• Stigma And Silence: Black Canadians And The Fight For Mental Health Awareness

For African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) Canadians, the struggle for mental health is often a silent one. With misunderstandings within the community around what mental illness means and barriers that prevent individuals from accessing help or safe spaces, dealing with depression, anxiety and other mind-wellness issues becomes challenging and complicated.

Read more on how Stacy-Ann Buchanan, Dr. Natasha Browne, and more are addressing this deep seeded issue.

 

• Forever Becoming: Stacy Barthe

“I used to only recognize beauty in other things, but now I acknowledge the beauty in me,” says the singer-songwriter Stacy Barthe. 

To see Stacy’s entire journey from feeling less-than to feeling dope, watch her video here.

 

• This ‘Being Mary Jane’ Scene About Black Women Pretending to Be Okay Still Has Us In Our Feelings

“I realized I’m a liar. I’m a big liar, and a good liar. We all are. We’re all just pretending that we’re okay when we’re really not,” she tells the crowd at Lisa’s funeral. “We’re all afraid that the whole world is going to come falling down if we’re honest with one another all the time.”

Being Mary Jane airs out the secrets that end up taking many of our lives. Read more here. 

 

• A channel that's Black, young, and witty

"Ackee & Saltfish" is a short film, turned series, directed and written by Cecile Emeke, starring Michelle Tiwo as Olivia, and Vanessa Babirye as Rachel. 

 

• Hypersexuality: The Opposite Spectrum Of Coping Rarely Discussed In Sexual Assault Victims

I remember whenever I thought of rape victims in high school, the movie, "Speak" immediately flashed before my eyes. For those who haven’t seen it, Speak was the film that placed Kristen Stewart on the map and where she also happened to be able to finesse "the Kristen Stewart role" she’s played in every damn movie since. But anyways, I digress, the film depicts a high school freshman, Melinda, who refused to speak ever since she called the cops at a summer party where she was assaulted. She is ostracized for being considered a “rat” and consequently she folds into herself trying to hide her secrets. From its release in 2004 and onward, Speak became the consistent go-to portrait of sexual assault survivors which was: a girl and/or woman who was extremely anxious, restless at all times, prone to occasional outbursts from nightmares/flashbacks, and basically someone fighting through a fog of severe depression. Read more here.

 

• Five Things I Hate About Being Strong

It ain’t easy being strong. Alicia Bunyan-Sampson writes about how her strength has thus far been her biggest barrier in life. 

 

• Shadism

This documentary short is an introduction to the issue of shadeism, descrimination that exists between the lighter-skinned and darker-skinned members of the same community...Through the eyes and words of 5 young womyn and 1 little girl - all females of colour - the film takes us into the thoughts and experiences of each. Overall, 'Shadeism' explores where shadeism comes from, how it directly affects us as womyn of colour, and ultimately, begins to explore how we can move forward through dialogue and discussion. Read more.

 

• The Best Advice Dr. Maya Angelou Has Ever Given and Received 

Dr. Maya Angelou's wisdom has inspired countless people around the world, but what does she say is the best advice she's ever given?