SpeakUP! International Inc.

A chemist slips into dark alleys after midnight (Dr. Zafra Lerman), climbs to an attic, and teaches a seminar that could cost her freedom. By morning, she is back on the university circuit, lecturing in plain sight. That contrast frames our conversation with Dr. Zafra Lerman—scientist, educator, and peace builder—whose work proves that knowledge can be both shield and bridge. We start with her clandestine support for Soviet refuseniks: smuggling journals, collecting CVs, and hosting secret c...

A single line from The Orange Blossom sets the tone: history isn’t distant—it breathes through our workplaces, classrooms, and homes. From that vivid reading, we sit down with educator, author, and cultural competency expert Jebeh Edmunds to explore how belonging is built step by step, not by slogans. Jebeh Edmunds offers a grounded plan to beat overwhelm—circle your top three priorities and move—and shows how scenario practice and simple language can transform tense moments into teachable on...

We sit with Donna Jones- Simmons —the co‑founder and architect of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women—to trace how a simple idea became a movement that documents excellence, accelerates careers, and reframes what leadership looks like across Canada. From five published books (with a sixth on the way) to fireside chats and biennial galas, Donna shows how visibility plus documentation turns into promotions, board seats, and public recognition. We dig into her work at ACCES Employment, where ...

What if organization wasn’t about spotless rooms, but about a life that works when it counts? We sit with Janet Taylor—organiser, corporate trainer, and host of “Got Clutter? Get Organized”—to unpack how a layoff became a launchpad, why safety and boundaries protect both client and pro, and how one small step can reset a day, a home, and even a career. Janet takes us behind the scenes of corporate webinars, reveals the simple habits that fight burnout, and shares the moment a surprise email l...

A simple swim cap shouldn’t decide who gets into the water. That’s where our guest, inventor and author Tess Padmore, begins—transforming a personal challenge after a brain aneurysm into a patented headwear line designed for textured hair, chemo-sensitive scalps, alopecia, bald heads, and anyone who needs comfort, warmth, and confidence to participate. The story widens fast: disability-informed design choices, university partnerships that replace dollars with resources, and a feedback loop th...