Now playing "Things That Bring Us Together" with Carolann Wright | S3E6 This month's Feature Friday episode welcomes legendary community leader Carolann Wright, whose decades of work have helped shape Black communities across Nova Scotia and beyond.
From growing up in historic Beechville to leading political movements, advocating for economic development, and preserving Black history, Carolann shares incredible stories about the power of community, strategy, and collective action.
This isn't just a conversation about history, it's about how understanding the past helps us build a stronger future. If you've ever wondered how real community change happens, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
We'd like to thank Carolann for joining us for this great episode!
"You Are Your Child's First Teacher" with Augy Jones | S3E5 Augy Jones joins Feature Friday on today’s episode for a powerful conversation about education, identity, leadership, and community.
As a longtime educator and advocate, Augy shares lessons from growing up in Halifax, teaching across the Caribbean, working in leadership roles throughout Nova Scotia's education system, and continuing the legacy of his parents, Rocky and Joan Jones.
From the importance of parents as first teachers to redefining what civil rights really mean, this episode offers practical wisdom and powerful stories for anyone looking to make an impact.
If you enjoy conversations about leadership, education, personal growth, and community building, this episode is for you.
Show notes:
00:00 - Introduction & the meaning behind Augy's name
02:04 - Growing up in Halifax's North End
05:16 - Basketball, community, and the YMCA
07:23 - Why parents are a child's first teacher
12:24 - Education beyond the classroom
16:00 - Getting kids out into the world
22:09 - Roots, wings, and community identity
27:15 - Teaching throughout the Caribbean
32:27 - Representation and seeing what's possible
41:09 - Returning home and leadership work
46:08 - The loss of community spaces
50:20 - Civil rights and the rights of civilians
53:55 - The bow and the arrow philosophy
57:44 - Why empathy matters
“Let People’s Brilliance Show” with Sylvia Parris-Drummond | S3E4 In this Feature Friday episode, we sit down with Sylvia Parris-Drummond for a powerful conversation about roots, education, community, leadership, and transformation. Sylvia shares stories from growing up in Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, reflecting on rural life, family values, Black community, and the lessons that shaped her from a young age.
She opens up about her education journey, moving to Antigonish after losing both parents, supporting her younger sister while attending university, and eventually becoming a teacher. From there, Sylvia’s path led her into government, curriculum, policy, consulting, and her current role as CEO of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute.
Throughout the episode, Sylvia speaks about the importance of lived experience, Afrocentric education, Ubuntu, community-led research, and creating spaces where Black learners and communities can thrive. This conversation is a reminder that our journeys, our roots, and our collective responsibility all play a role in shaping the future.
You don't want to miss this one! Big thanks to Sylvia for joining us.
"You're Only As Sick As Your Secrets" with Rev. Dr. Lennett J. Anderson | S3E3 On this month's episode of Feature Friday, we're excited to host Rev. Dr. Lennett J. Anderson on the pod!
Rev. Dr. Anderson joins us for a powerful Feature Friday conversation about faith, family, Black Nova Scotian history, leadership, racial justice, and the future of Hammonds Plains.
From preaching his first sermon at just nine years old, to serving in the military, to pastoring for decades and teaching leadership and racial justice at Acadia, Rev. Dr. Anderson shares stories that are personal, historic, emotional, and deeply important.
We talk about ancestry, Africville, the role of the church, mentorship, systemic racism, driving while Black, community development, ancestral land, and why he still believes the best is yet to come.
This is a conversation about pain, purpose, and possibility.
"Province House is the People's House” with Suzy Hansen | S3E2 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 politician who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election and re-elected in the 2024 Nova Scotia general election. She represents the riding of Halifax - Needham as a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.
As of August 2025, Hansen serves as the Official Opposition critic for Housing, African Nova Scotian Affairs, the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, the Human Rights Commission, and Communications Nova Scotia. She also serves as the Caucus Whip.
Prior to her election, Hansen was a former board member of the Halifax Regional School Board and other boards and an active volunteer. She was also one of four Black Canadians elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in 2021 and 2024.
Purpose Builds Confidence | Season 3 Premiere | PART 2 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!
Purpose Builds Confidence | Season 3 Premiere | PART 1 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 guests this year and can't wait to share with you the amazing episodes coming your way soon!
“Start Where You’re At” with Nevell Provo and Corvell Beals | S2E12 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 long before business ever entered the picture.
Nevell and Corvell dive deep into their transition from sports to entrepreneurship, explaining how problem-solving, leadership, and resilience became the backbone of everything they’ve built — from Smooth Meal Prep to the rise of R&B Kitchen, a community-rooted business that gained momentum during COVID by serving people first.
Beyond business, the conversation explores the real realities of entrepreneurship — failure, financial pressure, mental toughness, and why “chasing failure” is often the fastest path to growth. They speak candidly about putting God first, aligning personal priorities, developing discipline, and how self-development directly determines how far a business can go.
A major theme of the episode is community responsibility. Nevell and Corvell share why they chose to build and stay in Nova Scotia, how mentorship and visibility change what young people believe is possible, and why creating access — not just success — is the real legacy.
The episode closes with powerful advice for youth, emerging entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling limited by their environment: believe in yourself, learn how to learn, and understand that you are capable.
This is more than an interview — it’s a blueprint for turning adversity into opportunity and using success to lift others along the way.
We’ll see you in 2026!
Show notes:
00:00 - Introduction to Nevell Provo and Corvell Beals
04:25 - Leadership & Giving Back
10:45 - Taking Risks & Leaving Home to Chase Opportunity
15:30 - Discovering Entrepreneurship Early
19:45 - Creating Opportunity in Nova Scotia
23:40 - The Birth of Smooth Meal Prep & R&B Kitchen
29:15 - COVID: Crisis Turned Opportunity
31:45 - Hardships, Failure & Mental Toughness
36:00 - Faith, Discipline & Personal Development
38:45 - Learning, Mentorship & Self-Education
44:30 - Teaching, Giving Back & Leading by Example
50:45 - Loyalty to Community & Generational Vision
56:30 - Expanding Beyond Traditional Industries
1:05:30 - Advice to Youth & Emerging Entrepreneurs
1:14:30 - One Word Checkout with Nevell and Corvell!
"My Music Found My Audience" with Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw | S2E11 | PART 2 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 Award — Kye has performed at the ECMAs, Nova Scotia Music Week, and Magnetic World Festival, and opened for Xzibit. Through his collective LDN and upcoming project Live by Faith, Not by Sight, Kye continues to inspire creativity and community growth.
Jody Upshaw is a radiant force of emotional truth and feminine power whose brand essence lives at the intersection of beauty and battle, vulnerability and victory. With every lyric, every look, every live moment, she creates a space for women to rise, release, and reclaim their power.
From her single being featured on the hit HBO series Euphoria to being named Music Nova Scotia's 2022 Artist in Residence. earning multiple East Coast Music Award nominations, and taking home the African Nova Scotian Music Association's Rising Star Award, Jody has captivated audiences with her signature blend of raw vulnerability and ethereal glamour. Jody embodies liberation through art. Her mantra to #FreeTheGirls from toxic narratives and limiting beliefs isn't just personal - it's communal.
Beyond her artistry, Jody is passionate about empowering the next generation of musicians, particularly within the African Nova Scotian community. She envisions using her industry experience and authentic understanding of the creative process to provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and professional development support to emerging artists navigating their own journeys toward artistic and commercial success.
It was a pleasure hosting Kye and Jody in part 2 of their episode!
Show notes:
00:11 – Roots & heritage
02:40 – “What does community mean to you?”
04:34 – Social media awareness + protecting your mind
06:52 – Being a positive representative (even when others aren’t)
11:35 – Giving back “with a real heart”
12:08 – Jody on community + the legacy of Three Mile Plains
17:03 – Finding community beyond where you live
21:12 – Music community + chasing purpose professionally
23:07 – What’s next: projects + release plans
25:08 – Ten years from now: Kye's vision + leadership
33:50 – Jody’s 10-year vision
35:12 – Career highlights
39:41 – How “Jody + Kye” started
48:58 – One word check out with Jody and Kye!
"My Music Found My Audience" with Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw | S2E11 | PART 1 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 Award — Kye has performed at the ECMAs, Nova Scotia Music Week, and Magnetic World Festival, and opened for Xzibit. Through his collective LDN and upcoming project Live by Faith, Not by Sight, Kye continues to inspire creativity and community growth.
Jody Upshaw is a radiant force of emotional truth and feminine power whose brand essence lives at the intersection of beauty and battle, vulnerability and victory. With every lyric, every look, every live moment, she creates a space for women to rise, release, and reclaim their power.
From her single being featured on the hit HBO series Euphoria to being named Music Nova Scotia's 2022 Artist in Residence. earning multiple East Coast Music Award nominations, and taking home the African Nova Scotian Music Association's Rising Star Award, Jody has captivated audiences with her signature blend of raw vulnerability and ethereal glamour. Jody embodies liberation through art. Her mantra to #FreeTheGirls from toxic narratives and limiting beliefs isn't just personal - it's communal.
Beyond her artistry, Jody is passionate about empowering the next generation of musicians, particularly within the African Nova Scotian community. She envisions using her industry experience and authentic understanding of the creative process to provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and professional development support to emerging artists navigating their own journeys toward artistic and commercial success.
It was a pleasure hosting Kye and Jody in part 1 of their episode!
Show notes:
00:00 - Introduction to Kye and Jody
02:54 - Planting seeds for the next generation
03:30 - Jody’s early grind & family influence
06:40 - Representation, radio, and Nova Scotia pride
12:20 - Kye’s path from hoops to hip-hop
13:42 - First songs, LDN collective & DIY come-up
19:10 - Grief, growth & taking music seriously
20:01 - From high school buzz to real momentum
25:01 - Writing, freestyling & creative process
28:14 - Choosing the positive path
31:34 - Jody’s sound, R&B lane & “Free the Girls”
37:02 - Collaboration, confidence & beating imposter syndrome
44:22 - Creating for yourself vs. your audience
47:45 - Outro, contests & community
"A Marble in Honey" with Nathan Simmons | S2E10 | PART 2 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 Fountain School of the Arts in 2017, laying a solid foundation in theatre before making the transition to screen.
Early in his career, Simmons distinguished himself in Canadian theatre, earning recognition and accolades for his stage work in Halifax and beyond. His screen credits include appearances in the legal drama Diggstown, the sketch comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and independent films like Black Cop.
In FROM, Simmons’ character Elgin arrives in the enigmatic township after having premonitions that forewarn the arrival of the town’s grim dangers. His portrayal combines youthful urgency with an underlying sense of dread, capturing the show’s tension between the ordinary and the unfathomable.
Off-screen, Simmons is also a musician, often performing live in Halifax venues — a testament to his multi-dimensional artistic instincts. With a bright future ahead, he continues to cultivate roles that challenge him and expand his profile across North American productions.
It was a pleasure to host this month’s Feature Friday episode with the muti-talented Nathan Simmons!
Show notes:
00:00 - Nathan on his acting style
02:07 - You’re Never Fully Ready for Success”
03:31 - Trade-Offs, Missed Gigs & Success as Bubbles
05:11 - Self-Development & Working for Tomorrow
08:34 - Video Games, Gamified Storytelling & Coding
11:29 - Dungeons & Dragons, Storytelling & Black Creativity
16:36 - Hustling on Set: Locations, Crew Work & Learning Film
20:30 - Assistant Work for Sterling K. Brown
23:01 - Film Budgets, Long Days & Why Details Matter
27:04 - From, I’m Black & 0 to 60 – Black Excellence on Screen
32:25 - Nathan on Collective Producing
36:15 - One Word Checkout with Nathan!
"A Marble in Honey" with Nathan Simmons | S2E10 | PART 1 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 Fountain School of the Arts in 2017, laying a solid foundation in theatre before making the transition to screen.
Early in his career, Simmons distinguished himself in Canadian theatre, earning recognition and accolades for his stage work in Halifax and beyond. His screen credits include appearances in the legal drama Diggstown, the sketch comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and independent films like Black Cop.
In FROM, Simmons’ character Elgin arrives in the enigmatic township after having premonitions that forewarn the arrival of the town’s grim dangers. His portrayal combines youthful urgency with an underlying sense of dread, capturing the show’s tension between the ordinary and the unfathomable.
Off-screen, Simmons is also a musician, often performing live in Halifax venues — a testament to his multi-dimensional artistic instincts. With a bright future ahead, he continues to cultivate roles that challenge him and expand his profile across North American productions.
It was a pleasure to host this month’s Feature Friday episode with the muti-talented Nathan Simmons!
Stay tuned for part 2 coming November 13th!!
Show notes:
00:00 - Introduction to Nathan Simmons
01:57 - Grade-3 heartbreak: skipping the Annie audition & sensing the calling
06:15 - University pivot: sciences → theatre
13:17 - Imagination as a superpower
16:13 - Presence & prep work
18:22 - Nathan’s acting technique
27:10 - A teacher’s nudge
40:32 — “Marble in honey”: Philip Akin’s metaphor for truth in performance
45:41 — On FROM: good people, taking your space, humility vs. knowing your worth
