I speak with Mugabi Byenkya about his debut mixtape, Songs for Wo(Men) 2.
Category: arts
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Happy 2023!
I share with the audience a few of my highlights of 2022.
How I Became A Podcaster
You’re probably thinking that this post is way overdue – and you’re right! I have been podcasting for well over 2 years, but it is only now that I thought to share my story. I thought about writing this post after I was featured in the Toronto Guardian in early October. *Click here to read…
Words With Michelle – the podcast: How Meditation Changed Morgan O. Smith’s Life
I revisit a previous interview with Morgan O. Smith, and he shares why he left entertainment and embraced meditation.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Abbas Wahab Shares His Immigrant Story Through Comedy
Abbas Wahab shares his immigrant story through comedy.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Checking in
I check in with listeners. I speak briefly about the increase in violence in the city (and world), rising food and gas prices, and getting back to normal while still in a pandemic.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Happy New Year!
Michelle provides a new year greeting and discusses upcoming show topics.
Words With Michelle- the podcast: A Talk With Mic Slayer, Jam Gamble
I speak with public speaker and media personality Jam Gamble. She shares why she started her public speaking program – Slay The Mic.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: The N Word
Michelle discusses the “N word” with artist/storyteller/entrepreneur Micha.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Michelle’s 2 cents
MIchelle briefly provides her 2 cents on vaccines and wearing a mask.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: The Effects Of Dealing With 15 Months Of Lockdown
Amani shares how she dealt with being in lockdown for 15 month due to the pandemic.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Tracy Moore Responds To Being Body Shamed
I have a short convo with Clityline host, Tracy Moore, about her response to being body shamed online.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: A Discussion About Politics, Black Hair, & Microaggressions With Celina Caesar-Chavannes
I talk politics, Black hair, and microaggressions with Celina Caesar-Chavannes.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Black Men In Media – Jonathan Shaw’s Journey In Radio
I speak with Jonathan Shaw about being a Black man in radio.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Budgeting During A Pandemic
I speak with Financial Rep., Tanika Riley, and she shares tips on how to budget during a pandemic.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Healing Through Wellness Practices
Michelle chats with Jothi Saldanha – a certified Transformational Coach, about the importance of Healing through wellness practices.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Checking in
Michelle briefly recaps what life has been like over the past 7 months, and checks in with the audience.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Random Acts of Racism
I speak with 5 guests who share a few of the racist acts that have experienced living in Canada.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Race and Representation in Art
Zahra Siddiqui speaks about her first solo exhibit – The Invisible Majority and why representation matters.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Racism In The Medical Field
I sit with writer and poet, Mugabi Byenkya, as he discusses the mistreatment he has received from medical professionals.
Words With Michelle – the podcast: Natural in the workplace
A discussion about wearing your hair naturally in the in the workplace.
Tanika Riley: Educational Consultant, Facilitator, Speaker, & Social Entrepreneur
Tanika has a lot of titles, no? Oh, I almost forgot, you can add mommy to that too. Tanika Riley is a super busy #girlboss who runs POR AMOR – her non- profit organization that she co-founded with 3 friends 15 years ago (she is now the Executive Director), where she facilitates workshops for…
Catching up with Zachariah
What I love about Zachariah is his unwavering determination – and as a performer, you need that! Ever since I met and featured this young rapper on my blog 4 years ago, he has shown me that even when he’s knocked down, he comes back swinging. In our initial interview, he spoke about his double…
Marci Ien: Trailblazing Woman In Media
I appreciate Marci Ien. I appreciate what she has done for women of colour in media, I appreciate what she represents, and lastly, I appreciate that she’s really nice. Seriously, she may be the most gracious person I’ve ever met! Just in case you’re unaware of the fabulousness that is Marci Ien, let me…
Sheena Blake: Helps You Tell Your Story Through Discovering Diversity Publishing
Have you ever met someone and knew that you were destined to become friends? Although they don’t exactly possess the same personality as you, but they are just as quirky as you, giggle at your silly jokes, and basically just get you? (Think of the characters J and CeCe from the outrageously funny web…
#HerstoryinBlack: A Document of 150 Phenomenal Black Women – Part 3
I really need someone to pinch me. Seriously….pinch me. Actually, if I am dreaming, I ain’t tryin’ to wake up. That’s how I felt on Monday, February 27, 2017. That day could not have been any better. Oh, before I delve into that magical day, lets back track for a bit. To recap…
#HerstoryinBlack: A Document of 150 Phenomenal Black Women – Part 2
In part 1 of #HerstoryinBlack: A Document of 150 Phenomenal Black Women, I wrote about the excitement I felt conducting a few interviews at the monumental photo shoot organized by #howshehustles founder, Emily Mills. I had no clue that a few weeks after that, my life would change. THE EMAIL A couple…
My Year in Review: 2016
This blog entry isn’t necessarily a recap of all that has happened in the news, but just a brief summary of what 2016 was like for me. Wow, what can I possibly say about 2016? Without a doubt, it’s been a difficult year for me. I’ve had amazing highs (great friendships…
Jonathan Emile: Rapper, Fighter, Survivor
In the past few months, I have posted several interviews on #girlbosses doing and achieving remarkable things. But deep down I’ve been itching to write a story about a guy doing equally awesome things. Lucky for me, Jonathan Emile’s name popped up in my email and I had a chance to talk with him. …
Val Andrews: Following Her Path
While I was chatting with a few ladies at the #HowSheHustlesSocial in late July, Val Andrews walked right up to me, studied my face and then said that I looked familiar. I told her that we met many, many, years ago – I was a friend of one of her sisters, but we have since…
Anne-Marie Woods: Produces She Said/He Said
When I think of the Toronto arts scene, there are a bunch of names that pop into my head – but you better believe that Anne-Marie Woods’ name is right up there! She has been hitting the stage hard since she left Nova Scotia and moved to Toronto in 2000. Anne-Marie or Amani as…
Emily Mills: Creating Opportunities for Women Through How She Hustles
Emily Mills is one of those special women that I aspire to be like when I grow up (yep, I know, I’m fully grown, but hey!). She holds it down at her day job, is a loving mom and wife, and generously makes time to empower like minded women through her side project – How…
Alexi Couto: Young Toronto Singer Delivers Anti-bullying Message
I really need to give a shout out to a very generous guy who consistently suggests extraordinary people for me to link up with, interview and expose. He big-heartedly suggested I speak with 20-year-old singer and Toronto native, Alexi Couto. Alexi Couto is a singer songwriter who adoringly devotes her time to music, but…
Desiree Marshall: Getting funky with Afrodelik Designs
I ran into Desiree Marshall – creator and founder of Afrodelik Designs, at the How She Hustles pop up shop back in November 2015. Bumping into her felt like I was reunited with an old friend that I sadly lost touch with. It was in 2007 that I first met Desiree when I caught…
Natasha Chandel: Writer, Performer & Content Creator
It was recommended by a friend that I speak with Natasha Chandel – the funny, outspoken, and sassy Managing Editor of Programming at Maker Studios (Maker TV). He noted that Natasha is a #TDot native who is super creative, and currently develops cutting edge online programming. He sold me on his suggestion and I…
Dalton Higgins: Writer, Author & Hip Hop Expert
One of the people that I have admired for the longest time and tracked the career of is Dalton Higgins. Dalton is an outrageously talented writer who also holds the auspicious title of being Canada’s sole expert on hip hop culture. He’s written for Now Magazine for 10 years, and he has freelanced for Source…
Duane “D.O.” Gibson: Rapper With A Message
I’ve pretty much grown up with rap music. I’ve witnessed the fear produced by gangsta rap, I was enlightened by Afrocentric rap, got my dance on during the Puff Daddy (aka P. Diddy) era, and inspired (and also disillusioned) by the current state of hip hop. Although rap music and rappers have played an…
Nandita Dias: Teacher, Singer & The Most Patient Person On Earth!
I received an email in early April from Nandita Dias, a full-time teacher and an accomplished jazz singer, telling me a bit about her upcoming album, “Let Us Lose Track Of Time.” I clicked reply and typed that I would love to learn more about her, and it would be a great idea if we…
Jonathan Shaw Has A lot On His Mind
On May 21, 2015, I tweeted that it was a year ago that I paid a visit to the G98.7fm studios to meet and interview DJ, radio legend, and mentor, Jonathan Shaw. Within seconds of posting that tweet, Jonathan replied saying that he was ready for Part 2. Yassss! Guess what? In a mere…
Dr. Kenneth Montague: Dentist By Day, Art Collector By Night
Who is Kenneth Montague anyways? Well, he’s a handsome dentist who has been practicing the fine art of dentistry in Toronto for about 18 years. He also has an illustrious list of patients, which includes Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe, and Canada’s own Nelly Furtado. But only a select few know about his other passion. Yes, he’s…
Ebonnie Rowe: Talks About Running Honey Jam for 20 years!
I’ll be honest and say that most of my interviews tend to be with “creative types.” Can’t help it. I love being in the company of people who express themselves through music, art, and the written word. (psst..I am also inspired by non-artsy types too!) In this latest interview, I chose to seek out…
Ayanna Lee Rivears: Getting Your Body Fit With Socacize
Are you like me and in slight panic mode cuz your body ain’t ready for summer? Okay, truth be told, I’m not too stressed (#lovingmycurves), but I am looking for a fun way to stay active. If you know me, I’m not one to workout on the regular, but I recently heard about Socacize…
Coffee, Cake & Conversation With Alexander Henry & Sam Asante
Have you ever felt an inexplicably strong connection to someone you just met? I have. I felt a crazy intense connection when I met Humber College film student Alexander Henry and aspiring actor, Sam Asante at the ReelWorld Film Festival press junket a couple of months ago. As soon as Alexander Henry – director/writer…
Aisha Fairclough: Fashion Blogger For Stylish Women With Curves!
Not sure what I was searching for one day while surfing the net, but I somehow stumbled upon the blog, Fat in the City. Fat in the City (FITC) is a fashion blog that celebrates stylish clothing for women with curves. I practically leapt out of my computer chair when I made this discovery! Fashion tends…
Dru: Speaks About His Solo Career
When I was a young, hungry writer just starting out, I prayed for any opportunity to show the world my writing skills. I wrote to thousands of magazine editors practically begging them to take me on as a writer. In a last ditch attempt to get published, I contacted an editor of a magazine that…
The Double Life Of Alize
One night, about a month ago, I was gettin’ my social media hustle on, when I received a tweet from @thisisAlizeS – a.k.a Yung Superman. He asked if I was interested in interviewing a web series producer who also happens to be a rap artist. I’m always down for making a new connection, but…
Talking With Dilshad Burman: The Bubbly & Super Amazing Host Of V-Mix
I was literally counting down the seconds until I was able to post my first blog entry for 2015. I planned on starting the year off on a positive tip, and lucky for me, I met up with the delightfully optimistic, Dilshad Burman – the host of V-Mix – a weekly, half-hour program that explores…
Priya Ramanujam: Urbanology Editor-in-Chief & One of The Sweetest People You’ll Ever Meet!
I’ve always wanted to talk with Priya Ramanujam – Editor-in-Chief of hip hop mag Urbanology. I’m a magazine junkie, so I felt compelled to thank her for publishing a legit mag that caters to the local and international hip hop scene. Growing up on magazines from back in the day (remember Word magazine? Peace Magazine?…
Dwayne Morgan: No Ordinary Poet
I don’t know how I scored an interview with esteemed Spoken Word Artist Dwayne Morgan, but I thank God that I did! I have been in awe of Dwayne for years. It could be because I’m a writer and I appreciate that he introduced poetry slams to the T. Dot via his company Up From…
Words With Michelle 