On this week’s edit, Anna talks to Cicely Belle Blain, an anti-racism educator working to create communities where everyone matters. That goal requires a wide range of diverse yet intersected topics to be considered; Through this conversation, Cicely introduces us to a powerful array of issues to reflect on with the goal of not only unpacking, but dismantling, harmful systems of oppression. We talk about barriers to access, equity, activism, social justice, mental health, and even dinosaurs!… This edit is a MUST LISTEN for all humans, and particularly those looking to develop or enhance their ally-ship to create inclusive and safe spaces for all.
Other topics discussed on this edit:
> Intersectionality in practise
> Black Lives Matter (Vancouver)
> Anti-Racism, Anti-Blackness
> Activism vs. Radical Activism
> Inclusion + Liberation Movements
> Ethical, sustainable “good work” vs. White Saviourism
> ADHD + Neuro-divergency
> Mental Health, Chronic Pain + Taboos
> Creating organizational change
> Ripple of Change Magazine
> The Bachelor/Bachelorette
> The amazing Parasaurolophus dinosaur
About the Guest:
Cicely Belle Blain is a Black/mixed, queer femme from London, UK now living on the lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh people. Their ancestry is a mix of Gambian (Wolof), Jamaican and English. At the heart of all their work, Cicely Belle harnesses their passion for justice, liberation and meaningful change via transformative education, always with laughter, and fearlessly in the face of systemic oppression.
They are noted for founding Black Lives Matter Vancouver and subsequently being listed as one Vancouver's 50 most powerful people by Vancouver Magazine in 2018 and again in 2020, BC Business's 30 under 30 and one of Refinery29's Powerhouses.
Cicely Belle is an instructor in Executive Leadership at Simon Fraser University, the Editorial Director of Ripple of Change Magazine and the author of Burning Sugar (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2020).
Website & social media handles:
https://www.bakauconsulting.com
https://www.instagram.com/cicelybelle_xo/
https://www.instagram.com/bakauconsulting/
About the Host:
www.instagram.com/unapologeticanna
www.facebook.com/unapologeticanna
www.instagram.com/truestorytalks
Website: www.UnapologeticStories.com
Anna was born with a deep fascination for letters - a fascination that deepened when she discovered those letters could turn into words, those words into sentences and those sentences into stories. Not surprisingly, Anna graduated from The University of Victoria, with a Degree in both English and Gender Studies, fuelling her eventual mission to put the power of words back into the hands of women.
Despite multiple other certifications along the way, including one with world-renowned author and personal transformation pioneer, Deepak Chopra, it was ultimately her personal battle with post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety that became the catalyst for the work she does now, as she helps pave the way for others to live with vulnerability and courage whether they are online, offline or on stage.
She is currently completing her Masters degree in Professional Communication at Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia.
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