The Melanin Project

A hidden gem in Ottawa that should be shared with our community is :The REPFO - Regroupement Ethnoculturel des Parents Francophones de l'Ontario A non-for-profit that offers a range of services and support programs to black French-speaking families and black youth. Check them out this Black History Month

It’s Black History Month and Aquarius Season Since we celebrate Black excellence all year long we can’t wait to introduce our next feature and fellow Aquarian Body Ngoy. His story is not live on the blog. Link in our bio

Hamid's Melanin Mantra: Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. These days we are all so busy on our devices and stay plugged in, it is important for your health to disconnect. Let the beauty of Mother Earth allow you to stay humble and reconnect with what is important...yourself. You are still here and you have much left of your life to live. Connect with Hamid @artbyhamid and learn more his work in Art Therapy at www.hamidayoub.net and www.hamidayoub.com

Bringing in the New Year is Hamid. This vibrant soul is an art enthusiast who believes we can be self soothing with a bit of creativity. Growing up with thirteen siblings in Sudan Hamid was known as the child with a vivid imagination always exploring the possibilities. He moved to Canada in 2001 and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Textile Designs and Arts. Now living in Ottawa West completing a Masters Program with a research focus in Art Therapy and Mental Health Hamid is li...ving out his childhood dream. Everyday I wake up and immediately think about what I am learning and how to best apply this to my clients. Today youth are more susceptible to anxiety and depression at faster and younger rates; naturally because most of them are detached and have yet to understand and make sense of certain situations. I look at art therapy as treatment and a source of intervention to help youth dealing with mental health issues, it is a healthy release and creates a sense of belonging and identity. Hamid's Sudanese background has played a significant role in his passion for the arts. In love with hot fiery colors in variances of orange and yellow, it reminds of him of home and the breathtaking landscapes and visual abstracts he took for granted as a young man. Read Hamid's full story on our blog

Extract a piece of paper and crumple it up. Open it up. Take a pencil and trace all the lines you see on that piece of paper. You will start to notice different shapes and patterns that take form. The energy you used to crumble, open and finally create the image you are looking at, might be something deep within your subconscious mind. Do you recognize this figure, does it resemble an energy source that was worth confronting? This is the power of art therapy.