The Mosaic

In this episode, the team talks with the ACAO (African-Canadian Association of Ottawa) executive officer and co-founder, Hector Addison, about the exciting launch of the organization's new Unity through Service program, which mobilizes youth to enact change in their community through volunteering and the sharing of knowledge. 

(Photo by Ray Sangga Kusuma/UNSPLASH)

On today's episode of The Mosaic, Valentina conducts an interview with the uOttawa Student Union's (UOSU) President Jack Coen. 

This week on the Mosaic, the team gets together to analyze data and reporting that suggests fewer young men are enrolling in colleges and universities. Cal Spellman, Ellen Maertens, Lauren Roulston and Mosaic host Belinda go back and forth over political gender divides, modern criticisms of post-secondary education institutions, and how young men are socialized to shed some light on these numbers. 

(Photo by Nathan Dumlao/UNSPLASH)

In this episode of the Mosaic, Cal Spellman speaks with uOttawa professor Errol Mendes about some recent changes in Canadian politics. We hear all about Chrystia Freeland's decision to resign and what's in store for her afterwards in Ukraine.

Today we're diving into the world of Labubus, the viral craze lighting up social media feeds. What does it mean when trends explode overnight, only to fade just as quickly? To unpack the phenomenon, we spoke with Mariam Humayun, Associate Professor of Marketing at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, who sheds light on the role of algorithms in shaping what we talk about, how we dress, and even how we shop.

Alongside expert insights, the episode also features voices from everyday people caught up in the Labubus buzz, drawing playful comparisons to past fads like Beanie Babies. Together, they explore what Labubus says about the speed of digital culture today and what it might reveal about the future of trends.

Belinda hosts this week of The Mosaic, where we check back in with Black People United for Change, a new and growing initiative aimed at improving the welfare of Black Canadians. Since we last spoke, they gained enough signatures on their petition to have their calls read aloud in the House of Commons by Gord Johns on Sept. 18.

They'll also be hosting a demonstration on Parliament Hill on that date from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and they're back to tell us all about what's in store for next week. As a non-profit, they're running a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of organizing the demonstration and they encourage the community to join them in advocative for systemic and legislative change. 

In today's episode of The Mosaic, we hear from Black People United for Change CEO Vanessa St Louis and Emma Ansah, initiative member and journalist for the African Diaspora news channel. They fill us in on a recent petition they launched that aims to specifically strengthen protections for Black Canadians from harassment, discrimination and hate crimes. You can find the petition and more information here. 

For teachers and educational staff across Canada, violence and harassment from students has become the norm. Kicking, punching, and throwing things at teachers has almost become expected. Dr. Chris Bruckert has co-led a new report called Running on Fumes: Violence, Austerity, and Institutional Neglect in Ontario Schools. The report surveys thousands of education workers in the province and the findings suggest that violence is on the rise in Ontario schools. Here to explain why, Dr. Bruckert joins us on the Mosaic.