Feature Friday - African Nova Scotia Social Innovation Lab

ANS Lab’s Feature Friday is now a podcast!

The goal of our long-standing Feature Friday initiative has always been to give you a platform to share your experiences, expertise, and passions. This platform hosts holistic conversations promoting stellar ANS community members and true allies, placing a focus on the fantastic work being done in the community to help close the employment gap for Blacks and ANS between the ages of 18-35. We inspire our audience by exploring your personal stories, what drives you, and your accomplishments. This year’s 12 podcast episodes, which come out the last Friday of every month, are hosted by Aaliyah Arab-Smith and Trevor Silver, with giveaways of two $50.00 e-gift cards for every episode thanks to ongoing collaboration with ShiftKey Labs. You can find the podcast on all podcast platforms as well as YouTube!

"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!Show More

"Things That Bring Us Together" with Carolann Wright | S3E6

This month's Feature Friday episode welcomes legendary community ...

"You Are Your Child's First Teacher" with Augy Jones | S3E5

Augy Jones joins Feature Friday on today’s episode for a powerful ...

“Let People’s Brilliance Show” with Sylvia Parris-Drummond | S3E4

In this Feature Friday episode, we sit down with Sylvia ...

"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. ...

"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 ...

Purpose Builds Confidence | Season 3 Premiere | PART 2

Season 3 is here! In part 2 of the premiere, Aaliyah shares a day in ...

Purpose Builds Confidence | Season 3 Premiere | PART 1

Season 3 is here! In part 1 of the premiere, Aaliyah and Trev catch up ...

“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 ...

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!Show More

"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 ...

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!Show More

"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 ...

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 & communityShow More

"A Marble in Honey" with Nathan Simmons | S2E10 | PART 2

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Nathan Simmons. Nathan is ...

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!Show More

"A Marble in Honey" with Nathan Simmons | S2E10 | PART 1

Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Nathan Simmons. Nathan is ...

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 worthShow More

ANS Lab’s Feature Friday is now a podcast!

"Things That Bring Us Together" with Carolann Wright | S3E6

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