William "Big Sleeps" Stewart is one of those forces to be reckoned with in the community. He has done it all: from producing hip hop hits, to starring in over 43 film and television titles, to writing and producing his own work, to promoting artists in his radio show. In the final episode of Season 2, we dive into Big Sleeps' story, his beginnings in the hip hop scene in Canada, his rise to landing leading roles in successful Netflix films, his battle to stay healthy during the pandemic, his love for acting, and most importantly, his desire to create jobs and opportunities for up and coming industry professionals.

As an actor, William "BigSleeps" Stewart has noticed the shift in the entertainment industry becoming more open to diversity. He believes in creating equal opportunity for industry professionals, no longer focusing on external factors but on talent. 

For the season 2 finale of Profile, we are happy to have Big Sleeps share his story with us.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/MDrN2Gnvx74

Nicholas Simon is the founder of The Real Patty Co. (@therealpattyco) spreading the flavor and nostalgia of Jamaican patties all over Western Canada. With years of marketing and sales experience, he is passionate about coming up with new ways to bring people together while having fun at the same time.

Nicholas brings his personality into his business so that the customer will feel as excited about his product as he is. We ask him: Who should be an entrepreneur? And his answer is right on the spot.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/terjTjdKJM8

Here's a question from Life Insurance Consultant, Desmond Wellesley: if you had passed away yesterday, what would your family be doing today? As difficult as it is to imagine, we could all probably answer 'I would want my family to be taken care of'. And the only way to do that is by putting programs into place such as life insurance, that would protect your family and loved ones, should anything unexpected ever happen.

Desmond Wellesley has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and is passionate about guiding people to the best financial choices and understanding that insurance is there to protect you and your loved ones, should anything happen.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/2DTY1SFkpd0

The Covid-19 pandemic turned the world upside down on all sectors from health, to education, to various industries, all of which had to adapt in quick time to a new normal. The real estate market in the Greater Vancouver area saw an unprecedented number in sales and prices soaring to an all-time high. Here to walk us through what 2020 looked like in real estate and help you make the best financial decisions in 2021 and beyond is Marce Miller.

Marce was born in Edmonton to immigrant parents. From a young age, she persevered in team sports and that team translated into her real estate business. She is highly involved in promoting a safe environment for realtors, fostering a sense of camaraderie between communities of color, and being a valuable member of her brokerage and realtors team.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/nc57gMwgK88

Watch Kate tell her story of her upbringing in New Zealand and her journey through England, the Caribbean, and now Canada. Her search for her identity in society and fashion lead her to learn design and later start to create her own look and identity.

Are you still searching for your identity and your own style? Remember, if you do what you love and be you, people will see that and feel that and accept you for you.

In a world obsessed with labels and categories, it is often hard to exist beyond what is set by society if you don't fully identify with one thing or the other. You could be a university professor and DJ by night, or a daytime barista and a successful model during the weekends. How you choose to define yourself and your style is completely up to you. Featured in this episode of Profile is Kate Pierre, the designer behind Kate and Frances. We dive into how her biracial experience growing up half black and half white in New Zealand and her love for fashion and clothing design inform how she exists in her own style, merging fashion and comfort into one, and never compromising one or the other.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/I7-R907MiwI

Ever heard the phrase "First impressions are hard to forget"? Well, here to help you present your best self forward in order to be perceived as you want to be and engage in more meaningful connections is image consultant, Kristen Hardy. Kristen is fine-tuned to image and presentation and understands the importance of micro-first impressions. She is dedicated to helping people elevate their style, taking from what they are already comfortable with and helping them evolve to fit their character better.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/AcHUehlLs28

For this episode, I share with you my story. I was lost as a child, without the proper guidance and support system that I needed for proper development. I felt like I was always "re-inventing the wheel" and trying to figure out things for myself. I spent most of my life searching for answers. As such, I have pounced on some startling discoveries that led me to become a motivational speaker and a mentor.

You know him as the host of PROFILE, but in this special episode, Robbie takes the hot seat as a guest, sharing with temporary host, Shandie Wattley, all about how Profile and Leighnibor Academy came to be and where they plan to go.

Growing up in a lower-income environment in Kingston, Jamaica, Robbie recognized the importance of education as a vehicle out of poverty and started his career as a teacher in the mid-90s. But along the way, he transitioned from academics to focus on personal development, mentorship, and coaching.

Robbie is a master of many talents, but his vocation is inspiring others to be their best selves. Having been through it himself, Robbie is aware that when people experience hardships, challenges, and life-changing situations, it is not uncommon for their lives to take a turn into survival mode only. His purpose is to help get people back on their feet and to recognize that there is a better life to be had where they can find their own success, happiness, and purpose in helping build a stronger community and a better world.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/-FM_tcyusU8

Mel Warner is a revolutioner and an iconic figure in the entertainment industry in British Columbia. After putting together live performances in high school, he developed a passion for the music industry that would eventually lead him to become one of the most successful independent promoters in BC. In 2019, he was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, along with household names like Michael Bublé and Bryan Adams, for his contribution to the music industry for over 30 years.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/n5h6RvUnDGs

A global pandemic requires a world effort to end it – none of us will be safe until everyone is safe.

Clavia Alleyne is the founder of Chattel house Health and Beauty, a Registered Massage Therapy Clinic. Founded in 2018, his business was thriving when global pandemic COVID-19 hit. Being a contact-based professional, Clavia found himself in a difficult situation when new health and safety regulations were put in place that prevented him from operating his practice. Like many other businesses, he was forced to shut down indefinitely until it was safe for him and his clients to return to the clinic. But that didn't stop Clavia from growing his entrepreneurial endeavors, instead, he pivoted his business and created an organic skincare line, a product he considers global pandemic "COVID-proof", meaning safe to market without having to worry about any health hazards.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/Zz7HmBYakUw

Brooke Shelley is an experienced mortgage specialist who is dedicated to helping her clients make the best financial decisions that set them up for their future. Having worked on the lending side, Brooke uses her knowledge to educate and advise people on what their best options are when buying or selling their first property, refinancing, or other alternative solutions to mortgaging that can alleviate the stress of such a significant financial decision.

The housing market in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia has been turned on its head during the global pandemic. After a drop in sales in early and mid 2020, the market began to pick up as people still working from home began migrating to the suburbs. In February 2021, the market saw record-high sales numbers in residential properties and it continues to surprise realtors, buyers, and mortgage brokers. But with such extreme changes, how do you know if you are making the best decisions for your financial future? That is where Brooke Shelley comes in.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/KeDt7AjZc3M

With the ongoing pandemic and the rise in online learning, we are being faced with several challenges; most homes are not conducive to learning, some students relied on schools for access to computers, and the lack of socializing has a negative impact on mental health and results in faster burn out from students, educators, and teachers. Educators are now having to determine which aspects of online learning will be carried forward as schools are reopening and which parts of an in-person classroom are vital to the development of students and cannot be replaced by technology. This episode's discussion features Shandeen White, an educator, curriculum developer, and examiner.

Growing up in an inner-city in Kingston, Jamaica, Shandeen rose from being in "the lost cause class" in primary school to graduating with honors from her Master's Degree program in Education. Shandeen has been a part of the education system for over 20 years, mentoring a range of students from all ages and backgrounds, helping them to realize their potential. She has seen education evolve over the years and is here to bring us into the future of education and learning with online education becoming the norm.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/2ZeJBRHIB0k

Nataizya Mukwavi is the Founder of Black Women Connect Vancouver, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2017 serving to bridge gaps present in the local Black community, particularly those affecting Black women. Black Women Connect Vancouver has created a community of support based around the shared unique experiences of Black women. It is a collective of women who come together to inspire, empower, leverage their strengths, and embrace their diverse experiences. In this community, Black women can build meaningful relationships, express their solidarity with each other, and celebrate the beauty of Black womanhood. Black Women Connect Vancouver is essential in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the Black population makes up less than 1% and is unequally dispersed throughout the Lower Mainland (Canadian Census, 2016).

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/kWZjx6wUPr4

Sara Gillooly is an advocate in real estate. Passionate about ensuring her clients feel supported during an often nerve-wracking process, Sara approaches real estate as something more than a sale, but as an opportunity to empower families and individuals and help them make the best decision for their home. She is also a driving force in helping local businesses thrive during recent challenging times by highlighting and promoting them. Her efforts and community impact have granted her recognition within the top 10% of agents in Greater Vancouver. We discussed how her intercultural background and childhood experience inform how she approaches a home now as an adult, both for herself as a working mother, and for her clients, and the many challenges they may face as well.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/jGEZeK5W6iY

Benjamin Hagwood is a former debate champion, a coach and educator, and an advocate for youth development. Benjamin discovered a passion and purpose in debate and has dedicated his life to helping others understand how debate fosters healthy communication, empathy, critical thinking, confidence, and other transferable life skills that help youth navigate everyday life more effectively. He now serves as head coach, chair, and executive director of three different organizations, all related to debate, while serving as an example of the benefits debate and proper communication can have in life, and hopes to make those resources available all throughout Canada.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/bEkxmzFr-PM

Darron Hastick is an entrepreneur, investor, multi-business owner, and advocate for financial literacy. Darron's journey began in Trinidad and Tobago where his entrepreneurial spirit was starting to develop. Today, he has gone from selling BBQ chicken at age 16 to starting over as a janitor in Canada to becoming the owner of several successful businesses. Having no formal education, Darron has proved that a mindset to achieving what you set out to do is more powerful than a diploma.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/o5aqWHB5Xk4

Fatima Zaidi is a Leadership Strategist, a Motivational Tedx Speaker, and an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Passionate about creating stronger foundations for work cultures, to promote an empowering environment where every individual can thrive, Fatima has dedicated her life to developing effective leadership and personal growth and development. During our chat, we discuss her journey as a national anti-bullying advocate, to discovering a passion for entrepreneurship and compassionate leadership.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/bddZextPWYw

Athumani Abubakary has one of the most compelling stories. From a life of hustling and survival to overcoming addiction and other hardships, Athumani now considers himself a 'wounded healer', living as an example for others going through similar struggles that there is a way out. We had the pleasure of hearing his journey as a reclaimed refugee, becoming a social worker, being a loving father, and spreading the message of love.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/RvrmKMku7Vg

Gina Williams is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, concert pianist, classical orchestra composer, and actress. Having never fit into a single genre of music, Gina instead embraces her multiple talents exploring different genres ranging from Classical Orchestra to Electronic Dance Music, from Alternative Rock to Caribbean Beats, and many more! In this episode, Gina shares her journey of turning her lifelong passion for music into a successful career, where she is not bound by labels, but free to explore all genres.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/-CysS112uCg

Renita Drakes is a digital strategist, investor, and entrepreneur who is determined to live life on her own terms. Passionate about creating a work environment that works for her, Renita shares her journey into discovering freedom in freelance, pursuing and running multiple successful businesses, and giving back to her community.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/zIZv0r5QO7s

Anaya is a champion of healing; whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual health and wellbeing. The master of many talents, Anaya is a model, artist, entrepreneur, and healing guide. Join us as we dive into her journey towards creating a more unified, healthy world.

Watch the video version of the interview here: https://youtu.be/bNoWaLvOWew