Born in Syria and arriving in Dubai when he was two, Zuher Almusre lived in the United Arab Emirates for many years. He would eventually make his way to Canada in 2019. He now works as a Civic Journalist at U Multicultural, telling the stories of Winnipeg's diverse communities. Learn about Ramadan, parenthood, and journalism on this episode of U Talk.

Contact Zuher Almusre to share your story and explore civic issues at [email protected].

Finding one's purpose in life can be a challenge. That one thing you feel you are just meant for. As a pediatrician, Dr. Eddsel Martinez has found just that.

But he's more than just a doctor. He's a father, husband, and lover of fantasy. Let's take some time to learn about the man beneath the white coat and stethoscope.

Life has peaks and valleys. It can take a toll on physical and mental health. For some, the recovery process is quick. For others, it can be a long and excruciating process. Having faced physical and mental hurdles, Vivek Mehmi has taken to music to explore healing. Migraine Love is the latest project in that journey.

https://www.vivekmehmi.com/

From June to October 2022, Pakistan was hit by devastating floods. Heavier monsoon rains and melting glaciers that followed a severe heat wave caused immeasurable loss of life and displaced millions. Extreme weather events like this are linked to climate change.

A Sufi singer-songwriter and acousmatic composer combined traditional storytelling with poetry and sculpted with environmental sounds to create a music project that brings awareness and climate action forward.

Check out Shumaila Hemani's work!

One Winnipegger has made it his goal to showcase content important to his community. Noticing a lack of representation here in Canada, Solomon Baleke created Winnipeg Swahili TV. For the past three years, he's been doing what he can to feature content in the language of more than 200 million speakers worldwide. 

Winnipeg Swahili TV

In 2018, 79% of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported volunteering. Of this number, a majority were people of an older age. 

If you're younger and haven't, that's okay. Many young people deal with a lot at school or work. However, volunteering has many benefits when you're young, as you never know the people you'll meet or the opportunities you may find. Volunteer Manitoba is the place to find those opportunities.

https://www.volunteermanitoba.ca/

In 2021, Canadians lost $231 million from scams and frauds - and that's just what's been reported. With technology becoming an increasing part of our daily lives, knowing how to spot potential scams and what to do if you fall victim to one is essential. 

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Every February, events and activities celebrate the legacy and accomplishments of Canada's Black population, and although it's come to an end, celebrating Black Canadians is something we should do year-round. 

That's why the Black Canadian Creator Directory was started. With over 500 Black creators, from Youtubers to bloggers and writers, it's making it easier for the public to find them. 

Find the Directory at these links:

With a background in radio broadcasting and a fascination for podcasting, Sherley Joseph created a podcast show to highlight Black Canadian creators both off and online. Sherley and U Talk host Ryan Funk talk about how the podcast has grown, Black History Month, white privilege, and learning about the cultures and communities around us. 

Want to see more Black creators? Check out the Chonilla Network: https://chonillanetwork.com/

The pandemic had a lot of challenges. For some, it could have been a sense of isolation. For others, no support systems around them. One group is trying to help out where they can and bring people together. The Mutt Movement celebrates community and encourages people to get involved and volunteer. 

Check them out on Instagram @muttmovement