Ep.14 In His Own Voice-My Father's Life.

I'm Carolyn Morris-Walker the host of the Urban Lifestyle Report podcast, my legacy project a platform to exemplify BlackNificence and Black Excellence in my community.

This episode is rather significant because on Friday May 7th , 2021 my dearly beloved Father, Sylvester Wilesley Morris suddenly but peacefully and beautifully passed away in his home. He transitioned at the age of 91 years old, just 3 weeks before his 92nd Earthstrong day May 28th.

Last year at the height of the Covid pandemic in April 2020, my Father had an accident at home, he had fallen down, fractured his neck and was rushed to hospital. To be honest with you I really thought he was not going to survive the injury he had sustained but miraculously he only spent 1 night in the hospital and was released the following day. I was there to pick him up to take him home and I remember saying to him " bwoooy you tough like iron, TUFF" and we laughed.

He was in a neck brace for 12 weeks and during this time I decided to sit with him so he could share with me the story of his life. I had a great sense of urgency to have conversation with my Dad to learn more about him, about his life. These conversations took place on May 10th, May 23rd and June 13th, 2020.

As we sat and spoke I was intrigued to know about his struggles, challenges, successes, and triumphs. I learned he had an adventurous heart and spirit that compelled him to leave his homeland of Jamaica in 1948 and this would change his life and his future generations to come forever. This episode,  In His Own Voice-My Father's Life is my tribute to him and the legacy I will leave for my future generations to come.

My Father is the first man that I ever loved. When I came into this world, took my first breath and opened my eyes he was there. I've spent 21,900 days with him-60 years and now I must navigate my life without his physical presence but I know his spirit lives within me and I know he is always with me.

I hope you will feel his vibrant, kind and charismatic personality that made family, friends and even strangers gravitate to his charming magnetism.

I Love You Daddy!

Carolyn, your always loving daughter.

Welcome to the 13th episode of my legacy project, Urban Lifestyle Report Podcast and I'm your host Carolyn Morris-Walker.

I am ecstatic to have Brittnee Habbib, as my guest on this platform that exemplifies BlackNificence & Black Excellence in our community. Brittnee is a Professional African Contemporary Dancer, a Producer and the Co-Founder of Girl Power’d.

Welcome to the 12th episode of my legacy project, Urban Lifestyle Report Podcast and I'm your host Carolyn Morris-Walker.

I am elated to have Kofi Frempong a Ghanian born, Toronto base visual artist, community health worker and founder of Freedom Fridayz, a movement rooted in the belief that community can build community, as my guest on this platform that exemplifies BlackNificence & Black Excellence in our community.

Urban Lifestyle Report is a place and space to showcase the many talents of Black and African people who are often invisible, not acknowledged and not celebrated in popular media for their talents, achievements and accomplishments that contributes positively to the community and the world at large.

Kofi has a passion for creating safe spaces which are conducive to love, learning, laughter and endless possibilities. He is well known for his use of vibrant warm colours and free brush strokes in depicting narratives of black love and beauty. I believe that art is a conduit of love and creating art is a form of expression and healing.  “Love the world with all your art” is one of his guiding philosophies.  

As a professional artist, Kofi has been able to build a successful art career that has opened many doors for him. Through his art, he has been featured in various blogs, exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and participated in Art Basel Miami. In addition to this, Kofi has also had the honor of having his work featured in multiple galleries in Ontario, Miami, New York, and Atlanta. Kofi has experienced many things and have accumulated many successes but perhaps his biggest accomplishment is being able to inspire his two wonderful daughters to develop a love for art.

So, I am delighted when I meet people in my community who are doing amazing and outstanding work in a plethora of areas as educators, creatives, influencers, game changers, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, founders, investors change makers, who are igniting, building and transforming our community in a variety of ways and in so many arenas.  They are engaging in these activities full-time, part-time, as a side hustle and making their passions and visions come to life. I believe the community needs to hear about YOU Kofi Frempong!

So, tune-in and enjoy the conversation!

Contact/Social Media info:

Kofi Speaks Art

Kofi's Visual Art

Shout Outs:

@afrochicTO 1.52; @soultrycommunity 3:27; @melissafalconer & @renzzzart 32:14;

@sundesocial 32.5; @sashalhenry 36.36 @amandaparris 45:25

Welcome to the 11th episode of my legacy project, Urban Lifestyle Report Podcast and I'm your host Carolyn Morris-Walker. I am filled with joy to have Grace Cameron, the Editor-In-Chief of JamaicanEats Magazine that she created and launched in 2006, 14 years ago, as my guests on this platform that exemplifies BlackNificence & Black Excellence in our community.  

Urban Lifestyle Report is a place and space to showcase the many talents of Black and African people who are often invisible, not acknowledged and not celebrated in popular media for their talents, achievements and accomplishments that contributes positively to the community and the world at large.

Grace Cameron is a communications strategist who is experienced in driving conversation and engagement through a variety of formats that appeal to audiences with a range of interests. Using words, images and clever designs, she helps organizations tell stories meaningful to their customers; inspire and engage audiences. She is a storyteller who has worked in an array of roles across Canada and Jamaica.

Grace is a phenomenal woman who had a vision to launch JamicanEats magazine that would satisfy a niche that catered to people with an interest in Caribbean food and culture. Once this idea came to mind it only took 9 months for her dream to become a reality. Her creative mind set has also launched other initiatives such as Pop Up Caribbean Food Markets, a cookbook published in 2016 titled, 10 Reasons Why Jamaicans Runs So Fast, and a colouring book for adults and they are all available on Amazon. And if that not enough in 2012 she was selected as one of the Top 50 Jamaicans in Canada during the celebrations of Jamaica’s 50th Independence.

She has held many roles that include being the lifestyle editor for the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper and was recognized by Society for News Design in Miami and given an Award of Excellence for revamping the Food section of the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper. Her other roles have been as a journalism lecturer for the University of the West Indies and Northern Caribbean University, a freelancer as a workshop presenter and partnered with Caribbean Legal & Professional Institute Limited to deliver How to be Media Savvy and Speak Up! The Art of Conversation workshops. In Toronto and Vancouver, she has worked as a content coordinator, a copywriter and freelance researcher and writer.

So, I am delighted when I meet people in my community who are doing  amazing and outstanding work  in a plethora of areas as educators, creatives, influencers, game changers, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, founders, investors change makers, who are igniting, building and transforming our community in a variety of ways and in so many arenas.  They are engaging in these activities full-time, part-time, as a side hustle and making their passions and visions come to life. I believe the community needs to hear about YOU!

So, tune-in and enjoy the conversation!

Contact/Social Media info:

Email: [email protected]

Websites: www.jamaicaneats.com; 

www.passporttocaribbeanfood.com;

www.dontworry-eathappy.com 

FB & FB group: @jamamaicaneats    IG: @jamaicaneatsmagazine

Welcome to the 10th episode of my legacy project, Urban Lifestyle Report Podcast and I'm your host Carolyn Morris-Walker. I am doubly delighted to have Christine Diaz and Sharla Taki, a dynamic duo Mother and Daughter who are both tech professionals, as my guests on this platform that exemplifies BlackNificence & Black Excellence in our community.  

Urban Lifestyle Report is a place and space to showcase the many talents of Black and African people who are often invisible, not acknowledged and not celebrated in popular media for their talents, achievements and accomplishments that contributes positively to the community and the world at large.

Christine is a Senior Executive at a large global software company called SAP.  She has 23 years of SAP implementation experience ranging from functional design and system. Christine has a wide variety of industry experience such as manufacturing, retail, utilities, mining and public sector.

Sharla is a Project Manager for a pharmaceutical company. Prior to that, she was working with one of the largest insurance companies in the industry for over 8 years. She has a very diverse background including Accounting & Finance, Retail, Insurance, Logistics & Transportation, Information Technology and now, Pharmaceuticals

Not only are Christine and Sharla tech professionals but they are also entrepreneurs and community activists. Christine is a parent representative for the We Rise Together program in the Peel District School Board where she volunteers as a voice for the parents of children who identify themselves as Black. Sharla is a proud e-commerce business owner of Curvy Goddess Fitness and has recently partnered with her mother and sister in a joint venture scheduled to launch this year. She uses her business platform to support the Black Lives Matter movement, which is very personal for her and her family. Her main goals include building her business, defining her career path, but more importantly, being a role model for her 4 children. She believes children are the seeds of the generation to come and is determined to make a good impression on the little black men and women she is raising.

So, I am delighted when I meet people in my community who are doing  amazing and outstanding work  in a plethora of areas as educators, creatives, influencers, game changers, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, founders, investors change makers, who are igniting, building and transforming our community in a variety of ways and in so many arenas.  They are engaging in these activities full-time, part-time, as a side hustle and making their passions and visions come to life. I believe the community needs to hear about YOU!

So, tune-in and enjoy the conversation!

Contact/Social Media info:

Sharla Taki: IG/FB: @curvygoddess_fitness

Website: www.curvygoddessfitness.com 

Christine Diaz:  We Rise Together

Website www.werisetogether.ca/index.html

Welcome to the 9th episode of my legacy project, Urban Lifestyle Report Podcast and I'm your host Carolyn Morris-Walker. I am delighted to have Amanda Hamer, the founder of EdibleBliss11 which is located in the 416 and this extraordinary chef will satisfy your taste buds with her tantalizing culinary fusion dishes and desserts, as my guest on this platform that exemplifies BlackNificence & Black Excellence in our community.  

Urban Lifestyle Report is a place and space to showcase the many talents of Black and African people who are often invisible, not acknowledged and not celebrated in popular media for their talents, achievements and accomplishments that contributes positively to the community and the world at large.

Born and raised in downtown Toronto, Amanda has been cooking and baking for over 20+ years. Amanda tributes for culinary skills to her late mother and influences of growing up in a multicultural city.

Amanda is a graduate from George Brown College where she received her degree in culinary arts. Her dishes can be described as a fusion of West Indian, Asian and Canadian flavours and she also uses creativity in creating custom design cakes for all types of occasions.

She has an array of dishes to choose from her Edible Bliss11 menu, plus clients have the option of having their food personalized. Amanda has catered for large organizations such as Shopify, Roger’s and notably for The Honourable Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. 

In 2017, Amanda was recognized by HERstory in BLACK, a grassroots initiative, that brought together 150 Black women to share their personal experience that was produced by “How She Hustles” a diverse women’s social network that was featured by CBC. 

Her desserts have also been featured on “Cityline, North America's longest-running daytime show for women in a segment of trending baby showers.  Amanda is personable, engaging, wants to make your catered experience a memorable one and she continues to come up with innovative recipes so she can share her LOVE through food. 

So, I am delighted when I meet people in my community who are doing  amazing and outstanding work  in a plethora of areas as educators, creatives, influencers, game changers, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, founders, investors change makers, who are igniting, building and transforming our community in a variety of ways and in so many arenas.

They are engaging in these activities full-time, part-time, as a side hustle and making their passions and visions come to life. I believe the community needs to hear about YOU!

So, tune-in and enjoy the conversation!

Contact/Social Media info:

Website: https://ediblebliss11.com/;

IG: @EdibleBliss11; FB: EdibleBliss11

Shout Outs: Emily Mills @howshehustles 19:33

Welcome to the 8th episode of my legacy project, Urban Lifestyle Report Podcast and I'm your host Carolyn Morris-Walker. I am ecstatic to have Jason Faulknor-Mr. Spread Love, a multi-talented individual whose extensive talents are in many areas such as first grade teacher, a coach, an entrepreneur of a clothing brand, a former professional athlete,  a model and actor as my guest on this platform that exemplifies BlackNificence & Black Excellence in our community.  

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Jason started playing basketball at the age of 8. He went on to play basketball for the North Toronto Huskies and the Ontario Basketball Association and after he graduated from university, he played professionally in countries such as Portugal, Australia and Taiwan.

Jason graduated from Bradley University with a degree in Communications/marketing and is currently an educator with the Toronto District School Board. He continues to be involved in the community by coaching basketball, speaking to youth about attaining goals, doing basketball camps and giving back where help is needed in the Greater Toronto Area.

Urban Lifestyle Report is a place and space to showcase the many talents of Black and African people who are often invisible, not acknowledged and not celebrated in popular media for their talents, achievements and accomplishments that contributes positively to the community and the world at large.

Spread Love was an idea sparked by the goals posted on the wall of founder, Jason's co-workers. Inspired by his ambitious co-workers, he began revisiting an old idea of starting a clothing line that was positive.

So, he created a clothing line that everyone could relate to. A brand with a message that would make an impact around the world. After a few days of brainstorming and sketching, the phrase SPREAD LOVE rang loud and clear. A couple weeks later, Jason printed 17 prints and began wearing his shirt and giving shirts away.

Almost immediately people on the street began commenting and complimenting. While traveling yells of “I love your shirt”, "that’s what we need to do, Spread more Love”, and “great message” were heard regularly. Taking the positive feedback Jason decided to take it further and start the company SPREAD LOVE and ultimately a movement.

So, I am delighted when I meet people in my community who are doing  amazing and outstanding work  in a plethora of areas as educators, creatives, influencers, game changers, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, founders, investors change makers, who are igniting, building and transforming our community in a variety of ways and in so many arenas.  

They are engaging in these activities full-time, part-time, as a side hustle and making their passions and visions come to life. I believe the community needs to hear about YOU!

So, tune-in and enjoy the conversation!

Contact/Social Media info:

Website: https://spreadlove.ca/

IG: @spreadloveclothing; @Mr_Spreadlove

FB: Spread Love

Shout Outs: 

AfroChic TO, @afrochicto:19:02

Mawuli Chai, @iluwam: 19:05

African Fashion Week, @africanfashionweek: 19:13

Welcome to the 7th episode of my legacy project, Urban Lifestyle Report Podcast and I'm your host Carolyn Morris-Walker. I am ecstatic to have Dwayne Morgan, spoken word poet extraordinaire, writer, speaker, connector and Scarborough Walk of Fame Inductee as my guest on this platform that exemplifies BlackNificence & Black Excellence in our community.  Dwayne is a two-time Canadian National Poetry Slam Champion and  he began his career as a spoken word artist in 1993.  In 1994, he founded Up From The Roots entertainment, to promote the positive artistic contributions of African Canadian and urban influenced artists. In 2019, he founded and co-produced the inaugural Toronto Spoken Soul Festival.

Urban Lifestyle Report is a place and space to showcase the many talents of Black and African people who are often invisible, not acknowledged and not celebrated in popular media for their talents, achievements and accomplishments that contributes positively to the community and the world at large.

So, I am delighted when I meet people in my community who are doing amazing and outstanding work in a plethora of areas as educators, creatives, influencers, game changers, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, founders, investors change makers, who are igniting, building and transforming our community in a variety of ways and in so many arenas.  They are engaging in these activities full-time, part-time, as a side hustle and making their passions and visions come to life. I believe the community needs to hear about YOU!

Dwayne has been recognized and received many awards such as the 2018 winner of the Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret Award for Career Achievement in the Spoken Word. In 2016, he was a finalist for the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. In 2013, he was inducted in to the Scarborough Walk of Fame and has received both the African Canadian Achievement Award, and the Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in the Arts, just to name a few, plus he is the author of 12 books such as Fairytales (2018), No Apologies (2016), Before I Was Born (2015), Everyday Excellence (2013).

In January 2020 he and two other spoken poets opened for President Barak Obama when the former president spoke at an event organized by the Economic Club of Canada, in partnership with the Global Institute for Conscious Economics. Dwayne has performed for other notable such as the former Governor General of Canada, The Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the late leader of the NDP, Jack Layton, and has shared the stage with many of Canada’s top artists including Russell Peters, Kardinal Offishal, Jully Black, and Nelly Furtado, while opening for international artists Alicia Keys, and recording with Canadian artists, including Drake.

Dwayne’s work ethic has taken him across Canada, the United States, Jamaica, Turkey, Trinidad, Bermuda, Barbados, England, Scotland, Belgium, Budapest, Germany, France, Norway, Ghana, and Holland. His emphasis on quality has driven his success, and has made him a well-respected component of Toronto’s urban music community, as well as the North American, and Global, spoken word scenes.

So tune-in and enjoy the conversation!

Contact/Social Media info:

https://dwaynemorgan.ca/ 

 Fairytales poem performed by Dwayne & his daughter

Shout outs to: 

Randell Adjei @randelladjei & Thunderclaw Robinson @thunderclawrobinsong, 41:30

Welcome to the 6th episode of my legacy project, Urban Lifestyle Report Podcast and I'm your host Carolyn Morris-Walker. I am ever so thrilled to have Lisa & Leslie Jones who are twins, who have parlayed their creative streaks into the pursuit of studies in graphic design at the Ontario College of Art and Design University, as my guests on this platform that exemplifies BlackNificence & Black Excellence in our community.  After graduating they worked briefly as freelancers and contract designers before establishing X Height Media (XHM) in 2006 with the vision to go beyond in their industry.

Urban Lifestyle Report is a place and space to showcase the many talents of Black and African people who are often invisible, not acknowledged and not celebrated in popular media for their talents, achievements and accomplishments that contributes positively to the community and the world at large.

So, I am delighted when I meet people in my community who are doing  amazing and outstanding work  in a plethora of areas as educators, creatives, influencers, game changers, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, founders, investors change makers, who are igniting, building and transforming our community in a variety of ways and in so many arenas.  They are engaging in these activities full-time, part-time, as a side hustle and making their passions and visions come to life. I believe the community needs to hear about YOU!

As the co-owners and principal designers, they have intentionally cultivated a diverse range of clients, from spoken word artist to Canada’s largest compact sport car show. This has manifested into a portfolio of abstract to corporate pieces.

Over the years, they have worked with such clients as Royal Bank of Canada, award-winning actor Tonya Williams (Reelworld Film Festival), Importfest, the High Commission of Barbados to Canada and Art Xperiential Projects (TD Black Diamond Ball) and other cultural and not-for-profit events such as WCM (Women in Capital Markets) Vinifera Awards Gala and the Ann Arbor Blues Festival (Michigan, U.S.A.).

Under the umbrella of X Height Media, the sisters are proud of their passion projects they have developed which eschew the status quo. Dn’A is their line of ‘words-only’ glass statement décor pieces that channel their love for typography and the written word. Valley of the Kings, their unprecedented greeting card line, was created for the unlikely audience of the non-living.

Tune-in and enjoy the conversation!

Contact/Social Media info:

Shout outs to: 

@blackdiamondballto: 14:52, @reelworld: 15:43, 

@deandori_ocadu: 30:35,  @kathylegacyvoices: 37:06

Welcome to the 5th episode of my legacy project, Urban Lifestyle Report Podcast and I'm your host Carolyn Morris-Walker. Can I tell you I am absolutely thrilled to have Ishmil Waterman, a multi-talented photographer, retoucher and art director as my guest on this platform that exemplifies BlackNificence & Black Excellence in our community.

Urban Lifestyle Report is a place and space to showcase the many talents of Black and African people who are often invisible, not acknowledged and not celebrated in popular media for their talents, achievements and accomplishments that contributes positively to the community and the world at large.

So, I am delighted when I meet people in my community who are doing  amazing and outstanding work  in a plethora of areas as educators, creatives, influencers, game changers, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, founders, investors change makers, who are igniting, building and transforming our community in a variety of ways and in so many arenas.  They are engaging in these activities full-time. part-time, as a side hustle and making their passions and visions come to life. I believe the community needs to hear about YOU!

Being in the presence of Ishmil Waterman creative works is soul moving, spirit lifting and mind-blowing experience. His work floats between commercial photography and fine art imaging, often fusing the two in experiments meant to grip and captivate the viewer and I can certainly attest to that!

Tune-in and enjoy this conversation!

Contact details:

ISHMIL.COM   

IG: @ishmilwaterman

Special shout out to @jodianne.beckford – 3:25