Blackout Podcast

Ashley is the owner of Happily Hitched Halifax, an all-inclusive wedding chapel in Downtown Halifax specializing in elopements and minimonies. She is also a full-time Event Specialist at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.Her event planning journey began in theatre with stage management and production in Toronto.Following her family's roots in Cape Breton, Ashley moved to beautiful Nova Scotia with her partner Jay Fisher (Capture It Photography) in 2020, and is thrilled to be building a life here! Find out more @happilyhitchedhfx

Queensley Chidera is a customer service expert, experienced administrative assistant and Certified Scrum master. She is originally from eastern Nigeria and currently resides in Halifax Novascotia with her husband. Queensley has over 8 years banking experience in Nigeria and 2 years of administrative experience in Canada. Queensley has a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and a master’s degree in food Microbiology from the Federal University of Technology Minna and the University of Nigeria Nsukka respectively. She is an advocate for inclusivity and equality in the workplace and has volunteered in programs that promote these. Outside of her career, Queensley loves trying new foods, loves cooking, hiking and hanging out with friends. Find out more @ajibo_queensley

Coming up in the Open Mic & Karaoke Community, Deves Matwawana has a strong love for pop music which shines through with his catchy hooks and his deceptively heartfelt lyrics. A Dartmouth Native and self-professed comic book geek, he’s the lead singer of the ANSMA Award Nominated, Halifax pop-rock band, CASUAL CRIES FOR HELP.Deves wants to use his platform to show a different side of black masculinity and black mental health through his art and the way he carries himself.Described as a mix between Michael Jackson and BareNaked Ladies, Casual Cries For HELP is a fun and vibrant pop-rock band with songs about anxiety, toxic relationships, intruding thoughts and nostalgia.Check him out @devesinprogress

Dwayne Marcial, a dynamic serial entrepreneur, thrives at the intersection of business and the arts.As an accomplished artist manager in the Canadian music industry, he navigates the complexities of the entertainment world with finesse. Dwayne's entrepreneurial spirit led him to be a founder of a groundbreaking music streaming app, revolutionizing the way audiences engage with indie music artists. Beyond his commercial ventures, Dwayne is dedicated to fostering a global appreciation for Canadian music.As the owner of a nonprofit organization, he champions initiatives that export the rich diversity of Canadian musical talent on the world stage. He is a respected client of the Trade Commission of Canada. Dwayne's influence reaches international heights, having actively participated in numerous export missions with Heritage Canada and working with music festivals in Singapore, Australia, and France, a testament to his invaluable contributions to both the artistic and economic landscapes.Find out more @realdjslim

Trevor Murphy contains multitudes. Whether as the founder of the boutique record label Acadian Embassy, the leader of bands such as Sluice and Quiet Parade, an award-winning publicist, a radio host, or a respected behind-the-scenes player throughout Nova Scotia's culture sector, he acts as a consistent champion for the outsider. Leaning on almost 20 years of experience in the music industry, Murphy strives to promote artists (particularly those from the East Coast) with a dedicated DIY attitude and a staunch alternative spirit. Check him out @hfxisburning

Blanche Israël is the CEO of the East Coast Music Association. A multilingual Moroccan-French Canadian cultural strategist and accomplished professional cellist, she has called Dartmouth, Nova Scotia her home since 2019. Before joining ECMA, Blanche was the founder and lead consultant at proScenium Services, a consulting firm excelling in transformative strategy which helped secure over $10 million in grants and funding for arts organizations.As a versatile cellist, Blanche collaborates with Indigenous artist Jeremy Dutcher, and in recent years her talents have graced over 60 Canadian stages and have been showcased in a Tiny Desk Concert and at the JUNO Awards. Her advocacy efforts span various arts service organizations, demonstrating her commitment to cultural storytelling and representation.Blanche has presented at esteemed conferences and platforms including Folk Alliance International, Music Nova Scotia, and the PHI Centre's Digital Literacy Incubator. With a polymathic range, a rich background in arts management, an impressive funding track record, and a profound artistic presence, Blanche Israël is poised to lead the East Coast Music Association towards a future characterized by innovation, inclusivity, and unparalleled cultural impact.

Fatu Kaba is an award-winning human rights activist, high-fashion model, and the founder and CEO of HEARTS, a platform dedicated to building an epistemic community where every individual has a platform to learn, share their story, and access tools to create a positive social impact.She is also a novelist with both published and unpublished manuscripts, including "Fiona Sallami" and "Harder Choices," and has contributed articles to platforms such as Manchester University Peace Studies, UNICEF Voices of Youth, and Sleepless in Monrovia. Fatu is currently working on turning some of her manuscripts into screenplays, including "Crippled Affection," "Unholy Deal," and "Echoes of the Guardians."Originally from Liberia, Fatu survived the civil war before moving to the USA to pursue her Bachelor's in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from Manchester University. She then relocated to Canada in 2022 to pursue a Master's in Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation at SMU.Find out more @fatumkaba

 Hilary MacCormick (she/her) is an obstetric anesthesiologist practising in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. Her academic research focuses on improving perioperative care for LGBTQIA+ communities. She is a volunteer with @CASIEF, which takes her to Rwanda every couple of years to help teach the anaesthesia residents at the University of Rwanda. Hilary began pole dancing 15 years ago for exercise but quickly fell in love with the community and mental health benefits. She has competed regionally and internationally, winning gold at the Pole Sport Organization Northeast L3 Senior Championship (Boston, 2019) and Halifax Theatrix (2020). In addition to pole dance, she also trains partner acrobatics (Halifax Circus) and lollipop lyra. Hilary began performing burlesque as Lola Pop in 2021 and is incredibly grateful to the supportive burlesque community for welcoming her with open arms. As a self-titled “collector of hobbies”, she also rides horses and has started learning West Coast swing dance. Hilary loves marvelling at the capabilities of the human body and creating meaningful connections with people - whether that is through relieving someone’s pain and anxiety during labour, collaborating with colleagues providing care in low resource settings, or cheering someone on when they nail a new skill in pole or circus. Learn more @hilarykate

Jay Fisher is the Headshot Photographer for people who hate having their photo taken.He's been fortunate enough to work with many different people from different parts of the arts world. As a former actor and performer, Jay has spent a lot of time on both sides of the camera and uses that insight and experience to make personality come alive in his clients' images. He has garnered the trust of HRM's Business Community and is the go-to headshot photographers for some of the regions best known companies and business leaders.Jay's photo philosophy is simple: The person in the photo needs to be the person walking in the room. And so he wholeheartedly celebrates the people he has the pleasure of working with! Jay strives to create a fun and empowering environment, and welcomes people of all age, sex, gender identity, orientation, physical ability, ethnicity and body type.When he's not working in the studio, Jay enjoys music, movies, cooking, and other geeky pursuits. And yes, still enjoys photography as a hobby, as a medium for creating art and storytelling.Jay lives in Dartmouth with his partner Ashley and their dog Bleu.Check his work out @captureit.photog

Oliver Twisted is a theatrical neo-boylesquer with a passion for the absurd, creative costume design and fully immersive theatre.He has been active in the Halifax burlesque scene for almost 4 years and is thrilled to contribute to the further development of our community. He is on the board of the Atlantic Burlesque Co-operative, and he’s the producer and co-founder of Atlantic Boylesque.Oliver is profoundly appreciative to have the opportunity to live and work in Mi’kma’ki because of its beautiful coastal environments, wild interiors, rich artistic culture and supportive community vibes.Check him out @atlanticboylesque

Tiffani Young is the CEO of Natural Butter Bar, a multi-award-winning company based in Dartmouth, N.S. that launched in December 2020.Natural Butter Bar offers 100% plant-based products that help different types of hair and skin look their best. Their diverse product line includes Butters, Oils, Essential Oils, Gel, Soap, Shampoos, Conditioners and Accessories. Their products help with a variety of challenges such as eczema, psoriasis, dryness, breakage and itchy scalp to name a few.Tiffani started Butter Bar because she wanted to offer high-quality all-natural products that are inclusive and accessible. She offers products that focus on black hair and skin care needs but are still universal and also offers Braille labels upon request.The aim is to help people, regardless of their texture or complexion, to fall more in love with the skin they’re in and the kink of their hair.Learn more @naturalbutterbar

Veronica Post is an award-winning graphic novelist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Author ofLangosh and Peppi: Fugitive Days, and Langosh, Peppi and Yeva: Hot to Trot. Following a brief and disillusioning attempt at university for Philosophy and Fine Arts, respectively, Veronica moved to Montreal where she completed a diploma in fine cabinetry, which suited her much better. She played drums in punk bands, ate poutine, worked in factories and joined a local zine distro that encouraged her to self-publish and distribute her mini-comics. This encouragement turned a lifelong love for comic books into a passion for creating auto-biographical work in graphic novel form. She left Montreal for the allure of Eastern Europe, where she created the characters Langosh and Peppi and began working on what would become “Fugitive Days”, published by Conundrum Press and awarded with the Doug Wright “Nipper” award in 2020. She continues to create work based on these characters and looks forward to creating more work exploring their world, and her own. Check out her work @veronica.post.comics

Janice Landry has won three national awards for her books and mental health advocacy work. Janice is a proud Haligonian and is currently working on her seventh non-fiction title which will be published by Pottersfield Press in spring 2025. Her most recent book, Eye of the Ocean, (2022), was a bestseller. Janice’s biggest inspiration is her family; husband, Rob, and daughter, Laura. She also honours her late parents, Baz and Theresa, with her books, and began writing long form to tell the gripping story of her father’s National Medal of Bravery for rescuing an infant from a harrowing house fire. Check her out @jthecanadian

Canadian by birth, Ethiopian by ethnicity, traveller by choice.Dinah is from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She grew up travelling back home to Ethiopia quite often as a kid and it has continued to stay with her till this day. She has a huge passion for travelling and doing things outside of her comfort zone as she feels like you learn so much about yourself and the world.Dinah is mostly into budget travelling and backpacking, her favourite part of travelling is meeting and making new friends from all over the world during her travels. Travelling has given her such a unique outlook on the world and she cannot wait to travel to many more countries that are misinterpreted by the media and the Western world.Find out more @dinah_ejigu

Schuyler Vromans is a partner aerial circus artist, osteopath, massage therapist, and acupuncturist.His life revolves around elevating others' health and wellness and pushing the boundaries of physical artistry. In his free time, he's either defying gravity with dynamic aerial routines or finding new ways to blend movement and healing.Every performance, every treatment, is a step towards a holistic approach to well-being, and exploring the limits of human potential together.Find out more @schuylervromans

Jasmin Jasko Razic is the dynamic President and owner of True North Events, a company renowned for revolutionizing the DJ & Event services landscape on the East Coast. Born from a legacy established in 2013, True North Events, originally known as True North DJ Services, quickly became a cornerstone in the entertainment industry, renowned for its top-notch DJ services. Jasko's entrepreneurial spirit and vision led him to acquire True North amidst the challenging times of COVID-19 in December 2021, a bold move that marked the beginning of a new era for the company.With a diverse background that intriguingly blends music and law enforcement, Jasko's journey is anything but ordinary. Before his venture into the business world, he served as a dedicated police officer for a decade, a career that honed his sense of community and service. However, his heart always beat for music, a passion deeply rooted in his childhood years in Bosnia, where he played piano and drums before immigrating to Canada at the age of 10. Settling in Halifax at a young age, Jasko's transition into a new culture was marked by his unwavering love for music, which remained a constant as he navigated through high school and beyond.Jasko's transition from law enforcement to full-time entrepreneurship was fueled by his entrepreneurial spirit and an innate drive to innovate within the entertainment industry. Under his leadership, True North Events has experienced exponential growth, expanding its team from seven to twenty-two DJs and broadening its services to include photo booths and the highly sought-after 360 video booth, a first of its kind on the East Coast. His pragmatic approach to business, combined with a deep understanding of market needs, has positioned True North Events as a leading entertainment provider, renowned for its quality, innovation, and comprehensive service offerings.Jasko's story is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and adaptability. From the war-torn streets of Bosnia to the bustling business landscape of Canada, his journey reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep commitment to enriching the entertainment experience. As True North Events continues to thrive under his stewardship, Jasko remains a beacon of innovation, continuously seeking new ways to elevate the event experience and leave a lasting impact on the industry.Check him out @truenorthevents.hfx

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 International Business & Vitality Inc., owner of Embodied Clothing, as well as Co-Founder/ Chief Brand Director of a new international project called Weev (app).Mariah is also fluent in other creative pursuits, as a recognized Poet, Sound Therapist, Fashion Designer & Event Coordinator.She has worked with Businesses/ Nonprofits/ Corporate Structures such as Youth Art Connection, Place-Making 4G, The Bus Stop Theatre, Halifax Chambers of Commerce, Black Business Initiative, Common Good Solutions, Delmore Buddy Day Learning Institute, Cluster, FlexTime & others.As a business owner who has previously benefited from the support of INOVA, Mariah can be a voice and a bridge for other BIPOC businesses to regain trust in the banking institutions.With her wealth of knowledge and natural intuitive understanding of business, she has been asked to consult for government programs, the creation of new building developments for minority groups as well as create programming for the youth in business.

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. Hailie grew up in rural Nova Scotia, after graduating high school she went to Mount Allison University where she fell in love with sociology and academia. After her undergrad she travelled Europe and the UK and was a nanny in Scotland, she then went to Dalhousie University where she completed her Masters in Sociology in 2020. When not in school Hailie likes to volunteer her time to worthy causes like Justice for Workers or going to local rallies and protests. She lives in Halifax (K'jipuktuk) with her partner Jacob and their two kitties- Michael and Dexter. Learn more @hailiemtattrie

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 leverage social media through her consulting, BeFlawsome podcast, educational blog, and a variety of webinars and online courses.The anti-hero Spicy Anita arrived in 2023 and is known for her red leather jacket, busting myths about the online marketing industry and encouraging her followers to #UnleashTheAntiHero.Check her out @twirpcommunications

 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 last year for which she toured across schools in Nova Scotia to amplify the voices of immigrants and refugees in Canada and was a performer in the Halifax Fringe festival as well for the show called "The Object at Trash Beach". She made her screen debut in January 2024 with a Punjabi song titled "Ik Chehra" which got over 306K views. She has also been a background Actor in award-winning films like "The Queen of My Dreams" and has worked as a catalogue model for Ela Stories. From Acting, dancing, pageant, and modelling to being a pitch presenter for Enactus or being involved with Entrepreneurship, sales, and Psychology, she is a multifaceted individual driven by a relentless pursuit of diverse passions. She believes in creating impact through her art and likes to give back to the community. She has participated as a speaker at events organized by the World University Service of Canada(WUSC) and United Way Canada(UWC) to raise awareness about student refugees, poverty, social issues and international development. Additionally, she did a show in Halifax on her birthday in collaboration with an NGO called Adsum for Women for charity which was a great success. V is like an unstoppable force passionate about whatever she does. She will achieve all her dreams through her strong will to never give up and hard work and she wants to become a renowned name in the world, especially in the Entertainment industry. Find out more @vaishali__sachdeva