Our Lives’ Narratives

From the streets of Edmonton to the professional soccer pitches of Portugal, this is the inspiring story of Dieu-Merci Michel.

Born in Montreal to Angolan parents and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Dieu-Merci faced challenges and hardships growing up. Yet through determination, discipline, and an unwavering belief in his dream, he transformed adversity into opportunity.

His soccer journey took him through youth clubs in Alberta an...

In this episode, we sit down with Levar Saul — Father, Husband, entrepreneur, tech founder, and community architect behind The Nod Inc. and TH.I.N.K Meetups.

In this powerful conversation, he breaks down what it really takes to build sustainable wealth inside communities — not just success stories, but systems that last.

Born in Guyana and now based in Canada, Levar shares his journey from corporate leadership in te...

This week's episode on Our Lives' Narratives features Natalie Meyer, also known as @IndahbyNatalie.

She is an emerging Multidisciplinary Visual Artist; painter, bodypainter, cinematographer, drone operator, and educator. Mostly known for painting women of color on traditional and “living canvas”, she aims to represent visible minorities.

Being an Indonesian-Canadian woman, she's influenced heavily by culture, ...

Our guest on our lives' Narratives Platform, the visionary CEO Megan Vernon of The Melanin Studio Ltd and medical Aesthetician.

The Melanin Studio Ltd specializes in caring for melanin-rich skin with exceptional care and personalized attention, empowering clients to look and feel their best.

They have redefined how the melanin-rich skin is treated, understood, and celebrated. They are all about confidence, education, and push...

Dr Ibiyemi Umuago is a Christian who enjoys being a solutions provider. After immigrating to Canada in 2018, she made a purposeful career transition from medical care to financial care, with a focus on helping families achieve financial empowerment. With 12 years of experience in medical practice, she brings compassion, empathy, and critical thinking capacity from health care to financial wellness.

Her business is Smart Wealth A...

Karen Richards is a social worker (MSW, RSW) and community activist trying to raise a family of revolutionaries in Edmonton, Alberta.

Outside of full-time government work, Karen is a teacher at heart as a sessional instructor with the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work.

Combining the love of activism and culture, Karen has embedded arts and physicality in uplifting the community of Edmonton through cultural experie...

Lisa Dublin, who hails from Saint Lucia.

She is a speaker, writer, podcaster, and life and health coach. During her time in Saint Lucia, she lectured at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and hosted a live morning television program called "Sunrise" on HTS, alongside Russel Lake.

She is also a performance poet and has received several accolades, including the M&C Fine Arts Award for Prose in 2003 and the Word Alive Poetry S...

Esosa Ikuobase is an elementary school teacher dedicated to inspiring her students and positively impacting their lives, preparing them to become great leaders in our society. She has been teaching in Edmonton for the last four years.

Esosa is very active in her church community and is driven by her faith. She has a deep desire to engage in volunteer work and give back to society, currently volunteering with the Edmonton Food Ban...

This week's episode of Our Lives' Narratives features Clare Jagunna.

Clare is a governance analyst specializing in information and records analysis, with over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, along with a diverse background in other sectors.

She has pursued training in childcare and disability management through the International Career School Canada (ICS). Additionally, Clare attended the University of Lethb...

Shasily Matowe is a proud biracial woman whose heritage is enriched by the diverse cultures of Zimbabwe, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Shasily moved to the Middle East at the age of four, where she was immersed in a wide array of cultures that gave her a unique perspective on global lifestyles.

A passionate advocate for health and wellness, Shasily’s commitment to fitness was showcased when she ...

Nnaemeka Udoka is a husband, father, avid researcher, Podcaster, blogger, and author of the book called Unleash Your Inner Kraken.

He did pharmaceutical quality assurance in Nigeria for 12 years. In Canada, he moved into warehousing, supply chain logistics, and production management.

He is the treasurer of the Nigerian Canadian Association of Edmonton.

His other areas of interest are immigrant kids development, personal de...

Ereni Perez is a Mexican multidisciplinary artist and entrepreneur renowned for bringing the vibrant beauty of Mariachi music to Edmonton.

Starting life in a new country came with significant challenges. Ereni worked tirelessly to support her family while learning English and adjusting to a new culture. Despite these hurdles, she chose to pursue her passion for music and the arts. As one of Edmonton's first female Mariachi music...

Rehana Malik-Mbanga. Is a wife, mother, and a community driven individual.

She is the CEO of Stimbok Corporation and founder of When African Women Talk (WAWT).

She is a visionary leader dedicated to advancing women's empowerment and social change across Canada and Africa.

She continues to drive social change through her entrepreneurial ventures. Her commitment to creating a more equitable world inspires countless other...