Blackout Podcast

Mariah has supported small to large businesses locally and internationally for almost a decade. Her expertise is in the overlap of embodying branding with the natural evolution of business. Her support ranges vastly from grounding the strategy, messaging, and visual components of a business; to understanding micro-movements for sustainable success. She is currently the Executive Director of Mariah...

Hailie Tattrie (she/her) is a sociologist, a white settler,  a communist, and a lifelong learner. She is currently working towards finishing her PhD in educational studies at Mount Saint Vincent University. She works as a part-time professor at Saint Mary's University & is hoping to become a full-time professor at one of Halifax's universities when she is done with her schooling.   H...

Anita Kirkbride UNDERcomplicates social media marketing for smart, successful small businesses. She encourages her clients to ditch perfectionism, embrace authenticity and #BeFlawsome in their social media. She started Twirp Communications Inc., a boutique social media consulting business, in 2011 and the Social Media Day Halifax conference in 2018. She has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs leverag...

  Vaishali Sachdeva aka V is an international student from a country rich in culture and diversity, India. She created history by being crowned as the first Miss South Asian Gem Nova Scotia 2023 and is dedicated to achieving more milestones in the future as well.   Since childhood Acting has been her passion and she started her journey as a professional Actor with the Newcomer’s Project...

Josh Creighton is a lifelong resident of Nova Scotia. He works for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, as the Corporate Partnership Specialist. He also sits on CBC's African Nova Scotian community advisory board. Josh enjoys exploring various entrepreneur efforts, reading, cooking, hiking, and practising martial arts in his spare time. Check him out @joshcreighton2

Iyiola AKA Gafar, a shortened form of the name "Abdulgafar" which means “Servant of the All Forgiving”. He is an artist, Architecture student, and general creative. He has always loved design and aesthetics, and visual art is his preferred way of expressing himself. Born in Canada but lived most of his life in Lagos, Nigeria, Iyiola believes Lagos is a wonderful place, and it has influenced his ar...

Tanya McHarg is a registered social worker, coach and facilitator with over 20 years of experience in the field.   She is the owner and operator of Healing on Purpose Therapeutic Services, currently offering coaching services, facilitation and individual therapy under the mentorship of a clinical social worker. She uses an intersectional, anti-oppressive and holistic lens to support the healt...

A small red Sepal on a Peduncle attached to the deep roots of the flower in a garden full of colorful flowers feeling the scent of nature could be: Basam Murtaza Tahoor. He feeds from the sprinkles of nature, inhales the fragrance of the air, and lives under the rays of the luminous sun. Basam Murtaza Tahoor is the Founder and Managing Director of iClick Agency, a full-service marketing agency. A...

Noémie (pronounced No-Emmy) is a Québecer of Haitian ancestry who has resided, worked and lived in Mi'kma'ki (Nova Scotia) since 2016. She received an undergraduate degree (honours) in Psychology from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2021 and is set to receive a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology from Acadia University in 2024. Noémie has a passion for Health Equity research, and for sharing...

Meet Kevin Robert, a young real estate investor and mortgage broker. Throughout his time at Saint Mary's University, Kevin was working towards his goal of financial freedom through real estate investing. With self-education, frugal saving, and being surrounded by inspiring investors alike, he was able to start building his portfolio upon graduating from university.   Kevin purchased his first...

Nahom is an illustrator, graphic designer, and writer, who specializes in visual and written storytelling. Originally from Ethiopia, he infuses his work with a mix of traditional and modern aesthetics, drawing inspiration from animation movies and ancient stories/myths from around the world. With over five years of self-taught and hands-on experience, Nahom's diverse skill set includes digita...

Sasha Paul is a Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur who passionately navigates both the Accounting and Creative realms. As the co-founder of Mauya, The Fine Arts Tribe, Sasha actively cultivates a community that nurtures creative connections and self-expression across diverse age groups and backgrounds. Through this platform, she thoughtfully crafts experiences that resonate with and represent fellow rac...

An accordionist with a bag of pocket-sized instruments & a dedication to cultural ecology, Mary Beth Carty fuses traditional songs, instrumental tunes, & songwriting. With a live show that runs the gamut of emotions, transporting us from the heights of dance-paced ecstasy to the calm of contemplative airs, she has had the opportunity to tour in North America, Europe, and Africa. Most recen...

Teo founded TEO CREATIVE STUDIOS as a brand expert and entrepreneur with 11+ years of professional experience in marketing within the automobile and film industries while currently serving as the Program Coordinator for the Halifax Partnership. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and broadcasting and also possesses a degree in graphic design. Inspired by his positive experiences since reloca...

Over the past 25 years, Vanessa has had a rewarding career in both the social impact and for-profit sectors and has held positions in special events, fundraising, communications, marketing and B2B sales. Through educating, mentoring, researching and writing, Vanessa now provides a One Stop Grant Shop. A proud member of the Grant Professionals Association, Vanessa aims to deliver a higher standard...

Meet Taylor Milne, the multi-talented Annapolis Valley educator, entrepreneur, and actor extraordinaire. By day, she's shaping the minds of the future generation in an elementary school, ensuring an inclusive learning environment where barriers are broken, and dreams are built. Beyond the classroom, Taylor takes on the role of the Director of Maritime Model & Talent Management, representing a...

Real life.   Storytelling.   Melodies.   The B. brings an afro-futuristic vibe with every rhyme.   Check her out @bibi.wav

Kuraaku is a Music Producer/mixing engineer, graphic designer, video editor and creative director born and raised on the island of Barbados (Caribbean) also home to the queen herself Rhianna. Now residing in Halifax, Ns, Canada, Kuraaku aims to push boundaries through his production helping to shape modern sound with his unique way of fusing genres with his background knowledge of dancehall, regga...

  As the founder and CEO of Diaspora Servus Immigration, Duntan understands the complexities of Canadian immigration like the back of her hand. Her dual expertise – a Bachelor's in Computer Science from the University of Lagos and a Diploma in Immigration Laws and Policies from the University of British Columbia – ensures a meticulous approach to every case.   With many years of experien...

  Sarah McCann is a Halifax, NS-based elementary school teacher by day, content creator and budding entrepreneur by night.   She has been teaching for over a decade, with a special interest in early literacy that stems from her own life-long love of reading and writing. Looking for a creative outlet beyond her daily life as a teacher and mother, she turned to writing and combined it with...

  Michaela Jessome is a 27-year-old makeup artist from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia with over a decade of experience under her brush belt.   From the early age of 16, Michaela began working on brides across the island and servicing clients in a photography studio before their shoots.  Once she had finished high school, she headed for one of Canada’s top makeup schools, John Casablanca’s...

Hawa Swaray transcends the role of an esthetician, championing self-care and empowerment. A proud alumna of Saint Mary’s University and HDC Hair & Esthetics - School of Cosmetology, her journey of self-discovery began after welcoming her son, Christopher, in 2020.   Recognizing a gap in beauty services, she noticed a scarcity of skilled estheticians knowledgeable about diverse skin types,...

Leanne Hoffman is a multi-disciplinary artist, songwriter, and producer living in Halifax, NS. She released her first solo, full-length album in May 2019 which was nominated for four Music Nova Scotia Awards, winning two, and a nomination for an East Coast Music Award. Her second album, The Text Collector, was co-produced with award-winning producer Erin Costelo and released in June 2023. The Text...

Tori Yeomans is a Nova Scotian salon owner, passionate about inclusion within the beauty industry. With a background working in community mental health, Tori brings their expertise to the salon industry.   Tori's vision is to create a salon atmosphere that clients AND beauty professionals can come to and feel free from judgement and discrimination; while advocating for other beauty businesses...

JupiterReign, also known as Thaydra Gray, has been surrounded by music since the beginning of her life. She began singing in her father’s church choir in Montreal, Quebec, where she grew up directed by her mother, even before she could put together full sentences. She grew up the youngest of four daughters, and through her sisters she found her deep love for RnB music. Because of her exceptional v...