event, as were a number of people in our particular Meetup.com group. Once I agreed to take it on, I realized something.

Sh*t. I’m actually doing an event.

It was too late to turn back, so I took the leap and decided that this was how the Universe was going to make me face my fears and get down to it. With that, I present to you: Curls, Coils & Cocktails!

Together with my sistren Ann Marie Collymore of the dope blog Soulafrodisiac, we’ve created an awesome event for our Toronto readers, friends, and fellow hair and beauty lovers. Curls, Coils & Cocktails is going down on May 18th at the lovely Saviari Tea & Cocktail Lounge from 4-9pm – and this won’t be just any ole meetup!

  • We’ve got product swapping (so bring that lightly used product that just doesn’t work for you – it might for someone else)!
  • We’ve got mini-hair consultations (thanks to the ladies of Curl Bar Beauty Salon)!
  • We’ve got a panel discussion featuring some of Toronto’s best voices on hair and beauty (like Trudie Mulalu from Curl Bar and Thea Mitchell of Cocoa Bloom Cosmetics)!
  • We’ve got awesome gifts and door prizes (thanks to Shea Radiance, Cloré Beauty, Harlem Restaurant, Ola Finesse, and more)!
  • We’ve got an awesome mix and mingling atmosphere (so be ready to make some friends)!
  • We’ve got delicious tea-infused food and a signature cocktail (all due to Saviari’s unique menu)!

And we want YOU!

If you’re in town on May 18th, we’d love for you to join us. One of the major complaints I often hear from blog readers and friends in Toronto is that we never seem to have the frequency or quality of natural hair and beauty based events like we see in the US. Lately, I think the climate here is changing, and we’re starting to see a few more meetups and events offered. Now that I’ve actually jumped in with both feet and got this idea off the ground, I’m ready to put my stank on it and bring a unique vibe to Toronto’s natural hair and beauty lovin’ communities. So if you wear natural hair, are contemplating it, or are just in the pursuit of healthy hair overall – Curls, Coils & Cocktails is for you. I’m sure that while we discuss how to look good on the outside, the positive vibes and connections made at CC&C will help us to radiate the beauty we have inside as well.

I’m hella excited!

Click here for the Eventbrite ticket page and grab yours today! Tickets are only $10 in advance, $15 at the door. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to hit me up, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at my very first ’83 To Infinity event!

Psssst…thanks to everyone who entered my The Mystic Effect ticket giveaway! The lucky winner is… *drumroll* GINA AYANNA! Gina – please shoot me an email at bee[at]83toinfinity[dot]com to get your ticket to the show!

April 18, 2013 

CATCH 22: Self-Sufficiency & The Effect On Natural Hair Salons

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HomieLoverFriend made a comment the other day that made me look at this “natural hair movement” in a new light. As he watched me twist my hair one night, he said “It’s good that you can do your hair on your own for the most part, but your hairdresser must hate that.”

A lightbulb went off.

Compared to when I was relaxed, my schedule for patronizing salons has gotten less and less frequent. When I was relaxed, I wisely left complex chemical treatments to the pros, but also relied much more on the skill of my favourite stylist to keep me looking good. After I transitioned and started wearing my hair naturally, a lack of competent stylists plus a desire to learn for myself led me to do more at home. Many naturals have echoed the same motivation to become reacquainted with their own hair, and to save money that was spent more regularly at salons – but what does this mean for salons catering to natural Black hair?

HLF’s comment inspired me to speak with the owners and stylists at a few salons that cater to natural – or more commonly termed “curly” – hair salons. There were some common themes. Because stylists and owners saw more and more Black women returning to their natural textures, and because they heard the complaints that traditional salons were not skilled in natural hair, they were driven to fill that niche. In doing so, they worked to create salons that were open and knowledgeable, giving an alternative to salons that saw you walk in with kinks and expected you wanted to walk out with a perm.

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The reality for many of these salons is that Black women who’ve become self-sufficient rarely frequent their salons, and usually choose to only do so for complex or special occasion styles. To avoid being too narrow in niche, many salons have branded themselves towards “curly hair” versus the specific “natural hair” label – and this has widened the net of clientele. One stylist told me “We opened this salon for Black women, but they don’t come because they can do their hair on their own now.” Another explained that women of other races make more regular hair appointments, therefore they ensure that their marketing is inclusive of all kinds of curly hair. Could I necessarily blame them? When asked what I love about wearing my hair naturally, one of my top answers is the fact that now I can do my hair on my own (for the most part). Multiply that emotion by the number of women who have also transitioned and feel similarly, and it’s clear that natural/curly hair salons might be feeling the pinch.

Now, I’d clearly be lying if I attempted to act like I didn’t need the pros. There are simply certain things that I can’t (and likely never will) do on my own. A good stylist also knows the science of hair, and can help my hair health in a way that even the best blog post or YouTube video may not be able to. Hell, my scalp massages NEVER feel as good as when my stylist does it! Besides – I miss the community of the Black salon. I remember when I got to go to the salon with my mother, and it felt like a rite of passage. I was allowed to hear women talk about things in a way I had never heard before, saw how different women defined beauty, and learned a ton about relationships, friendship, entrepreneurship, and hair. Those regular appointments were something I looked forward to, and most times I didn’t even mind the long wait for my turn in the chair.

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What a funny conundrum. An influx of women returning to their natural texture struggle to find professionals who know how to care for their hair. They become as self-sufficient as possible with the help of other mediums. Professionals recognize this neglected consumer base and create environments to service them and their specific needs. Those professionals then realize that the self-sufficient women don’t maintain the same frequency of visits that may have been expected or assumed in the past.

Do I have any answers? Not particularly. While I will always love the ability to care for my hair on my own, I still recognize and respect the knowledge and talent that professional stylists have. Frankly, I love the influx of “curly” hair salons cropping up around me. It’s comforting to know that when I need a professional, I’ll be able to find one who is adept at managing my hair with as much care as I do for myself. While many have had to become more inclusive than their original plans may have held, I thank them for reaching out and providing a space for those of us who want more options for our natural hair. To show my gratitude, let me go ahead and book an appointment – ain’t nothin’ like a good scalp massage.

For natural hair wearers who transitioned – do you find that you frequent the salon less now than you did before you were natural? What services do you go to the salon for? For stylists/salon owners – do you work in a salon that caters to natural/curly hair? Has the number of women returning to natural textures affected the frequency/type of clientele you have?  

 

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