To date, I have the honour of talking with psychologists, social workers, former MLA, lawyers, youth, Minister of cabinet, Vice Provost at a University, documentary film maker, former media broadcaster, and policy makers. Each episode ends with some calls to action so the listener can walk away with ideas they can think about, do, and do more of on their anti-racism journey.
Sommer shares how she has a love of humanitarian work from a young age. She acknowledges that racism is systemic; there is a need to collect race-based data and look at the role of intersectionality. She voices that we are all capable of change and we can come together to thrive.
Maria shares that as a Korean-Canadian, she has experienced covert and overt racism in her childhood and as an adult. Her parents are 1.5 generation and they are resourceful entrepreneurs. She said that she became a psychologist by chance, and there needs to be more representation. She voices the importance of reaching out, connecting, and finding community.
Nicolás shares that he came to Canada at 12 years old, and Spanish was his first language; that was when he started learning French. He did not learn English until post-secondary, and people would make fun of his accent. He loves working with youth to support them in navigating mental health. He voices the importance of acknowledging it is okay to make mistakes when striving to be culturally sensitive.
Ray grew up in a home that cultivated a focus on diversity and inclusion. He has three children, and he shares that it is important for them to have tools to navigate racism. He voices the importance of supporting Black and racialized-led initiatives. Further, he notes the significance of engaging in difficult conversations about racism.
Raynald Leroy, born in Montreal to Haitian parents, is the creative force behind RayPresents, a YouTube channel that brings to light remarkable stories of resilience and success. With degrees in Communications from the University of Ottawa, Journalism from Collège La Cité, and a Master’s in Sports Marketing from Ca’ Foscari University in Venice, Ray combines storytelling expertise with a global outlook. Deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Ray earned a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University. Through RayPresents, he encourages meaningful conversations, amplifies underrepresented voices, and builds a community where personal narratives drive collective progress. Passionate about promoting unity and cross-cultural understanding, Ray uses his platform to connect communities, celebrate shared experiences, and highlight the strength found in human connections.
Currently, Ray resides in Ottawa with his wife and three children.
You can learn more about RayPresents here:
YouTube
https://youtube.com/@raypresents1804?si=6bBKGtd8YxDazyWr
https://www.instagram.com/raynald_leroy?igsh=MWs0ZjkxZHNyMWhiYQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Zed shares that he grew up in a community where he experienced people asking if he was a boy or a girl. He said he was part of the Taoist community for many years and then stopped participating when he learned they did not embrace his queer identity. He said that for change to happen, it starts with educating oneself and learning the history of oppression. He believes in Asian thriving by bringing in the warrior spirit.
