Supporting emerging Black journalists.
The Canadian Association of Black Journalists (CABJ) recognizes the need to support journalists working outside of Canadian newsrooms. The CABJ Media Startup Bootcamp is focused on increasing the number of Black content creators and entrepreneurs. These courses have been designed for Black journalists, by Black journalists.
2021 CABJ MEDIA STARTUP BOOTCAMP GRANT RECIPIENTS
Tomi Ajele (She/Her)
Tomi is a writer based in Calgary, Alberta, and has her work published in outlets such as The Huffington Post, CBC, and ByBlacks. In her capacity as editor at Afros In Tha City Media, Tomi writes about intersectional justice and the Black experience. Tomi is also a co-host of a podcast called Allow Me to Intersect, which explores the nuances around a variety of social issues from an intersectional perspective.
Caleb Yohannes
Caleb Yohannes holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto with a specialist in Architectural Studies and a minor in African Studies. Caleb actively works in the cultural production field best reflected within the arts organization he founded and directs called 1919 Magazine. Outside of the magazine, Caleb leads a number of art and creative direction projects ranging from music and video to academic journals. Caleb’s academic and personal interests centre the experiences and knowledge of Black communities that continually empower him to pursue the action-oriented community organizing work he’s passionate about.
Rachel Osbourne
Rachel Osbourne has a passion for connecting. She’s committed to bringing people and ideas together.
Graduating from York University’s communication studies program, and later receiving a post-graduate from Seneca’s journalism program, storytelling has been a central tenet in the projects she’s been involved in. She’s been able to take her skills into places like Shopify, CTV, and Jamaica’s eMedia Interactive Group to create culturally and geographic-specific content and strategies to speak to the needs of her diverse clients and audiences.
A multifaceted creative whose skill set ranges from working in production, creating digital strategies for e-commerce companies in addition to creating sales strategies for the woman entrepreneur-focused GOWRKGRLS™ brand, Rachel’s insight has been cultivated by coupling her hands-on work experience with her desire to build bridges between communities.
In January 2021, Rachel launched media platform juliemango.tv to create a hub for analysing and promoting Caribbean film and other on-screen productions from the Diaspora and region.
Matthew DiMera
Matthew DiMera is an award-winning editor and journalist currently living in Toronto, and is the Founder of The Resolve.
Most recently he was the Managing Editor at Xtra where he drove new and innovative digital-only editorial and engagement strategies, and the Acting Editor-in-Chief at rabble.ca where he was leading strategy for an editorial refocusing and relaunch.
He is a long-time advocate for the importance and power of social justice and community reporting.
Jode-Leigh Nembhard
Jode-Leigh is an experienced event organizer, consultant, product designer, and creative director. She is also the founder & editor-in-chief of Toned, an online magazine committed to amplifying the stories of Black Canadians at the intersection of race, art, and culture. Toned was birthed out of equal parts necessity and desire––to empower, celebrate and create community through storytelling.