IMPACT

In 2011, a 17-year-old Khadija Gayle gave birth to a baby boy. Soon enough, she began to realise that there was something wrong. 

King Jay, as the baby was lovingly called, began to lose his eyesight, his growth stunted and appearance aged. Jay began to show symptoms of a rare disease; Cockayne Syndrome.

It was a difficult path to tread for Khadija, as she believes her son’s case was the only one in Toronto at that time.

Khadija did all she could, through this testing time - battling a rare disease, that was left undiagnosed for a while.

Today, Khadija is trying to encourage dialogue and raise awareness amongst communities about this rare syndrome.

Produced by: Fatima Husain

Guest: Khadija Gayle

Research Contributor: Elesha Nicholls

Filled with a passion for the written word, Pauleanna Reid would spend hours journaling as a child.  However, her inability to stand up for herself, being bullied all throughout her school years nurtured a deep sense of insecurity within her.

Her struggles followed her through her college life, where she suffered in silence with a plastered smile every day. Later, she was officially diagnosed with depression.

Determined to make a difference, Pauleanna soon braved her troubles and set on a path to become a writer.

Today, Pauleanna is a Canadian Journalist, author and a mentor, who has made a difference empowering women around the globe.

Guest: Pauleanna Reid

Produced by: Fatima Husain

Christian Levien is a lawyer with a practice. He was subjected to police brutality and beaten up for “no reason”. Christian was at University at the time. According to Christian, many members of the Black community are not aware of the type of resources (education or social capital) available to them when they face such situations. This is what made Christian decide that law school was the best for him so he could help educate those around him and uplift communities in similar circumstances. Today. Christian runs a GTA based law firm (Levien Law) and defends the marginalised. In short, Christian offers far more than just legal advice.

*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the guest/ interviewee and those providing comments (if any) are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of VX3 Exchange (CCCMAD Inc.) or any employee thereof. VX3 Exchange is not responsible for accuracy of any of the information supplied by the guest. It is not the intention of VX3 Exchange to malign any community, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company or individual.

Domica Akena was nine-years-old when he first held a gun. He was abducted from his village by the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda and trained to be a child soldier. One fine day he escaped the clutches of the rebels and found his way to a refugee camp. Four years later, in this camp, he meets a pair of documentary filmmakers who capture the story of his harrowing escape, and this encounter ultimately changes his life. Today, Dominic is a documentary filmmaker based in Toronto, who uses film to process his traumatic past.

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*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the guest/ interviewee and those providing comments (if any) are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of VX3 Exchange (CCCMAD Inc.) or any employee thereof. VX3 Exchange is not responsible for accuracy of any of the information supplied by the guest. It is not the intention of VX3 Exchange to malign any community, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company or individual.

Mental Health in the Afro Caribbean communities has long been a blind stigma filled with misconceptions and, covered with a ‘veil of shame’. Black people experiencing a mental health challenge are more likely to hide it or delay seeking help over the fear of being shunned or labelled by society. In this Episode, Actress, Producer, Filmmaker and Mental Health Advocate – Stacy-Ann Buchanan opens up about her trials and triumphs with mental health and giving a voice to Black Canadians living with mental illnesses.

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*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the guest/ interviewee and those providing comments (if any) are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of VX3 Exchange (CCCMAD Inc.) or any employee thereof. VX3 Exchange is not responsible for accuracy of any of the information supplied by the guest. It is not the intention of VX3 Exchange to malign any community, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company or individual.

A disturbing, hopeful and inspiring story of Elizabeth Correia – who was brought up as a foster child, became a teen mother and is a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Elizabeth, who is now a mentor (and victor) has dedicated her life to teaching and helping woman and youth create a life they love. Her extraordinary story of transforming her own life from pain to purpose is the inspiration behind her mission to teach women and youth that it is possible to do the same.

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*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the guest/ interviewee and those providing comments (if any) are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of VX3 Exchange (CCCMAD Inc.) or any employee thereof. VX3 Exchange is not responsible for accuracy of any of the information supplied by the guest. It is not the intention of VX3 Exchange to malign any community, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company or individual.

At just 18 months of age, Brittnee Habbib took her first steps in gymnastics and never looked back. She was a member of the Canadian National Gymnastics Team for FIVE years –the only Black girl on the team.  At the time, she found it very difficult to embrace herself. She travelled internationally and represented Canada in large competitions such as the Commonwealth Games in Australia, the Pan Am Games in Brazil and The World championships in Denmark. In 2004, top 10 athletes were allowed to try out for the Olympics. This was Brittnee’s first year being on a senior National level. And that year, she was placed top 10 in the country. She tied for 10 and denied her place to try out for the Olympics. Brittnee also had to work with a coach who didn’t have her back.

In this episode, Brittnee speaks of her struggles being a Black gymnast, who didn’t have a voice and was always “told what to do”. Today, Brittnee coaches competitive gymnastics and is an active dancer. 

Interviewee: Brittnee Habbib

Produced by: Fatima Husain

"Real Human Interest Stories ranging from the ordinary to the truly extraordinary."

Impact is a production of VX3 Exchange.

Tyler Murphy is a devoted father, husband and licensed paralegal. He describes himself as a ‘career-driven’ advocate.

But Tyler wasn’t always this man.

He became entrenched in a criminal lifestyle at a very young age. It started with stealing, robbing and selling drugs and eventually escalated to selling cocaine, being involved with guns and more organised and dangerous crimes. Tyler was often homeless and was in and out of the justice system for minor and later, major offences – ending up in custody for a few years - labelled as a gang member. 

It took him a while to eventually realise that the destructive path he was on was going to end in one of the two ways; death or prison. 

With only a Grade 8 education in hand, Tyler finally turned his life around and went on to become a licensed paralegal.

Interviewee: Tyler Murphy

Produced by: Fatima Husain

"Real Human Interest Stories ranging from the ordinary to the truly extraordinary."

Impact is a production of VX3 Exchange.

In this episode, we talk about Yemen – a Middle Eastern country that has long been making global headlines about its humanitarian catastrophe – perhaps the largest in the world. More than 24 million people – that’s around 80 per cent of Yemen’s population, mostly children – are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

In light of the crisis, two Yemenis residing in Canada, who have been directly affected come forward with what they’ve witnessed since the conflict first broke in 2015. 

Hamza Shaiban – president of the Yemeni Community in Canada along with Ontario resident Ahmed Al Mahdi are trying to raise awareness about deaths, starvation, displacement and destruction that can be avoided in Yemen. 

Interviewees include: Hamza Shaiban & Ahmed Al Mahdi

Produced by: Fatima Husain

"Real Human Interest Stories ranging from the ordinary to the truly extraordinary."

Impact is a production of VX3 Exchange.

A few years ago, Richard Miller served his time in Federal Prison. The racism, injustice and abuse he experienced left a profound effect on his mind and soul. He was quick to notice the lack of support for rehab for those convicted – neither inside nor outside.

Today, Richard works towards making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have been impacted by the Criminal Justice System.

This episode is a first-hand experience of a former inmate and his effort towards helping youth tied up with the justice system.

Interviewee: Richard Miller – Founder Keep6ix

Produced by: Fatima Husain

"Real Human Interest Stories ranging from the ordinary to the truly extraordinary."

Impact is a production of VX3 Exchange.