
About us
In 2023, SpeakUP! International Inc. has experienced remarkable growth, with a staggering increase of 266%! Our outreach has extended across the globe, connecting us with individuals from Canada, the United States, South America, Europe, and Australia. Engaging with people on an international scale has been a truly enriching experience, showcasing the beauty of diverse perspectives while unveiling our shared humanity.
It is this very common thread that serves as a catalyst for meaningful change. Our mission at SpeakUP! International revolves around the pursuit of dialogue within marginalized communities, providing a wellspring of inspiration and motivational conversations. These conversations offer valuable guidance to individuals seeking the path to success.
In the blink of an eye, we often lose individuals with powerful voices and inspiring messages, leaving a void that can never be filled. Our unwavering commitment is to preserve and curate these positive messages, creating a repository for people to access and draw inspiration from indefinitely.
What message burns within you? What life experiences have profoundly transformed you? How have you contributed to your community? It's essential to recognize that the most profound change often starts with seemingly small acts of kindness, from assisting a neighbour with food to ensuring the elderly receive the care they deserve. Reflect on the emotions that performing these acts of goodwill evokes. Every action, no matter how inconspicuous it may seem, holds immense significance and value. Your voice matters, your experiences are invaluable, and your contributions make a difference in ways you may not even realize.
Upcoming events
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When Stories Heal, Communities Rise!
·OnlineOnlineNEW EPISODE — [SpeakUP! International](SpeakUP! International)
When Stories Heal, Communities Rise!This week on [SpeakUP! International](SpeakUP! International), [Rita Burke](Rita Burke) and [Ellington Brown](Ellington Brown) welcome an extraordinary community builder and cultural leader — Deborah Baptiste.
With more than 25 years as an arts administrator, festival director, grantwriter, and founder of Natural Born Tellers, Deborah has devoted her life to preserving stories, strengthening communities, and helping voices be heard — especially within Black Canadian communities.
In this rich, heartfelt conversation, Deborah shares:
· How family storytelling shaped her childhood
· What it really means to be an arts administrator
· How festivals connect generations and cultures
· How Natural Born Tellers is creating space for community stories to thrive
You’ll also hear laughter, lively banter (including a surprising confession about black cake 😄), and deep reflections on leadership, advocacy, and navigating systems with wisdom and strategy.As Elton says:
“SpeakUP! International is a place where voices rise and stories travel.”
And Deborah proves exactly why.Tune in and be inspired to honor your own story… and listen more deeply to the stories around you.
SpeakUP! International — Where Conversations Create Change.
· Listen now.
· Share with a fellow storyteller.
· Keep speaking up! Keep connecting. Keep believing in the power of your voice!
Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gpYa3fsR (video)
Website: www.speakuppodcast.ca (audio)
Website: https://lnkd.in/gF8WDxs9 (video) NEW!hashtag#blackpodcasts hashtag#podcast hashtag#podcastshow hashtag#podcastinterview hashtag#toronto
hashtag#supportblackpodcasts hashtag#newpodcast hashtag#speakupinternational1 attendee
The Solutionist: Aerospace to Finance to Freedom
·OnlineOnlineWelcome to SpeakUP! International with Rita Burke and Elton Brown, where we bring you conversations with community builders who inspire change. Trevor Dunlop in Ottawa, Canada calls himself a solutionist, and when you hear his story, you’ll understand why. With a high-level background in spacecraft engineering—including work tied to major aerospace programs—Trevor made a bold transition into finance and personal development. Why? Because he believes real wealth is more than money—it’s also relationships, time, and health.
In this episode, Trevor connects the dots between engineering discipline and financial independence, unpacks what financial intelligence really means, and shares the principles he says are non-negotiable for success—like humility, integrity, gratitude, and grit. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a stronger future for yourself—and for generations—this one is for you.
Check out the video podcast using the following link:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/h3zYxvgnLyI (video)
https://www.speakuppodcast.ca (audio)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-dunlop-mcp-ceng-miet-21595a15/overlay/contact-info/
#blackpodcasts #podcast #podcastshow #podcastinterview #toronto
#supportblackpodcasts #newpodcast #speakupinternational1 attendee
Can This Book Change How You Think?
·OnlineOnlineSpeakUP! International with Rita Burke and Elton Brown, we sit down with Kern Carter—a celebrated author published by Penguin and Scholastic—for a conversation that’s equal parts story, strategy, and soul. To open the episode, Kern reads a gripping excerpt from his novella Thoughts of a Fractured Soul—a vivid, almost dreamlike moment involving memory, migration, family, and the haunting question: Was it real… or imagined?
Kern shares: • How his 8-year-old dream of becoming “the best author in the world” still drives him today • What it meant to drop out of high school after becoming a father—and how returning to education reshaped his purpose Listen in and get inspired by a man who proves that perseverance + strategy can turn hardship into art—and art into impact.
SpeakUP! International — where community builders come to tell the truth of their journey. You can find the transcript here: blackpodcasts
View Kern's wonderful story: https://youtu.be/MjAKsBWagU4
#podcast #podcastshow #podcastinterview #toronto #supportblackpodcasts #newpodcast #speakupinternational2 attendees
Past events
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