Nami is a South Asian entrepreneur with ADHD who moved to Canada from Oman at the age of 18. She always enjoyed a balance of creativity and analytics and was able to make the most of it by starting her own social media marketing business, namely, DreamTalk Creative. DreamTalk helps small-to-medium-sized businesses make the most of their social media presence by creating content that efficiently articulates their brand and developing strategies that attract future customers.

As a deeply creative child who lived with undiagnosed ADHD, Nami spent a good chunk of her childhood and teenage years playing the piano, reading books, journaling and observing the world around her. After getting diagnosed as an adult, she shared her experiences of living with ADHD on Tiktok (@namisayshello). She built a community of like-minded people who engaged in conversations about invisible disabilities, shared resources and coping strategies, discussed the inefficiencies of ADHD treatment in Canada and more.

Find out more @namisayshello

Ibe Ananaba, born in Belgium and raised in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, is a multidisciplinary visual storyteller. He graduated with Distinction from the Institute of Management and Technology, specializing in Painting. Ibe explores cultural and socio-political themes and their influences on contemporary living in his art using traditional and unconventional mediums.

In addition to his studio art practice, he is involved in various creative roles such as Fashion Illustrator, Designer, Muralist, Art Director, Calligraphist, and Cartoonist. He also dedicates his time to empowering the youth through art mentorship.

Ibe’s artistic achievements have gained recognition, including being listed in the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. His work has been exhibited internationally, from Nigeria and South Africa to the USA, London, Israel, and Canada. He has won awards in his art practice, including the 1st Prize Winner of the Art Masters Contest at Art Vancouver 2019.

Academically, Ibe’s art serves as case studies for project theses by several scholars in different universities in Nigeria. His artwork has been featured in notable publications like “Fashion: A Second Language,” “Watercolor Artists Magazine,” “Masters of Watercolors,” “The Villager – How Africans Consume Brands,” “Fashion Illustration Africa – A New Generation,” and “Artist of Nigeria.” These publications showcase his diverse skills and contributions to the world of art.

Check him out @ibeananaba

Pamela is the owner and seamstress behind Stone Sewn, a small business that provides custom
sewing services and textile products in Halifax.

She creates playful, colourful designs inspired by nature, architecture and family connections intrinsic to used fabrics.

After completing her undergrad at NSCAD University, she began sewing for local businesses and
taking on commission work. Pamela’s passion for thrifting and upcycling (and saving every fabric scrap) led her to create environmentally friendly textiles with little waste.

It was this interest that motivated her to become an entrepreneur and keep extra material out of landfills.

You can follow Pamela on Instagram or Facebook at @stonesewn.

Blanche Israël is a multilingual Moroccan-Canadian cultural strategist and musician.

Originally from Montreal, Blanche moved to Nova Scotia in 2020 and quickly integrated into the music community here. As a funding specialist, she has helped artists and arts organizations raise over $10 million in grants and donations since 2015.

As a cellist, she has performed and recorded with artists including Jeremy Dutcher (JUNO Winner 2019), James Baley, Kristi Lane Sinclair, Mo Kenney, The Town Heroes, The Public Service, Rankin MacInnis and the Broken Reeds, and more.

Find out more @blancheis

photo credit: Jeff Cooke, Cooked Photography.

Damini Awoyiga is a 16-year-old high school student.

She is an activist, spoken word poet and Halifax’s Youth Poet Laureate.

Damini is the founder of Damini Creatives and the Afro-Indigenous Book Club.

Learn more @damini.awoyiga

Find out more @artoftolagram

Originally from the Maritimes, Shawna Garrett has held registrarial and enrolment management positions at Acadia University, NSCAD University, College of the North Atlantic – Qatar, and Mount Allison University.

She has also worked as a superintendent, principal, and dean at international schools in Japan and China. Shawna holds degrees from the University of Prince Edward Island and Acadia University and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in educational studies through Nova Scotia’s inter-university doctoral program.

She has been the President and CEO of EduNova for just over a year and a half and was on the organization’s founding board in 2004. She is passionate about helping international students study and stay in Nova Scotia.

Badisun is currently represented by Soli Management based out of Halifax.

Badi is coming out with new items in the summer for “Chaotic Luxury”.

Badi continues to create content on her social media platforms and is exploring new ways to collaborate with the art community.

Find out more @badi_sun_