Deji Majekolagbe, born in 1996 in Lagos, Nigeria, currently resides as a photographer in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His portfolio encompasses a diverse spectrum of photography, including weddings, fashion, street, and portrait photography. Deji’s passion lies in capturing the essence of individuals from various walks of life.
In his creative process, Deji emphasizes the importance of simplicity, aiming to evoke emotions, stillness, and vulnerability through his work. His focus is on showcasing the genuine and best versions of his subjects. In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of photography, Deji is dedicated to finding his unique voice, embracing a journey of continual learning, overcoming failures, and persistent experimentation.
Lize, originally from South Africa, moved to Canada in 2022 to embark on new adventures and expand her horizons. A crime fighter at heart, Lize is passionate about justice and exploring the complexities of the human psyche. She combined her love for puzzles with her fascination for criminal behaviour, leading to the creation of “Puzzled by Crime” — a project that merges analytical thinking with the exploration of the darker sides of human nature. This creative endeavour aims to stimulate problem-solving skills while fostering conversations around crime, vulnerability, and prevention, encouraging others to find colour and light amidst the darkness.
In addition to her crime-related pursuits, Lize is a dedicated philanthropist, always looking for opportunities to bring positive change to others’ lives. Together with a friend, she started a fundraiser “Love and Smile SA” aimed at providing toothbrushes and toothpaste to underprivileged children in South Africa, with the goal of “brightening and broadening smiles one by one.” To date, they have raised enough funds to supply oral hygiene products to 650 children, creating lasting, positive effects on the health, confidence, and social interactions of these young individuals. Lize’s dedication to uplifting others is at the core of everything she does.
Lize is also an avid traveller, believing that exposure to diverse cultures and experiences enriches personal growth and shapes one’s worldview. She values learning from different perspectives and incorporates these lessons into her work, ultimately striving to be a positive influence wherever she goes. Her motto is simple yet powerful: live life to the fullest, find the light in dark places, and make a few people smile along the way. Through her creative endeavours, philanthropy, and enthusiasm for exploration, Lize is committed to leaving the world a little safer and a little happier.
Yangsta is a hip-hop artist and radio/podcast personality from Dartmouth Nova Scotia. He is an avid supporter of the local NS hip-hop scene and has been releasing music for over a decade. Yangsta’s musical style is inspired by the likes of Will Smith, 2Pac, Jay-Z, Notorious BIG and other notable figures of old school 90s rap era.
A lyrical perfectionist, Yangsta prefers to write bars on a pen and a pad vs. freestyling songs. The polished and to-the-point song structure in all of his music serves as a testament to his effort towards creating the best music.
Yangsta co-hosted a popular radio show on 88.1fm CKDU called “Pyrate Radio”, a one-hour-long local hip-hop show alongside Vadell Gabriel. Over the eight years of the show being active, the duo brought on countless guests from the local music community to showcase their content and talents, including the Blackout Podcast’s host. Yangsta & Vadell also performed and DJed at various venues across the city such as the Gottingen 250 festival, “Family Over Fame” day, The Coast’s “Food Truck party” and “Multi-cultural night” at MSVU.
Yangsta’s latest project “Tales From the Dark Side” #TFDS is a testament to his lyricism and life experiences as a resident of Dartmouth. The gritty yet energetic sounds of the project is an accurate reflection of life in the Dark Side and the unique vibe the city has. A must listen.
Simone Chia is a transformational coach who helps growth-minded individuals step into their purpose and overcome the obstacles holding them back. Using an integrated mind-body approach, she guides clients to develop deeper self-awareness, gain clarity on their goals, and break free from self-limiting beliefs.
Simone empowers people to stop putting off their dreams and start creating meaningful lifestyle changes that lead to greater contentment, purpose, and joy. Whether you’re looking to improve relationships, develop healthy habits, or simply feel more alive, Simone provides the strategies and support to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
She helps growth-minded individuals step into their purpose, whether that’s feeling more content, developing healthy habits, or improving their relationships. Using an integrated mind-body approach, she supports her clients in bridging the gap between where they are now and where they want to be, helping them experience greater life satisfaction and joy. Working with her, clients gain clarity and self-awareness, while developing strategies to move towards their goals in a way that feels realistic and exciting.
Her work centres around helping clients:
Develop deeper self-awareness about what truly matters to them, so they can move through life with intention, not on autopilot.
Gain clarity on their goals and what makes them feel truly alive, and take purposeful action towards those goals.
Identify self-limiting beliefs and behaviour patterns that keep them stuck.
Develop strategies to work towards their lifestyle goals in ways that feel manageable, realistic, and exciting.
Stop putting off their dreams and start creating lifestyle changes that move them towards a greater sense of purpose, contentment, and joy.
Scarlett Rose is a multidisciplinary artist from Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia.
With just under a decade in the local entertainment industry, she has developed and performed hundreds of acts with numerous agencies across five provinces. From sold-out stages to small community events, Scarlett highlights the importance of play and the joy it can bring to audiences young and old.
Making the best of her background in dance and theatre, Scarlett’s first forays into circus arts have since expanded to include multiple circus disciplines, fire, Burlesque, GoGo dance and character work. Known for her dynamic and energetic style, Scarlett transports her audience to new worlds regardless of context and apparatus.
Ayodele Okundalaiye is a dynamic professional Master of Ceremony/Compere with a sense of humour – he is popularly known as the Senior Advocate of Comedy (SACO).
As a Compere, he has consistently delivered outstanding value to clients across several industries and sectors. This has made SACO the choice MC by Multinational companies, financial institutions, Telecom giants, FMCG companies, Non-profits, political, educational and Faith-based organizations as well as high-net-worth individuals in Nigeria and abroad. Some companies/organizations that have engaged his professional Compere service for events include MTN, KPMG, Lagos Business School, Rainoil, and Pretoria Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists.
SACO has hosted events in the US, Canada, UK, France, South Africa, Ghana, Dubai, Turkey and even Israel to mention a few. He has also hosted about 2000 social events (weddings and birthday parties) at home and abroad. His style can be described as a blend of humour – rib cracking, clean ethical and family-friendly jokes, wit and an abundance of courtesy for clients and guests alike. He deploys class and panache in the management of programs and also brings to the table the ability to adapt and customize programs to suit the needs of specific and unique audiences. Event Planners often find his input priceless and vital to the overall success of their events. He is also an alumnus of Lagos Business School’s Enterprise Development Centre.
He is married to Aghogho and together they have 3 amazing children.
SACO holds LEGACY above all achievements – he is passionate about building capacity for the next generations. This led to the establishment of the Strategic Mentorship Programme – a vehicle that aims to provide strategic mentorship to young entertainment entrepreneurs.
Marja is an artist who has recently reignited her passion for painting after taking a break from her craft. Her first mural, a bold and colourful statement, marks her exciting return to the art world.
With fresh enthusiasm, Marja has dedicated herself to celebrating the unique beauty she sees in the everyday world, capturing moments and details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Her approach is all about highlighting what makes each subject special, often in ways you might not expect.
In addition to celebrating beauty, Marja’s art is deeply personal, reflecting her cultural heritage and experiences. She thoughtfully incorporates elements of her background into her pieces, creating a rich tapestry of meaning and connection.
Through her art, Marja not only shares her perspective but also honours the influences that have shaped her creative journey.
Karen Dean is a powerhouse of wisdom—real, gritty, hard-earned wisdom that you can’t learn from a book but only through surviving life’s toughest battles. She is an incredible motivational speaker, lifelong entrepreneur, and bestselling author who shares her own personal stories of resilience and proven tools for success while inspiring audiences with an amazing sense of positivity. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial success across multiple industries, she helps build stronger people and workforces with easy-to-implement tools to foster resilience, boost performance, and enhance workplace culture.
Recognized as a four-time nominee for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, Karen’s leadership is matched by her commitment to the community. She has raised over $130,000 for families in need in Nova Scotia and launched a bursary program for young women from rural areas to pursue higher education.
Karen has published two influential books: We Are Unbreakable, a Canadian bestseller, and Fierce & Fabulous: A Self-Love Journal. Her mission is to empower individuals and organizations to not just survive but to thrive with resilience, purpose, and positivity.
Jacquelyn Miccolis is a social entrepreneur committed to using creativity to drive positive change. In 2019, she founded Sparkles n’ Sawdust Studio, an award-winning venture recognized for its significant community impact. After navigating the challenges of the pandemic, Jacquelyn launched Supernova Events to support the creative economy in Atlantic Canada, including key initiatives like the Supernova Market and Conference.
With diplomas in community development and office administration and a psychology background from MSVU, she has refined her skills as a leader and community builder.
This summer, Jacquelyn will release her debut book, Unfiltered Wisdom: A How-To Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs, offering practical insights for innovators and available exclusively on Amazon.
Jacquelyn eagerly welcomes opportunities for new creative projects, speaking engagements, and initiatives that foster community-building efforts.
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