E2: A Neighbourhood of Belonging at the Bosco Foundation

E2: A Neighbourhood of Belonging at the Bosco Foundation

"There is no Sinkunia without food". We step inside the kitchen, garden, and gym of the Sinkunia Community Development Organization to see how African diaspora communities are turning a historic building into a living home. Program Manager Agnes Yaa Serwaa Somuah, researcher Destiny Otoadese, and youth leader Raymond Asare share stories of intergenerational gardening, overcoming separation trauma, and the simple, radical act of sharing a meal. Featured Music: Original sounds provided by the Sihle Sizwe Marimba Band. For more on Sinkunia, visit: https://www.sinkuniacommunity.org/ [https://www.sinkuniacommunity.org/] Discover more about the Bosco Foundation and the organizations that call it home: https://www.boscofoundation.com/ [https://www.boscofoundation.com/] About our Guests Agnes Yaa Serwaa Somuah: Program Manager, Sinkunia Community Development Organization Agnes Yaa Serwaa Somuah leads initiatives focused on the successful integration of newcomer youth and families. Originally from Ghana and a former teacher and radio host, Somuah immigrated to Canada in 2008 and has since dedicated herself to building community through storytelling and food. She is a driving force behind the Bosco Foundation's community garden—a space she describes as a "sanctuary" that fosters intergenerational connection and belonging for the African diaspora in Edmonton. Destiny Otoadese: Research Coordinator, Sinkunia Community Development Organization Destiny Otoadese is also a PhD student in Public Health at the University of Alberta. Originally from Nigeria, Otoadese arrived in Canada in 2023 and found a "home away from home" within the Bosco Foundation building. Drawing on his background in community engagement, he studies how physical spaces like the Bosco garden act as vital hubs for gathering, learning, and building relationships across diverse immigrant and African diaspora communities. Raymond Asare: Youth Coordinator, Sinkunia Community Development Organization Raymond Asare is a young leader who has come full circle within the Sinkunia community. After participating in Sinkunia’s programs as a youth for over five years, he now serves as a Youth Coordinator and mentor. Asare works directly with children in the Bosco gym and summer camps, prioritizing "relationality over transactions". He is a passionate advocate for creating inclusive, welcoming environments where youth feel safe to seek guidance and grow. About the Hosts Soni Dasmohapatra: Community-Based Researcher & Cultural Strategist Soni is a trusted Edmonton-based consultant with over 20 years of experience in equity strategy, public policy, and community-based evaluation. She has led initiatives across the non-profit, arts, and government sectors with a focus on Indigenous–settler relationship-building, developmental evaluation, and participatory process design. Her recent work includes storytelling-based impact assessments, regenerative equity frameworks, and neighbourhood-level engagement strategy. Soni brings a deep understanding of how to design projects that reflect community realities and hold space for multiple truths. Darine Moukhaiber: Communications Strategist, Storyteller  Darine is a communications strategist, storyteller, and founder of Quip Creative, a boutique agency that helps organizations clarify their message and tell stories that connect. With a background in journalism and over 15 years of experience in strategic communications, she specializes in shaping stories that are rooted in community values and designed for impact. Darine works closely with non-profits and small businesses to translate lived experiences into meaningful content across platforms. As a podcast producer and storyteller, Darine focuses on voice, tone, and structure to ensure the story serves both the speaker and the listener.

E3: Revitalization, Memory, and the Future

What does revitalization look like when the focus is on relationships instead of just infrastructure? In the series finale, we zoom out to imagine the next 100 years of this land. Cheryl Whiskeyjack of the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society discusses the importance of "vitalizing" the ingredients already present in the community. Plus, City of Edmonton Principal Planner Cory Sousa reflects on the City Plan for two million people and how the Bosco Foundation acts as a bridge between citizens and administration. Featured Music: Original sounds provided by the Sihle Sizwe Marimba Band. For more on Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, visit: https://bentarrow.ca/ [https://bentarrow.ca/] Discover more about the Bosco Foundation and the organizations that call it home: https://www.boscofoundation.com/ [https://www.boscofoundation.com/] About our guests Shelley Sabo: CEO, Bosco Foundation Shelley Sabo is an advocate of asset based community development, learning from universal principles and processes that many collectivist cultures embody. She’s worked for all levels of government, in the non-profit sector and volunteered on many civic boards. She stewards the Foundation’s historic 3.5 acre site in northeast Edmonton. Having grown up in the Balwin and Belvedere area, she views the neighbourhood as a "fractal" of the city—a diverse ecosystem where stories of hope and reciprocity can support dialogue over division and invite healing. Her vision for the Foundation is rooted in the concepts of wahkohtowin and Ubuntu, creating a relational space where everyone is welcome to share their gifts. Cheryl Whiskeyjack: Executive Director, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society Cheryl Whiskeyjack is a prominent voice in Edmonton’s Indigenous community. Originally from Manitoulin Island, she moved to Northeast Edmonton at age 10 and maintains deep roots in the community where she was raised. A firm believer that "vitalizing" a neighbourhood is about bringing existing strengths to the surface, she advocates for revitalization that is rooted in kinship and relationship. Her work focuses on ensuring Indigenous leadership and perspectives are central to the city’s evolving social and urban landscape. Cory Sousa: Principal Planner, City of Edmonton Cory Sousa is a lifelong resident of the city’s northeast. With extensive experience in urban planning, he brings a unique "local-first" perspective to his work. He views revitalization not just as infrastructure, but as a way to "vitalize" the happiness and pride of residents. In the Bosco Neighbourhood Podcast, he explores how storytelling and community partnerships can bridge the gap between citizens and city administration. About the Hosts Soni Dasmohapatra: Community-Based Researcher & Cultural Strategist Soni is a trusted consultant with over 20 years of experience in equity strategy, public policy, and community-based evaluation. She has led initiatives across the non-profit, arts, and government sectors with a focus on Indigenous–settler relationship-building, developmental evaluation, and participatory process design. Her recent work includes storytelling-based impact assessments, regenerative equity frameworks, and neighbourhood-level engagement strategy. Soni brings a deep understanding of how to design projects that reflect community realities and hold space for multiple truths. Darine Moukhaiber: Communications Strategist, Storyteller  Darine is the founder of Quip Creative, a boutique agency that helps organizations clarify their message and tell stories that connect. With a background in journalism and over 15 years of experience in strategic communications, she specializes in shaping stories that are rooted in community values and designed for impact. Darine works closely with non-profits and small businesses to translate lived experiences into meaningful content across platforms. As a podcast producer and storyteller, Darine focuses on voice, tone, and structure to ensure the story serves both the speaker and the listener.

E1: Indigenous Leadership and Community Belonging

How do we nurture the next generation of leaders? In this inaugural episode, Bosco Foundation CEO Shelley Sabo explains why storytelling is vital for a neighbourhood that has seen 50 years of evolution. We also visit with Melissa Nollski and Felice Gladue of the Amiskwaciy Cultural Society and Aboriginal Head Start to discuss how Indigenous-led early childhood programs are "scripting" future leaders by grounding them in culture, identity, and a sense of belonging. Featured Music: Original sounds provided by the Sihle Sizwe Marimba Band. For more info, visit the Amiskwaciy Cultural Society’s website [https://www.amiskwaciy.ca/] or Aboriginal Head Start [https://www.aboriginalheadstart.com/] Discover more about the Bosco Foundation and the organizations that call it home: https://www.boscofoundation.com/ [https://www.boscofoundation.com/] About our Guests Shelley Sabo: CEO, Bosco Foundation Shelley Sabo is an advocate of asset based community development, learning from universal principles and processes that many collectivist cultures embody. She’s worked for all levels of government, in the non-profit sector and volunteered on many civic boards. She stewards the Foundation’s historic 3.5 acre site in northeast Edmonton. Having grown up in the Balwin and Belvedere area, she views the neighbourhood as a "fractal" of the city—a diverse ecosystem where stories of hope and reciprocity can support dialogue over division and invite healing. Her vision for the Foundation is rooted in the concepts of wahkohtowin and Ubuntu, creating a relational space where everyone is welcome to share their gifts. Melissa Nollski: Executive Director, Amiskwaciy Cultural Society Melissa Nollski leads the Amiskwaciy Cultural Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous children and families through the Aboriginal Head Start program. With a focus on early intervention for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children ages 3-5, Nollski works to ensure that Indigenous youth enter mainstream education with a strong sense of identity and academic readiness. A long-time partner of the Bosco Foundation, she advocates for a "village" approach to raising strong, proud individuals within a supportive community. Felice Gladue: Cultural Coordinator, Aboriginal Head Start Felice Gladue is dedicated to nurturing and equipping future Indigenous leaders. Gladue focuses on "scripting" positive thoughts and cultural pride into children from a young age, helping them see themselves as smart, creative, and capable leaders. Her work at the Bosco site emphasizes the importance of visibility and representation, ensuring that every child feels a deep sense of belonging and connection to their heritage. About the Hosts Soni Dasmohapatra: Community-Based Researcher & Cultural Strategist Soni is a trusted consultant with over 20 years of experience in equity strategy, public policy, and community-based evaluation. She has led initiatives across the non-profit, arts, and government sectors with a focus on Indigenous–settler relationship-building, developmental evaluation, and participatory process design. Her recent work includes storytelling-based impact assessments, regenerative equity frameworks, and neighbourhood-level engagement strategy. Soni brings a deep understanding of how to design projects that reflect community realities and hold space for multiple truths. Darine Moukhaiber: Communications Strategist, Storyteller  Darine is a communications strategist, storyteller, & founder of Quip Creative, a boutique agency that helps organizations clarify their message and tell stories that connect. With a background in journalism and over 15 years of experience in strategic communications, she specializes in shaping stories that are rooted in community values and designed for impact. Darine works closely with non-profits and small businesses to translate lived experiences into meaningful content across platforms. As a podcast producer and storyteller, Darine focuses on voice, tone, and structure to ensure the story serves both the speaker and the listener.