Melanistic Magazine - Issue 3 - Melanistic Adventures

melanistic L IF E I N B LA C K FOR THE

love of

adv ent ure

Local Thrill Seekers, Summer Drinks Sunshine Jams ISSUE 3 · SUMMER 2020

&

One Stop

Summer

Shop

melanistic T A B LE O F C O NTEN TS

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IN T H E KNO W 2 K2 0

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14-18 TO LOV E & A DVENT UR E

S A VE T H E DATE

E D I T O R 'S WELCOME

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FO OD ( F R E S H L Y PICKLED)

FOR US;

BY US

29-33 ME L AN I ST I C AD V E N T UR E S

P U B LI SH IN G P A RT NE R S

TH I S I SS U E M A DE P O S S IBLE BY

T OP FI V E S UMMER JAMS

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OUR HISTORY

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H EALT H & W ELLNES S

20-21 22-23 SUMMER D R I NK S

ART S & C ULT URE

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W O R D S E A R CH

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FI T NES S

RES OURC E GUI D E

M E L AN I S T IC MAG AZINE VOL .3 Publisher Greg Davis Editor Taneya Rogers Creative Director Nigel Williams Artistic Director JoAnne Pearce Marketing Director NiLo Public Relations Robert Tyndale C O N T R I B UT OR S Karen and Burt Richards, Kyle Smith, Kyla Pascal, Dr. Sholly Scarlett Debroah Dobbins, Sherole Leslie, Neville Wright Cover Photo NiLo CO NT ACT : melanisticmagazine@gmail.com www.melanisticmagazine.com

In the Know 2k20

BE IN THE KNOW

Image credits: NiLo

With COVID-19, uprisings and murder hornets, here is your quarterly dose of Black Excellence:

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Adam Roosevelt, only 28 years of age, becomes the youngest CEO of a tech giant when he became CEO for environmental health and technology company SEM North America.

Revee Agyepong of Edmonton was one of the First Black Canadian Women cured a year ago of sickle cell disease with a gene sequencing called CRISPR; she is thriving one year later.

Over 15, 000 people came together to march against racism at a Black Lives Matter rally in Edmonton.

DeShaun Spencer founded KweliTV, the first Black woman owned, digital network that streams 24 Hours of Black movies from across America and the globe.

Bishop O.G. Simpson, Pastor of Bethel United Church retires after 43 years of service.

EDI T OR ’S W E LC O ME

Taneya Rogers If Edmonton’s Summer were to be granted a theme song, I’d imagine it to be this favourite from Bob Marley:

“Sun is shining and the weather is sweet, makes you want to move your dancing feet, TO THE RESCUE, here I am”.

With the never-ending oddities and heaviness of 2020, these full-sunshine, melanin-recharging, get-yourglow-back summer days are therapeutic to this islandgirl. The ability to be outdoors again is a salvation from the insanity and in this issue we are enlisting you for some summertime rejuvenation. Beyond our spotlight staples, find custom cocktails for the socially distant backyard gatherings, a range of Melanistic Adventures and get to know our local thrill-seekers. Our aim is to inveigle you to broaden boundaries, venture outside, create new memories and shatter limiting stereotypes.

save the date WH AT' S O N T HI S Q UARTER?

Multicultural Month

BY T H E E D M ON T O N HERI TA GE FESTI VA L A S S O C I ATIO N The E d m o n to n H er ita g e Fe st i val Ass oci atio n p r ese n ts t he i r f i r st Multi cul tur a l Mo n th, f e at u r i ng an expa n siv e o n l in e sho w cas e of m ulticu l tur a l ism th r o u g h o u t August. T hey ha v e p a r t ne r e d wi th lo ca l cul tur a l g r o u p s and restaur a n ts to p r o v id e acce s s t o a di verse cu l in a r y ex p e r i e nce f r o m across Ed m o n to n . It’ s a ce le br at i o n of cult u r e a n d a l so su p po r t s so m e of our lo ca l b usin esse s .

heritagefest.ca

WHEN: ALL OF AUGUST 2O2O

Image credits: Edmonton Heritage Festival Association

Cariwest 2020

BY T H E W ES T E R N C A RNIVA L D EV E L O P M E N T A S S O C IATIO N Cariwest may not be “on de road” for 2020 but will most certainly be “on de web”. The 36th annual edition of Cariwest will be a virtual celebration of carnival culture. Steelpan, drumming, live bands, storytelling and a carnival sound clash, all come together for a weekend of Caribbean culture and entertainment, streaming free online.

cariwest.ca

WHEN: AUGUST 7-9, 2020 Image credit: Cariwest

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top summer jams by: Nilo

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Ah h h h h h - S u m m er… ... All t h e j a ms rin gin g ou t from t h e sp e a kers , bac kya rd b bq s , t u r n i n g - up a t red ligh t s . T o h elp yo u e x e cu t e you r s u m m er pu m p , h e r e i s you r T op 5 lis t - S weet S o u n d s of S u m m er E dit ion :

SUMMERTIME - WILL SMITH AND JAZZ Y JEFF

It’ s i n t h e n a me ! T h i s cl a ssi c d es c ribes t h e s e a s o n i n su ch a p e r f e ct w a y t h a t it FE E L S l i k e su mme r t i me .

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SUMMERTIME - V YBEZ KARTEL

T h i s so n g e x u d e s d rivin g t h rou gh J a ma i ca g e t t i n g a ll you r frien ds t o g e t h e r a n d g o i n g down t o t h e b eac h .

GO OD DAY - ICE CUBE

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An y d a y yo u D O N” T h ave t o u s e yo u r AK A, q u i t e h on es t ly. T h e At l a n t i c d i d a l yr ic al a n a lys is an d co n cl u d e d t h a t t h is day was J a n u a r y 20, 1991.

CRUISIN BY SMOKEY ROBINS ON

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T h i s so n g h a s b e e n r e - d o n e so ma n y t i me s b u t this original is unbeatable; si mp l y smo o t h .

ANY THING S O CA

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B e m a d i f yo u wa n t ; ma d n e ss i s e xa c tl y w ha t t h i s h e a r t - t h u mp i n g m us i c w e l co me s. S o ca w i l l ma k e a ny f o o t ta p a n d i s e f f e ct i v e e v e n i n the d e a d o f wi n t e r : I t ’ s su mme r w he n So c a i s p l a yi n g .

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FRESHLY

Pickled

At their height in the 1960’s and early 1970’s the Black Panther Party was feeding thousands of children through their food programs in chapters across the United States. This radical group of Black visionaries recognized that to have healthy and happy Black communities, the people needed access to healthy and delicious foods. Being able to grow your own food and being able to cook and preserve it for later are important ways for Black people to connect with the land, be self-sufficient, and stay healthy.

Home Gardening

The great thing about gardening is you can work with the space you have. If you have a backyard, creating garden plots or boxes allow for growing a variety of vegetables and fruits. If space is limited, container gardening provides a great alternative to growing herbs and some smaller vegetables.

For additional resources, check out Black Creek Community Farm or Sundance Harvest, two Canadian farms operated by Black folks.

Looking for inspiration? Check out MOJO JOJO

PickleS, a local Black woman owned business in Edmonton.

Home Preserving

Whether you grow your own harvest, go to the river to pick Saskatoon berries, or head to a local farmers market, preserving fruits and vegetables is a great way to extend your summer supply. Pickles, jams, and salsas are just a few of the ways that you can preserve your harvest.

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Community Garden

A great option if you have limited space for gardening at home and a great way to connect with your neighbourhood is through community gardens. There are over 80 community gardens throughout Edmonton, which are typically connected through community leagues or places of worship.

Sustainable Food Edmonton offers information on community gardens in Edmonton; find one near you!

by: kyla pascal

A N EX PLORATIO N O F OUR HISTO R Y

We are the Roots Did you know that over 1200 Black people ventured North from the U.S. to Western Canada in the early 1900’s? Shiloh Centre for Multicultural Roots (SCMR) is grounded in that mosaic of rich, inclusive African American Canadian heritage and is preserving and sharing cultural/historical legacies, achievements and celebrations of this unique group of people. Their awardwinning documentary ‘We are the Roots: Black Settlers and their Experiences of Discrimination on the Canadian Prairies’ relays intergenerational historical accounts of prairie Black homesteaders; an almost invisible history that needs to be acknowledged. Online viewing is available at www.baileyandsoda.com. Add it to your favourites list to watch this summer.

Edmonton’s Royal Alberta Museum exhibition, ‘I Am From Here’, also shares exemplar stories of the descendants of Alberta’s early Black pioneers. Play the jukebox while sitting at ‘Hattie’s Chicken Inn’ classic diner booth, learn about Black life in the settlements, and try a piece of pie from ‘The Slice’s menu. Explore what it means to say, “I am from here.”

The Beaver family, 1965 Courtesy of the Beaver family

Walker & Ivy Beaver Courtesy of the Beaver family

Yvonne and Ladell Bowen, 1945 - Courtesy of Myrna (Bowen) Wisdom

Annie Beaver, 1938/39 Courtesy of the Beaver family

SCMR’s ‘We Are The Roots’ documentary and RAM ‘I Am From Here’ exhibition creates a timely forum for raising the public consciousness about systemic racism and are both must-see viewing adventures while visiting the sites in Edmonton.

Lossie Lane, 1960 Courtesy of Rose Mary Holland

For more information: Facebook: shilohcmr@gmail.com Website: royalalbertamuseum.ca

by: Deborah Dobbins

Lloyd Mayes, 1941 Courtesy of the Mayes family

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Advertorial

HOME

OWNERSHIP

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With Errol Scott

Let’s discuss buying your first property and some of the initial costs that go into it, whether it is for investment or your new residence.

The first thing to note is that working with a Realtor to purchase a property is 100% free.

It is always a good idea to have an agent on your side to guide you through the process, particularly if it is a new home. Did I mention that this service is FREE? So why wouldn’t you give yourself the negotiating advantage?

Here are 4 initial costs in the home buying process:

#1: LOAN DOWN PAYMENT:

#2: INITIAL DEPOSIT:

This depends on the type of Mortgage Program you and your lender decide is best for you. Typically down payments range anywhere from 5% to 20% on conventional loans. If you have not done so already, I recommend talking to a Lender ASAP to explore which program would work for you. If you are considering investing, why not gather a couple friends and create a game-plan to start owning investment properties?

For context, a $300k purchase with 20% down would be a $15,000 upfront cost, split between 4 partners.

This is a “Good Faith” up front deposit that will be applied to your down payment. This is an immediate deposit, due upon acceptance of your offer to show you are serious about purchasing this home. This deposit is refundable and typically $5000.

Follow me on IG @Hardbodyrealtor Connect with me 780-271-1114 www.errolscott.com

#3: APPRAISAL FEE: This can potentially be another cost required by the lender. An appraisal is typically mandated on any home that is being purchased with a loan to assess the value of the property.

#4: INSPECTION: We highly recommend that you have your home inspected by a licensed certified inspector to ensure the home is in acceptable condition before moving forward. Home inspection costs can vary depending on the size of the home and the scope of the inspection. On average, it’s always safe to budget between $525-$600.

Some other key factors to consider in preparing for the process:

1. Get your pre-approval in place.

2. Decide what price point fits your budget 3. Decide what neighborhood you would like settle in 4. Decide on any special features you would like in your next home (bonus room, three-car garage, en-suite, etc) These factors lay the foundation to confidently get the ball rolling on your new home search.

Stay tuned as we start diving into investing!

It’s a lot simpler than you think!

By The Way... I’m Never Too Busy For Your Referrals

Health & Wellness

WITH SHOLLY SCARLETT REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST

COVID-19 has brought forth issues of social, economic, and racial barriers that Black communities have had to face for years. As a psychologist, I noticed an increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as hopelessness and suicidal ideations. The restrictions currently enforced in Alberta such as social distancing, small gatherings, and church services being virtual, brought forth a new trauma that has old wounds attached to it.

From what my clients have shared with me, they have not had the luxury of worrying about their mental health; they were concerned about keeping their jobs, taking care of their children (and sometimes parents), making sure there was food on the table, and that they had enough money to pay for their mortgage.

COVID-19 has reinforced societal and intergenerational constructs that have been pillars of Black communities. Constructs such as “work hard, pray harder”, “don’t complain be grateful” or the mentality of being a “strong Black woman” through this pandemic.

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As a mental health professional and Black woman, who has had a live experience of living up to those constructs, I was questioning myself on how I was delivering mental health services.

Before the pandemic clients would come to me and meet in my office and now, clients have the opportunity to do tele-health by phone or video. COVID-19 brought out a new way for me to connect with my clients and my community.

I recently joined a community of Black therapists who formed the Alberta Black Therapists Network, dedicating their time to reach out to

their communities to have an open dialogue about mental health as well as cultural and racial barriers. I can have open conversations about race and the delivery of mental health services to colleagues and others that may not be aware of racial disparity.

What COVID-19 has done, is allowed the conversation to get started. The conversation must keep going for change to happen. I look forward to being a part of this conversation for years to come.

Reach out. Let’s Talk. Let’s hold space for transformation and change. sojournspaces.com

“Reach out.

Let’s talk.

LET’S HOLD SPACE FOR TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGE.”

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CHEERS TO LOVE, ADVENTURE AND REDEFINING THE RULES...

BY: BURT & KAREN RICHARDS

ONE COUPLE’S JOURNEY ON THE A M A Z I N G R A C E C A N A D A

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A

s a couple, we can honestly say CTV’s Amazing Race Canada is hard – but we can just as easily say that real life is hard as well.

The camera doesn’t just add ten pounds, but it can add ten years to your relationship. Our experience on The Amazing Race Canada allowed us to experience corners of the world and corners of our relationship that we did not even know were to be explored. You grow and cement a relationship through challenge.

moulds ascribed to us, we had to put our money where our mouths were.

Applying was an opportunity to test our mettle, travel free and flex some ego. We could not continue to say, “I could do that” without trying it out.

“You grow and cement a relationship through challenge”

Have you ever really challenged yourself? It’s not everyday that we forsake the comforts of our modern world and deliberately put ourselves into situations where we want to give up, but don’t. We live in a world of luxury where couples are trying to levelup to live a life of chinchilla coats and house maids. We focus our collective energies on how to expend less energy as a species. This is where we set ourselves apart – at least for a year.

It became a family tradition to sit around, yell at the TV and self-righteously proclaim “I could do that”. As creative, adventurous people, who do not fit into many of the

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Once we were actually chosen to participate in the race, one of the greatest opportunities we saw was for us to showcase Black love on a national stage. We take pride in our brown-skinned relationship and all that it’s brought to the world: examples of raw melanin-love for others to see, beautiful Black babies, ingredients to spark The Revolution.

That’s ‘Team Richards’.

It was so important that we present a positive Black Canadian couple on this platform. Yet, as much as Black love was at the forefront of our ability to role model, we recognize our privilege. We are the ‘right kind’ of Black with white names and white teeth that smile enough to make white people feel comfortable.

Buppies – Black Urban Professionals like the Huxstables. We are proud of being positive contributors to

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our family and communities, and demonstrate that for our children.

We live by the philosophy that we must support each other. When faced with the obstacles of everyday life, we must lift each other up. In travelling to foreign countries and testing our farthest limits, we never stayed down together.

It is important to remember you are unique, and the phrase “Black people don’t” only serves to keep you in a box. They say, “Black people don’t swim”. And we don’t, really; but we made it work. Adventure was calling.

We seek it out – even if driving around small-town Alberta. There can be uncomfortable moments but there can be unforgettable ones too. “Black folks don’t go into the wilderness”.

We do it all the time. “Black people can’t go to China” – we did admittedly worry about that one. All stereotypes have some threads of truth.

“It is important to remember you are unique, and the phrase

‘BLACK PEOPLE DON’T’

only serves to keep you in a box”

One lesson learned from the experience is that you CANNOT do all the things you see on TV. All the right decisions you make from your couch are complicated by random strangers, excitement, fear and adrenaline.

That said, here are the some of the principles that sustained us:

TEAM RICHARDS RULES: a partner that 1. Choose you can be with in close

quarters, with very little entertainment - Sequester is like quarantine without the TV.

Burt navigate – anyone 2. Let can drive. What makes us

strong is knowing when to lead and when to follow.

Giving each other the trust and grace to take the roles that balance strengths and shortcomings.

know if you have 3. Tosucceeded, you must set your markers of success before you embark.

Balance each other. When

4. one of you is down, the

other is up. You cannot remain down together.

importantly, leave 5. Most the same way you came: Together.

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All Image Credits: The Amazing Race Canada

US

FOR BY

BLACK BOYS CODE BY: TANEYA ROGERS

Black Boys Code, was founded by Bryan Johnson in 2015 with the first chapter established in Vancouver. The program was his response to a noticeable lack of Black people in STEM careers.

(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

As enshrined in the program’s name, the goal is to inspire a generation of Black boys to take control of their future. The program creates an opportunity for them to become tomorrow’s digital creators and technological innovators. The focus of the program is to develop digital literacy and computer competence. The organization lays the building blocks for an educational path towards a career in the technology field.

The Edmonton Chapter began in November 2019. The workshops are normally hosted once a month on Saturdays at a local University. Due to COVID-19 and the increased safety requirements, workshops are being held weekly on-line until restrictions are lifted. Registration for all of the workshops are available through the website, www.Blackboyscode.ca.

The ongoing success of the program hinges on securing dedicated volunteers; this continues to be a challenge. If you are interested in investing your time to help mentor young Black technology leaders of tomorrow, please contact Mike Manasseh, Chapter Leader for Edmonton at mike.manasseh@ blackboyscode.com or 780-504-3669.

Image credits: KRG Photography

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Summer

Drinks Melanistic Magic Individual Servings INGREDIENTS Instant coffee Milo 1 can condensed milk 1 can whipped cream

4 drops Token cherry bitters 1 pack shredded coconut

2020 has placed limits on our entertainment options, however our love and appetite for tasty, refreshing summer beverages remains intact. For our Summer 2020 issue we have brought together two local brands, Rig Hand and Token Bitters, to create a pair of originally Melanistic ideas to appease your thirst for liquored - libations this season.

Melanistic

Magic

Spiced Brum Crushed ice Whole milk

Glass Prep Apply a thick coat of condensed milk on the rim of your glass mug. Dip into the coconut flakes. Put in the fridge to set.

Mixing Time Pour hot water into your mug about a 1/4 of the way. Add 3 tablespoons of milo and 3 tablespoons of instant coffee.

Mix well. Add a 1/4 cup of whole milk. Add 2 teaspoons of condensed milk. Add about 4 ice cubes.

Whipped Layer Add 4 tablespoon instant coffee to 4 teaspoon hot water and whip until it becomes smooth. Add some cream to adjust the colour of the mixture (optional) and pour over your drink. Top with whipped cream and serve immediately!

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Peachy

Keen

Peachy Keen Serves 5 INGREDIENTS

1 can sliced peaches 1 bottle lemonade (brand of choice) 6 shots or Pinky Swear 4 Drops of Token Lavender Whyte Bitters 3 1/2 Cup ice cubes 4 leaves of fresh mint Lime juice Coarse salt

Glass Prep & Garnishh Dip the rim of your glass in lime juice. Rotate the rim in the coarse salt for a good coating. Chill in fridge until ready to serve. For your topper, use a large toothpick or a short straw, skewer a sliced peach, sliced lime and mint leaf.

Mixing Time Place all the ingredients in a blender of crushed iced. Blend until you have smooth froth on top. Do not over blend.

Pour into your chilled glass and enjoy.

Image credits: NiLo

RECIPES BY: SHEROL LESLIE

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Arts & fetsum

Teclemariam

Born to traditional farmers in Eritrea, Fetsum Teclemariam’s artwork leans into the simplicity of his culture and is inspired by the delicate beauty of the landscapes of his homeland.

“I grew up in a community in Africa where I was not allowed to express my thoughts, concerns, and feelings in public - speaking out had terrible consequences. As a result, I started to express, my anger, frustrations, sense of betrayal, joy and beauty through my paintings, and still do.”

As an immigrant, he celebrates the city’s multiculturalism and uniqueness of different seasons, constantly seeking to mirror this splendor through his artwork. He does confess that he yearns for deeper connections with the Edmonton art community. This desire ripples even into his comparison of his work to Meadi (Kala), a traditional Eritrean meal shared from a single dish- an act of communion, trust and unity.

Man With Camel

Currently on display at the Bugera Matheson Gallery, Edmonton, you are encouraged to become acquainted with this local artist.

bugeramathesongallery.com Braiding

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Culture By: Taneya rogers

adrian

louden

Adrian Louden’s curiosity in muralism and street art was sparked as a child, while on a casual drive with his mother.

The Jamaican/Canadian artist continues to hone his craft; conjuring dreams to be scaled-up and effectively manifested as paint on different surfaces.

AJ expresses that we have deprived ourselves of the very human proclivity to decorate one’s environment. Instead, we have chosen to outsource this task to corporations, specifically for public spaces. The result: Spaces inundated with more advertisements than art, feeding the consumerism insanity. “Making human marks particularly in corporately hegemonic public spaces is inherently a political act - it’s a strike at the illusion of dominance and control.”

Adrian is inspired by local savant, Trevor Peters, the co-founder of Rust Magic Festival. The festival ushered a tidal wave of muralism that transformed the downtown core, resulting in over 50 world-class, large scale pieces and drastically changing the trajectory of visual culture in the city forever.

When asked to align his work with a music genre, AJ gravitated immediately to Hip Hop, which lends itself to sampling, rearranging and reframing, much like the art form of muralism. @ajalouden

Blue Wall Colab

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Advertorial

S

AY IT LOUD promotes Black Pride and Positive Cultural Identity through STEM, Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation, Literary, Culinary, Visual Performance and Fashion Arts. The initiative

showcases Black youth who as artists, founders and trailblazers, challenge anti-Black stereotypes and subsequently leave a positive impact on all communities across Canada.

SAY IT LOUD fait la promotion de la fierté noire à travers les arts visuels, performance et arts culinaires, la technologie, l’entrepreneuriat et l’innovation sociale. L’initiative met en vedette des jeunes Noirs qui, artistes, fondateurs, pionniers et leaders d’opinion contestent les stéréotypes anti-noirs et laissent un impact positif sur les communautés noires du Canada.

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Log on to www.sayitloudcanada.com and learn more about your chance to EARN an all expenses paid trip to Ottawa in Feb. 2021 and represent Alberta at the NATIONAL BLACK YOUTH SUMMIT.

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OUR FOUNDERS

Farley Flex

SAY IT LOUD YEG TEAM

Roderick Brereton

AMBASSADOR S P OT L I G HT Cherelle George SAY IT LOUD EDMONTON

Name: Mboya Nicholson Hometown: Edmonton Profession: Jazz musician Born and raised in Edmonton, Mboya trained in classical piano in his early years, before discovering his love for Jazz. Having traveled the globe and

SAY IT LOUD YYC TEAM

Greg Davis SAY IT LOUD EDMONTON

MelVee X SAY IT LOUD CALGARY

performed with world renowned musicians and orchestras, Mboya definitely, “Says It Loud” with each performance and composition.

Black youth from coast to coast, will showcase their brilliance, ingenuity and social consciousness, for a chance to represent their community at the SAY IT LOUD! National Black Youth Summit. The summit will be held in our nation’s capital, February 2021, during the 25th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada.

SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS AND EARN AN ALL EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO OTTAWA AND REPRESENT YOUR CITY AT THE UPCOMING NATIONAL BLACK YOUTH SUMMIT

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES: T E C H N O LO G Y

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HOW TO ENTER: Visit us online at sayitloudcanada.com to submit your ideas and remember to SAY IT LOUD!

M Thank you

TO ALL OUR

ESSENTIAL

WORKERS You kept us safe, fed, healthy, mobile, and connected We Appreciate You We Love You

from team melanistic

ADVENTURES

MELANISTIC

BY: TANEYA ROGERS

The complicated interaction of a lack of or restricted access and basic geography feeds a stereotypical list of sporting and outdoor activities that ‘Black people don’t do’. I’ve always rejected this notion that anyone would be granted so much power over my existence as to dictate what hobbies best suit me, particularly when it’s based merely on the colour of my skin.

Our team embarked on a mission to fracture these fallacies by taking the lead on some summer Melanistic Adventures. Our challenge to each reader is to wrangle your cohorts both for safety and for the creation of more amazing memories; take on a new local adventure and shatter a few stereotypes while you’re at it.

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WATER

DEVON RIVER FLOAT WEBSITE: riverlifestyle.ca COST: $20 adults & $18 per child WHAT’S INVOLVED: Jump in for this 1 hour float at Voyager park and drift effortlessly to the Lion’s Campground exit point.

TIPS: Keep a keen eye for the exit point but don’t panic if you do miss it. There is both an alternate stop-off and a rescue boat ready to launch if needed (Don’t ask why we know this).

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SUNSET CANOE WEBSITE: edmontoncanoe.com COST: $100/boat that carries two adults WHAT’S INVOLVED: This water-lovers’ activity takes participants on a cool 16 km evening cruise down the North Saskatchewan River, launching from Laurier Park and ending at Capilano park.

TIPS: Water and a camera are essential to capture a unique view of downtown Edmonton.

AIR SKY DIVING WEBSITE: edmontonskydive.com COST: $279 for a Tandem Jump WHAT’S INVOLVED: All you adrenaline junkies this activity is for you. Show up, take a 30 min video course, jump in a plane, rise to 10’000 feet, jump in tandem with a licensed, experienced instructor and have the time of your life. Literally.

TIPS: Make sure to wear closely fitted attire and strap your harness in tight, because you will be plunging at speeds over 200km/h.

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LAND

CRESCENT FALLS HIKE WEBSITE: albertaparks.ca COST: Gas money WHAT’S INVOLVED: Take a leisurely 3.5 hour drive to the campgrounds. The pet-friendly hiking trails brings you to one of the top waterfalls in Alberta, nestled in the foothills. Enjoy views of the waterfall from various distances and elevations.

TIPS: Proper footwear with a hard sole as you will be walking on rocks, roots and uneven ground. Plan your fuel stops ahead of time, as gas stations are a rare sighting on this drive.

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HORSEBACK RIDING AND ARCHERY WEBSITE: birchbayranch.com COST: $210 for both activities for a group of up to 10 WHAT’S INVOLVED: Following a simplified instructional on managing your animal, take a guided ride deep into the woods, circling back to the campgrounds to meet your archery team-lead for some stiff competition.

TIPS: Long pants are highly recommended on the trail rides as you work through heavy brushes. Trust your sure-footed steed on the rugged terrain.

MELANISTIC FITNESS BY: NEVILLE WRIGHT IG: @nwright021

COVID-19 deeply affected us with all the restrictions; it forced people to slow down.

Many became creative and sought alternative fitness options from the comfort of their homes, backyards or even open fields. Now that services and workspaces are reopening, we must ensure that we do not regress to our busy schedules while neglecting our personal health.

Here are a list of some simple tips you can follow to stay on top of your overall health:

1

Eating habits: Try to maintain a balance of energy consumption (food) and energy expenditure (activity); furthermore, try consuming more nutrient dense (healthy) vs energy dense (high sugar, high fat) foods.

2

Start your day with diaphragmatic breathing (belly breathing) for 5 minutes. It is a great way to manage stress and calm your nervous system.

3

Develop a movement-mobility routine. Start with waking even 10 minutes earlier to get it done.

Example: 1 set x 10 reps of Jumping Jacks Shuffles Mountain Climbers Body Squats Cervical (Neck) range of motion (neck rolls, flexion, extension, rotation) Hip 90/90 Thoracic 90/90 Cat/Camel

4

“Motion is Lotion.� Commit at least 30 minutes a day towards movement or activity. Take movement breaks, especially if you are standing or sitting all day.

34 MELANISTIC

Learn proper body mechanics to preserve your joints. Use proper lifting mechanics, especially if you are in a field that is physically demanding.

5

Invest in fitness equipment such as resistance bands or a bicycle. These can be budget friendly, non-weightbearing pieces of equipment to assist in your workouts, mobility and rehabilitation.

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resource guide

RETAIL

Azurys Jewellers 10072 Jasper Ave Edmonton, AB T5J 1V8 (780) 271 - 7272 www.azurys.ca Bamboo Ballroom 8206 104 St NW Edmonton, AB, T6E 2A2 (780) 439 - 1363 bambooballroom.ca Kasoa Tropical Food Market Ltd 9340 118 Avenue Edmonton, AB, T5G 0N6 (780) 328 - 1751 kasoatropicalfood.com KlassicKoutique 10709 105 St Edmonton, AB stanfordnicola@yahoo.com Kny Apperal info@kynapparel.ca kynapparel.ca Londonderry Mall 1-Londonderry Mall NW Edmonton, AB, T5C 3C8 londonderrymall.com Mama Afro Beauty Supply 9323 118 Ave NW Edmonton, AB, T5G 0N3 (780) 477 - 8511 Oluchi Nayaa Creates connections and cultural experiences through conscious fashion, travel and spiritual support www.nayaa.ca

Token Bitters An Edmonton original brand uses organically sourced ingredients from local farmers and businesses, and bottled without chemicals or preservatives. Token Bitters’ handcrafted artisanal aromatic bitters, adds a layer of flavour complexity to cocktails, mocktails and coffee. A few drops are guaranteed to elevate your bartending game. www.tokenbitters.com info@TokenBitters.com

dining Blue Nile Authentic Ethiopian Restaurant 11019 107 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5H 3G2 (780) 428-5139 Irie Foods 2807 Mill Woods Rd NW Edmonton, AB T6K 4A9 (780) 414-1341 iriefoods.ca Island Grill 15203 Stony Plain Rd Edmonton, AB, T5P 3Y4 islandgrillalberta.com Koultures AfroContinental Restaurant 8803 118 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5B 0T3 (780) 244 - 3500 Langano Skies Ethiopian Restaurant 9920 82 Ave NW Edmonton, AB, T6E 1Y9 (780) 432 - 3334 langanoskies.com

Mumbai Dakar Restaurant 4322 118 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5W 1A6 (780) 474 - 0833

Safron’s Caribbean Delight 8155 112 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5B 0G1 (780) 474 - 9005 The Tantalizers 2976 Ellwood Dr SW Edmonton, AB T6X 0W6 (587) 498 - 1028 thetantalizersca.com Tiramisu Bistro 10750 124 St, Edmonton, AB T5M 0H1 (780) 452 - 3393 www.tiramisubistro.ca

services A1 Freight Forwarding 1 (800) 280 - 0277 a1freightforwarding.com Africa Centre 6770 129 Ave NW #106 Edmonton, AB T5C 1V7 (780) 455 - 5423 africacentre.ca Afrodisiac Natural Shop 11445 124 St Unit 211 Edmonton, AB, T5M 0K4 (780) 964 - 7117 afrodisiacnaturals.com Aisle to Island Weddings (780) 887 - 1430 Audrey French Photography audreynfrench@gmail.com

37

resource guide services

N.T.P. Mechanical (780) 903 - 9905

Dog Boarding Paradise Instagram: @dogboardingparadise Email: dogboardingparadise. yeg@outlook.com

SP Events jasmine@spevents.ca spevents.ca

Errol Scott Realty Group Full Time & Full-Service Real Estate Professional delivering world-class service and doing whatever it takes to make my clients’ Real Estate goals & dreams become a reality!

Contact: Errol Scott (780) 271 - 1114 info@errolscott.com become a reality!

Contact: Errol Scott Genesis Control Systems LTD. Smart home systems (780)983-9877 info@genesiscontrolsystems. com genesiscontrolsystems.com GMD Auto Werks 10508 11010 166a St NW Edmonton, AB T5P 4H6 (780) 758 - 2691 gmdautowerks.com Hidden Continent Travel 10508 107 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5H 0W2 (403) 594 - 1112 Insecure Fitness Insta: @insecure_fitness insecurefitness@gmail.com Legacy Barbershop & Salon 8930 Jasper Ave Edmonton, AB, T5H 4E9 (587) 928 - 2840 MP Cubed Media Photography/ Cinematography/Certified Drone Pilot Insta: @mp_cubed_media (647) 471 - 7637

38 MELANISTIC

Socafit – Caribbean Dance and Fitness Classes If you want to learn some new moves, get a great workout in, or you just want to have a fun night out, Socafit is here to bring you an authentic experience.

Classes are open level and catered to all ages. Private and group sessions are available. Currently offering online only sessions. info@socafit.ca socafit.ca SMRT Health Center 14256 23 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T6R 3B9 (780) 705 - 0450 smrthealth.com Synergy Health 5117-55 Ave Edmonton, AB T6B 3V1 info@synergy-health.ca (780) 450 – 0507 synergy-health.ca The Bar 6009 86 Street Edmonton, AB T6E-2X4 (780) 468 - 6560 thebarfitness.ca Yves Salon 10340 134 St NW Edmonton, AB T5N 2B1 (780) 604 - 0301 yvessalon.com Zoë Medical Clinic 6572 170 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5Y 3X6 (780) 475 - 9635 zoemedical.ca

community groups Cameroon Association of Edmonton (780) 394 - 0412 cae-ace.ca

Cariwest - Western Carnival Development Association (780) 394 - 0412 cariwest.ca Congo Association of Edmonton (587) 987 - 0363 Ethiopian Community Association in Edmonton (780) 405 - 3782 ethio-edmonton.org Friends of Barbados friendsofbarbadosedm@gmail. com GFAE (Ghana Friendship Association of Edmonton) ghanaalberta.com Jamaica Association of Northern Alberta (JANA) (780) 423 - 5262 National Black Coalition of Canada www.nbccedmonton.ca Nigerian Association of Alberta (780) 437 - 9769 Rwandese Canadian Community of Edmonton (RCCE) (780) 686 - 2016 Senegalese Association of Edmonton (780) 932 - 6097 Somali-Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton (780) 267 - 7992 somaliedmonton.com Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Association Of Edmonton 16712 113 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5M 3P9 (780) 455 - 5310 Zimbabwe Cultural Society of Alberta (780) 902 - 1270 zimaa2004@yahoo.com

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