Mirror Image Media

United Way Halifax approached us to do a video series on the organizations they supported during the pandemic that focus on people who are marginalized. Alice House provides safe, secure housing and programming over HRM so that women and children escaping domestic violence can find hope and connection. When you donate to the United Way Community Fund, you are powering a large network of programs and a myriad of diverse communities right here in HRM.

For the last five months, we’ve been filming a feature length documentary on @northprestonsurf. We feel so fortunate to combine our passion for social issues, surfing and filmmaking. As storytellers, we feel it is our responsibility to help shift perceptions and educate people in order to create meaningful change. Stay tuned in 2021!

Thank you to Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce & TD for highlighting us in their Small Business Month series! Check out this virtual interview on how the pandemic has influenced our business and creative process as storytellers.

Such a blast working with Atlantic University Sport / Sport universitaire de l'Atlantique -- check out our latest project! AUS and its student-athletes want to remind you that it's okay to crush a water. Keep It Social and socially distanced.

"When the pandemic hit, my heart sunk, thinking about the reality of so many young people who are living and stuck in unsupportive home spaces." - Carmel Farahbakhsh The Youth Project is one of the community partners funded by the United Way Halifax. It’s a space both physical and now virtual where youth who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community can find belonging and connection. When you support to the United Way Community Fund, you are powering a large network of programs and a myriad of diverse communities right here in HRM. Together, we are #UnitedByCompassion. We feel incredibly honored to help bring this story to life and work with organizations that align with our values.

Stoked about this collab with Surf the Greats -- check out our latest https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=349942786093918

I am one with the Ocean. The majesty and wonder of this life source mirrors the energy of my being. Water is one of God’s most powerful elements. I acknowledge that this power is also inside of me. - LaMeia Reddick A shot from a feature length documentary we’re in the midst of making on the North Preston Surf Program. Magic coming your way in 2021

Our people embody the beauty of our land and our vision for a world that centers love above all else. The colours in this landscape reflect the vibrancy that is Preston. Our ancestors lived through hell and their pain has set our souls on fire. We scream No Justice, No Peace as we live into our liberation and sovereignty. All eyes on Mi'kma'ki because it is time to wake up to the truth. - @lrkinnects Beautiful words by LaMeia Reddick, reflecting on what the community means to her in the @northprestonsurf documentary

Amplified voices at Pride. "Halifax Pride stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement to end police brutality and systemic racism. We strive to operate in an anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework and know that doing so is an ongoing commitment. We continue to invite our community to hold us accountable for our shortcomings. For information on Halifax Pride’s QTBIPOC support efforts and actions please visit halifaxpride.com/qtbipoc." -Halifax Pride

Practicing pop ups | @northprestonsurf

I’m getting to know the mother that I’m becoming, though she lives a couple weeks from today. The excitement of new life and this new beginning is all consuming and so is my hope that this baby growing inside me will know that they can be whoever they dream of being. That they’ll grow knowing the ocean as a mirror of their infinite. Not something to fear but a place to call home. They wont have to wade through the fears and the years of feeling not good enough like I did. ... Arrive here, in belonging, little one. - @luminousandwild Rachel is a character in a documentary we’re making on @northprestonsurf. We feel honored to bring her story to life and share some of her words with you today

Big news coming with @northprestonsurf

No place we’d rather be

Over a year ago, Meg and I had the privilege of traveling to Peru to film a surf retreat called Unleash, led by our pals Amy Schwartz and John Furness, who are both from Halifax. While running their business there for three seasons, they hired a woman named Gaby to take care of their child. Gaby and her family fled persecution in Venezuela, because her family was blacklisted for voting against the dictatorship - which made it near impossible for them to get work, food, medici...ne or move freely. Life in Peru hasn’t been easy for them because of backlash against Venezuelan asylum seekers which resulted in Gaby’s daughter being denied education and basic health care. It has made it almost impossible for Gaby and her mother to find work. The family cannot walk two blocks to the pharmacy for her daughter’s epilepsy medicine without serious verbal and physical assaults. Because of our connection to Amy and John, as well as Peru, we joined a group they created to help bring this Venezuelan family, who are living in Peru, to Canada through a refugee sponsorship process. With a group of phenomenal Haligonians, we are fundraising $28,000 to cover their settlement expenses to bring this brave family to Nova Scotia, where Gaby’s daughter can be a normal teenager and pursue her dream of becoming a biologist. This is a place where Gaby can start her career in Early Childhood education and where Valentina, her mother, can get back to work. We are reaching out to ask for a donation to help bring the three of them here - if you’re interested and able to of course! Please feel free to spread the word as well Donate here: https://gabyfund.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/108482124261342/videos/592378765044104

Salty long weekends

A spoken word by the beautiful Verena Rizg, which was inspired by Rumi's quote "Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder." The poem is a response to anti-Black racism and oppression and the deep wounds it causes.

Chasing that evening glow

Queer artists supporting queer artists - check out this beautiful piece with the very talented Mo Kenney

A true representation of behind the scenes : @carolikina

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic is the first time they’ve experienced social isolation, says Gerry Post. But that’s not the case for disabled people, who have barriers placed in their way each day. Click through to watch Gerry's video to see how he believes COVID-19 is an opportunity to not only improve the lives of disabled and vulnerable people, but our communities as a whole. In partnership with SaltWire and writer Robyn McNeil, we spoke with five Nova Scotians about the...ir vision for the province post-pandemic. https://www.saltwire.com//video-perspective-gerry-post-b/

If there’s anything I’ve learned from being an athlete, it’s resiliency. It’s through the toughest moments that we become our best self. Having to put aside the dream of playing at a world championship on home ice was hard, but hockey taught Jill Saulnier to pick herself up when she's knocked down. She's putting those lessons into practice in preparation for the 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship, now slated for Halifax in 2021. ... In partnership with SaltWire and writer Robyn McNeil, we spoke with five Nova Scotians about their vision for the province post-pandemic. Check out Jill's video below! https://www.saltwire.com//video-perspective-jill-saulnier/

We’ve become even more acutely aware of the disproportionate suffering of our most vulnerable populations, says clinician Verena Rizg. Every challenge presents lessons to be learned. Every challenge has the potential to better equip us for the future. Being a woman of colour and having her entire family also working on the frontlines only compounds her concern. Rizg - a poet, singer and first-generation Canadian of Egyptian and Sudanese descent - is acutely aware of how ...crises magnify inequalities in communities most at risk. In partnership with SaltWire and writer Robyn McNeil, we spoke with five Nova Scotians about their vision for the province post-pandemic. Watch her video in this link! https://www.saltwire.com//video-perspective-verena-rizg-/

"How can we each be accountable for ourselves, and how do our actions and inactions help or harm those around us?" asks Kat Cochrane. COVID-19 affected not only Kat’s Halifax business, One Block Barbershop, but also their family. While fears for their business and staff are top of mind, Cochrane also hopes for more accountability around the care of the elderly and disabled. But, they believe a better Nova Scotia is possible after COVID-19. ... In partnership with SaltWire and writer Robyn McNeil, we spoke with five Nova Scotians about their vision for the province post-pandemic. Click through this link to watch her video and read more about her story! https://www.saltwire.com//video-perspective-kat-cochrane-/

It’s time to take a stance and rise in solidarity. It’s time to use your breath for those who no longer have the privilege to draw breath. J Durrell Borden thank you for your beautiful words at the Surf Nova Scotia Paddle Out in Solidarity event.

"Are we prepared to do the necessary work to become a Nova Scotia healed?" asks North Preston’s LaMeia Reddick, a community engagement consultant, activist, artist and founder of KINnected Leadership. Reddick believes a better Nova Scotia is possible. She lives for it. She fights for it. And she's asking if her fellow Nova Scotians are prepared to do the work to build a more just and equitable tomorrow. Click through to see the video we did in partnership with SaltWire and w...riter Robyn McNeil, where we spoke with five Nova Scotians about their vision for the province post-pandemic. https://www.saltwire.com//video-perspective-lameia-reddic/

#blackouttuesday #theshowmustbepaused