RayPresents

In this episode, I sit down with Ottawa’s very own Marial Shayok, a rising star in the world of basketball. Marial’s journey has taken him from the courts of St. Pat’s High School in Ottawa to representing South Sudan in their historic first-ever Olympic appearance. Marial talks about his decision to represent South Sudan on the global stage, the lessons he’s learned from playing in top leagues wo...

Discover how Joelle Legg, co-founder of MIJO, is redefining wellness with a personal touch. Live from New Zealand, I virtually sat down with this powerhouse of fitness, wellness, and positivity. Together with her husband Mike, Joelle has spent over a decade helping people reclaim their health and happiness. Their platform, MIJO, is all about thriving, offering personalized fitness and nutrition pl...

Live from the US, I recently reconnected with Kristine Esposo Telford, Executive Director of External Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). We first met years ago during a trip to Spain, where our shared experiences and discussions left a lasting impression. Kristine leads EEI’s External Affairs department and is responsible for outreach to state and local legislators and external stakeh...

Join me in an inspiring conversation with John Kofi Dapaah live from Ottawa, Canada. John is a remarkable pianist whose musical journey spans continents and cultures. Born in Ghana, John’s love for music blossomed when he moved to Japan at the age of six. There, a piano teacher from his family’s Baptist church introduced him to classical music, providing him an essential outlet for expression as h...

In this live episode from the US, I was thrilled to have a conversation with Dr. Nick, also known as “the Fittest Doc.” Dr. Nick isn’t just a family medicine specialist; he’s a powerhouse of knowledge with a background in mechanical engineering. In this episode, he brought his unique perspective to a range of topics that bridge the gap between medicine and engineering. We spoke about his approach...

Join me in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Frederick (US), a distinguished figure in both higher education and the sports industry and the Director of Sport Industry Management at Georgetown Unviversity. With a rich background that includes roles at The Ohio State University, NBA Orlando Magic, and MLB Atlanta Braves, Dr. Frederick brings a wealth of experience to the table. In this discussi...

Join me live from Ottawa for this exclusive chat with Tayler Kelly, the reigning WBC Muay Thai Canadian amateur champion. Dive deep as I uncover the secrets behind her remarkable success in the ring. Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "art of eight limbs" because...

Join me in this enlightening conversation with Dominga Robinson, a Juris Doctor candidate for 2024 at the University of Saskatchewan and the President of the Indigenous Law Students’ Association. In this episode, Dominga shares her unique perspective as a member of the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory, blending her rich Nakota and Jamaican heritage. We delve into her journey...

Live from Ottawa, I spoke to Cassandra Auguste-René, a distinguished entrepreneur and visionary. She explores the profound significance of the Black Business Expo in Ottawa. In this exclusive interview, we uncover how this event serves as a pivotal platform for black entrepreneurs, fostering community, collaboration, and empowerment.

Live from Atlanta, i had a conversation with my brother Dantes Rameau, an high school friend who has risen as the Co-Founder and CEO of the Atlanta Music Project (AMP). His story is a testament to what good training, opportunity, and unwavering perseverance can lead to. Celebrated as one of Canada’s finest exports in music and social entrepreneurship, he embodies the spirit of classical music inte...

Dans cet épisode, j’ai eu l’honneur de m’entretenir avec Léonie Tchatat, une pionnière de la diversité et de l’inclusion au Canada. Fondatrice et présidente de La Passerelle-I.D.É., Léonie, d’origine camerounaise et fière Franco-Ontarienne, a partagé avec moi sa passion indéfectible pour la diversité. Depuis son arrivée au Canada dans les années 90 jusqu’à son engagement d’aujourd’hui, elle nous o...

In this episode, I engage in a conversation with Matthew R. Morris, an educator, author, and Toronto native, whose life and work are a testament to the transformative power of education and cultural expression. With a Master of Arts from the University of Toronto, Matthew’s writings delve deeply into the complexities of race, Black masculinity, hip-hop culture, and the educational landscape, offer...

For this episode, I speak to Dr. Helen Ofosu, an esteemed Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Executive Coach, and HR Consultant. Dr. Ofosu brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors, having founded I/O Advisory Services in Ottawa. She specializes in building resilient careers and organizations, emphasizing evidence-based practices from her field. With a BSc. in Psy...

In this episode, I dive into the heart of educational excellence with Ann Marie Vanneste, recipient of the prestigious 2023 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Ann Marie, a beacon of inspiration at All Saints High School (Ottawa), shares her journey, insights, and the innovative practices that have impacted her students and the broader school community. Join us as Ann Marie opens up ab...

I have a conversation with Rawlson King, Ottawa’s first black City Councillor, covering a range of important topics. From the significance of serving the common good to the importance of action over mere discussion, we delve into finding commonality of purpose in municipal politics and the transformative power of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Rawlson King’s journey is as inspiring as it is i...

I speak to my friend Jah’kota, an Afro-Indigenous artist, entrepreneur, and wealth coach. His father is from Kingston Jamaica and his mother is Nakota, Assiniboine from Ocean Man First Nation, part of the the Treaty 4 territory. He was born and raised in Winnipeg and now lives full time in the Očeti Šagowin territory known as the Saskatchewan prairies.

Andrea Menard LL.B, LL.M, is a Métis from the abolished Red River Settlement and is the Lead Educational Developer, Indigenizing Curricula and Pedagogies, Office of the Provost and VP Academic & the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Alberta. She has over twenty years of experience in relationship building with Indigenous Nations across Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10, as well a...

Live from Ottawa, I spoke to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. We talk about his background, and his views on diversity. Mayor Sutcliffe was born in Ottawa. He is an award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and community activist. He co-founded the Ottawa Business Journal, and several other small businesses. For over 30 years, he was a broadcast journalist on CFRA and CityNews, and was the executive editor and...

Step into a virtual journey to Jordan as I connect with my friend the amazing Karim Malouche, Head of Physical Performance for Jordan’s National Team and a FIFA technical expert. Despite the distance, our candid conversation explores his insights on diversity, shaped by his interactions with various cultures in the football realm. While miles apart, the richness of our dialogue transcends borders.

I had the pleasure to speak to Alex Ihama a prominent Nigerian global strategist, author, professional speaker, executive coach, and the President/CEO of the International School of Greatness. He is also the Executive Director of the Canadian Congress on Inclusive Diversity & Workplace Equity. His expertise lies in improving workplaces for all by providing a wide range of services to major org...

En direct de Kigali, je m’entretiens avec Regis Isheja, Maître de Cérémonie International. Explorez son parcours vers le succès, les défis qu’il a surmontés, et profitez de ses conseils avisés pour la jeune génération. Une conversation incontournable pour celles et ceux en quête d’excellence.

J’ai une conversation avec l’humoriste, créateur de contenu Cashboy Reg.

Live from Montreal, I had a conversation with the incredible Montreal-based Filmmaker Marilyn Cooke. Director and screenwriter, Marilyn brings complex female characters and dreamlike universes to the screen. Since completing her degree in film studies, she has written and directed three short films. Her film Wanted: Strong Woman has screened in more than 40 festivals (Palm Springs, Vienna Shorts,...

Live from Ottawa, I have a conversation with Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey, Lead Minister at Parkdale United Church, Ottawa. Originally from Barbados, Anthony Bailey has lived and served in various parts of Canada, in Kenya and Jamaica. A teacher at heart, Bailey taught at the McGill University joint theological colleges in Montreal and the Theological College of the University of the West Indies in Kin...

Mohammed Hashim, Executive Director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF)