Feature Friday

On this month's episode of Feature Friday, we're excited to host MLA Suzy Hansen on the pod! Suzy is the MLA for Halifax - Needham and she chats about what it actually takes to serve community inside and outside the Legislature. She also walks through her roots, the role church played in keeping Black communities connected, and why music has always been her therapy. Suzy Hansen is a Canadian polit...

Season 3 is here! In part 2 of the premiere, Aaliyah shares a day in the life in med school and Trev reflects on his origin story and what brought him to where he is today.   We've got a great season of guests this year and can't wait to share with you the amazing episodes coming your way soon!

Season 3 is here! In part 1 of the premiere, Aaliyah and Trev catch up on life updates and reflect on what they've learned from past seasons — then Aaliyah shares what led her to med school, how purpose fuels confidence, and why trying new things can change your whole trajectory. They also talk identity, ambition, community, and pushing past the fear of not "belonging." We've got a great season of...

On the season finale of season 2, we're honoured to have brothers and entrepreneurs Nevell Provo and Corvell Beals join the pod!   The episode traces their journey growing up in North Preston, where basketball wasn't just a game — it was a foundation. They break down how elite-level athletics, from Team Canada to NCAA competition, shaped their confidence, discipline, and willingness to take risks...

Our guests for this month's Feature Friday are Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw.   Kye Clayton is a Halifax-based artist, producer, and certified audio engineer pushing the sound of Nova Scotia forward. As Manager of Youth Power and Innovation at Hope Blooms, he empowers youth through music and mentorship. A two-time ANSMA Award winner — earning the Lieutenant Governor Award and Portia White Youth Awar...

Our guests for this month's Feature Friday are Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw.   Kye Clayton is a Halifax-based artist, producer, and certified audio engineer pushing the sound of Nova Scotia forward. As Manager of Youth Power and Innovation at Hope Blooms, he empowers youth through music and mentorship. A two-time ANSMA Award winner — earning the Lieutenant Governor Award and Portia White Youth Awar...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Nathan Simmons.   Nathan is an actor of compelling presence and range, best known for his role as Elgin Williams on the supernatural horror-mystery series FROM.   Hailing from the historical Black communities of East and North Preston in Nova Scotia, Simmons brings both authenticity and nuance to his craft.   He graduated from the acting program at the...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Nathan Simmons.   Nathan is an actor of compelling presence and range, best known for his role as Elgin Williams on the supernatural horror-mystery series FROM.   Hailing from the historical Black communities of East and North Preston in Nova Scotia, Simmons brings both authenticity and nuance to his craft.   He graduated from the acting program at the...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Damini Awoyiga.   Damini is a student, an activist, a spoken word poet, and the former Halifax's Youth Poet Laureate (2023-2024). Damini is the founder of Damini Creatives and the Afro-Indigenous Book Club, a book club created to encourage young people to read books written by Black and Indigenous authors and to share the realities and experiences of Bl...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Tyree Haley. Tyree Haley is a model, actor, and fitness coach with a deep passion for helping others unlock their full potential. Now based in Thailand, he runs a wellness retreat on the island of Koh Tao and teaches English part-time, supporting Thai locals in his community. Originally from Halifax, Tyree previously worked as an African Nova Scotian re...

Our guests for this month's double feature is Shekara Grant and Curtis Whiley!   Shekara Grant has ancestral ties to both Cherry Brook and Weymouth Falls, two of over 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities in this province. She graduated from Dalhousie University with combined honours in Sociology and French and a Certificate in Intercultural Communications in 2019. In 2023, Shekara founded...

Our guest for this months Feature Friday is Vanessa Hartley! Vanessa Hartley is an 8th-generation Black Loyalist descendant, born and raised in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Her work and volunteer efforts demonstrate a deep commitment to Black history, Community Engagement, and Environmental Justice within her home province. Hartley began her career at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in 2019, serving...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Alfred Burgesson! Alfred Burgesson is an entrepreneur committed to driving inclusive innovation, economic growth, and social impact. Recognized as a 30 Under 30 Innovator and Top 50 CEO by Atlantic Business Magazine, a Changemaker by Globe and Mail's Report on Business, and the recipient of the Public Policy Forum 2025 Emerging Leader Award.   He is the...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is DeRico Symonds! DeRico Symonds is a 8th generation African Nova Scotian currently employed with the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute as the Director of Engagement and Justice Initiatives. DeRico Symonds is the founder and President of Ignite Consulting, as well as a founding member of two non-profit organizations, ACCE (Arts, Culture, Community, E...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday episode is Daneesha Provo! Daneesha's journey has been all about growth, purpose, and impact, and she is excited to see where it takes her next. Right now, Daneesha is taking some time away from basketball to focus on family, enjoy life, and really be present in this chapter. After years of dedicating herself to the game, playing at the highest levels, tra...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday, as well as first guest of season 2, is Angelina Simmonds!   From North Preston, Angelina spent much of her early life as an athlete including basketball and competitive swimming. Competing provincially and nationally, and holding records in Nova Scotia. Driven to uplift women and girls through empowerment and confidence-building, Angelina founded Black Gi...

Season 2 of Feature Friday is brought to you by the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative administered by the Black Business Initiative.    In this episode, hosts Aaliyah Arab-Smith and Trevor Silver dive into the vision and mission of Feature Friday, share what's in store for the new season, and let you know how to get involved. They'll also update you on what they've personally been u...

Join us for this bonus episode brought to you by the Youth Climate Action Fund, where the ONE team of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Ambassadors—Josh Paris, Sarah Yehayes, and Leah Khisa—share their experiences in raising awareness about climate change within African Nova Scotian communities in Nova Scotia. Their goal is to engage you in a dialogue around 'green jobs', a...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Ashley Hill!   Ashley Hill is an African Nova Scotian woman, creator and social entrepreneur.   With over 10 years of combined experience working in corporate and non-profit industries, she has led strategy, fundraising, donor engagement, community outreach, student engagement, program evaluation and program development. She's inspired to serve Black st...

This episode is brought to you by Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP, a group of common sense lawyers whose clients appreciate our approachable style, practical advice and broad range of expertise. To learn more about what they do, head to their website: www.bwbllp.ca/ or call them at (902) 423-6361. Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Chaz Samuel! Chaz Samuel was born and raised on the island...

Lindell Smith is a lifelong resident of the North End Halifax, and a proud father. Co-founder of Center Line Studio, a non-profit recording studio for youth who want to express themselves through art and music.  In 2016, Lindell was elected as City Councillor for District 8 Halifax Peninsula North. Lindell has been a member at large on The Council on African Canadian Education (CACE), which is a p...

This episode is brought to you by Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP, a group of common sense lawyers whose clients appreciate our approachable style, practical advice and broad range of expertise. To learn more about what they do, head to their website:  www.bwbllp.ca/  or call them at (902) 423-6361. Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Chika Chiekwe!   Chika Chiekwe is a partner at Cox & Palm...

This episode is brought to you by Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP, a group of common sense lawyers whose clients appreciate our approachable style, practical advice and broad range of expertise. To learn more about what they do, head to their website:  www.bwbllp.ca/  or call them at (902) 423-6361. Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Dr. Cinera Cartwright!   Dr. Cartwright obtained her Bach...

This episode is brought to you by Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP, a group of common sense lawyers whose clients appreciate our approachable style, practical advice and broad range of expertise. To learn more about what they do, head to their website: www.bwbllp.ca/ or call them at (902) 423-6361. Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Keonté Beals! Keonté Beals is a multi-award-winning singer-...

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Aquakultre! Aquakultre is the artistic voice of Lance Sampson — an uncommonly versatile singer, rapper, composer and storyteller from Halifax, NS. Since winning the 2018 CBC Searchlight competition, Aquakultre has released two Polaris-nominated albums and a multitude of genre-diverse, multi-media collaborations, establishing him as a significant musical...