Nowhere to Call Home

In many cities and small communities across Canada, the individuals and families that experience homelessness are often invisible to the greater community around them. People may walk by or see someone that is homeless, yet they feel a disconnection. They see homelessness as an experience that happens to "other people" not something that could ever affect them. However, Leah's work bridges the gap between "us" and "them" by bringing humanity to all the faces of these individuals. Leah does a wonderful job of highlighting the heart and the struggle that everyone can relate to. People that experience homelessness have families, they have favorite foods, pets, jobs, goals, and dreams along with their struggles. Leah's photographs capture the story of homelessness with all of its rich complexity in an image and through conversation. * Gail Hoekstra, Executive Director; and Carlin Dykstra, Housing Stability Support Worker, Welcome In Drop-In Centre

My Journey Through Hip-Hop

In My Journey Through Hip-Hop, experience the pulsating beats and soulful rhythms of the genre’s history through the lens of a Chicago native. This debut collection chronicles hip-hop’s evolution, from the groundbreaking beats of DJ Kool Herc to the lyrical genius of J. Cole. Seamlessly weaving album titles, song references, and lyrical snippets, this anthology paints a rich tapestry that both celebrates and demystifies one of music’s most dynamic genres. More than just a retelling, each poem dances to the rhythm of hip-hop, blurring the lines between lyrical cadence and poetic structure. Dive in for an immersive experience that educates and resonates, but be warned — this journey comes with its own parental advisory.

Jazz, Joy and Justice

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all American school children learned something about our great American art form of jazz? If they not only listened to and played their music, but also learned the stories of our American jazz geniuses? If by hearing these stories, they also came to understand something of how systemic racism has hurt and continues to hurt us all? If they were inspired to begin the long walk toward justice, accompanied by the joy of jazz?

Jazz, Joy and Justice is the trio that will help us as we stand at the crossroads between education and catastrophe. It sings out the songs of our triumph and shame, our joy and our pain, our happiness and our sorrow, our yesterday and tomorrow. If you love jazz, find out the hidden stories of some of your favorite musicians. If you love justice, discover how jazz musicians did so much more than entertain. If you need some joy in your day, listen to the musical examples suggested in these pages.

Come join Louis, Ella, Duke, Lady Day, Monk, Miles and many more to consider how to make the world our children deserve as beautiful and swingin’ as the music they created.

A Day of Infamy Revisited

Tragic events can often be the catalyst and inspiration for the creation of meaningful works of art. In this case, it was the September 11th catastrophe of 2001 which provided the stimulus that would ultimately lead me down a totally unforeseen path, revealing an attitude never previously observed. Other than a proclivity for drawing geometric shapes, no artistic tendencies had even been evident.

The one constant theme in my work is the recurring use of nines and elevens to generate images. Other symbols and characters are also employed; sometimes intentional, sometimes not.

People who have explored my world have seen different things. Take the journey and see what you can uncover. Remember, in the future, be open to the possibility that sometimes unexpected abilities can appear anytime in one’s life. Be ready to embrace the opportunity these possibilities present and take them down your own personal road of discovery.