Voices Less Heard with Dr. PMak

Serving in multicultural churches throughout Western Canada, Adam is an experienced leader, charismatic and sought-after speaker, visionary, and evangelist. It is evident that his heart is about spreading the Gospel and loving on people. He has spoken in schools, universities, retreats, conferences, camps and churches from coast to coast for audiences of all ages.

In this episode Coach JT Ward shares insights from his private practice, W.A.R.D Athletics, where since 2016 he's been implementing his philosophy centered on work, accountability, resilience, and determination.

Tinashe, a social entrepreneur, shares his journey from Zimbabwe to Canada and the challenges he faced along the way. He discusses his experiences starting businesses in Zimbabwe during a period of economic instability and inflation. He shares his transition to the United States and his pursuit of a master's degree. Overall, Tinashe's story highlights the resilience and determination required to navigate entrepreneurship in challenging environments. ________________________________________________________________________ About Patrick Makokoro Ph.D | Social Entrepreneur, Educational Researcher, Development Practitioner // I am an author, social entrepreneur, researcher, and development practitioner. My work focuses on creating sustainable solutions for social challenges. With a passion for positive change I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact on communities through innovative approaches and collaborative efforts. \\

In this conversation Dr PMak and Michael Ford cover a wide range of topics, including the income potential in trades, global crises, the future of humanity, and the meaning of life. Michael shares insights on the importance of mastery, the impact of instant gratification on youth, and the significance of building communities and purpose. He also discusses the role of spirituality in his work and the value of perseverance. ________________________________________________________________________ About Patrick Makokoro Ph.D | Social Entrepreneur, Educational Researcher, Development Practitioner // I am an author, social entrepreneur, researcher, and development practitioner. My work focuses on creating sustainable solutions for social challenges. With a passion for positive change I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact on communities through innovative approaches and collaborative efforts. \\

Yves-Gérard Méhou-Loko shares his experiences growing up in different countries and cultures, including France, Togo, Benin and Canada. He discusses his early career in politics and journalism, as well as the challenges he faced in navigating the public service and media industry. Yves-Gérard emphasizes the importance of patience and understanding in creating systemic change and combating racism. He also highlights the need for collective action and allyship in the fight against discrimination. Despite his current position of power as the Secretary General for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Yves-Gérard acknowledges that racism can still persist and that he remains committed to uplifting others. ________________________________________________________________________ About Patrick Makokoro Ph.D | Social Entrepreneur, Educational Researcher, Development Practitioner // I am an author, social entrepreneur, researcher, and development practitioner. My work focuses on creating sustainable solutions for social challenges. With a passion for positive change I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact on communities through innovative approaches and collaborative efforts. \\

In this episode of the Voices Less Heard, Dr. PMak interviews Anick Silencieux, founder of Support Black Charities. Anick shares her journey from a curious child in Montreal to an engineer and ultimately to a social entrepreneur. She discusses her cultural background, the importance of community service, and the vision behind her organization, which aims to enhance the impact of Black-led charities. Anick emphasizes the need for sustainability and generational impact in charitable work, and she reflects on her transition from employee to entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and rewards of her journey. ________________________________________________________________________ About Patrick Makokoro Ph.D | Social Entrepreneur, Educational Researcher, Development Practitioner // I am an author, social entrepreneur, researcher, and development practitioner. My work focuses on creating sustainable solutions for social challenges. With a passion for positive change I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact on communities through innovative approaches and collaborative efforts. \\

Dr. PMak welcomes Zarya Thomas and Emmanuel Okee, the founders of the 4Roots Collective, a network of community organizers and social entrepreneurs of African descent. They discuss their commitment to community, the fragmentation in their community, and the need for healing and celebration. Emmanuel shares his journey from studying medicine to psychology and his passion for cultural education. They also discuss the problems within the community, including the loss of cultural values and the prioritization of capitalism over human connection. ________________________________________________________________________ About Patrick Makokoro Ph.D | Social Entrepreneur, Educational Researcher, Development Practitioner // I am an author, social entrepreneur, researcher, and development practitioner. My work focuses on creating sustainable solutions for social challenges. With a passion for positive change I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact on communities through innovative approaches and collaborative efforts. \\

In this conversation, Dr. PMak speaks with Camarrah Morgan about the importance of self-care and finding balance in life. Camarrah shares her personal journey of realizing the need to prioritize herself and how it has transformed her perspective. They discuss the idea that caring for oneself is not selfish, but necessary for long-term well-being. They also explore the balance between taking care of the community and taking care of oneself. Camarrah emphasizes the importance of sharing the load and empowering others to contribute, creating a stronger community. They touch on the generational struggle of overworking and the need to shift the focus from quantifiable metrics to happiness and well-being. Camarrah shares her favorite hobbies, such as journaling and enjoying sunsets and water. They conclude by discussing the future of humanity and the importance of liberation and joy. ________________________________________________________________________ About Patrick Makokoro Ph.D | Social Entrepreneur, Educational Researcher, Development Practitioner // I am an author, social entrepreneur, researcher, and development practitioner. My work focuses on creating sustainable solutions for social challenges. With a passion for positive change I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact on communities through innovative approaches and collaborative efforts. \\

This conversation explores the experiences of black people and people of African descent in the grant-making and philanthropy sector in Canada. Dr. PMak and Omar Yasin Omar discuss the importance of centering and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, the challenges of grant-making, and the need for intentional and purposeful grant-making.

Professor Alan Pence discusses his early childhood work and the importance of community, culture, and context in early childhood development. He shares his experiences with mentors such as Prof. Uri Bronfenbrenner and Thomas Weisner, who influenced his understanding of child development. Pence also talks about his work in Kenya and the challenges of being a male caregiver and house father. He then discusses his involvement with a tribal council in Canada and the development of a generative curriculum that incorporates both Western and indigenous knowledge. The conversation explores the importance of knowledge engagement and generation in education, particularly in Indigenous communities. It highlights the success of a program that focused on interaction and collaboration rather than knowledge transfer. The conversation also discusses the impact of the program on the community, elevating the students and elders and changing their perception of themselves. The conversation then delves into the establishment of the Early Childhood Development Virtual University, which aimed to train graduate-level leaders in Africa. The importance of learning from the past and the need for a global perspective in early childhood education are also emphasized.

In this conversation, Dr. PMak and Sarah Gawthrop explore the themes of poetry, nature, cultural identity, and the challenges of the publishing industry. Sarah shares her inspirations for writing, her creative process, and the significance of her upcoming work that reflects on her grandmothers.

Dr. Godwin Ude, a man with three doctoral degrees, shares his inspiring journey and the passion that drives him to find solutions to problems. Growing up in a large family of 15 siblings, Dr. Ude learned discipline and the value of making do with little. His academic journey was inspired by his desire to support his struggling family and make a difference in the lives of marginalized and impoverished people.

Colleen Hanley is a BCCIC Board Chair at Interculturalist-Consultant and Trainer. ________________________________________________________________________ About Patrick Makokoro Ph.D | Social Entrepreneur, Educational Researcher, Development Practitioner // I am an author, social entrepreneur, researcher, and development practitioner. My work focuses on creating sustainable solutions for social challenges. With a passion for positive change I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact on communities through innovative approaches and collaborative efforts. \\

Olaolu Adeleye describes himself as Nigerian mentally, shaped by British tendencies, and grounded in Canadian sensibilities—a blend formed through lived experiences across all three cultures. He’s a Senior Consultant with Deloitte’s Government and Public Sector Services and a faculty member at Royal Roads University, where he brings global insight to topics like international development, humanitarian innovation, equity, and diaspora studies.

In this conversation Dr. PMak speaks with Tara Schroder, the Chief Executive Officer of the nonprofit Dimensions Educational Research Foundation whose mission is to inspire joy and wonder in children, educators, and communities with a heart-centered approach to early education. Her work supports the major departments of the Foundation: The Nature Explore Program; Exchange Press; and Dimensions Education Programs.

In this conversation Dr. PMak speaks with Tapfuma Musewe, a seasoned trade and investment executive with over 15 years of experience in advancing emerging markets and fostering regional leaders. Tapfuma has built one of Canada’s foremost platforms for bridging African and Canadian innovation ecosystems through  trade and investment. 

In this episode Dr. PMak speaks with Diana Schaffter, a teacher, educator, international speaker, mother, and grandmother. Diana is fluent in Thai, has traveled to over fifty countries, lived in seven countries in Asia and Eastern Europe for forty-two years, including two years in Pyongyang, North Korea, where her husband worked for UNICEF. Wherever she has lived, Diana has witnessed the power of human resilience, cooperation, and caring, which inspires her writing.

Dr. PMAK and Mark speak about his leadership journey serving children and families in the US and globally. Mark speaks passionately about his love of building community capacity to help programs and leaders better serve children and families.

In this episode, Dr. PMak and Maeva Gauthier talk about her work in oceanography, discuss resilience and adaptations, human dimensions of global change, participatory approaches, youth engagement and Arctic regions. Her research is using participatory video to engage youth in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, on issues that matter to them: climate change and living in two worlds (modern and traditional worlds).

Dr. PMak speaks with Darren Abrahams, a Sydney-born radiation therapist turned counsellor, pastor, published author, and chaplain for Alliance Door Products Canada (part of the Lynden Family of Companies) as Canadian representative who has lived in Victoria, Canada since 2013 with his wife and two adult children.