Michelle Linares – Commitment to amplifying the voices of creatives, and community

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“I am a Toronto based entrepreneur, artist, event planner and highly experienced retail manager.”

So, I am going to stop reader’s right here! What I have learned about people, and how they view themselves is this; your view of self, and how others see you are not always converging.

I was introduced to this efficacious talent by Lord Fury, one of Toronto Caribbean Newspaper 2023 Classic Man Features. His first words were, “Simone; if you and this young woman start working together, there is going to be problems.”

Right away, my instincts were engaged. What took me to that next level was the first interaction that I had with her; how she introduces herself, and what I experienced learning about her are night and day in comparison. Yes, Michelle is a Toronto based: entrepreneur, artist, event planner and highly experienced retail manager, but she is so much more. She is a first-generation Ethiopian/Salvadorian Canadian female, equality and cannabis advocate. Singer/songwriter and performer, and proudly a University of Toronto Alumni, Hon. BA. Double major in Sociology and Women’s & Gender Studies.

This blooming snapdragon (a beautiful and unique flower that represents strength due to their history and symbolism), openly shares her thoughts and opinions, contributing to social discussions and debates with confidence. She advocates for her values and principles, even in the face of opposition. She displays leadership qualities by taking charge when necessary and inspiring others through her actions. She engages in advocacy for herself and others, addressing issues and promoting positive change. She values independence and self-reliance, makes decisions based on her own convictions, and empowers and supports those around her, fostering a sense of community and mutual growth.

As with many of my Woman Empowered Features, I am going to share with you the work that this young lady has dedicated her life to, and why I am so excited to work with awe inspiring Michelle Linares.

One of her achievements that stuck out to me was the fact that she already has a peer reviewed article published titled, “Oral History Collection of Ethiopian and Eritrean Migrants: Literature Review,” co-written with Ruth Belay. This literature review marks the first step in the Oral History Collection of Ethiopian and Eritrean Migrants (OHC-EEM) preliminary scan of existing: government documents, scholarship and historical accounts that focus on the migration of Ethiopian and Eritrean migrants. Through a policy lens and examination of cultural adaptation, this review examined the existing literature that often under-utilizes oral history accounts of Ethiopian and Eritrean migrants. The paper provides key arguments for the collection of migration stories, and the archival preservation of these accounts through the OHC-EEM project.

“I pride myself in being true to my path and always making sure my voice is heard — especially for those without one.”

I then researched the Oral History Collection of Ethiopian and Eritrean Migrants (OHC-EEM). With the support of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, Michelle was part of a student initiative that provides greater insight into the present and historical dynamic of the diaspora population.

In partnership with the Scarborough Archives, she was one of the student volunteers who created an archival guide focusing on pre-settlement Indigenous history. In conjunction with the Archive Guide, she helped to catalog all of the material pertaining to Indigenous histor​​y. The Pre-Settlement Indigenous History Collection included information on archaeological sites, educational material and other research materials.

Her legacy now has her as an historian, one who has preserved the available material on pre-settlement Indigenous history, and increased accessibility to this information, as well as ensuring the preservation of this material for future archive users.

During her time as an undergraduate at U of T, she became part of “The Summer Abroad Program” a program focused on assisting students in gaining international experience and learning outside of the classroom, all the while completing a full-credit course from the Faculty of Arts & Science. Michelle, as well as other students from U of T, were taught in the coastal host school where they learned about the Grenadian Revolution for three weeks.

“A lot of the learning took place outside of the classroom – going on excursions, meeting new people, trying the food and really indulging in the culture,” recalls Michelle. “It’s something you can’t do here.”

A natural follow up to her outstanding work is that she was selected to be a speaker at Canadian Music Week. It was her first large speaking role, and it was beside Steve Lobel on cannabis and music. “I pride myself in being true to my path and always making sure my voice is heard standing up for those without a voice,” Michelle shared with me during our discussion.

She is actively involved in social movement groups doing fantastic work here in Toronto. A few include:

Humanity Ova Vanity (Instagram Handle: @humanityovavanity.to_)

They are a team focused on empowering social response-activity through curated activations, events, workshops and experiences that bridge the gap between industry, art, culture, and come-unity. It is a simplified hands on and introspective approach to what can be fair and just within society.

North Love Arts Collection (Instagram Handle: @northlovearts)

This collective brings storytelling to life through film, captivating audiences and adding a new dimension to artistic repertoire. They have exhibits that serve to curate: conversations, celebrations, and connections. Their goal in the new year is to make exhibits even more immersive, more impactful. They are dedicated to pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons in the world of art.

At the heart of North Love is their commitment to amplifying the voices of creatives, and building platforms where artists can not only thrive, but shine brilliantly.

Civilian Toronto (Instagram Handle: civilian.to)

Michelle has been working in the cannabis industry for over seven years now. She started in cannabis before legalization, and now working on the legal side of things has provided her an opportunity to help others. “We’re here to inspire a journey of discovery and perspective through cannabis,” explains Michelle.

“Everything we do is done differently, and it is all done with innovation, and style. We aim to distinguish every detail and experience connected to cannabis. Our promise is to be un-everything. To be unexpected. To be uncommon. To be unbelievable.”

I LOVE IT ALL!

I also welcomed her vulnerability, how open she was about sharing her emotions; allowing me into her psyche, exposing what truly makes her a starseed. She possesses special, unique abilities, and insights, and has a strong sense of purpose that sets her apart from others. Her soul has chosen to incarnate on earth in order to contribute to the spiritual awakening and evolution of humanity.

“Instinct is an unspoken language,” Michelle starts our interview saying. “I assess life differently than others. When I look at risks, I look at them intuitively; my intuition has heightened my sense of creativity, and I am open to unconventional ideas.”

“I was born and raised in the West end of the city; it is in a larger Ethiopian community. One thing that I can say about my community is that we stick together. Both of my parents left their country because of the civil war; my dad traveled through the States before he came to Canada, and my mom got refugee status through Italy. My grandmother worked for the United Nations, so my mom lived a privileged life until things got bad.

My mom met my dad at Sheridan Mall; it is a place of mix and culture. People always used to ask me how my parents communicated? I answer, ‘They communicated through the language of love.’ My dad is from Latin America, and my mom is Ethiopian. They met in ESL class; someone made a joke about this to me, and at first, I took it to offense, but to be real, it is probably true. There are a lot of relationships that probably started in ESL class, especially if you are a newcomer to Canada.

My mom already had my sister when she got pregnant with me, and my dad took it upon himself to help raise a stepchild. My parents ended up splitting up; and after this, I moved around a lot throughout the city. I lived in Mississauga, Brampton, and I moved to Malvern in 2006.

I went through a lot and went mute for a while. I was unable to share through my pain. The only thing that I really did was read. One thing that I learned from my parents is to make something out of nothing.”

She is a strong, confident, and empowered woman who is unapologetically assertive and vocal about her beliefs. She inspires and contributes positively to her community and embraces her power. She recognizes and utilizes personal strengths, whether they be intellectual, emotional, or social. While confident in her views, she remains open to learning from others and adapting her perspectives when necessary.

I am blown away, and I promise, we are going to continue to deliver outstanding women who have every right to be documented in history.