To say that Noroh Dakim has accomplished a lot is a gross understatement. She is a medical student at the University of Toronto and is one of the cofounders of the Newcomer Mentorship Program at UofT among other things. Her passion for equity and inclusion is unmatched and stems from her lived experience, and throughout our conversation this episode, she shares what it's like coming into her Blackness as someone who immigrated to Canada. Being Black isn't about adhering to a specific set of characteristics, it's about making sure you live as truly as you possibly can. It's about having pride in who you are and learning to live comfortably in your own skin, however it is you choose to do so. 

Racism is a public health crisis/emergency. This is our time to eradicate it, to create and set up a new normal that is healthy, and inclusive for all of us. Declarations are an important first step in the movement to advance racial equity and justice and must be followed by allocation of resources and strategic action. What steps are you going to take to put an end to these ongoing pandemics? Find out more on this episode!

Running is supposed to be a universally enjoyed way of moving around outside. Unfortunately, freedom of movement has historically not been afforded to Black people, so every time a Black person runs, they are participating in a revolutionary act. This episode looks at the realities that Black runners face in terms of finding representation, finding a sense of community, as well as looking at the importance of allyship. Ultimately, anti-racism education and work is up to you. If you cherish the freedom, beauty and humanity of the right to exercise free of brutality and death, you should advocate for the inclusion of Black runners in all spaces and commit to amplifying their voices because no one is free until we're all free. So, tune into this conversation to better understand the significance of taking that step forward in the right direction.

Inclusion has been a popular topic of conversation lately, due to dialogue on racial injustice. While the consensus is that inclusion is essential to advancing social justice, there have been fewer discussions around why that's the case. So I wanted to use this episode as an opportunity to focus on the benefits of inclusion highlighting the example of Disability Justice activism and using that as a lens through which that "why" could be examined. 

Financial literacy means being aware of your financial situation and having a plan to improve it; that’s already less stressful than burying your head in the sand. Peace of mind is one of the advantages of financial literacy. My hope is that after listening to this conversation, you begin to ask yourself the right questions, you seek advice, and you strengthen your financial knowledge. You’re A LOT less anxious when you feel in control. And you can’t put a price on peace of mind when it comes to your finances. So tap into this conversation because it's advice you can bank on.

When we take a closer look at how our identities intersect, we see the unique lived experiences—of ourselves and others—through the lens of oppression, privilege, power, and marginalization. That leads to questions like - who has power? Who gets the benefit of the doubt? Who doesn’t? Who is automatically included in groups? Who isn’t? How do you go about “showing up” for people that aren't yourself? What do you do to control how others perceive you? What parts of your identity help you fit in? What parts of your identity make you stand out? The answers to all these questions are deeply rooted in intersectionality. Understanding and empathy are needed in conversations like these, and they are both key parts of intersectionality and social justice. With empathy and understanding, we gain that ability to see things through a framework that gets us closer to leaving no one behind in our efforts to achieve the long lasting change we all yearn for. So listen into the chat I have with Amma, the founder of 'Womanist Healing Counselling Services', to get a head start on a conversation we all NEED to have - one on intersectionality and demarginalizing the intersections. 

Vulnerability is not easy by any means, but it’s necessary to live meaningful, and fulfilled lives. Humans have a deep need for connection. However, we can only achieve a true sense of belonging when we allow ourselves to be seen for who we are. Examining vulnerability from the Black male perspective, this episode acknowledges that while it can be challenging being vulnerable, the benefits certainly outweigh those challenges. It encourages all folx, with a special emphasis on Black men, to practice showing up authentically and accepting one's feelings and thoughts as valid so that vulnerability can come more naturally. Being vulnerable means presenting your authentic self to the world, even if you’re not sure you’ll be accepted. Showing up in that way can be incredibly scary, but the benefits of vulnerability are worth it. Being vulnerable is something that takes practice and requires intention, so practice and encourage those around you to show up as their authentic selves at every opportunity. It's okay to cry.

In the first episode of 'Hear To Stay', we take a look at empathy and the role that it plays in allowing folx with distinct histories to stand in solidarity with one another. After all, no one is free until we're all free. 

Follow Hear To Stay Podcast on instagram @heartostaypod if you haven't already and be sure to hit the subscribe button.

'Hear to Stay' will be having conversations that examine a plethora of topics ranging from pop culture and politics all the way to mental - from a BIPOC perspective. BIPOC voices have been typically excluded from a lot of movements and spaces where their voice and input is very much needed. Now more than ever is the time to put the voices of the most marginalized at the forefront to make sure that they are heard, respected, protected, and amplified. The hope is that after listening to a new episode, listeners walk away feeling more confident in their ability to start difficult but necessary conversations and that this will act as a catalyst for positive change.