RayPresents

26 artists, hundreds of thousands of paintings. One extraordinary chapter of American history. The Florida Highwaymen created far more than iconic landscapes. Their story is one of art, history, determination, entrepreneurship, race and legacy. On this episode, I sit down with Tony Hayton, Director of the Florida Highwaymen Exhibit, collector and longtime advocate for the Highwaymen, for a convers...

Nicole Thalìa knows what the stage looks like at the highest level. The singer, Creative Director and entrepreneur has performed around the world, from singing at the Royal Wedding with The Kingdom Choir to touring with Italian superstar Marco Mengoni and performing as part of Black Coffee’s orchestral show on a night that also featured Alicia Keys. But the stage is only part of the story. Nicole...

What does it really take to build as an independent artist in a city where the talent is there, but the support doesn’t always follow? I sat down with Ottawa rapper and entrepreneur City Fidelia at Exit Lounge, the restaurant he owns with his partners, for an honest conversation about music, entrepreneurship, funding, community and creating your own opportunities. City has taken his music far beyo...

What does it take to stand out in today’s job market, especially as a Black professional? In Episode 68, I sit down with Jermaine Murray, better known as The Jobfather. As the founder of JupiterHR, Jermaine has helped thousands of black professionals break into tech, advance their careers, and rethink what it means to build a fulfilling professional life. In this conversation, we discuss:• How Jer...

The cost of youth sports is rising, and more families are asking the same question:Can every child still afford to play? In this episode, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe returns for a wide-ranging conversation about youth sports, affordability, Canada’s historic FIFA World Cup 2026 run, Ottawa’s future, leadership, and why access to sport matters more than ever. As Canada rides unprecedented soccer mo...

Live from his California home, actor, writer, and producer Michael Xavier joins me for RayPresents Episode 66.Michael was one of the early guests on the show and has been a great supporter over the years. It was a pleasure to welcome him back for a second conversation and hear how life has evolved since we last spoke. In this episode, we talk about fatherhood, success, personal growth, family, and...

One of the most recognizable personalities in Canadian sports media joins RayPresents. Fresh off the Winter Olympics, Cabbie Richards sits down for a conversation about the craft behind great interviews, authenticity in media, and the moments that shape a career. Cabbie built a reputation for bringing energy, humor and authenticity into interviews with some of the biggest names in sports. But behi...

Live from Miami, I had the chance to reconnect with my friend, actor Michael Mando. We first met in high school, and it’s been inspiring to watch his journey from those early days to the international stage. Fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic, and having lived in many cities across four continents, Michael brings a global perspective that naturally shows up in his work and in the way h...

Je reçois Jean Chesnel Jean, agronome et fondateur de Ayitika, une marque haïtienne engagée qui fait du cacao un levier de qualité, de durabilité et de transformation sociale. Au cœur de cette conversation, une philosophie claire “De la racine à la tablette”. Une histoire de qualité, de durabilité et d’engagement. Ayitika se définit comme une entreprise citoyenne, qui agit avec la collectivité et...

What does it really take to build in high-pressure environments? Amber Kanwar, one of Canada’s most respected business journalists, opens up about pressure, risk, and betting on yourself. In Episode 62, Amber Kanwar joins me on RayPresents for a powerful and honest conversation about navigating finance, journalism, and motherhood. After years reporting on markets, money, and major business decisio...

On RayPresents Episode 61, I sit down with Jimmy Sebulime, a community builder whose quiet strength is transforming lives in both Uganda and Canada. Through the Agnes Zabali Boys and Girls Club, Jimmy is creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and lead, proving that real leadership starts with service. His work bridges continents and communities, showing that hope can travel far wh...

I sit down with Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. Amira opens up about what it was like growing up and celebrating difference, the challenges of stereotypes that still persist, and the urgent need to build a Canada where everyone belongs. This is a powerful and honest exchange on resilience, identity, and inclusion. Subscribe to RayPresents for more authe...

Dans cet épisode, je discute avec Samuel Bernadin, alias Samy Blanco, président fondateur de BanFest, le premier banquet-festival annuel qui met la culture haïtienne à l’honneur à travers sa gastronomie à Ottawa. https://www.banfest.com

In Episode 58, I sit down with Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, Interim Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. We talk about what it means to lead during times of change, how to rebuild public trust, and why human rights still matter in Canada today.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Solange Tuyishime Keita, a woman whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From surviving war as a child to Miss Canada International, a UNICEF Canada ambassador, and CEO of Elevate International, Solange has never stopped shining. We talk about leadership, motherhood, mental health, pageantry, and what it really means to rise above adversity and gi...

I sat down with Renata Whedbee, an AI filmmaker whose work deeply intertwines Afrocentric themes, blending technology with rich cultural narratives. Her creative journey began in 2016 when she adapted to partial eyesight, leading her to explore storytelling through heightened senses and vivid imagination. This transformation is evident in her AI-generated films, which often delve into Afrocentric...

By day, DJ La Madeleine is an osteopath helping people heal. By night, she’s behind the turntables, blending beats from Paris to the world. In this episode, we get into how she balances science and art, what music means to her, and the freedom that comes from living without limits. Get ready for a conversation that’s as real as it gets.

In Episode 54, I sit down with the talented Chef Lindsay Brun, entrepreneur, pastry chef, and winner of Wall of Chefs (Food Network Canada, 2020).In this quick but meaningful chat, we talk about her Caribbean roots, her passion for cooking and baking, and what it meant to win a nationally televised culinary competition. From childhood memories to building a business rooted in love and legacy, Chef...

In this episode, I sit down with the visionary Komi Olaf, a multidisciplinary artist whose work fuses architecture, poetry, and visual art to tell powerful stories of identity, culture, and the future. Komi’s art boldly blends traditional African themes with futuristic concepts, reshaping the way Black identity is expressed and imagined. Together, we explore:🎨 How architecture, poetry, and visual...

In Episode 52, live from London, I sit down with the incredible Italian R&B Gospel singer and international performer, Nicole Thalìa. We explore her inspiring journey of mastering her vocal artistry, her unforgettable experience performing with The Kingdom Choir at the Royal Wedding, and the highs and challenges of life on the road as a professional singer. Nicole also opens up about being a w...

Join me live from Toronto for an electrifying virtual conversation with Hosni Zaouali, a visionary leader at the intersection of technology and education. Hosni emphasizes a powerful truth: “If we’re not at the table, we’ll be on the menu.”In this episode, we delve into:• AI’s Transformative Impact: How artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and society.• Educational Innovation: The press...

In this special 50th episode of RayPresents, I am honored to host The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, 27th Governor General of Canada, and Edward Matwawana, Executive Director of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. They share their insights on leadership, legacy, and the Foundation’s efforts in promoting inclusion and racial justice across Canada. Join me for an inspiring conversation about building b...

J’ai eu le plaisir de m’entretenir avec Sophie Fouron, une animatrice, journaliste et conceptrice canadienne reconnue pour son travail dans le domaine des communications depuis plus de 20 ans. Titulaire d’un baccalauréat en sciences politiques (1991) et d’une maîtrise en sciences de la communication (1993) de l’Université de Montréal, elle a débuté sa carrière comme recherchiste et productrice sur...

In this rare, exclusive sit-down, former Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly opens up about the journey of “Leading While Black” and the unique challenges he’s faced breaking barriers in high-stakes roles. With a background as a professional Football (soccer) player, corporate leader, public servant, and academic, Chief Sloly shares powerful insights on resilience, integrity, and the cost of shatterin...

Live from Toronto, I had a conversation with Joze Piranian. Joze is a stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, and TEDx speaker who has used his unique perspective to inspire. We talked about his journey of overcoming adversity, how he turned his biggest challenge, stuttering, into a source of empowerment, and the role of humor in breaking down barriers. Joze, who is multilingual, speaks around th...