Feature Friday

Our guests for this month's double feature is Shekara Grant and Curtis Whiley!

Shekara Grant has ancestral ties to both Cherry Brook and Weymouth Falls, two of over 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities in this province. She graduated from Dalhousie University with combined honours in Sociology and French and a Certificate in Intercultural Communications in 2019. In 2023, Shekara founded the Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a platform for a vibrant community voice that stewards the land of Weymouth Falls by intersecting opportunities for growth and development with historical preservation of its cultural identity and assets. In addition to her work with the land trust, Shekara is pursuing a Masters in Sociology where she has been able to read and write primarily about African Nova Scotian and Indigenous relationships to property, land and justice. Her thesis will take a Black sociological approach to understanding and describing African Nova Scotian cultural identity beyond race and locality.

Curtis Whiley is a sixth-generation African Nova Scotian from Upper Hammonds Plains. With over 13 years in public service, he currently serves as Director of the Land Titles Initiative. Curtis holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA in Social Enterprise Leadership. As the founder of the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust, Curtis leads efforts in land stewardship, affordable housing, and economic empowerment. He sits on the boards of the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts and the Ecology Action Centre. A passionate advocate, Curtis is committed to building equitable and innovative solutions that facilitate community-led transformation.

It was a pleasure to host this month's Feature Friday episode with two incredible community trailblazers, Shekara and Curtis!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Shekara Grant and Curtis Whiley

9:55 - Land titles in community

18:45 - Curtis on starting a community land trust (CLT)

27:10 - Navigating communication centred around the community land trusts with community members

31:55 - The ins and outs of a community land trust

40:10 - Determining membership in a community land trust

47:15 - Looking at other CLTs in North America for inspiration

54:00 - The colonial nature of land titles

57:00 - Shekara and Curtis' goals for their CLTs

1:16:20 - Where does funding come from?

1:26:55 - The future of CLTs

1:32:35 - One word checkout

Our guest for this months Feature Friday is Vanessa Hartley!

Vanessa Hartley is an 8th-generation Black Loyalist descendant, born and raised in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Her work and volunteer efforts demonstrate a deep commitment to Black history, Community Engagement, and Environmental Justice within her home province.

Hartley began her career at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in 2019, serving as Program Coordinator and Visitor Experience Supervisor, where she developed a love for Black history and Community Engagement. After completing her education, she returned to her community to support adults with different abilities. Seeking further growth, she joined the Tri-County Regional Centre for Education (TCRCE) as a Community Outreach Coordinator, which led her to The PREP Academy as Community Engagement Lead.

Her dedication to community service has been recognized, notably in 2021 when she was awarded Provincial Volunteer of the Year, representing the Municipality of Shelburne. She chaired the South End Environmental Injustice Society (SEED) from 2019-2022, an organization recognized for its efforts in fighting environmental racism in historic African Nova Scotian communities. Hartley also volunteered for the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) as the Rural COVID Community Coordinator, part of the ABSW/HACC Covid response team. Additionally, she was the Community Regional Researcher with the Delmore "Buddy" Daye Learning Institute, developing research for an Afrocentric Framework for Recognition of Prior Learning.

Furthermore, Hartley was the Project Manager for the Provincial Environmental Racism Panel and was a research assistant to Dr. Ingrid Waldron's research project, "Genes and Geography: Disparities in Cancer Incidence and Outcomes in a Black Canadian Community. She also worked as the African Nova Scotian Student Support Worker at Lockeport elementary and high school and is currently the Active Living Coordinator for the Municipality of Barrington.

Vanessa Hartley is also the co-founder and president of the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), a community-based board established from the historical Bill C-226, aiming to redress environmental harms and injustice in her hometown of Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

It was a pleasure hosting the inspiring Vanessa Hartley on our Feature Friday this month!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Vanessa Hartley

8:20 - What is environmental racism?

13:45 - Vanessa on the research she's doing

17:00 - The history of environmental racism in Shelburne

26:30 - Vanessa on navigating government to help the community

33:25 - Vanessa on her family history

36:55 - Who inspires Vanessa

44:15 - Vanessa on gratitude

46:35 - Vanessa on what she values most

48:14 - Vanessa's advice

49:45 - Vanessa's five year plan

54:35 - Vanessa's spiritual journey

59:25 - Environmental racism in the news

1:07:32 - Vanessa on her identity

1:15:00 - One word checkout!

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Alfred Burgesson!

Alfred Burgesson is an entrepreneur committed to driving inclusive innovation, economic growth, and social impact. Recognized as a 30 Under 30 Innovator and Top 50 CEO by Atlantic Business Magazine, a Changemaker by Globe and Mail's Report on Business, and the recipient of the Public Policy Forum 2025 Emerging Leader Award. He is the Founder & CEO of Tribe Network, a thriving community for racialized entrepreneurs and innovators, providing access to capital, coaching, and networks to help them start, build, and scale businesses. His work has led to the creation of Tribe Ventures, where he serves as Founder & Managing Partner, investing in transformative businesses and technologies that advance equity and opportunity. With a deep passion for education, economic empowerment, and well-being, Alfred specializes in convening leaders, launching high-impact initiatives, and mobilizing communities using digital tools and technology. His mission is to create ecosystems that empower diverse entrepreneurs, drive inclusive growth, and build a more prosperous future for all. It was a pleasure hosting the insightful and inspiring Alfred Burgesson on our podcast this month!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Alfred Burgesson

2:50 - From Ghana to Cape Breton to Halifax!

6:40 - Family values for Alfred

8:05 - Alfred on taking risks in life

12:30 - Alfred on finding your tribe and starting Tribe Network

21:50 - Alfred on dealing with imposter syndrome

27:20 - What does success look like at Tribe for Alfred?

34:20 - Strategic collaboration over competition

36:20 - Where does Alfred see Tribe in 10 years?

40:15 - Alfred's experience with the ANS Lab committee

42:55 - One word checkout with Alfred!

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is DeRico Symonds!

DeRico Symonds is a 8th generation African Nova Scotian currently employed with the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute as the Director of Engagement and Justice Initiatives.

DeRico Symonds is the founder and President of Ignite Consulting, as well as a founding member of two non-profit organizations, ACCE (Arts, Culture, Community, Economics) and GC902 (Game Changers 902), a social justice advocacy group based in Halifax.

DeRico has been awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Century of Service Award, the Irving & Ruth Pink award for youth development and social justice, and the Dr Burnley "Rocky" Jones Human Right award from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

With an extensive career in community work in our racialized and marginalized communities, DeRico has a wealth of community engagement experience. DeRico provides counselling to marginalized youth and is called upon during incidences of gun violence in our Black communities. DeRico Symonds is also an Impact Race and Cultural Assessor (IRCA) with the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute serving Atlantic Canada.

It was a pleasure hosting the motivational and community-driven DeRico Symonds on our podcast this month!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to DeRico Symonds

2:30 - DeRico on his upbringing

15:00 - How DeRico translated his experiences to where he is today

21:20 - DeRico on his experience and lessons learned at university

40:10 - DeRico's post-university work

56:40 - DeRico on being politically informed

1:05:30 - DeRico on the work he's currently doing

1:15:05 - DeRico on his consulting work

1:20:50 - "Always Take the Stairs"

1:28:35 - One word checkout

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday episode is Daneesha Provo!

Daneesha's journey has been all about growth, purpose, and impact, and she is excited to see where it takes her next. Right now, Daneesha is taking some time away from basketball to focus on family, enjoy life, and really be present in this chapter.

After years of dedicating herself to the game, playing at the highest levels, traveling the world, and pushing through the ups and downs, she's embracing a new balance. One of her biggest priorities is building her basketball academy. She's always believed in using basketball as a tool for education and opportunity, and now she is fully committed to creating a space where young female athletes can grow, learn, and chase their dreams just like she did.

Beyond basketball, she has been tapping into other passions, including writing a children's book, something she has wanted to do for a long time. Storytelling has always been important to her, and she is excited to bring her experiences and lessons to life in a way that inspires kids from her community and Nova Scotia.

Daneesha is also working with Tribe Network as the Community Engagement Lead, which has been an amazing experience. She gets to collaborate with incredible people, connect with her community in new ways, and help create opportunities for others. It's been the perfect setup for her, and is loving every moment of it.

Travel is also still a big part of her life. Whether it's for work or just exploring, she loves being able to see new places, meet new people, and gain fresh perspectives.

It was a pleasure hosting the inspirational Daneesha Provo on our podcast this month!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

1:45 - Daneesha's backstory

5:10 - Daneesha's special relationship with her dad

8:50 - Daneesha's experience in boarding school

16:20 - Daneesha's advice on the lessons she's learned on the path to success

20:30 - How do basketball skills translate to real world skills?

28:00 - Daneesha and Aaliyah's advice for people who want to expand their identity outside basketball

33:45 - Daneesha's experience in China

40:10 - Daneesha on start her basketball academy

43:55 - Daneesha's children's book

47:10 - Daneesha work with Tribe Network

51:00 - Daneesha's advice for people who want to travel and see the world

57:00 - One word checkout!

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday, as well as first guest of season 2, is Angelina Simmonds! From North Preston, Angelina spent much of her early life as an athlete including basketball and competitive swimming. Competing provincially and nationally, and holding records in Nova Scotia. Driven to uplift women and girls through empowerment and confidence-building, Angelina founded Black Girls Pillow Talk (BGPT) in 2023 to create nurturing and encouraging spaces for young Black girls to share their lived experiences, prompt the healing of intergenerational trauma, experience joy, and thrive together. BGPT blends self-care with community care through activities that can include physical movement, hair care, mentorship, confidence building, and knowledge sharing. Building on her passion for empowering youth, Angelina pursued studies in Women and Gender Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University, fueling her commitment to addressing intersectional challenges. She applies her knowledge as a consultant at A Team Coaching, a family business designed to help inform more equitable futures by transforming cultures, mindsets, and systems. Angelina also assists individuals in navigating the justice system as a Justice Navigator at the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute. Her role encompasses prevention and mitigation in areas such as criminal law, youth justice, mental health, addictions, and social justice issues. Before this, Angelina held positions at Acadia University, Halifax Partnership, and Black Cultural Centre. It was a pleasure hosting the impactful Angelina Simmonds on our podcast episode this month!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Angelina Simmonds 3:25 - What made Angelina take an interest in competitive swimming 11:30 - Discussing the education system in Halifax and beyond 16:50 - Advice that Angelina would give to her younger self 18:40 - The impact of Blacks Girl Pillow Talk 31:55 - Angelina on A Team Coaching 39:30 - Angelina's advice for people who want to get involved with things like Black Girls Pillow Talk and A Team Coaching 52:10 - Angelina on the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute 1:04:10 - Angelina on how her work impacts ANS youth 1:17:05 - ONE word checkout

Season 2 of Feature Friday is brought to you by the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative administered by the Black Business Initiative. In this episode, hosts Aaliyah Arab-Smith and Trevor Silver dive into the vision and mission of Feature Friday, share what's in store for the new season, and let you know how to get involved. They'll also update you on what they've personally been up to this year! For years, Feature Friday has been a platform dedicated to amplifying voices, sharing experiences, and celebrating the achievements of ANS (African Nova Scotian) community members and allies. Through meaningful conversations, we highlight the incredible work being done to close the employment gap for Black and ANS individuals aged 18-35. We explore personal journeys, passions, and successes to inspire and uplift our audience. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe/follow to stay connected!

Join us for this bonus episode brought to you by the Youth Climate Action Fund, where the ONE team of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Ambassadors—Josh Paris, Sarah Yehayes, and Leah Khisa—share their experiences in raising awareness about climate change within African Nova Scotian communities in Nova Scotia. Their goal is to engage you in a dialogue around 'green jobs', a crucial step to help close the employment gap for Black individuals and African Nova Scotians aged 18 to 35 in our province. In this episode, Rodney Small, Josh Paris, Sarah Yehayes, Leah Khisa, and co-hosts Aaliyah Aarb Smith and Trevor Silver come together to discuss their experiences and insights with the broader community. Tune in to discover the many opportunities within the green economy that often go unnoticed due to a lack of awareness regarding climate change and the importance of climate justice.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to the team

0:55 - One North End and the green economy

4:30 - How ONE team members have been working with the community to encourage the green economy

9:30 - The biggest learning experiences the team has had with these green economy initiatives

11:40 - A closer look at the Next Ride tours

14:30 - Breaking down the joint regional transportation agency

20:45 - Analyzing the low-carbon community survey responses

26:05 - Discussion on the Green Schools

30:10 - The unique perspective of working on projects with the youth

Follow ANS Lab on:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/anslab/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ansyouthlab/?fref=tag

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ans-social-innovation-youth-lab-909b961b3/

Follow One North End on:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/one_north_end/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneNorthEnd

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/onenorthend/

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Ashley Hill! Ashley Hill is an African Nova Scotian woman, creator and social entrepreneur. With over 10 years of combined experience working in corporate and non-profit industries, she has led strategy, fundraising, donor engagement, community outreach, student engagement, program evaluation and program development. She's inspired to serve Black students as they shape their way forward to being young trailblazers, and to be a guide to changemakers who want to launch non-profit organizations. As the Founder of The PREP Academy, a community based non-profit organization, she wanted to create a service designed to give African Nova Scotian students access to knowledge and culturally relevant relationship based supports that help ease and inspire their journey into and completion of higher education. She's a CBC Black Changemaker and YMCA Peace Medal Recipient. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Preston, and the YMCA of Greater Halifax and Dartmouth. She is passionate about student advancement, education and the development of African Nova Scotian communities. It was a pleasure hosting the dynamic and inspiring Ashley Hill for our podcast episode this month! Find PREP Academy on: Website: https://www.instagram.com/theprepacademy.ca/?hl=en Instagram: https://www.theprepacademy.ca/ Follow ANS Lab on: Instagram: www.instagram.com/anslab/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ansyouthlab/?fref=tag Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ans-social-innovation-youth-lab-909b961b3/ Follow One North End on: Instagram: www.instagram.com/one_north_end/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneNorthEnd Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/onenorthend/

This episode is brought to you by Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP, a group of common sense lawyers whose clients appreciate our approachable style, practical advice and broad range of expertise.

To learn more about what they do, head to their website: www.bwbllp.ca/ or call them at (902) 423-6361.

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Chaz Samuel! Chaz Samuel was born and raised on the island of Antigua. He moved to Halifax in 2018 to pursue a Bachelor's of Commerce at Saint Mary's University. From a very young age he fell in love with basketball. He played collegiate basketball at Tyler Junior College in Texas, USA and proudly represented the national basketball team for Antigua.

His love for the sport has grown into a passion for helping young athletes reach their full potential. In 2019, he co-founded No Days Off Apparel Inc., a clothing company created to motivate and inspire people to stay committed to their goals. In 2024, he expanded this vision to No Days Off Fitness Inc., the first and only private basketball facility in Nova Scotia. NDOFitness Inc. consists of a team of dedicated coaches who are passionate about providing a high-quality basketball experience that fosters teamwork, discipline, and dedication. It offers customized training programs, clinics, camps and birthday parties with the overall goal of creating a safe and inclusive space for every athlete to reach their full potential, on and off the court.

Additionally, NDOFitness Inc. strives to showcase the basketball talent in Nova Scotia through social media. Chaz has grown his Instagram account @ndo.fitnesss to over 200,000 followers with the intention to put Nova Scotian athletes on the basketball map. He is constantly finding innovative ways to contribute and giveback to the basketball culture.

It was a pleasure hosting the inspiring Chaz Samuel, Shayna Court-Samuel, and their daughter for our podcast episode this month!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Chaz and Shayna

6:35 - The origins of No Days Off Fitness

13:30 - How Chaz and Shayna share their entrepreneurial journey together

15:50 - How Shayna's journey has led her to medical school and beyond

21:15 - Chaz and Shayna on parenthood

27:05 - No Days Off Mentality

32:55 - Advice from Chaz on how to build a business successfully

36:40 - NDO's business structure

41:40 - Three things an athlete needs to be successful

43:15 - What do Chaz and Shayna think is the biggest takeaway from their entrepreneurial journey so far

1:00:40 - One word checkout!

Find No Days Off Fitness on:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ndo.fitnesss/?hl=en

Follow ANS Lab on:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/anslab/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ansyouthlab/?fref=tag

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ans-social-innovation-youth-lab-909b961b3/

Follow One North End on:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/one_north_end/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneNorthEnd

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/onenorthend/