Kareative Interlude Creating a Nu Narrative for the city of Toronto

BY DAVE RANKIN

Traffic in this beautiful city of ours has a way of shifting us from our original plans. For instance, October 26^th was such a day. After I finished wrapping up my Saturday afternoon class with a trio of bright students, I began my journey to take in a very wonderful community event. The Nu Narrative Literacy Empowerment Program hosted by Malek and Karee Walker of Kareative Interlude. Truth be told, I always look forward to attending events that focus on our young, especially when it comes to enhancing their creativity, like the Nu Narrative Literacy Empowerment Program brings. Its aim as per their website is to empower our young and budding creative writers through the writing, illustration and publishing process of creating your own children’s book.

Waiting for transit in between stops when you have to be somewhere will always “be the straw the breaks the camel’s back.” For some of us, anxiety kicks in and we all know how that goes. However, the positive thing for me that day was that I began to formulate a few questions I had in mind to ask Malek and Karee when I was there. It had been awhile since I’ve had the pleasure to speak with both of them in one setting. The last time I was able to do so it was on our show, Hear 2 Help You. Karee and Malek were in studio as our guests April of last year. This is where Simone and I began to learn about the talents this phenomenal duo brings to our community.

Karee, Malek’s wife is an author, artist, illustrator and just an all around creative person. Malek, a graduate of the University of Windsor, handles the day-to-day operations. Both Karee and her husband are also renowned teachers in the community as well. I mean you would have to be considering the countless amounts of children they have instructed over the years in various neighborhoods. Reflecting on the interaction with them during the in studio interview, I remember their dynamic synergy and the reasons why Kareative Interlude is a staple in our Caribbean community.

In case you were wondering what happened with the bus situation, all I will say is that I did not make it to the event, which was a bit disappointing. For this, I had to deliver pretty bad news to both my editor and Malek. However, we scheduled an interview over the phone for the following week to make up for it.

Speaking to Malek gave me some insight on the event and what’s next for Kareative Interlude. We spoke at length regarding the Nu Narrative Literacy Empowerment Program, “We like to start the program just prior to school being out for the summer and extend into the summer, so that parents and children have familiarity with us,” he first explained. The literacy program is a 12-week labour intensive yet “Kareative” process that takes place in two different locations within the inner city: the first in Jamestown and the other in the Islington and Dixon area. Thanks to Cultural Hotspot (a city funded initiative that celebrates art, culture and community) they were able to see an expansion of the program, which tremendously assisted with children seeing, “Authors that look like them,” Malek exclaimed.

As a side note, we would like to mention that The Nu Narrative Literacy Empowerment Program is not just a Community based program; Kareative Interlude has worked within schools and libraries across the GTA.

The children are not only engaged in writing and illustration; they are also involved in drumming and creative games to “Discover talents they never knew they had and foster a positive identity,” Malek continues. Plus, what child wouldn’t love to play with watercolours while exploring different aspects of the arts. During the program the Kiswahili word for self-respect, Kujistahi (pronounced koo-gee-sta-hee) is a major theme that is taught and shown. Respecting the 416, a collaborative approach towards fostering better relationships among all peoples of the “six” is an example of programing that highlights the theme of Kujistahi.

After the 12 weeks, the children are given awards for their dedication at the Nu Narrative Wrap Up, the event I was supposed to attend. Among the highlights, Malek advises that, “The children’s efforts are to be combined into a group book.” This is to go along with the other children’s books Kareative Interlude has published throughout the years, titles including “The Bee Leaf “and “Mommy & Daddy Said.” Malek also informed me that they have 3 more children’s books to be released soon.

Malek elaborated on strategies that have assisted with the company’s growth. “Having toured in 20 different states and as well as the UK, we’ve allowed ourselves to expand outside of our normal circle.” This has enabled Karee and Malek to participate in over 100 different outlets and network with authors from all over the world. Speaking of networking and establishing partnerships, Malek wanted to say thank you to the city of Toronto, Tim Horton’s, No Frills, Vegan4You, Patti World and a whole host of others who have “Gave great energy,” in making the Nu Narrative Literacy Program a success across the city. Truth be told, this just marks the tip of the spear for this pair.

With a clothing line, the Kareative Kollection (a group of 8 African-Caribbean-Canadian children’s writers & illustrators), web design/management, print and distribution services, Kareative Interlude will remain as the staple our community needs for literacy empowerment. As for what’s next, Malek advised that Kareative Interlude would be participating in various Pop-Up shops for the rest of the year. Which is beautiful since Christmas and Kwanzaa is just around the corner.

For more information please connect with Malek & Karee at www.kareativeinterlude.ca.