Connect with us

What's up

I Got Nominated For Gala Dynastie & Here’s How I Really Feel About It

Published

on

How My World View Changed Thanks To Gala Dynastie

If you’ve clicked this link to read an extensive article that would bash the Gala Dynastie and what it stands for, you’re definitely at the wrong place. Perhaps, little did you know, you’ve probably clicked on what will go down has the deepest open letter to the black community.

Read More: I’ve Turned 29 In Mexico City And It Changed My Life Here’s Why

Nothing compares to the feeling of seeing your name attached to ”Blogger Of The Year.

In my case, this year I got nominated for the second year in a row for Gala Dynastie.

Advertisement

Being in this content business for almost 5 years, seeing people come and go while persevering through thick and thin with only a strong will and foresight. I felt honored.

Honored for what? Multiple reasons.

I felt validated by the most important group of people a black man will ever encounter, his own people.

This debate is a current thing in the US,: Why do black people put white validation on a pedestal (i.e the Grammy’s)?

Advertisement

On my side of the border, things are not as clear cut.

I live in Montreal, Quebec to be exact. I don’t identify to nothing quote on quote Quebecois.

I was raised on B.E.THip HopMontreal-North street gangs and a slew of Haitian slurs my mom would yell at me whenever I was fucking up.

I was never with the marching and shouting for justice, I was more of the belief that nothing would be given to me but I would have to bust my ass to get it.

Advertisement

Certain things go without saying, to me it was always

THEM and then it was US.

Cynicism for the world but that I used to my reality

I never once thought that something like Gala Dynastie would exist and better yet that I would be nominated.

What Gala Dynastie does, what Never Was Average does, what La Rue Inspire does is bigger than plaques, nice events or free shoes.

Advertisement

It’s about empowering people. Not because we don’t have the power already but mostly because we need to be reminded that we have it

You think representation doesn’t really matter that much and then you realize how being celebrated by your community is a band-aid for the soul.

Even though things seem to paint me as an overnight success, this was quite a journey

Let me start by saying that, so many things changed ever since I started said journey.

Advertisement

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxtYETbAgmV/

I’ve met people, I kinda did legendary things, made friends from New York, Toronto, Dubai and L.A but something was missing.

I was seeing success in multiple fronts but for some reason I felt like I wasn’t getting the love or respect I thought I was entitled to.

The keyword here is ”Entitled” because yes as a creator you may feel like you’re ahead of your time.

Advertisement

You can also feel like you’re the best at what you do but once you put your ideas out you know who won’t lie to you?

Yes, you guessed it, THE WHOLE WORLD!

Once upon a time, I was a kid with a 300$ camera and a laptop wishing he could compete with Quebecor.

Once upon a time, I thought the world was in the palm of my hands and that I had access to ANYONE by the push of a send in an Instagram DM.

Kids do dream about things that don’t exist and then the man they become chase those things.

Advertisement

The man I became was actually about to quit daydreaming and find the nearest ”Good job” he could find.

The man I became was bitter that the world wasn’t responding to what I thought was amazing.

The man I became had a lot to learn and he did.

I’ve learned that things come to you by way of patience.

Advertisement

I’ve learned that hard work and dedication can’t beat faith and working with a purpose.

I’ve learned the value of relationships, helping people around me and making myself a part of the conversation.

I wish my younger self knew that one day he would be on TV & radio talking about what he went through.

View this post on Instagram

Advertisement

Sat down with Henry Ngaka for @icitelevision this week to talk about the new media space and running a black owned business at large. It feels good to have a voice and being able to tell the world how minorities feel in this climate. I have a profound understanding of the barriers that are set against my people and me by design. I was told to work twice as hard. I was told to compromise my nature to be accepted. Never ask for permission to be great and don't settle for a piece of the pie because deep inside you know you want it ALL. I want to live in a world where you don't need to emphacize that you're a BLACK entrepreneur just to let people know you've beat the odds, I want to build a place where you can be a great man with a great idea and where being black is just the extra sauce.

A post shared by 4 The Culture (@kosicreates) on

I wish my younger self knew that one day there would be a celebration of black excellence that will recognize his work for what it’s worth.

Advertisement

I guess not knowing these things in advance made the quest even better but life does work in mysterious ways.

Cc: Napoleon Communication

Cc: Napoleon Communication

Everybody I’ve met early in my career are now key players in the industry.

Everybody I used  to look up to consider me as a peer with the respect that comes with it.

gala-dynastie-cid

My people still can’t see why I’m not a lawyer but hey you can’t win every battle.

Advertisement

It’s like my life did the perfect circle and I’ve yet to understand why.

I’m writing this as I’m scrolling through old pictures wondering if that fire that was in my eyes is just now all over my body for the world to see.

”You Did That”

I’m talking to my younger self at the moment but also to You, Him and Her.

Yes YOU, another creator waiting for recognition.

Advertisement

The photographer who wants to be published in magazines.

The videographer who thinks his movie should be screened at Cannes.

The model who believes that the New York Fashion Week runway is missing out.

The  black kid who thought those things were not accessible because of his color.

Advertisement

I’m not here to tell you that those things don’t come into play but I’m here to tell you that you decide if it does or not.

I’m here to tell you to take full advantage of the evolving times because as Drake once said ”What A Time To Be Alive”.

What a time to be proud, what a time to take on new journeys, what a time to be BLACK.

Gala Dynastie is a testament to that to me.

Advertisement

It tells the world:’

”We Got Us”.

It tells creators, shakers and movers :

”We Believe In You”.

This year, my brother and close friend Steve Daniel brought home the trophy for ”Blogger Of The Year”.

gala-dynastie-steve

Working with him really taught me a lot about what this game of life is about.

Advertisement

We used to see those things as far away and here we are.

My story could be your story.

Like that kid I used to be, you will never know until you try it and never look back.

Oh and if by any chance you want to celebrate this new chapter with us.

Advertisement

Come through at Thêatre Maisonneuve

 260 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O

visit

Gala Dynastie’s website

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement

What's up

Myraï Lavoie Is Taking The Fashion World By Storm With The Glitch Fashion Show

Published

on

Myraï Lavoie

Myraï Lavoie Is Creating Her Own Universe And You’re Invited

What I appreciate the most about my work is the fact that I get to meet great minds & humans with a powerful story and this time around, I got to cross path with the talented Myraï Lavoie.

Read More: Tawhida Tanya Evanson: When Words Can Really Give You Wings

The city has been quiet fashion wise over the years and as platform that mostly talked about fashion in its inception, we’ve felt it the most over here.

There would be sparks of hope here and there but besides Festival De Mode & Design, not a lot of things really stood out.

Advertisement

When I heard about ”The Glitch” it’s like I knew what it was about without nothing what it was about.

I mean good branding is good branding but it was more so who’s behind the good branding this time around. I had the chance to work with Myraï Lavoie in the past and one thing I can is : there’s a method to her madness.

Advertisement

Every artist has an eye and that eye is shaped by our views of the world and life experiences. Myraï had an interesting life.

One where being different is actually the move. One where if you don’t fit somewhere, you don’t try to get in the mold, you bend it.

For all the lack of support or misunderstand she got in Montreal, she found a place to be creative working or being in room with the likes of Paris Hilton & P. Diddy to name a few.

What she’s learned from coming out of her shell and experiencing the world she’s about the share it with us with her own fashion called ”The Glitch” tonight.

”The Glitch” is exactly what I thought it was going to be. A standout experience and experience and something you’ve never seen before just like its creator.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

What's up

The 50th Anniversary Of Les Grands Explorateurs Presents A Touching Documentary Exploring Africa And Its Wonders

An Amazing Story by Amazing Creators!

Published

on

Milan Bihlmann et Muammer Yilmaz. les grands explorateurs

Les Grands Explorateurs Is Celebrating Africa In A Real Way!

Curiosity has to be the most incredible human quality there is and Les Grands Explorateurs has been putting it on the forefront for the past 50 years!

Read More: Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais: An Unlikely Journey For An Unlikely Unique Success Story

We are now entering an era where we want to know more about what is going on on the other side of the world.

How people are living, their culture and what is their reality compared to ours.

Advertisement

Sometimes the depiction of such reality is either unfair or made to look down at somebody. Other times, filmmakers have the challenge to depict a reality in a way to uplift what other cultures are bringing to the table.

Milan Bihlmann and Muammer Yilmaz are two filmmakers who know where they stand when it comes to that.

Rêves D’Afrique” is the epidemy of that. The two filmmakers decided to go to 7 countries in Africa to not only paint the picture for the world but to give the good people out there something we forget to give one another : ”a piece of yourself’.

Armed with a backpack, film gear and true altruism, the duo spread love and good deeds wherever they could throughout their trip.

Advertisement

Watch The Trailer

Les Grands Explorateurs being this platform to uncover the world made the right choice by adding this beautiful piece to their program.

Up until November 1st, you still have the chance to see the beautiful piece in theater and then online starting November 2nd.

Tickets Here

Advertisement

Continue Reading

What's up

Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais: An Unlikely Journey For An Unlikely Unique Success Story

Published

on

isabelle mugwaneza desmarais

A Change Is Coming…Finally?

I grew up in the 90’s and although we can only realize it now but seeing people like Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais striving in a space where not a lot of us do is what was missing this whole time.

Read More: Lobster Season Has Arrived And The Homard Gaspésien Is Still The Best You Can Find On The Planet

The thing about representation is that you won’t know you need it until you need it. As most of us were just looking at society, we didn’t see ourselves but also normalized it.

I think Isabelle saw something that we couldn’t see in ourselves. The truth is not at the extreme it’s right in the middle. The intersection between being different but also a part of the ecosystem was what she saw.

Advertisement

Representation is not about doing what’s right because it’s right but more so because it needs to be done.

Starting her career in the public sector wasn’t a thrill anymore. Then she did some soul searching and probably came to the conclusion we all come to at some point in our existence:

Life Is A Joke

For her it was literal though. She figured out that humor and the business around it was her calling so what was the first step? Becoming a comedian herself and teach a thing or two to Dave Chappelle?

What about producing your own show with up and coming artists? Well, for Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais the start of this new chapter was simple as getting a non-paid internship.

Advertisement

Just For Laughs became her new home and with that started her mission to be at the forefront of what the landscape in comedy was to become.

Through thick and thin, work and dedication, intuition and know-how, she pulled through and the big way too!

Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais became the director of ZooFest. With her pulse on the scene, she fought and pushed for upcoming talents that are more than just tanned.

We’re seeing more BIPOCs getting a chance on stage and I would like to believe that this is just the beginning.

Advertisement

Speaking of ZooFest, if you want to see for yourself how this festival has grown in diversity and get a good kick out of it. You still have the opportunity to do so tomorrow as the last day of the celebration

With french performers like Lenny M’BungaAZMarine EllaMeryem BenouaAyoub Marceau & Hugo.

Live podcasting will also be a part of the last run of the show. In the corner of Jeanne-Mance & Maisonneuve, you can can get a good view, a good potential date, you get to see greatness in all shapes, size or color AND of course a good laugh!

Advertisement

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending