How we're changing (as we double-down on our values)

Hi, it's Hannah here.

High fives to anyone who has finished up school, a big project, or simply gotten through the first half of this year. I hope you're heading into a bit of relaxation time this summer.

I'm in my feels because I recently went to my child's Grade 6 graduation ceremony. 

The students were dressed in their tween finest. Some kids had cool secret handshakes for their teacher as they accepted their certificates. Some kids looked like they couldn’t wait to get off the stage.

I loved it all.

In his speech, the principal noted that when Covid started, these students were in Grade 2 (ok, I didn’t need help with the waterworks!). They went from Pokémon to pandemic to puberty in what feels like a fleeting moment.

There were days during the pandemic that I wished would go faster. Now that they’re behind us, time feels elastic. 

Did we do meaningful things during that time? Media Girlfriends has been in high gear since the fall of 2020. For me, every summer is a time to slow down and reflect.

Values over volume

We’ve always tried to shape our work life so we can enjoy every day, rather than making arbitrary goals that are out on the horizon.

But focusing on the everyday actually means keeping the bigger picture in mind. Everything we do needs to align with our values of inclusion and fairness. That’s how we can make each day feel successful and worthwhile.

We’re known for producing podcasts and public speaking but this year, we also delivered our first media training workshop, specifically aimed at Asian Canadian grassroots organizations doing anti-racism work. 

We also did a sensitivity screening, watching an unreleased film to give notes on whether specific scenes would be hurtful to racialized communities.

No matter what shape the work takes, it will always reflect our values. Every project is meaningful because it brings us into contact with interesting people from various organizations, who are also trying to accomplish the change they want to see in the world.

But just because we’re on a mission doesn’t mean we have a superhuman store of energy. And I, personally, am ready for a break this summer.

We’re in this for the long haul which means caring for ourselves – creatively, physically and otherwise.

We're switching things up

First up, we’re all going to enjoy summer. There’s still work to be done but I plan on doing it with a fizzy drink in hand, taking many breaks.

As for this fall, Garvia, one of our three co-founders, has landed the prestigious Massey fellowship at the University of Toronto! Insert air horn, bew bew bewwwwwwww. 

This fellowship is designed for mid-career journalists to take a break from the grind and immerse themselves into areas of study that interest them. It’s a refresher for the brain (and body and soul). 

Nana aba Duncan will also be in a university setting, as she is the Carty Chair at Carleton, where she teaches inclusion in journalism studies. She is planning big things, research-wise, and I love watching these projects grow.

As for me, I’ll continue producing a long-term project with the Trauma and Recovery Lab for McMaster University called Healthcare Salute.

I’ll also be doing my own kind of studies, marinating in everything Korean (consider me human kimchi) as I continue to follow my love of BTS, K-dramas (any Goblin fans in the house?), reading books on various aspects of Korean culture. It’s what is sustaining me right now.

Listen to our updates 🎙️

I am taking stock of how fast time can fly and it’s reminding me why it’s important to love every day. Being proud of how we work makes this easier. 

Our latest podcast episodes are infused with our most core values.

• Garvia Bailey is a William Southam Journalism Massey College Fellow.
  This is a fun episode we did to give our latest update. We are all about supporting each other because when one of us shines, we all shine.
   

• Connie Walker won a Pulitzer and a Peabody in the same week.
  Nana aba talks with award-winning investigative journalist Connie Walker about how she decided to “shine the biggest spotlight” she could on her family history with St. Michael’s residential school, why she left CBC, and how Indigenous representation in news media is changing.

Media Girlfriends in the world

• I moderated a panel at Collision conference, "Tech Equity: Fighting bias and building wealth" with two leaders in tech equity, Janaye Ingram of Airbnb and Kelly Burton of the Black Innovation Alliance.

• Garvia was on “Commotion” on CBC Radio One, talking about jazz festivals and why they are programmed the way they are.

Remember to enjoy these summer days with your people! The days are precious and fast and fleeting.

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Yours,
Hannah