Our November print issue is out now at locations throughout the region! Go grab your copy in uptown Waterloo at Cowboys and Angels, Gifted, Princess Cafe, Vincenzo’s and in DTK at Apollo Cinema and Smile Tiger.
This month the Community Edition investigated one of the most relevant issues in our community, WRPS’ statistics on the use of excessive force. We spoke to Black community leaders Selam Debs and NDP MPP Laura Mae Lindo about the findings.
If you haven’t gone yet, Deanna Bowen’s Black Drones in the Hive exhibition at KWAG is a must-see. Senior curator Crystal Mowry spoke to us about Bowen’s interdisciplinary exhibition — photographic manipulation and found artifacts reveal our regional history of systemic racism and the erasure of Black settlements.
For the art lovers in our community, the Dundee Arts Collective is helping local makers thrive. If you haven’t already, go on a magical journey exploring DTK on a self-guided walk to see every mural and public art piece with our Hyperlocal traveller.
We also spoke to Glodeane Brown, aka Culture Fancier, for her take on the state of our arts and culture scene here. She’s the general manager of Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area (CAFKA), a blogger, lifestyle ambassador and diplomat for everything cool and creative around town.
For domestic violence awareness month, we spoke to Women’s Crisis Service of Waterloo Region (WCSWR) about their new podcast: She is Your Neighbour, which highlights issues of domestic violence in our community.
We also have a mix of social enterprises this month — ToastyToes handed out thousands of socks to people experiencing homelessness and at risk women and children. We looked into what the new funding from the government for mental health means, specifically for the BIPOC community. We talked to the Waterloo Public Library about their button project and explored Growing Hope Farm’s local, fresh, organic food security initiatives.
Our columnists also have a lot to offer our readers this month with their niche topics: local music reviews, an uplifting story of community building, recipes from our resident chef and baker, an African fashion blogger’s side hustle and education around children, consent and social media.
If you have an idea, a story to be told or a voice that needs to be heard, reach out to me at editor@communityedition.ca.
Melissa Embury
Melissa is the former editor in chief of the Community Edition. You may have seen her around town asking people what excites them locally. When not writing, she's usually obsessively listening to music while hanging with her grumpy cat Hansel. A mental health advocate, you'll find her meditating or playing outdoors — climbing rocks and trees, hiking local trails, freediving and surfing in the ocean. "There’s something so healing about water. Water, trees, sunshine and fresh air are what we all need." Follow on IG or Twitter @melissaembury