BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February 22, 2023, 7pm EST
You are invited to take part in our next FREE Black Open Mic with Storytelling, Poetry, testimonies of personal stories, music, inspirational quotes and a healing activity. Have your voice heard or listen. All are welcome. February 22, 2023, 7pm - 8:30pm eastern.
About Black Open Mic
- The Black Open Mic is a virtual program focuses on elevating the voices of the Black Community. Supporting individuals impacted by Anti-Black Racism, marginalization, racial trauma, and intergenerational trauma by elevating their voices, sharing experiences, and expressing their creativity. Our host will engage and bring us all together as a community. Creating a safe space to allow participants to openly share experiences which can influence wellbeing and express themselves to grow and heal which reduces stigma for the listeners and participants. Sharing storytelling fashion of Poetry or voicing personal stories, reflecting on inspirational quotes from Black leaders and a healing activity led by culturally responsive Psychotherapist/ Social Worker Nicole Perryman and Dr. Floyd Spence who share strategies or creative processes that help participants decompress what they’ve learned and teaches them techniques on how to cope and move forward.
Rebuilding Communities
- The Black Open Mic night is based on a variety of evidence-based and culturally informed practices through traditional African Practices of storytelling and through the facilitation of healing activities. Facilitators are trained on Culturally relevant care to enable participants to experience comfort and expression and promote healing in a way that speaks to their identity and culture. Storytelling is also used in our approach; it is rooted in African knowledge and ways of knowing and is the origin of poetry, rap and spoken word in communities of the Black diaspora. African culture is embedded in stories, storytelling, riddles, and parables. Participants will build their self-worth, confidence and social connectedness will improve and positively influence their quality of life. The peer support counselling facilitate access to other local mental health supports. Poetry writers can share their craft and allies welcome to listen in. The Black Open Mic is offered every 3 months Virtually and at no cost to participants. Together We Are Stronger®.
BILLIE-JANE BOLTON-ROJO, HOST
Member, Durham Black Network
Founder, PCAL Financial
Ajax, ON Canada
When most people consider legacy, they envision money or property left to someone. But at PCAL Financial Group, we believe legacy transcends this simple definition. Legacy is the footprint you leave that enables those following you trod an even more impactful path. Our vision at PCAL Financial Group is to partner with families and organizations in creating a footprint so expansive that generations after the next can experience life beyond our expectations. It may be in equipping our children to pursue any academic pursuit, gifting or dream, without concern of financial obstacle; or changing the world with our business idea or community service, all while amassing and preserving wealth to transfer to our loved ones.
Nicole Perryman, healing Activity Speaker
Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist
Kujenga Family Wellness Project
Nicole Perryman, is a Registered Social Worker, Play Therapist and Psychotherapist practicing in Durham Region. Nicole started her career supporting children, youth, and families in child welfare, social services and has worked within children's mental health, parental contact and parenting time assessments, youth involved in the criminal justice system, trauma centers, and education. Nicole is the CEO and co-founder of "Ifarada [eye -fa-ra-da] Centre for Excellence and Kujenga [cue-jenga]" Family Wellness organizations that provide culturally-informed and trauma-focused approaches for children, youth, adults, and families. She is an occasional professor, and field supervisor for students in social work, child and youth, and counseling psychology. She is also a principal equity consultant supporting organizations across Canada and Internationally on their equity journeys.
Our Program SPonsors
