Season 1 – OluQ Speaks

Ep010 Olu Q

In this episode we discuss the unfortunate shooting that that took place at a birthday gathering held at private residence in the east end of Toronto. As a result 2 men were pronounced dead at the scene and the female celebrating her birthday was also injured in the shooting incident. With families and long time friends mourning their loss, many denounce the brazenness of the act, as the annual birthday celebration is regarded as an family oriented safe space in the black community. We explore themes such as, media discourses, community cooperation,police relations with the black community. The episode concludes with host Olu Q trying to determine the role of individual responsibility and community accountability. Press the play button below.

Ep006 DARUE RAMSAY

This episode kicks off our series on Transformation: Resilience through Adversity. Join us as special guest Darue Ramsay shares his compelling journey from the streets to the Federal Penitentiary to community mentor, entrepreneur and fitness coach.Darue’s first charge was at the age of 13 and his lifestyle and choices would eventually lead him to be convicted on extortion charges and sentenced to 4 ½ years in Federal Penitentiary. Facing hard time and a history of charges ranging from assault, robbery and possession of deadly weapons and firearms, Darue decided that he needed to TRANSFORM his life for the sake of his children and family. He is now a business owner, fitness coach and his story is truly an inspiration. Click play below.

Ep005 RECAP: Inside Out Series

Ep004 ZYA BROWN

ZYA BROWN is the founder and Executive Director of Think2wice . Founded in 2006, Think 2wice’s birth was a result of the Toronto 2005 ‘Summer of the Gun’. In an attempt to combat the rising gun violence that was plaguing high risk communities, Think 2wice reached out to youth and young adults who were affected by this violence and were either gang influenced, involved in the legal system or residing in a high priority neighborhoods in Toronto. Click play below.

Ep003 Veronica Salvatierra

Veronica Salvatierra has been working in the field of Youth Justice for the past 18 years. Her lived experiences, growing up in social housing and attending Court as a child to translate ignited an interest to work in the Justice System as an advocate. Over the last 13 years, she has assisted in the expansion of the Youth Justice Services at St. Stephen’s Community House. Currently, the program supports youth from their first point of contact with Police to their reintegration from custody. Her knowledge of the Justice System assists youth and their families who are unfamiliar with navigating the system and accessing resources and supports. Click play below.

Ep002 Raymond Dei

How does one who has grown up surrounded by gang culture and whose own maturing identity formed in affiliation with a gang culture lifestyle decide to leave it behind in pursuit of something different? There is so much research on what influences a young person toward living out gang culture, but today we're going to look at what helps turn young people away from it. What can we as parents, families, educators, community organizations, anyone who works with youth who might be in precarious gang-related situations do to help? Join us as Toronto's own Raymond Dei gives his real life account of growing up in social housing and how a life-changing experience with violence and the law helped him to turn his life around and be a better example for future generations. Join us as we kick off our 3part series entitled Inside Out: Youth Justice. Click play below.