In one of our most impactful pieces this quarter, Dapo Bankole, an African immigrant, shared his powerful journey of integrating into Canadian society, sparking widespread dialogue about the systemic barriers faced by skilled immigrants. His story, captured through a TEDx talk that went viral, with over 7,000 views on one of our platforms, has not only resonated with immigrants but also with local decision-makers and communities across Nova Scotia.
Gbenga Akintokun – Local Journalism Initiative
Bankole, a successful professional in Nigeria, faced an unexpected and frustrating challenge when seeking employment in Canada—the demand for "Canadian experience." Despite preparing extensively for his move to Canada, he encountered rejection after rejection. The turning point came when he altered his resume to obscure his Nigerian background, a move that eventually helped him secure employment but also highlighted the systemic bias faced by immigrant professionals.
Bankole’s story, amplified through our platform, has struck a chord with a wide audience, particularly first-generation immigrants who have faced similar challenges. His advocacy through The Immigrant Life, a platform he created to help newcomers navigate systemic barriers, has fostered a grassroots community of support and shared experiences. This has opened the door for critical conversations about how Canada can better integrate skilled professionals into its workforce.
The content has also garnered attention from local policymakers, sparking dialogue about the need for reforms to the "Canadian experience" requirement. Leaders in our community have started discussing how these barriers prevent the full utilization of immigrant talent, which could significantly benefit the local economy. By giving a voice to this issue, Bankole’s story has become a catalyst for change, encouraging community members and decision-makers alike to consider more inclusive policies for immigrant integration.
The story has not only raised awareness but has also empowered immigrants to share their own stories and advocate for themselves. Through public discussions and community forums, there has been an increased push for systemic reform, leading to stronger civic engagement from immigrant communities. Bankole’s journey is an example of how individual stories can spark broader conversations that influence civic life and policy.
Bankole’s piece is a clear example of the impact civic journalism can have on a community. By bringing attention to the challenges faced by skilled immigrants and advocating for reform, this story has broken down barriers, strengthened community ties, and contributed to a growing movement for policy change. It has inspired many within and beyond the immigrant community to actively engage in discussions about workforce integration, diversity, and inclusion. This quarter, Bankole’s story stands out as a powerful testament to how journalism can drive social change.
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A propos l’IJL
LJI Impact is the section of commediaportal.ca where the journalists and their organizations participating in CACTUS' Local Journalism Initiative can share their greatest successes.
Through the written stories, photos and videos you see in the LJI Impact section, you'll be able to read first hand accounts about how the presence of a community journalist is making a difference in communities across Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative and the Community Media Portal.
The Community Media Portal is a gateway to the audio-visual media created by community media centres across Canada. These include traditional community TV and radio stations, as well as online and new media production centres.
Community media are not-for-profit production hubs owned and operated by the communities they serve, established both to provide local content and reflection for their communities, as well as media training and access for ordinary citizens to the latest tools of media production, whether traditional TV and radio, social and online media, virtual reality, augmented reality or video games.
The Community Media Portal has been funded by the Local Journalism Initiative (the LJI) of the Department of Canadian Heritage, and administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) in association with the Fédération des télévisions communautaires autonomes du Québec (the Fédération). Under the LJI, over 100 journalists have been placed in underserved communities and asked to produce civic content that underpins Canadian democratic life.
