TEMBO SPEAKS

ABOUT

Makadini. Greetings in the beautiful Shona language. I am Chitinthi Tembo, but I also go by Tinthi. Here's the lowdown about my background. I come from the breathtaking land of Zimbabwe, located in Sub-Saharan Africa. I am the product of two cultural heritage, Shona from Zimbabwe, and Nsenga from Zambia. They both fuse as part of the Bantu clan that spans across South Africa and reaches as far as Uganda.

Let'a talk about Ubuntu. It is an African idea that says that we are all connected. As an Indigenous child of the African continent, we have lots in common with the Indigenous communities of Turtle Island, colonially known as Canada. We share oral traditions, bonds with the land and values of natural law.

I am a Human Geographer, which means I explore the world and the people in it. I am a fervent advocate for diversity and inclusion. My studies have taught me the importance of building connections from different cultures. My responsibility as a guest of this sacred land is to pay homage to and fight for Indigenous land sovereignty and Black liberation across Turtle Island.

But here is the thing, I have noticed how Black and Indigenous communities are often pushed to the peripheries. Their stories and experiences are like hidden gems. That’s why I joined the coalition to launch a grassroots organisation called BIPOC Creative Association. BIPOC-CA was born to tell a new narrative where we decide who sits at the table. We want to make sure our people get a fair chance of opportunities and resources.

I currently work in the film industry. As I navigate this path, I plan to build a production house someday to tell untold stories of resilience, unity, and the pursuit of more inclusive voices.

Tembo Speaks founder Chitinthi Tembo is pictured smiling at the camera, with light flares surround the frame. This image is on a yellow patterned background.

Overview.

Social justice is about making the world fair and equal. In schools, teachers are the masterminds behind such movement. They get special training and act as mentors to help us understand society and change it for the better.

One way teachers do this is by bringing diverse voices into the classroom. They use stories from all over the world and invite guests that share unique experiences. The best part is all these help us to become better people. We learn to care for a better world and take action.

The Vancouver BIPOC-CA - Black & Indigenous People of Colour Creative Association is a vibrant new force for change. We are more than a non-profit grassroots collective; we teach about how people are different. We support everyone getting a fair opportunity to shine. We are artists for artists. We are BIPOC for BIPOC.

We are on a mission to amplify our voices, empower our talented Black & Indigenous creatives, and establish our presence within the Arts & Culture industry of our city. Our main goal is to organize and collaborate with the youths and women in our community.

Together, we can uncover the truth about history and return to our roots. We can decode the colonizing language that depicts us as inhumane or racialized. Such words played a vital role in systematically silencing our voices within Vancouver Arts & Culture.

This is Tembo Speaks.

Discrimination is a state by which a person faces challenges in society due to their characteristics like their age, sexuality, religion, race, or physical or mental ability. Systemic barriers hinder full and equitable participation of Black and Indigenous communities. School systems must strive that differences among learners do not interfere with their performance in school.

We aim to achieve a world where every member shares in the prosperity of the society, no matter where they are from or who they are. At Tembo Speaks, we teach about diversity in society, social justice, and respect for students from all walks of life. We lead by example.

Are you ready to start your journey of social justice activism and creative exploration? Our interactive sessions are tailored for students Grade 1 to Grade 12.

What to Expect:

Interactive Discussions
BIPOC-CA Videos
Lego Building Activities

SCHOOLS I'VE VISITED

Mulgrave International School

Let’s bring this exciting session to your school! Be the change the world needs.

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