Abady (he/him) is an artist, entrepreneur, and dance educator in Halifax, Nova Scotia, committed to serving underrepresented communities of dancers, dance educators, and creators. He is the owner of House of Eights Dance Studio, a drop-in dance studio in downtown Halifax. https://www.instagram.com/houseofeights/ (Find out more @houseofeights)

Long time vinyl collector, co-organizer of the Halifax record Fair(largest record fair in Atlantic Canada), and president of Black Buffalo Records. Kevin Beal is an entrepreneur dedicated to the Hip Hop culture. Kevin, his partner Kumud, and three cats operate and run a successful independent record label out of the comfort of their apartment in Halifax Nova Scotia. This long-time vinyl collector has boasted to have had over 20,000 pieces in his collection at one point. The collection has slimmed down quite a bit but is very impressive. Under the handle DJ Black Buffalo, Kevin takes a break and enjoys spinning his vinyl collection at various events. https://www.instagram.com/blackbuffalorecords/ (Find out more @blackbuffalorecords)

Taylor Linloff is an autistic advocate and a filmmaker in Port Hawkesbury looking to share the stories of other autistic people in rural parts of the province. Linloff is in production for a film, A Strong Name Documentary, where those stories will be shared. Linloff’s already interviewed a few autistic people from around the province, but they’re still looking for others, including those from the Black and Indigenous communities. Linloff started working on the documentary only a couple of years after their own diagnosis. Linloff got what is called a late-life diagnosis of autism at the age of 24 after they experienced a mental health crisis. They say the diagnosis was a relief. https://www.instagram.com/aspirationalautistic/ (Find out more @aspirationalautistic)

Martina Kelades is a trainer, speaker, writer, and podcast host at Life Out Loud Podcast. She is also the Founder of Life Out Loud - Mental Health Consulting and Creatives - a business that incorporates creative platforms, consultation, and training to encourage personal and organizational wellness. Through her work, Martina focuses on intentional living and expanding courageous conversations related to mental health and wellness. https://www.instagram.com/lady_kelady/ (Check her out @lady_kelady)

Julia always wanted to be a hairdresser but was always told that there are better jobs. But she felt that she had to prove that it is really great job. She has faced a lot of obstacles in her journey. But the love for the work allows her to grow in every way. After getting a Master's in Sociology she went back to pursue hairdressing. This has led her to fashion and art shows locally and in New York and London. She has competed and won many hair competitions and has been a competition judge. Julia's work has been published in magazines and on social media. Julia believes in the mantra: "Follow your dreams and don't let anyone dim your fire!" https://www.instagram.com/juliaeverhair/ (Find out more @juliaeverhair)

After running for Councillor of District 8 on a platform to combat Housing, Police Reform, The Environment, Racism, Infrastructure, Human Trafficking, Partnerships, and Contracts, Dylan Kennedy (he/him) decided to do positive work with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Dylan is also the drag queen Megan Scenes and works at Menz and Mollyz. https://www.instagram.com/kingoftheeverything/ (Check him out @kingoftheeverything)

Lumi Studios is founded by Joyce Liu, a Chinese immigrant, woman entrepreneur. Joyce grew up in Shenyang, China, and moved to Halifax in 2012. In 2016, Joyce graduated from the Urban Planning program at Dalhousie University. In 2017, Her interests in Photography, Video Production, and Communications Strategy grew when she found herself part of the PLANifax team. She founded Lumi Studios and decided to serve her community in Halifax and Nova Scotia by creating engaging and inclusive content to help serve businesses and beyond. Through the lens of her camera, Joyce spent the last three years creating content that tells the stories of people and events that engage humans, arts, and culture in Halifax. Her firm today offers Intersectionality Consulting services that target inclusion in media content and communications. In addition to Lumi’s work, Joyce is active in the Chinese Community and across Nova Scotia, contributing to the livelihood of immigrants and refugees calling Nova Scotia home. https://www.instagram.com/lumistudioshfx/ (Learn more @lumistudioshfx)

Quentrel Provo is a singer, songwriter and a known activist as the Founder/ CEO of Stop the Violence Brand and Movement which he started after the tragic killing death of his close cousin Kaylin Diggs in August 2012. He took his hurt, pain, anger and frustration and turned it into something positive to create change and make a difference. In April 2015 he started the Stop the Violence Clothing Brand the first brand of its kind in Canada geared towards spreading a message of love and standing against violence. Through his work he’s become the face of Stop the Violence in Nova Scotia and over the years he’s had the opportunity to meet some prominent figures such as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Former Governor Generals of Canada His Excellency David Johnston and Her Honor Michaëlle Jean, Former Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia John Grant, US Consul General Steven Giegerich and many more. In June 2016 he made history in Canada as June 10th was declared “Stop the Violence Day” in the Province of Nova Scotia with the signing of the Proclamation by Premier McNeil whereas Nova Scotians are asked to wear red to mark this day of awareness and perform an act of kindness towards a fellow citizen. Besides being known as "Mr Stop the Violence" he also serves as a Justice Champion for the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. In 2016, Stop the Violence won BRONZE in BEST OF HALIFAX by The Coast for best Activist Organization. In 2017, Quentrel won SILVER for BEST OF HALIFAX 2017 as Best Activist. He was the 2018 recipient of a Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institutes Ancestral Awards for Civic Engagement. He was a guest speaker for WE Day Atlantic (November 2017), The National Summit of Black Canadians (December 2017) and was recognized as a Local Hero for the Hal-Con Sci-Fi Convention Fall 2018. In February 2018 he made headlines when he raised $7000 in 5 days to take 400 black youth to see Black Panther together. In September 2018 he was mentioned as a change maker and leader in Nova Scotia in the Lieutenant Governor’s Speech from the Throne. In October of 2018, the Black Panther Initiative was chosen as 1 of 18 things that represent Nova Scotia out of 5000 suggestions to be accessioned in the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History for the 150th Birthday of the museum. In March 2019 he received the Senate of Canada 150 medal and was recently named one of the world’s Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Under 40 list. Also in April 2019, he was a Tedx Halifax 2019 speaker, sharing his inspiring yet touching story. Mr Stop the Violence has been featured in documentaries, magazines, as well as school and university projects and presentations. But despite all the attention and coverage he gets, he remains humble and focused to continue to create positive change and make a difference. Besides his Stop the Violence work, he also works full-time as an indeterminate employee for the Federal Government with Veterans Affairs Canada. He continues to make a positive impact in the community by speaking and singing at schools, conferences and other events across Nova Scotia and Canada, and hosting Stop the Violence initiatives such as the STV Christmas Toy Drive, Stop the Violence Dance Party for School Supplies to name a few, as he continues to spread the message of love against violence and raise violence awareness throughout Nova Scotia, Canada and the world. https://www.instagram.com/mr_stop_the_violence/ (Check him out @mr_stop_the_violence)

Danielle Bird is an Intuitive and Mental Health Advocate. After overcoming decades worth of morphing diagnoses and mental challenges (anxiety, depression, eating disorders, social anxiety, complex PTSD, self-harm, etc.), she now teaches and inspires others to remember how powerful they truly are when it comes to healing and transformation. She recently graduated from MSVU with a Bachelor of Honours in Psychology and Neuroscience. She is a FUTURE licensed therapist and practicing astrologist/intuitive. Y You can find more about her on her Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or Podcast ~ all linked below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birddaniellee/ (https://www.instagram.com/birddaniellee/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI0diwHvWVOIb_HRwPLPkBw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI0diwHvWVOIb_HRwPLPkBw) Podcast: https://birddaniellee.podbean.com/ (https://birddaniellee.podbean.com/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birddaniellee (https://www.tiktok.com/@birddaniellee)

After 20 years in the Military and tours including Afghanistan, Marc retired and moved to Nova Scotia to start Devo FX. A Special Effects makeup Studio that specializes in all sorts of effects. Devo FX makes hairpieces, Prosthetic makeup, Dental appliances, Sculpting and moulding, Animatronics, Creature design from start to finish! Though, self-taught, Marc was lucky to be part of many projects from cool short films all the way to working on a full Blockbuster movie, Xmen: Apocalypse. Now after 10 years of Movie and TV experience, he spends time more teaching his craft and helping Veterans with PTSD with our program “Sculpting for Veterans”.” Marc's creature for the film Lord of Chaos is spectacular and the man himself is a dream to talk to. One-Eyed Bear is currently working on a documentary on Marc and I can't wait to see it. Check him out at https://www.instagram.com/devofx/ (@devofx)