Author: Kevin Bourne

This past Tuesday, the Code Black Communicator Network, a network of black integrated communications professionals, tag teamed with long-time Cityline host Tracy Moore to present Industry Secrets for PR & Media Professionals, a panel discussion, mentoring and networking event featuring leading practitioners in the field. Hundreds of current and aspiring black PR and media professionals gathered at Airship 37 in the Distillery District as panelists, including PR strategist Dalton Higgins, journalist Kathleen Newman-Bremang and TV broadcaster Marci Ien, shared their experiences and industry insight. Topics included contract negotiation, career transitions and navigating the industry as a black professional. Following the panel discussions,…

In her first opinion piece for SHIFTER, downtown Toronto teacher, Avril Addie, explains why teachers are striking in Ontario and why the status quo just isn’t good enough. I love teaching. I have been teaching in downtown Toronto for 16 years. During that time, the needs of my students have not decreased, if anything I have watched them increase in complexity and in scope. The Special Educational Needs alone that I deal with in my classroom can range from Dyslexia and other learning disabilities to Attention Deficit Disorder. to Oppositional Defiant Disorder, as well as a rise in the number of…

For the 15th time in 18 seasons, the university basketball powerhouse Carleton Ravens have claimed the U SPORTS Final 8 championship as the Ravens defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 74-65 in the gold medal game in front of a home town crowd at the TD Place Arena in Ottawa. Biniam Ghebrekidan led the Ravens with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Alex Carson led the Tigers with 20 points in the loss. With the win, Ravens coach, Taffe Charles, who took over for long-time Carleton coach Dave Smart, made history becoming the first U SPORTS basketball head coach to win both…

As we quickly approach the March edition of Taste of the 6ix, let’s take a quick look back at our 2020 kickoff.  Kass opened the showcase accompanied by his band―Kyle on sax, Rooz on the Djembe and Shayan the MC. Kass’ music went from summer-announcing trance to trap and R&B. He clearly drive and passion, and engages with everyone, never saving energy or charisma. Party mode was on! Then there was Sukha, whose wonderful performance was briefly interrupted by a quick subtle feedback noise before she continued her performance smoothly. The crowd softly clapped, congratulating her. Truly confident, Sukha is one…

Being Black in Canada is a four-part Black History Month article series from SHIFTER editor Kevin Bourne We usually look to the United States when we think about Black talent, but there’s a growing group of Black talent leaving their mark on media and culture right here in Canada. Here are 12 of Black talents in Canada putting their stamp on media and culture in the North. Tyrone Edwards ⎸TV broadcaster View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tyrone Rex Edwards (@mr1loveto) on Jul 4, 2019 at 12:54pm PDT Tyrone Edwards, who SHIFTER had the opportunity to…

Being Black in Canada is a four-part Black History Month article series from SHIFTER editor Kevin Bourne Ottawa is having a branding problem. This isn’t a new thing. Ottawa has always been seen as a sleepy government town. “The city that fun forgot.” Yes, some cool things have happened here in recent years. We finally got LRT (although it still has significant issues to iron out), we’re getting both taller and better designed buildings, and Ottawa Tourism has stepped up its game with its marketing campaigns, but we just can’t seem to get out of this no-man’s land of irrelevance.…

Being Black in Canada is a four-part Black History Month article series from SHIFTER editor Kevin Bourne In my first article in the Being Black in Canada series I talked about the difference between hate and prejudice and how they can both be harmful. In this article I want to take the time to address some myths, assumptions and comments I’ve heard over the past few weeks and months surrounding race. MYTH #1 – Shouldn’t all races be celebrated, not just Black people? Absolutely, all races should be celebrated, but that doesn’t negate the fact that certain groups have had…

Being Black in Canada is a four-part Black History Month article series from SHIFTER editor Kevin Bourne If I’m honest, I’m sometimes jealous of the LGBT community. During Pride Month, I walk through the shopping malls and I see Pride displays and rainbows. I see big corporations getting in on the festivities. You rarely, if ever, see that for Black History Month. All I see is tokenism and the bare minimum. Even schools barely celebrate it. A few years ago, my wife asked my son’s teacher what she was planning for Black History Month. She looked back at my wife…

Toronto-area student, Blaize Exeter, wrote the following piece for her school newspaper when she was in Grade 8. Her principal rejected it multiple times. Blaize is now in Grade 10 and, after attending an equity conference last week, posted the piece she wanted to submit two years ago. The article has been published with permission from the author. White privilege. Well you’re probably asking yourself one of two things. One, what is it? Or two, how does it affect me?  I asked a few of my peers to share what white privilege means to them. Some of them had never…

On Tuesday, January 28th, Donald Trump stood up in front of the world and once again perpetuated the ideas of imperialism and apartheid upon the Palestine people. With all of his arrogance, he took the stand and claimed that he drafted up the “deal of the century”. It didn’t take long for the announcement to take a comical turn, as is usual practice with the White House these days. One of Islam’s holiest places, the “Al-Aqsa” mosque, was referred to as the “Al-Aqua” mosque. This coupled with the visual comedy of having an impeached President and an indicted Prime Minister…

Early Wednesday morning, 20-year old Brooklyn rapper, Pop Smoke, was murdered in his Hollywood Hills home. TMZ reported the rapper, real name Bashar Barakah Jackson, was killed in a home invasion. Fellow rappers, including Nicki Minaj and 50 Cent, took to social media to react to the news. View this post on Instagram The Bible tells us that jealousy is as cruel as the grave. Unbelievable. Rest In Peace, Pop. A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj) on Feb 19, 2020 at 6:57am PST View this post on Instagram No such thing as success with out jealousy, treachery…

January’s Ottawa Music Video Roundup includes videos from Capé, Frank Blak, KB Westwood, Fletcher G and Bobby Brugal (formerly known as Cashtro Crosby). We’re continuing to ask you, the fans, to vote for the capital’s Video of the Month. Check out the videos below in order of release date, then help us crown the top video in the city for January. Special shout out to our sponsor Greg Campbell – Blue Panda Realty. Last month you voted for “Cobain” by Quest featuring Hevve and Dip Black as your video of the month. Video of the Month (December) – Quest ft. Hevve and Dip…