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@cedesf

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Brand & Communications Architect
Founder @blackcoffeecomms
Mean and what you say, say what you mean 🖤

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The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, is 42.

at least that's what this past year's lesson was. Hell of a good month to close it out.

#30daysofJune

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Birthdays, for me anyway, are a chance to look back and see how far you've come--this is especially true for those of us who have a birthday in the middle of the year.

This is my way of doing that--looking back at a pivotal moment in my 42nd year, because that year was one of the most difficult of my life. My family brought me with them to Jamaica for the holidays, and it was the first time in a very long time that I truly felt like I could relax and not have to worry about the things I had been dealing with for nearly 2 years- money, job security, health, knowing wtf to do next, etc. For someone whose brain is their living and is always thinking about what's next, this was maybe the best gift I've ever received.

What I didn't realize at the time was that time spent was preparing me for the 2nd half of 42. The seeds I had been planting would finally start to Sprout, which tbh...about fuxking time. I came so close to giving up, but thankfully, the signs I needed started to appear. We're not quite there yet, but the momentum is there, and that's all I need at this point. And I have come quite far.

So...43. I need this year to be a year that reaps, because I've been sowing for so long that sometimes I'm still not sure if it's all worth it. But I'm very thankful for those of you who check in, show up, lend an ear, and make me think, laugh or pause. It's quite literally kept me going. Please keep checking in on your "strong" friend.

My usual disposition is cautious optimism; I hope that for year 43, I can rely more on the latter than the former. Love you all.

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• BCC 10 Yrs • Moment 10. Dance is Life. @danceimmersion

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When we decided to name our conference on infant feeding and mental health "Nurture and Thrive", we had the vision of professionals from all walks of life coming together to share their knowledge, expertise and life experiences.

What we saw was so much more.

We were moved by the friendships created, the partnerships forged and the spirit of collaboration during the 2 days we spent together. We were left in awe by the determination of our speakers, partners and attendees to discuss and act on the possibilities of improving the lives of parents and children in Canada.

Whether you attended in person or supported from afar, we thank you for your presence and participation.

A special thank you to the team at Niuriss for their multifaceted support of the conference.

Watch this space for future details for Nurture and Thrive 2026!

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Join us and explore ways to Engage and Amplify. This webinar focuses on how to build community support for your event by engaging community leaders, elected officials and local organizations in meaningful ways that amplify your event’s reach and impact.

Aubrey Reeves, President and CEO of Business / Arts, will share insights into the current advocacy landscape in Canada and why now is a crucial time to bolster support for arts, culture, and heritage.

Mercedes Blackwood, Communications Specialist and founder of Black Coffee Communications, will cover how to communicate your event’s value using Culture Days’ key messages, align with community priorities, and increase visibility through strategic outreach.

Register now at the link in our bio!

Photo credit: Toronto Symphony Orchestra Open House. 2024. Photo by Allan Cabral

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Been a minute since I posted on main, so screw it, here's a May dump since my phone is full and my Google Photos is a mess.

1) Took a trip on the Othership. 10/10 experience. Even the cold pool.
2) I am. I can. I will. I did. HRC forever.
3) first ice cream social of the summer with NYC's finest visitors
4) The Model UN nerds +spouses reunion/Eurovision watch parties
5) if you're not playing Eurovision bingo with nerdy gays, wtf are you even doing
6) a wild/universally loved Kladdkaka appears. My MVP dessert/Swedish identity
7) reunion #2: media, accounts and social/strategy
8) making meatballs is therapeutic, especially with good wine + company
9) Sinners in IMAX 70mm. Fuck yes.
10) Gemini bday 1: mommy
11) Gemini bday 2: sister friend/neighbour
12) your nephew is growing up TOO FAST
13) support your local CEOs, especially if they're your friends
14) mood 1
15) first tennis dress wear of the summer. I do not play tennis.
16) mood 2
17) mood 3, forever

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35. In March 1992 (during March Break, probably) my family's photo was taken while we were out at the Royal Ontario Museum for a day trip. A photographer from the Toronto Star took our picture, which was later featured in the newspaper as part of a piece on Toronto's visible minorities. To this day, it's one of my favorite pics of me and my family.

Why do I look so scared, though? 😜

#40daysofOmar

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Xavier is 13! And...we are officially old 😭 This newly minted teenager (!) still loves to build things, whether it's Lego or on Minecraft, loves to spend quality time with his people, and has become our very own Miles Morales lookalike, right down to the hair. 🥰

Though he's already changed a lot (thanks puberty, lol) , he's still the same kid I've known all along. As a treat, here's a video from 2012 that he and I made shortly after I moved back from Sweden and sent it to my circle of friends there (tack tack H!). X's comments after seeing it yesterday: "I was cute, but my forehead was massive." 😂

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September = beginnings, transitions, and endings. At least we've got each other to get through em. Slide 10/MC Deb is a forever mood.

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Mothering is....a mother, especially during tough times--like a pandemic. I am in awe of all people who are parenting right now, but if we're keeping it a buck, it's the moms who are holding it down for *entire societies*, not just the people in their homes.

Always proud of the moms in my life (especially my mom and sister) but I'm lucky to have a lot of friends who are moms; thanks y'all for what you do, and for letting me be part of your village as an auntie ( a perfect role imho).

#mothersday
#auntielife

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It has been a WEEK, so here's some Black joy to cleanse your feed. In 2019, my family buried Auntie Rose, a fiesty matriarch in so many ways to so many people.

Though I'm usually not a fan of funerals, Auntie Rose's service was one of the better family events I've experienced--it was almost as much of a roast/comedy show as it was a respectful remembrance service, and the dinner/gathering turned into a dance party with a lot of *great* music (there was a lot of Beres Hammond)--just like she would have liked it.

What's so great about this clip for me is that it shows my mom (black dress and pearls) and 3 of her 4 sisters dancing together--something I hadn't seen in a long time. I also realized after seeing my mom get everyone into a dancing mood that I do the exact same thing with my friends. I hope to harness even half of this energy and joy in this new year...I have a feeling that I'm gonna need it.💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

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