Andrew Bakare is a visionary entrepreneur and founder of **AfrobeatsMTL**, a platform dedicated to celebrating and promoting Afrobeat culture in Montreal and beyond. Through AfrobeatsMTL, Andrew connects diverse audiences with the vibrant energy of Afrobeat music, dance, and events, fostering a sense of community and cultural appreciation.

With a passion for innovation and cultural representation, Andrew leverages his expertise to create impactful events and initiatives that spotlight Afrobeat's global influence. His dedication to creativity, collaboration, and community engagement has established him as a leader in Montreal's Afrobeat and cultural scene.

All this and more on today's episode of the OFC Podcast Radio.

Ryan Knight is a dynamic social entrepreneur, business coach, and advocate for Black business empowerment. He co-founded the Afro-Caribbean Business Network (ACBN) to provide mentorship, funding opportunities, and networking resources to support the growth of Black-owned businesses. Through ACBN, Knight has focused on removing historical barriers for Black entrepreneurs by promoting equity and access to resources. His organization collaborates with over 3,000 businesses and partners with institutions to conduct research that addresses the unique needs of Black entrepreneurs.

Knight is also the founder of *Detailing Knights*, a social enterprise that enables youth to gain business experience by running their own mobile car detailing franchises. He serves on several boards, including the Peel Learning Foundation and the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet), where he advocates for social enterprise models that build sustainable communities.

Ryan shares this and more on today's OFC Podcast Radio.

Dr. Joan Samuels-Dennis is the visionary founder of Becoming Canada Inc. and the Village of Peace. With a profound commitment to fostering healing in corporate cultures and promoting wellness in communities, she collaborates with top-tier North American nonprofits, corporations, and educational institutions. Dr. Joan holds a Ph.D. in Nursing and Mental Health Promotion and is an expert in trauma recovery, community development, and Truth, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation processes.

Renowned for her transformative keynotes, she captivates audiences with her storytelling prowess and powerful insights. Her achievements include multiple merit awards, such as the Canada International Black Women of Excellence award. Dr. Joan’s extensive research led to the creation of *Smashing The Mirror*, a groundbreaking trauma recovery model. She has also pioneered *The Forgiveness Method*, building on her decade-plus experience as an RN-psychotherapist to drive positive change in corporate and academic environments.

Dr. Joan’s authentic connection with audiences comes from her real-life experiences in health and mental health, delivering talks that inspire genuine transformation and motivate lasting impact. This and more on today's episode of OFC Podcast Radio.

Today, Nadya’s Blue Diamond draws its inspiration from Nadia Cénacle, its founder. As an entrepreneurial mother, philanthropist, and cancer survivor, Nadia is passionately committed to this important cause.

In collaboration with co-founder Jerry Carie, the organization aims to raise awareness within the Black community, as well as other diverse groups, about the issues surrounding mental health.

Nadya’s Blue Diamond acts as a catalyst for change by organizing successful events such as the Mental Health Fair and implementing innovative initiatives like the creation of a web series.

These projects offer informative sessions led by experts from various industries, thereby providing valuable resources and crucial knowledge for the community. Hear more on today's episode of OFC Podcast Radio.

Today, in her own words Anastasia Marcelin," president of the EBF NAPPY FAMILY company. I am the northern and southern woman, I am a trench between two countries that I love. In one side, I am Haitian first, I was born and I grew up in Haiti, I had the most beautiful moments of my life in Haiti and my umbilical cord was buried there. On the other side, in Canada, specifically the province of Quebec which is my home ground, gave me a priceless gift; that is changing. This land has taught me how to transform things and how to adapt to situations around us. I studied in the dental field; nonetheless, I am also a hairdresser, makeup artist, stylist, event organizer and I do a little comedy show especially in Haitian plays. My profession in a word is: working on self-esteem, and I believe in what I do and I know it can bring something positive to Haiti because it was the case in Quebec. Quebec showed me that to be heard, to have a positive impact and to be respected, we have to become that strong voice for ourselves and others. Lastly, I have learned that we should always go ahead, have faith in God, and dare to succeed ". Hear more on today's episode of OFC Podcast Radio.

VerCetty's creative works speculate addressing social issues and the imaginative futures of representation and preservation of the memories of people of African descent. VerCetty's is one of the foundational leaders of the international Black Speculative Arts Movement (BSAM) and started the BSAM Canada Institute chapter in 2016 to help combat anti-Black systemic erasure and improve the art industry for artists of African descent in the creative industry of Canada. VerCetty is the co-editor of the first Canadian Afrofuturism art anthology, Cosmic Underground Northside: An Incantation of Black Canadian Speculative Discourse and Innerstandings (2020), which includes the contributions from 30 writers and highlights works of over 100 Black Canadian artists documenting the growing contemporary art movement of Afrofuturism in the country.

Through his work, he hopes to engage minds and inspire hearts to help to make the world a better place not only for today but for many tomorrows to come. Listen in on today's episode of OFC Podcast Radio.

West-Can, a non-profit organization our mission is to use the performing arts to create community among people from the West Indies and their allies. We are dedicated to preserving, sharing, creating and promoting Caribbean arts, culture and heritage.

The group has expanded its horizons to include Haitian folklore and traditional African dance styles. During its 30+ years of existence West-Can has touched the hearts of many with their exciting performances, theatrical presentations and drum and dance workshops. Over the years West-Can has offered drum and dance classes to the children of the Caribbean community, ensuring that the rich Caribbean folk culture is passed down to the next generation.

The group has maintained its position as an ambassador of Caribbean folk culture throughout Quebec and Canada and has performed at Montreal Grand Prix, Nuits d’Afrique, The International Reggae Festival, Montreal Caribbean Fashion week 2015 and the International Folk Festival in Drummondville, Quebec and at the 32nd edition of the Folklore Festival in Schoten, Belgium (Werelddansfestival Hello! Schoten). The company has also performed in various festivals in Ontario, Western Canada and the museum of Natural History in Manhattan. Recently (June 2013), West-Can was invited to perform at the Port-of-Spain Town Hall as well as participate in the re enactment of the Canboulay riots of 1881 (March 2014, February 2016, February 2018). All this and more on today's OFC Podcast Radio.

With us today is Ms. Christine Mark

Founder & Artistic Director of Ben Frito & Cultural Arts Performing Company

Ms. Mark is a dedicated leader from the Belmont community and the visionary behind Ben Frito & Cultural Arts Performing Company, which she founded in 1998. For over 26 years, Christine has been at the forefront of preserving the traditional culture of Trinidad and Tobago through the performing arts. As the Artistic Director and Vice President of the company, her work focuses on folk dance, music, drama, and drumming, while also introducing young people to a variety of artistic disciplines.

Under Christine’s leadership, Ben Frito & Cultural Arts Performing Company teaches five core disciplines: music, dance, drumming, drama, and arts & crafts. The group was created to keep young people engaged and off the streets, offering them a meaningful path through the performing arts while teaching them about their cultural heritage.

Christine’s commitment to fostering creativity, tradition, and community continues to inspire the youth, ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago’s rich cultural history is passed on to future generations.

Ms. Christine Mark live on today's OFC Podcast Radio