SpeakUP! International Inc.
ANTI-BLACK RACISM IN ONTARIO EDUCATION
A teacher blocks Black boys from a math club, a student earns a perfect score on an international exam, and the achievement is quietly buried. That story is where our conversation with Kathy McDonald begins, and it quickly widens into a blunt look at how anti-Black racism in education can hide behin...
Systemic Racism You Cannot Fix Without Public Policy
Policy is the quiet force that decides who gets protected, who gets funded, and who gets left out. In November 2023, we’re joined by Velma Morgan, an educator and former Ontario government director of policy who has worked across five ministries and now serves as chair of Operation Black Vote Canada...
Alex (Nosakhare) Ihama: Why Equity is the Missing Piece
We sit down with Mr. Alex Ihama in November 2023 to get practical about anti-racism work, workplace equity, and how to move from public statements to measurable culture change. We also go personal on youth mental health, educator impact, tokenism, and the belief-driven mindset Alex calls “greatness....
BLACKS Never Let Today Define Your Tomorrow! 🚀 #shorts
"Take what you get until you get what you want." This powerful advice fuels resilience through failures and setbacks, reminding us we can always learn, grow, rebuild, and move forward. 🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/G-ZJ7hZD0kg #Resilience #Motivation #PersonalGrowth #NeverGiveUp #Mindset...
Restore Your Purpose: Healing, Renewing Minds & Hearts #shorts
Black pastor Neil Simon is giving back to his community. Heal your heart, renew your mind, and restore your purpose. Discover yourself through prayer, coaching, and community care with the Restore Purpose Network. 🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/G-ZJ7hZD0kg #RestorePurpose #HealingJourney ...
Black Pastor's COVID Food Bank: Dignity & Helping Hands #shorts
During COVID, a self-made food bank emerged from community efforts, assisting those facing financial hardship. This act taught the founder the profound lesson that helping others begins with treating them with dignity. 🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/G-ZJ7hZD0kg #CommunitySupport #COVIDRel...
What if you're a City Councillor promise to respond within 48 hours?
A councillor’s job sounds big, but most residents feel it in small moments: the email that never gets answered, the neighbourhood problem that sits for months, the sense that decisions happen somewhere else and you only hear about them after. We sit down with Neil Simon, a community leader, pastor, ...
Racism Doesn't Survive By Accident
A radio DJ in Philadelphia would say, "The song was so nice we have to do it twice!" In 2024, we introduce you to Kathy Hogarth via an audio podcast. Dr. Hogarth's story is so dense and rich with head-nodding information that we're bringing you the video version of the podcast. Systems don’t change ...
Black History In Canada Does Not Happen By Accident
Black History Month in Canada feels permanent now, but it was never guaranteed. We talk with Rosemary Sadlier, researcher, author, and longtime leader with the Ontario Black History Society, about the unglamorous, determined work it took to move Black History Month from community celebration to nati...
Meeting Black Youth Where They Are
A kid is up at 7:30 a.m. for a program that starts at eight not because it’s trendy, but because it means a real meal, real coaching, and adults who actually listen. That’s the kind of front-line truth Kevin Francis brings to SpeakUP! International, and it’s why his work hits so hard. Kevin is a lif...