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Ourania Chbat 🤎

@nina_chbat

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To Live the for Hope of it All
Creator of @plantingsunflowers_ 🌻@unsinkablestories
📧 [email protected]

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🌻Welcome to the Garden🌻

This has been created with so much love and a belief that even after our darkest seasons, plants can take root.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Love always,
N.

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #depressionawareness #mentalwellbeing

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This Black Mental Health Week, we’re continuing the conversation with @nina_charleyy about something many young people know too well, what it feels like to grow up without seeing yourself reflected in the spaces meant to support you. Nina shares what it was like growing up in a predominantly white town, feeling isolated and unseen. For many Black youth, navigating mental health can also mean navigating racial trauma, misunderstanding, and systems that weren’t built with our lived experiences in mind. Finding therapists and community members who understand those realities can be life-changing. It creates space to talk openly, unpack what we’ve carried, and begin healing in ways that feel culturally safe and affirming.

For Nina, finding community later in life has been powerful. It’s a reminder that we’re not meant to face these struggles alone. Black communities have always leaned on one another for strength, support, and survival, and those connections still matter today.

At Unsinkable, we share stories like this because storytelling helps break silence and remind people they’re not alone. When we listen to each other’s experiences, we create space for healing, understanding, and hope. To Black youth navigating depression, isolation, or silent struggles: you deserve support, community, and joy.

We invite you to watch the full discussion, explore our resources, and continue these conversations with us. Your story matters, and you don’t have to carry it alone.

#BlackMentalHealthWeek #BlackJoy #StoriesThatHeal #UnsinkableCommunity #WeAreUnsinkable

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This Black Mental Health Week, we honour the experiences that too often go unheard, especially those rooted in vulnerability, resilience, and joy. @nina_charleyy speaks openly about living with depression and the courage it takes to seek support, celebrate small wins, and choose joy in the midst of adversity. Her reminder is powerful: Black life is beautiful. Black joy is worthy. We deserve to celebrate our lives, not just survive them.

At Unsinkable, we uplift these stories because storytelling bridges the gap between silence and understanding. When we listen, witness, and share openly, we reduce fear, deepen empathy, and create space for healing and empowerment. To Black youth navigating depression, pressure, or silent battles: you are worthy of joy. You are worthy of support. Even your smallest wins deserve celebration.

We invite you to watch the full discussion and explore our resources to support your mental health journey. You don’t have to do it alone.

#BlackMentalHealthWeek #BlackJoy #StoriesThatHeal #UnsinkableCommunity #WeAreUnsinkable

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Thank you for such an incredible year. I have grown so much and despite facing health issues, I’m grateful to have amazing people supporting me, like my girls: @im_m.a.d_ @effielavoie_ @hailey.hechtman @pots.pans.and.motherhood

I’ve had the opportunity to meet and learn from so many incredible people by attending a variety of events. Thank you to those who welcomed me as a guest this year. Special thanks to @beunsinkable @unsinkablestories @kinoottawa for publishing my French short film, @ecologyottawa @william.vangeest @katiemgibbs for having me on another term for the Board of Directors, and @growwomenleaders for presenting me with a NATIONAL award in Social Impact and Community Engagement.

This year my books are now being sold at @octopusbooks (Ottawa) and @spartacusbooks (Vancouver) with limited copies. I also had one of my poems played live on the radio with @howl895fm

Thank you for those who have watched, supported, and cheered me on. I can’t do this without you. I can’t wait to see what we achieve this coming year. Stay tuned for my most upcoming publication with the British Psychological Society: Psychology of Cooking. 🫶💕🥂

What are your 2026 goals?

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full video linked in bio 🔗
#explore #findingphia

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movement speaks when words fall short.

🎞️ Violent Crimes: Women in Servitude
A dance film by Finding Phia — link in bio

#ViolentCrimes #WomenInServitude #FindingPhia #DanceFilm #FeministArt #BIPOCCreators #OttawaArtists #HiddenInHospitality #ArtAsActivism #ContemporaryDance #QueerFeministArt #IntersectionalStorytelling #ServiceIndustryStories

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This past week was a reminder of what fills my cup. 💙

As someone who works remotely, it’s easy to get caught in the day-to-day rhythm—on screens, in solitude, doing meaningful work but sometimes feeling like it’s all happening in a bit of a vacuum.

But this week? This week was the opposite.

It was full of connection, community, and moments that reminded me why I do what I do.

From meetings in Toronto with our @unsinkablestories founder Silken Laumann, standing in front of our Fragments campaign billboard at Yonge-Dundas Square, and gathering with our Unsinkable board and advisors for a heartfelt dinner.

To breakfast with the incredible Megan Rafuse from @theshiftcollab, to dinner with the @womensnonprofitnetwork team, and capping it all off at the Soirée Matthew Perry alongside our Ottawa-based Community Champions—celebrating the work of @mpfcanada and my dear friend Caitlin Morrison.

Every moment was a gift.

This week reminded me that being in the company of others—laughing, sharing stories, exchanging ideas—is what recharges me. It brought a sense of joy, purpose, and enthusiasm that I’m carrying into the weeks ahead.

To everyone I got to hug, laugh with, talk mission and vision with—thank you. My heart is full. 💫

#Leadership #NonprofitLife #ConnectionMatters #WeAreUnsinkable #StoriesthatHeal #MentalHealthAwareness #Storytelling #CommunityChampions #WomenWhoLead

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Grateful to have spent the evening with the Executive Director and fellow Community Champions of @beunsinkable @unsinkablestories at Soirée Chez Matthew Perry — a powerful night dedicated to #TransitionalHousing and #MentalHealth.

When passionate people come together with purpose, change does happen. Here’s to building communities that care and paving a new future.

@mpfcanada
@hailey.hechtman
@bigredryan01
@mindmoodalive
@nina_charleyy

#nonprofit #humanitarian #ChezMatthewPerry #MatthewPerryHouse #MatthewPerry

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Meet one of our inspiring 2025 Unsinkable Champions: Nina Charley! At Unsinkable, we believe that meaningful change begins with bold voices, and Nina is exactly that. A passionate activist and community leader, Nina is using her platform to champion Black liberation and mental health advocacy with courage, clarity, and compassion. Whether she’s speaking on panels, radio shows, or podcasts, Nina sparks powerful conversations that educate, inspire, and move people to action. As Co-Chair of the Ottawa Black Diaspora Coalition, she’s driving real change at the grassroots level, creating space for healing, justice, and transformative community care.

We’re so proud to welcome Nina to the Unsinkable Champions community, a collective of fearless leaders committed to making a difference, breaking barriers, and building a more inclusive and empathetic world. Let’s show Nina some love as she continues to amplify voices, uplift stories, and advocate for a future rooted in equity and wellness.

💬 Ready to be moved?
🔗 Explore the Champions Program through the link in our bio and meet the changemakers shaping a stigma-free tomorrow.

#UnsinkableChampion2025 #CommunityAdvocacy #MentalHealthAdvocate #WeAreUnsinkable #YouthLeadership

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Meet Nina Charley 🕺✨

🖤 Nina is a mixed-race woman, dancer, and the primary choreographer of Violent Crimes: Women in Servitude. Starting dance at just two years old, she began choreographing for her younger sister, never knowing she would one day choreograph a piece this personal and powerful. Her contributions to this project stand as an homage to that younger version of herself- the little island girl who turned to movement when she couldn’t find the words.

🎥 Nina’s empathy and captivating movement style shaped the emotional rhythm of the film. Her choreography helped bring to life the message Enyah and I wanted to share. Through her vision, our story was not just told, it was felt.

Nina’s artistry and leadership are part of what made this film what it is.

#WomenInServitude #violentcrimesproject

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see how the full video turned out on my YT channel! 🎀

LINK IN BIO 🔗✨

📸 by @nanaboncanno

#violentcrimes #womeninservitude #dancerlifestyle #creativeprocess #advocacythroughart #bipocartists #ottawacreatives #toronto #montreal

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I had the opportunity to be a dancer in an empowering video, and I would love to share my visual experience with you guys! The room was simply filled with so much talent it was amazing!🤩 The link 🔗 will be added to my Linktree

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#contemporary #dancerlife #dancelover #ballerina #dancecompetition #love #danceteam #music #dancefamily #kidsdance #dancehall #dance #explorepage #moderndance #balletdancer #dancecover #acro #dancestudiolife #balletclass #dancevideos #dancersofig #dancerslife #dancefitness #art #kids #lovedance #fun #performance #streetdance #dancetraining

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