Staying on my me ████, but hated on by both sides I’m just a kid who blowing up with my father’s name And every black “you’re not black enough” Is a white “you’re all the same” — Childish Gambino, “That Power”, Camp (2011) I’m not the brother you want, […]
We’re halfway through January, and before you know it February will be up close and personal and with it, all the stories of Black history we’ve waited a year to share. Black History Month is Back Again! That’s not entirely true—Black people are sharing their stories all the time, but […]
I’ll admit it—with Tales from the 2.9‘s successful completion, I almost felt like resting on my laurels and taking the day off. I mean, this year was easily far bigger than I’d expected, running the media circuit, coordinating with contributors, writing heaps of social shares for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn… it’d be so […]
This year’s been a challenging one for Tales from the 2.9. Last year was bad timing—putting 29 daily posts out right after becoming a Dad for the second time is no simple feat, and we somehow pulled it off. I was eager to build on that success and keep […]
If I can agree on one thing with Rachel Lambo’s Tale from the 2.9, it’s our need to expect more from ourselves as a community. It’s 2017, and there’re so many options to help a people thrive. We can bolster our business with think tanks and workshops. Or pool […]
Having lived in the Toronto area my whole life, I’ve had the benefit of a highly multicultural Canada. Half of Toronto’s made up of visible minorities, with 8.5% of that pie being Black. It’s quite possibly the best place in the world to raise my mixed race family, […]
I know from experience that many artists prefer to let their work speak for itself, and with how beautiful Lamin Martin’s work is, I’m surprised his submission wasn’t blank! Lamin’s entry makes one think pretty heavily about our societal need to add a “Black” modifier before just about everything. […]
Part of the duality of being Black is that you don’t want to be defined by your melanin, but you also don’t seek to forget everything that’s come before you to make you who you are today. Natalie’s post reminds me that the world will inform you you’re Black no […]
I’ve heard it argued numerous times that I have Donald K. Trump’s victory to thank for Tales from the 2.9’s popularity, with Canada and the US’ visible minority populations alike knowing fear and apprehension like never before. But that’s not exactly right. Our Black brothers and sisters were still […]
One concept Kamshuka teaches people in her quest to help them find their inner warriors is that of the “Fullest Life.” After surviving the Ugandan Civil War as a child and coming to Canada at 14, Kamshuka appreciates making the most of each day in a way that […]