This is a special bonus episode of the podcast. In honour of Mental Health Awareness week, we sit down with Marwa Ahmed, the Curriculum and Training Coordinator for the Opening Doors Project at CMHA Toronto. You can reach Marwa through CMHA by email ([email protected]) and through Twitter (@openingthedoor). This episode has a Trigger Warning as we dive into intense topics such as police brutality. Please be mindful of your own mental health journey. 

Go to adornmentstories.com/podcast for more details.

Intro Music Credit: NVM by Franchesca available through Thematic.

This episode has a TRIGGER WARNING for self harm. Please be mindful of your mental journey. A list of resources about self harm and who to contact can be found here.

In the last episode of our pilot season, Fonna Seidu, Project Manager and core member of the Adornment Stories team brings along some powerful quotes that spark dialogue about personal development and vulnerability.

You can find Fonna on Instagram (@fonnatasha), Twitter (@fonnatasha) and her website, fonnatasha.com.

These are the books Fonna mentioned: 

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

Inner Bonding Workbook by Margaret Paul

Go to adornmentstories.com/podcast for more details.

Intro Music Credit: NVM by Franchesca available through Thematic.

In May of 2020, we released a Mother’s Day Documentary in order to celebrate the diverse spectrum that is black motherhood. This project would not have been possible without the work of Juanita Muwanga and Nelie Diverlus. Today we sit down to converse about the development process and why black stories need to be told. If you haven't seen the documentary, be sure to check it out now. Go to adornmentstories.com/podcast for more details.

Intro Music Credit: NVM by Franchesca available through Thematic.

This episode has a TRIGGER WARNING for sexual assault. A list of Canadian resources and contacts can be found here. Please be mindful of your mental journey.  

How is writing used to reclaim and transform the narrative for black folks? With vulnerability and authenticity, Yvvana Duku shares her personal experiences and how painful past experiences have fuelled her writing. You can reach Yvvana on instagram and also check out her blog post. Go to adornmentstories.com/podcast for more details. 

Intro Music Credit: NVM by Franchesca available through Thematic.

Is make up a form of storytelling? This week, we discuss the transformative process of make up with Sade Petlele. We discuss how they use the process to create unique characters, inspire others creatively and express cultural identity/history. You can reach Sade on instagram and also check out their blog post QnA, virtual art exhibits from 2018 and 2019 and their Afrofuturism video essay. Go to adornmentstories.com/podcast for more details. Intro Music Credit: NVM by Franchesca available through Thematic. 

What is personal transformation? On the very first episode, Tanya discusses her work cultivating spaces for people to fall in love with themselves. To find out more about Tanya and her work, visit her websites: tanyaturton.com, niazamar.com, adornmentstories.com/the-team. You can also follow her on instagram at @trapmystic and twitter at @trapmystic1. Intro Music Credit: NVM by Franchesca available through Thematic.

Hello and welcome to the Transformation Stories Podcast, a series created by the Adornment Stories Collective. 

Adornment Stories is a platform dedicated to creating spaces that uplift the voices of black women and femmes. The Transformation Stories Podcast, shares stories of growth, empowerment and self-discovery as a reminder that while every journey is unique, we all have the capacity to transform our lives and our stories.

Go to adornementstories.com/podcast to learn more.