Episode 147 – Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest

On this episode our correspondent, Aubrianna Snow, learns about the Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest (BEAR) initiative and how the philosophy of Ubuntu (meaning: I am because we are) can help us better understand their approach to health equity.

BEAR was founded by the Ribbon Rouge Foundation to strengthen health equity in African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities. ECF has been honoured to provide funding to help with the first three years of the initiative.

BEAR takes an intersectional approach to securing the health, wealth and wellbeing of the ACB community. They engage with community members, conduct research and mobilize data to create change in health equity.

Links:
Find out more about the Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest (BEAR) initiative.
Learn more about Ribbon Rouge Foundation.
Learn more about HIV Edmonton.
Read the article you heard about: What Is the Spirit of Ubuntu? How Can We Have It in Our Lives? (globalcitizen.org)
Check out our blog story about BEAR: Build a Bear – Edmonton Community Foundation (ecfoundation.org)

ECF Happenings:
Read the latest on our blog.
See how ECF connects you with Edmonton’s community.
Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created.
Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own.

ECF Grants:
* Click here to see all ECF Grants.

Upcoming Student Awards:
* Click here to find details for all of our student awards!

The Well Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation.

Music for the BEAR segment is “Somewhere” by Daniel Musto.

Image for this episode was supplied.

Transcripts by Karli Drew.

Episode 146 – Louise Casemore: Beautiful Failures, Creative Growth

On this episode, we hear an inspiring conversation about the power of plays and growing up in Edmonton’s scrappy theatre scene with Louise Casemore.

Louise is an award-winning playwright and self-described “Prairie Nuisance.” She is a dramaturg, and in 2021 she published a national study on new play development titled “Surveying the Landscape.”

Louise also has an interest in human resources. She is an artist advocate and consults with arts organizations around policy creation and organizational audits. Human resources in the performing arts is not only an area of focus for her, she is creatively inspired about the language and nuance we navigate in our working worlds. Her plays specialize in immersive and participatory storytelling to create transformative theatre experiences.

Louise was a recipient of the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF). The award recognizes an artist’s work and contribution to the community and provides financial stability to renew, develop, create or experiment. EATF is a joint project of the Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Community Foundation

Thanks to our correspondent, Theodora MacLeod, for bringing us this story.

Links:
Find out more about Louise Casemore’s Defiance Theatre.
Learn more about the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF).
Read Louise’s national study on new play development titled “Surveying the Landscape.”
Don’t miss Found Festival by Common Ground Arts.
Check that stat: In the interview Louise mentioned that Canada is among the lowest ranked countries in the world for whistle blower protection. Read the article from the National Post.

ECF Happenings:
Read the latest on our blog.
See how ECF connects you with Edmonton’s community.
Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created.
Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own.

ECF Grants:
* Click here to see all ECF Grants.

Upcoming Student Awards:
* Click here to find details for all of our student awards!

The Well Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation.

Image for this episode is by Jody Christopherson.

Transcripts by Karli Drew.

Episode 145 – The Melisizwe Brothers

On this episode, we meet The Melisizwe Brothers.

Marc, Seth and Zacary James began training in music as early as ages 4 to 7. Encouraged by their families, and with each other’s support, they have since established themselves on the music scene.

The Melisizwe Brothers have performed internationally and have appeared on several television shows including Netflix’s Mowtown Magic, Showtime at the Apollo, the Ellen DeGeneres Show and  more! And they are finding ways to give back to the community through their Gold Mind Programs.

ECF is excited to help support their upcoming performance at the Winspear Centre on June 23rd. At this concert, the brothers will be sharing their musical influences. Think Soul, R&B, Classical and Pop.

Thanks to  Aubrianna Snow for bringing us this story.

Links:
Get your tickets to see The Melisizwe Brothers at the Winspear Centre on June 23rd.
Hear more music and see what’s next for the Brothers on their website.
Check out their Gold Minds Programs.

ECF Happenings:
Read the latest on our blog.
See how ECF connects you with Edmonton’s community.
Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created.
Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own.

ECF Grants:
* Click here to see all ECF Grants.

Upcoming Student Awards:
* Click here to find details for all of our student awards!

The Well Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation.

Image for this episode was supplied.

Thank you to the Melisizwe Brothers for allowing us to include their single “Don’t Let Go” in this episode.

Transcripts by Karli Drew.

Episode 144 – Irshad Manji

On this episode, our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson speaks to Professor Irshad Manji: Best selling author and founder of Moral Courage College, and a recipient of Oprah’s “Chutzpah Award” for boldness.

Professor Manji is an accomplished leadership scholar whose work focuses on teaching people how to engage in constructive conversations. She will be presenting her talk: “From Polarization to Collaboration” on June 8th at the Citadel Theatre. This talk is part of Edmonton Public Library’s Forward thinking Speaker Series.

Links:
Get your tickets to “From Polarization to Collaboration” on June 8th at the Citadel Theatre.
Learn more about Professor Irshad Manji.
Get engaged with constructive conversations with Moral Courage College.

ECF Happenings:
Read the latest on our blog.
See how ECF connects you with Edmonton’s community.
Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created.
Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own.

ECF Grants:
* Click here to see all ECF Grants.

Upcoming Student Awards:
* Click here to find details for all of our student awards!

The Well Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation.

Image for this episode was supplied. 

Transcripts by Karli Drew.