Name: Megan Thorp-Levitt City: Ottawa, Canada Biggest accomplishment so far: My biggest accomplishment so far creatively is winning the Best Portfolio Award at the 44th Annual Photo Grad Show at Algonquin College. Winning was such an honour. My portfolio is the culmination of two years of blood, sweat and tears. It’s the progression of me finding my style and brand of photography as a photographer. And to be recognized and awarded for that feels so good! What creativity means to me: Creativity has always been a big part of my life. It means for me an endless source of satisfaction…
Author: Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne, also known as "KB The Boss" or simply "KB", is a Toronto-based host/on-air personality, arts & entertainment journalist, TV/film producer, and communications and content strategist. As a commentator and freelancer, he has appeared nationally as a correspondent on CBC News Network and host on CBC Music. He has also appeared locally on CTV, CBC Radio, CityNews, Newstalk 1010, and ByBlacks.com, and in the United States on Fox’s Black digital TV network, Fox Soul. He has covered some of Canada’s top red-carpet events, from the Toronto International Film Festival to the Canadian Screen Awards, and has interviewed everyone from Kevin Hart and "Fast and the Furious" star Tyrese Gibson to Ziggy Marley, Ava DuVernay, Dascha Polanco, Lilly Singh, and Howie Mandel. His years of work as an entertainment journalist led to him being named a Golden Globe® Awards voter and Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-Approved critic and being quoted as a critic in national ad campaigns for Black films and TV shows, both in Canada and the United States. Pivoting into the world of film and television, Kevin co-founded the film, TV, digital content, and live experiences company, SHIFTER Entertainment, alongside his wife and business partner, Koliah. Through SHIFTER he has produced a number of projects, including the Bell Fibe TV1 unscripted reality series A Date In The Life, serving as showrunner, executive producer, writer and co-director. Now, with a number of pilot and feature film scripts written and projects in development, KB is poised to continue to be a champion for Black entertainment and culture alongside his wife and business partner, Koliah.
Ishmil Waterman, also well known as The Professional Light Catcher! Shares his story on how he started and what it’s like being a creative. Ep. 10 – Ishmil Waterman Photos by Jodianne Beckford For more photos of Ishamil Waterman visit jodiannebeckford.com ISHMIL WATERMAN SOCIAL MEDIA Website: ISH Instagram: ISH VIDEO FILMED & EDITED BY: O’SHANE HOWARD Instagram: O’shaneHoward Website: O’shaneHoward Facebook: O’shaneHoward PODCAST INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC PRODUCED BY: JOE IMPALA Soundcloud: JoeImpala PODCAST ENGINEERED BY: UNIQUEKA WILSON Instagram: UniquekaW PODCAST RECORDED AT ST. ALBANS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB Instagram: StAlbansbgc Facebook: StAlbansbgc
I often say I was born in the best generation. According to some experts I’m a GenXer and according to others I’m a part of Generation Y, aka the Millennials. There’s no real agreement on when the different generations begin and end, but when I look at the tendencies of both GenXers and Millennials I tend to fit both. Now, I say I was born in the perfect generation because over the past 36 years I’ve had the opportunity to experience some amazing innovations- the internet, smartphones, smart homes, and there’s so much more to come. I’ve also experienced the…
I hate the Golden State Warriors. Even more, I hate Kevin Durant for joining them last year after almost beating them while being a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2016 NBA playoffs. Durant seems to have taken the phrase, “If you can’t beat’em, then join’em” literally and now stands as an NBA champion. When Durant initially made the move it was followed by scathing articles and commentary from the press. Big names like Stephan A. Smith and others vocalized what the majority of the sports world were thinking, calling the free agent’s decision a “weak move” and…
Philip Isaacs is an international motivational speaker, clinical counselor, and consultant. Philip always had this innate drive to help others, and as he grew older he was able to make it his full-time career. Ep. 9 – Philip Isaacs of Isaacs Guidance & Consulting Photos by Jodianne Beckford For more photos visit jodiannebeckford.com SOCIAL MEDIA Website: PhilipIsaacs Instagram: PhilipIsaacs Facebook: PhilipIsaacs Twitter: PhilipIsaacs VIDEO FILMED & EDITED BY: ARTUR ZAITSEV Instagram: ArturZaitsev Facebook: ArturZaitsev PODCAST INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC PRODUCED BY: JOE IMPALA Soundcloud: JoeImpala PODCAST ENGINEERED BY: UNIQUEKA WILSON Instagram: UniquekaW PODCAST RECORDED AT ST. ALBANS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB Instagram: StAlbansbgc Facebook: StAlbansbgc
Bloggers have taken social media by a storm, being spotted on front rows at fashion shows, collaborating with brands and, of course, selfie-ing it up with top fashion icons. Many national brands are turning to fashion influencers, with their legions of followers, to advertise their products instead of mainstream celebrities. What started as a hobby and side hustle has become a career and business venture. In fact, today’s top bloggers and Instagrammers aren’t just pretty faces; they’ve become brands and entrepreneurs and the world is taking notice. Here are 10 fashion, beauty, health and travel bloggers to follow now across Canada! …
Koliah Bourne recently had the opportunity to chat with actress Amanda Brugel of the new Hulu/Bravo TV series The Handmaid’s Tale. Her other credits include “Marci Cotes” in Orphan Black and “Officer Parker” in last year’s Oscar nominated film Room. Koliah asked her about her latest role, as well as what keeps her going in the industry. Listen on Soundcloud Koliah: So, thank you so much Amanda for doing this interview. Amanda: You’re welcome. Koliah: Okay. So you’re currently in the TV series The Handmaid’s Tale. Amanda: Yes. Koliah: So The Handmaid’s Tale is based on the book by…
When I was in high school, my English teacher gave out an assignment to perform a speech in front of the entire class. We were given the freedom to talk about anything we wanted to, as long as we kept everyone awake during the presentation. As a grade 10 student in the 90’s, there wasn’t much more to think about other than music, girls, sports and clothes. The latter always had a bearing on the type of social status you’d have during your high school career. What you wore and how you wore it was the difference between sitting at…
Pauleanna Reid, is an author and co-founder of an amazing mentoring program “new girl on the block”. She overcame many obstacles to get to where she is today. Pauleanna has achieved countless success and helped many young women achieve their own. Pauleanna discusses her journey to success, dealing with mental illness, and how she never allowed her battles to hold her back. Ep. 7 – Pauleanna Reid of New Girl on the Block Photos by Jodianne Beckford For more photos visit jodiannebeckford.com PAULEANNA REID SOCIAL MEDIA Website: PauleannaReid Instagram: PauleannaReid Facebook: N.G.O.T.B Twitter: PauleannaReid PODCAST INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC PRODUCED BY: JOE IMPALA Soundcloud: JoeImpala PODCAST…
Over the past few weeks the topic of cultural appropriation has dominated the headlines. Last week Write Magazine editor, Hal Niedzviecki, wrote a controversial opinion piece stating he didn’t “believe in cultural appropriation”. That piece led to his resignation. Steve Ladurantaye, managing editor of the CBC’s The National, was reassigned to another department because of his tweet in support of an appropriation prize. Just this morning the Toronto Star posted an article about a First Nations man decrying the sale of dreamcatchers inspired by Canada’s 150th birthday at Dollarama and just a few weeks ago a band that will be…
Adeyemi Adegbesan also well-known as SoTeeOh, is a Toronto based photographer. He talks about his journey as an artist and gives advice on how to build yourself up as a creative. Adeyemi is the definition of a creative, he continues to push the norms and inspires others to do the same. EP. 6 – Adeyemi Adegbesan of SoTeeOh Photos by Jodianne Beckford For more photos of Adeyemi Adegbesan visit jodiannebeckford.com ADEYEMI SOCIAL MEDIA Website: SoTeeOh Instagram: SoTeeOh Facebook: SoTeeOh Twitter: SoTeeOh VIDEO FILMED & EDITED BY: TRISTAN BARROCKS Instagram: TristanB Website: TristanB Facebook: TristanB PODCAST INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC PRODUCED BY: JOE IMPALA Soundcloud: JoeImpala PODCAST…
Racism is alive and well in Canada. Late last year I stood with a group of 20 and 30 something Black men as they shared stories of being profiled by the police. They were mostly stories of being pulled over either because there was a group of Black men in their car or they were simply driving a nice car. We were having this conversation in the lobby at church so the men in this conversation weren’t hardened criminals. They were Christians. The “turn the other cheek kind”. Fathers, husbands, students, and professionals. Now, I say “they” because I don’t…
