VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
Welcome To Victory!
---- TEAM VICTORY! ---Welcome to VICTORY! Magazine VICTORY! Magazine empowers an exciting new magazine for youth to communicate with their youth by youth. This program was community and give them a chance made possible by staff from FYI, to talk about their experiences. We Yorktown Family Services and youth want to give youth in our community participants writing a grant to the an alternative to regular after school Youth Challenge Fund to create programs. We want to focus on a new program for youth in our giving youth a voice and improving community. the literacy of youth in our community, by cultivating skills Through VICTORY! Magazine, we around verbal, written, and visual empower youth while imparting communication. We would like knowledge, skills and awareness to encourage youth to become about their potential for future careers critical thinkers, advocates and young and endeavours. leaders in their community. We at Team VICTORY! give youth a voice and opportunities to express themselves through sections of our magazine like “Tell em Why your Mad�, Movers and Shakers in the Community, Artistic Expression & our Poetry Corner.
For more information about this magazine / program please contact Zakiya or Triston at (416) 65 - 11 or victory@foryouth.ca visit us online @ victorymagazine.ca
We Make ItH
appen
shierine shkais JournalisT
MiChael graCe phoTographer
Javel waTson phoTographer
gabriel haMleT graphiC designer
naThaniel seivewrighT sTaff wriTer
shanTalee nedriCk sTaff wriTer
TrisTon isaaC graphiC designer
Zakiya Tafari MagaZine CoordinaTor
the visionary behind the creation of the victory youth magazine What truly started out as a small idea (the creation of a youth magazine), finally come to fruition with the help of the youth in the Weston-Mt. Dennis community and The Youth Challenge Fund. As I sat back two years ago and came up with the idea of a youth magazine for this community I wondered how can I get it done. After sitting down with youth, other members of the community and writing the proposal, it finally happened. Upon getting our confirmation letter with approval from YCF I said to myself “We did it!!”, an idea that seemed so far away and far off had finally come to life, this would have not been possible without the invaluable energy of young people in the community Have you ever had an idea for something but weren’t sure if it could happen? You CAN make your ideas and dreams come true with Benjamin de Graaf ever perseverance and patience. They say that the world is built from is the visionary behind the great ideas and that some of the luxuries that we enjoy in our lives creation of the Victory Youth today came from great ideas/inventors and their inventions (Elijah magazine Project. McCoy the water sprinkler and ironing board), (Granville T. Woods the telephone transmitter) and (Alice H. Parker- the heating furnace). For the past three years Do you keep following your dreams, or do you give up on them? Benjamin has worked as an outreach worker for Yorktown Don’t allow fear to get in the way of your dreams make Child and Family Centre in the 2009 a great year, no idea is to big or small that you Weston-Mt. Dennis community. can’t accomplish and achieve your own VICTORY! 4
VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
tHe Run DoWn!
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Welcome To Victory! E.D & Board Members Page Urban Arts Graffiti Transformation Project
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Tell Em’ Why You’re Mad
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Movers & Shakers In The Community: Keep ‘N’ It Real
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Who’s in the Spotlight?: Youth in the Community President Barack Obama
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The Poetic Corner: Black Future Month What Happens At FYI
A World Without Our People:
Fashion
Artistic Expression
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ExECuTIVE DIRECTOR & BOaRD MEMBERs
FYI is committed to working WITH young people to identify their needs, create change in their lives, and provide support an mentorship to their development and growth. The Victory magazine is a unique publication, which uses graphic design, creative writing, digital photography, and media arts to support the artistic skill development of youth in our community. We believe the magazine is an effective engagement tool that allows young people to learn critical life skills needed to transition into adulthood. Special thanks goes out to the Youth Challenge Fund, for all the support given to FYI so that we can use this artistic medium to reach out and affect the lives of young people in the Weston – Mount Dennis Community. Thank you for your support, Peace LEkan Olawoye Executive Director
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VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
urban arts
graffiti
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Transformation Project
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• During the summer Urban Arts received a grant to paint murals in the Weston Mount Dennis community transforming spaces that are heavily tagged or vandalized into positive spaces with colourful murals. The team consists of youth and artists from the community. UrbanArts Toronto is a youth centre that offers arts There were 9 participants chosen: programs in the Weston/Mount Dennis community. URBANARTS initiates a number of arts activities that bring Hawa Noor - Age 14 people together in Weston - Mount Dennis and city wide, Shalicka Royalee Williams – Age 15 URBANARTS is an incubator for local arts, with a range Jamal Okunbor – Age 16 of programs for youth led by professional artists in visual Kadeem Lye – Age 16 arts, dance, theatre, music, spoken word, and more! Noel Ngugyen– Age 16 Ariel Haranny – Age 19 Neesa Tumbokon - Age 19 Each summer the Graffiti Colanthony Humphrey - Age 20 Transformation team comMaria Christina Cruz - Age 20 plete two mural projects. The team consists of youth and Jessica Volpe – Lead Artist artists from the community. They transform spaces that are heavily tagged or vandalized into positive spaces with UrbanArts Community Arts Council colourful murals. In 2008 they 19 John Street (in Weston) appointed Jessica Volpe as the Toronto, Ontario, M9N 1J2 lead artist for this project. Nine youth were chosen to put up two e-mail: info@urbanartstoronto.org murals in the community. Victory phone: 416-241-5124 interviewed Jessica to get more fax: 416-241-2124 information on it. Here it is! visit us online @ victorymagazine.ca
Victory!: What is the main background on what the project was about? Jessica: Well, we basically wanted to beautify the Weston Community. The main objective was to turn walls that were previously tagged by gangs, or somebody trying to represent their crew basically and turn it into some beautiful works of art. So we took two walls that were like that and made them into beautiful murals. We also wanted young people to become more creative and do things that made them work together as a team. Two reasons why this project was created were, so the Weston Community could get rid of some of the gang representation and fill those spots with something beautiful. So that youth could express themselves much more artistically and creatively. Victory!: When did the project start last year? Jessica: The project started in July 2008 and lasted about two months. Victory!: What happened during the Project? Jessica: In July we started off with training. Different graffiti artists came, one by the name of Cruz and the other one went by the name of Media. The kids learned a lot form them and were very impressed. And I also helped train the kids. And then we decided on 2 themes for the 2 murals that were going to be made and once the themes were decided there was only the matter of painting them. So we started to
VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
paint. And then at the end the feeling of looking at them walking by is just amazing. Victory!: You said there was a theme for each mural, what were they? Jessica: Well the first one was about music, different cultural music and different genres of music. So that people who don’t know a lot of music or a lot about music could look at the mural and learn something even if it’s just a little bit. And the second mural represented us as the Weston Community. Also the youth representing themselves as artists. They painted themselves holding art utensils like paintbrushes and spray paint cans and things like that. Victory!: What inspired the project? Jessica: I think it’s something that the city has been doing for a while. This wasn’t the first time. The city gives grants and then the
Community. They had to be at least a little artistic and it was like a job so they had 2 brings in examples during the interviews so I could get an idea where they were in terms of art. So we knew what to build on. And art could have also been taught. But they were all talented. The age range had to be from 15-20. But one 14 year old girl was accepted as a volunteer.
programs are formed from that. I think the grants are given out to get a positive change for kids. It helps kids make positive choices for the future, so if they like this then they could continue in it. And since the area has crime and such, kids need something to distract them from things like that. So basically the inspiration came from the change that the funders want to see in kids. And it’s great because the city needs more of that. Because after the program is done there’s nothing left 2 “distract” the kids from the bad things around them, that why the grants have become an annual thing. But they could still be a little more consistent. Victory!: How were you chosen to be the head artist? Jessica: I was working at UrbanArts as one of the artists that come in to help the after school programs. Karen Richardson asked me if I wanted to do it and I said, ‘of course’, that it would be a lot of fun. And it really was. I look back at it like wow! This was an amazing summer, A LOT of good times! Victory!: What were the qualifications that the youth had to have to be a part of the project? Jessica: The main thing was that they had to be motivated and willing to want to learn. And they also had to be residents of the Weston
Victory!: Where did u guys put the final mural up? Jessica: The first one is at the Trimbee Court at 30 Donarda Avenue. That is the one about music and stuff. And the other one is on Weston Road at Ocean Appliances. Victory!: Why was the location chosen to put the mural up? Jessica: Well one of them had to be a Toronto Public Housing facility. That was a promise UrbanArts made to the funders. We put the music one up there. And the other one, somewhere basically where the public could see it. It was very hard to get permission at first, but then when we asked the guy where we painted the second mural he was very excited about it and said ``of course!``. Victory!: Is there any last comments that you would like to say about the project? Jessica: It was very great for kids, like I think it made their summer enjoyable. Everybody had a great time doing it. We got a great response from the community. People would walk by and just watch us paint and be amazed at the work we were doing, and commented very nicely on them. People were shocked that it was students who did it. They all thought that it was done by professionals, like that is how good they did on murals. I was very proud of them. And I hope they continue with their new learned art skills and their creativity!
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VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
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Movers & shakers
i n
t h e
c o m m u n i t y
Keep N It Real Dance Group at Manifesto: Block 2 Block, Summer 2008
Victory!: What inspired you to start dancing? Tania: Music videos with dancing as in Ciara and Chris brown they inspired me to become a better dancer, I started dancing because I love to dance. Shaii-Anna: When I was younger I always danced and when I heard about Keep “N” It Real that inspired me to join and so did my mom because she said it would be a better experience and open more doors for me in life. Victory!: Why do you call yourself Keep “N” It Real ? Keep N It Real: We figured that seeing so many videos that exploit dancers we wanted to keep it real by changing the look or put a different view Victory!: What was your most successful performance? Keep N It Real: It would be The 2008 Stomp Competition; we were very proud after we preformed and we were feeling very good about 1
VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
Photo By Zakiya Tafari
ourselves and came in 2nd in intermediate. Then the 2nd year when they auditioned the audition for intermediate that they got bumped up to advanced and they came in 2nd and it was challenging considering that there were older kids there performing. (When they went to audition for Stomp they got bumped up from intermediate to advanced and they came in 2nd and it was challenging for them considering they were going head to head with older kids that weren’t in their age group.)
Victory!: How do you guys get a long? Keep N It Real: The girls all get along they call each other “sisters” and for the most part they get along long and sometimes they wouldn’t because of the tension but in the end they all would come together as one in their performance. Victory!: Where would you see yourselves in a couple years? Tania: in a couple of years I would like to be a choreographer teaching dance to all age groups and I would like to work with Jay Blaze and I would like to be a choreographer & change the way dance is seen an their won’t need to be nudity or exposing anything that would be exposed in today’s videos. Victory!: How do you feel at the end of every completion? Keep N It Real: We’re very proud at the end of each completion if we win or lose it wouldn’t matter cause we would improve. It also brings us closer together and if we fail it’s okay because well have other chances and next time well come hard and work harder as a group. Victory!: What is the most important thing you taught the Keep “N” It Real group? Ms. Walters (choreographer): What I have taught them is that win or losing it wouldn’t matter we just go to dance, that is what I instill in my dancers because they are girls who love to work hard. Victory!: Do you get nervous before performances? Keep N It Real: When we first go up in the spotlight we do get scared but once were in the mood it doesn’t matter. But in the end, we don’t feel nervous any more and it becomes to be as one of our natures. Victory!: What are the qualifications to be in the group? Ms. Waters: Their needs to be a level of commitment and a level of craft they have to be respectful to the group and give 110% not just be here one day and out the other, if we see potential.
Tania is one of the dancers who choreograph and help out with a lot and she is in a training process and by the time she is 16 she can get into any dance school that she wanted and get into any program she would because of the potential. Shaii-Anna is a hard dancer as well and ShaiiAnna works with young 5-6 years old and has been doing a great job. Taznia 8 yrs old that dances and helps out choreograph at such a young age with so much passion. The 5 Keeping It Real Dancers are Tania, Shaii-Anna,Taznia, Lydiah and Jessica. Victory!: What do you guys think you can get out of dancing? Tania: After dancing and accomplishing one thing I can do others that don’t seem to be as hard as anything else because knowing I can dance can help me over come any obstacle. Shaii-Anna: When I grow older I can support my family with the money and I can raise money for charity and raise money for causes and do a lot with it. Interview by: Shierine Shkais and Shantalee Nedrick
think your talented? Do You know a young person that’s committed to making a Difference in our community? If there’s a young person in your neighbourhood and you think they should be recognized for their outstanding achievements nominate them to be featured in our next issue as our movers & shakers in the community e-mail us at victory@foryouth.ca visit us online @ victorymagazine.ca
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Who’s In The
spotlight?
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VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
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PREsIDEnT « BaRaCk OBaMa «« «
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On november 4th, 00 , Barack Obama defeated Republican candidate John McCain in the 00 united states presidential election with 65 electoral votes to McCain’s 173 and became the first African American to be elected President of the united states of america. On January 20, 2009 Barack Hussein Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, but is the first formal president
that is a visible minority. On November 5th, 2008 America voted and Obama returned with 52.7% of the vote verses 45.9% of the vote won by John McCain. On January 20th, 2009 his presidency became official when Barack Obama was sworn-in as president on a platform set in front of the Whitehouse in Washington with seats for more than 2,600 guests and several on-lookers in the surrounding buildings and area. As said in his inaugural address, “The oath is taken amid gathering clouds.” Obama has a lot of promises to live up to and comes into office at a time when the nation is in the midst an economic and political crisis. We are yet to see what Obama is capable of once he stretches his presidential arms, but his simple presence as a political icon has already had an impact on people throughout North America. There were several men before Obama that helped paved the way: the much celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. and less known figures like Reverend Al Sharpton who was one of the previous black presidential candidates (the other one was Carol Moseley Braun, a former senator and U.S. ambassador, in the 2004 presidential elections). The efforts of these men and many many more made this win possible. This win has a very significant symbolic meaning for historically oppressed communities everywhere. It is significant because Obama is a man of both black and white mixed race origin, and belongs to a racial category that has been traditionally looked upon as inferior in America. This win symbolizes advance-
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VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
ment. This win helps to convince America and the world that the colour-line created to justify the mass slaughter, enslavement, and subjugation of non-whites for centuries in the western world and beyond is something that people can look past and overcome. This is something that many people did not think was possible in a country where only fifty years anyone who looked even remotely ‘coloured’ would not even be allowed to share public space with whites. Or as Obama put it in his inaugural address, “A man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.” What does this win symbolize in a Canadian context? How do Canadians feel when the glass ceiling to the most powerful political position is proven to be penetrable? Victory Magazine hit the streets of Weston-Mt. Dennis to find out? Shashawna, York Memorial C.I. responds to questions about Obama… Victory!: Do you think Obama being elected in the USA will have effect on Canada? Shashawna: Yes, because is it shows that anybody no matter where they’re from can achieve what they want to achieve. Victory!: Is Obama’s victory inspiring in any way? Shashawna: Yes, because it proves not only black people, but anybody can do what they want if they put there mind to it. Victory!: How did you feel when he got elected? Shashawna: I was happy, I was really happy to see that a black man could be president. Victory!: What effect has Obama’s Victory had on you? Shashawna: Well, it has pushed me to do better in school, so that I can put myself higher. And it proves to me that gender and race and all of that stuff does not matter. If you want to do what you want to do just do it. Victory!: Has Obama’s victory inspired you to follow you to follow politics? Shashawna: Well, I never use to follow politics before, but now I follow it to see if he can make a change and make the world a better place. Khalid, 25 yrs. old, responds to questions about Obama…
Victory!: Is Obama’s victory inspiring in any way? Khalid: Yes, it is inspiring to see that a black man in a position of power such as that is very inspiring, because shows that a man of colour can accomplish anything if Barack Obama is the President of the United States then a black man can be the president of any company or organization or be anything he wants to be in life. Victory!: What kind of change do you think might come forth? Khalid: Hopefully, it breaks down the barriers of racism a little bit more –well all the way, I don’t want to say a little bit more. And hopefully he does some kind of change in foreign policy…like famine in Africa…and peace in the Middle East…but that’s a hard task. Victory!: Do you think he will make a Difference?
Khalid: Yes, he’s made a difference already, but I hope he makes a (greater) difference. Victory!: What effect has Obama’s Victory had on you? Khalid: It just reminds me that a man of colour is able do anything as long as he puts his mind to it and (puts) his hard work into the situation he can accomplish anything he wants to accomplish. visit us online @ victorymagazine.ca
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Victory!: Has Obama’s victory inspired you to follow politics both in the US and Canada? Khalid: Before Obama I used to follow politics, so I will say, ‘Yes and no,’ because I will always follow international politics. Even if Obama lost I still would follow politics.
Victory!: What effect has Obama’s Victory had on you? Antoinette: Again, he inspires us –he tells us that we can do whatever we want to do. Like, there is not a hold on whatever we want to do, we can do whatever.
Antoinette, 17yrs, from York Memorial C.I. responds to questions about Obama…
Victory!: Has Obama’s victory inspired you to follow politics both in the US and Canada? Antoinette: No, because politics are too controversial. There is a whole bunch of stuff that I really probably wouldn’t like to take part in.
Victory!: Do you think Obama being elected in the USA will have effect on Canada? Antoinette: Yes, because the States is in a recession, and because the States in a recession and because we get stuff from (trade with) the States, it means we’re in a recession too. But, since Obama has been elected, he’s going to take care of all of that. Victory!: What kind of change do you think might come forth? Antoinette: Like probably violence. Like all of that black-on-black violence and all of that will probably change.
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that america is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer” - President Barack Obama
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VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
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A World Without
Our People
An African-American History Lesson This is a story of a little boy name Theo, who woke up one morning and asked his mother, “Mom, what if there was no Black people in the world?” Well his mother thought about that for a moment, and then said, “Son, follow me around today and let’s just see what it would be like if there were no Black people in the world” Mom said, “ Now go get dressed and we will get started. Theo ran to his room to put on his clothes and shoes. His mother took one look at him and said, “Theo, where are your shoes? And those clothes are all wrinkled son, I must iron them”. However, when she reached for the ironing board it was no longer there. You see Sarah Boone, a black woman, invented the ironing board and Jan E. Matzelinger, a black man invented the shoe lasting machine. Oh well, she said,” please go and do something to your hair”. Theo ran in his room to comb his hair, but the comb was not there. You see, Walter Sammons, a black man, invented the comb. Theo decided to just brush his hair, but the brush was gone. You see Lydia O. Newman, a black female, invented the brush. Well this was a sight, no shoes, wrinkled clothes, hair a mess, even Mom’s hair, without the hair care inventions of Madam C. Walker, well you get the picture. Mom told Theo, “let’s do our chores around the house and then take a trip to the grocery store. Theo’s job was to sweep the floor. He swept and swept and swept. When he reached for the dustpan, it was not there. You see, Lloyd P. Ray, a black man, invented the dustpan. So he swept his pile of dirt over in the corner and left it there. He then decided to mop the floor, but the mop was gone. 0
VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
You see, Thomas W. Stewart, a black man, invented the mop. Theo yelled to his Mom, “Mom, I not having any luck.” Well son, she said, let me finish washing these clothes and we will prepare a list for the grocery store. When the wash finished, she went to place the clothes in the dryer but it was not there. You see, George T. Samon, a black man, invented the clothes dryer. Mom asked Theo to go get a pencil and some paper to prepare their list for the market. So Theo ran for the paper and pencil but noticed the pencil lead was broken. Well he was out of luck because John Love, a black man, invented the pencil sharpener. Mom reached for a pen, but it was not there because William Purvis, a black man, invented the fountain pen. As a matter of fact, Lee Burridge invented the type writing machine and W. A. Lovette the advanced printing press. Theo and his mother decided to head out to the market. Well when Theo opened the door he noticed the grass was as high as he was tall. You see, John Burr, a black man, invented the lawn mower. They made their way over to the car, and found that it just wouldn’t go. You see, Richard Spikes, a black man, invented the automatic gearshift and Joseph Gammel invented the supercharge system for internal combustion engines. They noticed that the few cars that were moving were running into each other and having wrecks because there were no traffic signals. You see, Garrett A. Morgan, a black man invented the traffic light. Well, it was getting late, so they walked to the market, got their groceries and returned home. Just when they were about to put away the milk, eggs and butter, they noticed the refrigerator was gone. You see, John Standard, a black man, invented the refrigerator. So they just left the food on the counter. By this time, Theo noticed he was getting mighty cold. Mom went to turn up the heat, and what do you know. Alice Parker, a black female, invented the heating furnace. Even in the summer time they would have been out of luck because Frederick Jones, a black man, invented the air conditioner. It was almost time for Theo’s father to arrive home. He usually takes the bus. But there was no bus, because it precursor was the electric trolley, invented by another black man, Elbert R. Robinson. He usually takes the elevator from his office on the 20th floor, but there was no elevator because Alexander Miles, a black man, invented the elevator. He also usually dropped off the office mail at a near by mailbox, but it was no longer there because Philip Downing, a black man, invented the letter drop mailbox and William Barry invented the postmarking and canceling machine. Theo and his mother sat at the kitchen table with their head in their hands. When the father arrived he asked, Why are you sitting in the dark? Why? Because Lewis Howard Latimer, a black man, invented the filament within the light bulb. Theo quickly learned what it would be like if there were no black people in the world especially if he were ever sick and needed blood. Dr. Charles Drew, a black scientist, found a way to preserve and store blood, which led to his starting the world’s first blood bank. And what if a family member had to have heart surgery. This would not have been possible without Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a black doctor, who performed the first open-heart surgery.
So if you ever wonder, like Theo, where would we be without US? Well, it’s pretty plain to see. We would still be in the DARK! visit us online @ victorymagazine.ca
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VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
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Artistic
Expression
Illustration by Gabriel Hamlet, Grade 9 student from George Harvey C.I. 4
VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
PoetryCorner
The
Black Future Month
I mean I try not to dwell on the past But That philosophy doesn’t usually last ‘Cause Sometimes I can’t help but wonder Where I would be If you and me Weren’t shipped across the sea To places we did not want to be They tried to strip us of our dignity They tried to kill off our kind As far as I’m concerned It was a psychological genocide But They couldn’t murder our pride Although memories of long ago Still reside We still survived ‘Cause like black diamonds Still we shine But Those thoughts still seem to fill my mind And I only thrive on positive vibes So I’d rather reminisce on future plans Far beyond the eye can see Fleeting is negativity So ignore all nay sayers and those who oppress And leave your doubts behind I know you’ve heard it many a times But You can do Whatever you put your mind To So skin colour, socioeconomic status, and statistics aside I’m reaching for the highest star So whoever’s with me? Let’s go And whoever’s not I’m leaving behind By Profound Beauty
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What happen’s at FYI?
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VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth
visit us online @ victorymagazine.ca
VICTORY! A Magazine For Youth By Youth