Once again SMJ Magazine was fortunate to have more than one exclusive interview  in one issue. New gospel sensation Tasha Cobbs made her first trip to a memorable one and SMJ was at The Prayer Palace for the concert review and a post-show face-to-face in the green room. In addition, a heartbreaking story of abuse and exploitation came across our desk, and the result was Bridget Perrier: A Modern Day First Nations Warrior...and Survivor.

SMJ celebrates its eleventh anniversary by looking back and looking ahead.  Our front cover story welcomes back filmmaker-director-producer Ryan Singh who was first interviewed by the Publisher in our Winter 2018 edition.  He is now a multi-awarded co-writer and co-director of the searing documentary RAY OF HOPE, which he calls "my best work...so far."  The film follows the tortured cultural journey of former Canadian MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan back home to civilwar torn Sri Lanka.  Our Fashion & Design Editor Claris Minas Manglicmot and her team at Couture Culture and Arts  did an impressive editorial shoot in Manhattan on rising brand La Coutts.  The Publisher and Editor-in-Chief share a special time...Ten Years Ago...Ten Years Later.  And they along with regular writer Akua Hinds look ahead to the various storm clouds appearing on the horizon in the country south of the 49th parallel.

We are publishing another thematic issue; this one on Black History Month.  Our front cover story features Charmaine Williams, the first ever black cabinet minister in a Ontario  Conservative provincial government  whom we discover has been a pioneer in the public sector once before.  Our exclusive is with aspiring black media giant Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro, better known as TJ, who has his hands in numerous pies.  Our Fashion & Design Editor Claris Minas Manglicmot chimes in with her version of 'Black is Beautiful' in both fashion and real estate.  Finally, we proudly announce  that our sister company Shelland House of Films has scheduled a whole series of screenings in February and early March, most of the dates focusing on our four-time award winning documentary on restorative justice and reparation, WHAT WE DESERVE. 

A fashion top heavy issue, starting with our second front cover featuring African Fashion Week Toronto. We have two AFWT exclusives, one on the steady hand of co-founder Isaac Ansah, and the other on new titles for international designer Adebayo Jones.  SMJ's 10th anniversary is highlighted with a photo gallery of the three designers who took part in the  June 29th Trunk Show. A shout-out to Fashion & Design Editor Claris M. Manglicmot and regular contributors  Akua Hinds, Dr. Lisa Ramsackal, and Paula Griffith for their continued excellent work.  And finally, we congratulate our sister company Shelland House of Films for garnering three awards on our 2nd documentary, and for the commencement of a new initiative!  

In this, our fortieth issue, we recognize ten years completed.  The publisher notes SMJ's  frequent transformation in adapting our strategy for publishing ; first, because of changing trends in the industry; second, because of major worldly upheavals.  While this issue contains articles on our regular categories of image, lifestyle, and business, there are two major deartures. Half of our stories are on the topic of anniversaries.  In addition, we begin a new transformation, that of our fashion & design section into something more of fashion arts.  Under our F & D Editor Claris M. Manglicmot, two significant stories appear; an exclusive on a runway event co-ordinated by Ms. Manglicmot; the other, a photo essay that becomes our center page story and SMJ's first ever alternate front cover! 

This issue hearkens back to our #23 which was part film program on the premiere of our sister company Shelland House of Films' first documentary, W'AT ABOWT US.  Here we highlight the premiere of our second documentary, WHAT WE DESERVE.  Included are bios, behind the scenes photos, and stories on the Publisher's two inspirations during pre-production, and the Editor-in-Chief's two miracles during post-production.  In addition we feature that special date on the calendar known as Valentine's Day.  Our regular contributors join us in talking about feelings associated with the date, past experiences, and how its connotation to 'love' can be the double meaning of a song or a special relationship with a furry friend!!

In this issue, the Publisher takes over the center pages by reporting on an event hosted by the Society of Professional Accountants  of Canada where she was an inaugural women's entrepreneur award winner in 2019, and was an award presenter in 2022.  She also comments on the honor of being one of the Hon. Jean Augustine's 100 Accomplished Black Women of 2022.  The awards didn't end there.  After several nominations over the years, SMJ Magazine was named the Media Company of the Decade at the 10th annual African Fashion Week Toronto Industry Awards.  And speaking of the magazine, the issue features a photo spread from our 9th anniversary celebrations event held in the summer.

After another COVID-induced hiatus which resulted in the cancellation of our Winter and Spring 2022 issues, SMJ returns with renewed energy and new incentive, some leading in new directions, others which may only be stepping stones to other directions.  Renewed energy comes from Fashion & Design Editor Claris Manglicmot attending the first pandemic recovery runway event, Fashion Art Toronto.  New incentive comes from the introduction of a fabulous new arts & entertainment writer (and a splendid musical artist herself), Paula Griffith, talking about her project Heart to Heart.  The Editor-in-Chief looks back at a mentor he never knew, and with the Publisher, looks ahead at our 10th year of publication by testing potential partnership and recognizing  9 years.   

The year 2021 was marked by a number of watershed events for First Nations peoples.  SMJ Magazine, not wanting to let these historical moments pass without acknowledgement, has published seven separate articles as part of an indigenous theme.  Four of them feature the appointment of Mary May Simon as Canada's 30th Governor General and our country's first apointee of indigenous background.  Jesse Wente, the Co-Executive Director of the Indigenous Screen Office talks about the growing influence of the ISO in the native and mainstream film industry, and about his book UNRECONCILED, and the effect of Canada's policies and practices over time on himself, his mother's, and his generations.  Finally, Fashion & Design Editor Claris Manglicmot and co-writer Meghan Durnford's Fall & Winter 2021 fashion forecast is highlighted.

This issue is one of SMJ's  most important historically from a number of viewpoints.  First of all, the announcement of the Canadian federal Black Entrepreneurial Loan Fund and the establishment of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce are two halves of a watershed moment in black cultural history. We have two stories on each topic in this issue.  The Publisher's Five Rules for Business Success represents a historic plateau in her personal journey; pivoting an entrepreneurial course taken a decade ago to an e-course which will assist women today in adapting to the post COVID new normal.  Relationships may undergo a historic change coming out of the pandemic.  A new writer and our regular Affairs of the Heart contributor discuss in two separate articles how frankness and pleasure may be more in the open in the future than at any time in the past.  And finally, an op.ed. makes an historical prediction that we will be far from rid of COVID-19 even though it may be declared over and the recovery period begins.

Concluding an unprecedented year, most of the stories in this issue look at 2020 in review as related to COVID-19, or place a pandemic filter over the subject matter of the story.  Two exceptions to that are our front cover feature and our exclusive.  For the second time in SMJ's history, we are putting the spotlight on a spry seventy-five year old senior for our headline story.    We look at the incredible business, community, and personal legacy being built by 'Tita' Agnes Miranda.  SMJ also took an exclusive tour of the Art Gallery of Mississauga, examining what they refer to as  'human geography' as seen through visual art and related pressure points of these times; such as systemic racism, freedoms, and diversity.  

For the second time in just over a year, SMJ presents a special edition with a difference.  Last year it was our first documentary on a somber gender-based topic;  this year it is a somber health-related crisis.  COVID-19 caught most of the world off guard, and six months after it stealthily moved into North America, we are still struggling to cope.  All SMJ writers  chime in with their perspective on how the corona virus  has affected them personally as well as professionally.  We offer up some poignant comparative statistics, as well as a  good news story on a small business that has made the most of the pandemic.   Our Fashion & Design Editor  takes us wistfully back to the old normal, a uniquely timed final photo shoot in Manhattan before 'corona came to town.'   In the end, our center page feature discusses the new reality and the tragic way we are marking major events in this century.

SMJ says both hello and goodbye.  Our front cover feature is on Toronto-based nutrition practitioner Ilona Gorelik, whom we welcome as our newest writer.  She will be part of an expanded health and wellness section starting with the Spring 2020 issue.  We say  goodbye to our talented Creative Director Sheri Lake who is leaving us after 5 and half years and 22 issues. Other stories take us all over the world; from a First Nations model to Paris Fashion Week, from a Caribbean boutique owner to an African designer, and  to a documentary with roots in India.

Fashion & design is front and center.  Our front cover story comes from F & D Editor Claris M. Manglicmot, who coordinated her second annual CCA Editorial Model Search.  The result was a tie between Liu Yang and Dallas Ricci.  We follow them in the elimination photo shoot in Toronto and then in the selection of the Final Five.  African Fashion Week Toronto 2019 is given exclusive coverage, from a summary of the Industry Awards to four feature stories and a Look Book of the two runway shows by the King of Couture, Adebayo Jones.  We also take a look at three unique musically themed movies that were grouped together for one night at the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival.

We begin our seventh year of publication by focusing on fashion in various corners of the world.  Canadian rising designer star Abiola Akinsiku and her Parisienne & African-influenced line Precious Threads had her first  fall & winter 2019 collection presented under the personally significant title The Fashionable Escape. Our Fashion & Design Editor Claris Manglicmot  had a photo essay on Saudi Arabian designer Zahra Mirjan and an interview with Filipino fashion photographer Arvin Cruz.  We return to African to introduce Botswanan designer Onty Kan and her line FG Couture, featuring a photo shoot with the Publisher! We also have two wrap up articles on the premiere of W'AT ABOWT US, our first documentary under Shelland House of Films.

SMJ combines two seasons into one in a special edition variation of its regular issue.  Hearkening to winter and the New Year, a few of our writers examine the softer side  of the holidays and relate a heart-warming story from their past.  The Editor-in-Chief pens a unique answer on what is meant by the gift of giving.  In the spring portion, it's show time! SMJ devotes 14 pages to its sister company Shelland House of Films and the premiere of its first documentary entitled W'AT ABOWT US. There is a photo gallery, and features on each of the cast, the production team, and technical crew.

Our front cover feature took our Fashion & Design Editor to 3 cities and 2 continents to pick the Top Model for 2018. An exclusive on #metoo in an earlier issue is this issue's exclusive, as SMJ makes its first foray into documentary films!  We highlight  the recent achievements of  Jennifer Bernard, WCH Foundation, and Daniel Lewis. T By Daniel.  And we celebrate natural hair in all its glory, from our Publisher on down!!

SMJ is in a celebratory mood as we mark five years of publication..  We feature rising gospel artist Dengiyefa Akene as he describes his challenges climbing the steps to stardom and celebrates the release of his breakout single Yahweh.  We celebrate visual arts in all its colorful glory. We have followed the growth and maturity of designer Kwesiya, and SMJ honors her 5th anniversary in fashion with a 5th article. Finally, what's a celebration without our Publisher giving her take on the wedding of the decade: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle!!

We feature Toronto Black Film Festival Founder Fabienne Colas on how she is branding her dream and highlight two of the festival's critically acclaimed films; the docudrama Barrow Freedom Fighter starring  19-2's Adrian Holmes; and Opening Night's The Rape of Recy Taylor, a historical heroine and an unaware pioneer of #MeToo. Moving to the present, we have an exclusive with five women who have experienced gender/sexual harassment first-hand.  Finally, we review the futuristic world of Black Panther, where women have attained the  equality they have fought so hard for, in the wonder that is Wakanda!

In this issue, we feature the Canadian debut of international a-list  fashion designer Furne One.  We have an insider report from our F & D Editor Claris Minas Manglicmot on his two shows, a Look Book with highlights  from both runways,  and two additional stories .  Publisher Shelley Jarrett tells us about a new title and the latest award coming her way. The Canada Glass Awards are back after a one year absence, and  founder Michael Stuckey explains why it is bigger and better than ever.

With this issue SMJ begins its 5th calendar year.  Our feature is on Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, now 12 years old and still growing.  We announce the coming of Dubai international fashion designer Furne One to Canada and his first runway show in Toronto this fall.  An editorial discusses the controversy surrounding the whole issue of cultural appropriation.

GTA personality Nikki Clarke talks about her personal journey, that took her from being a volunteer of the Ontario Black History Society to becoming its President.  Fashion & Design Editor Claris M. Manglicmot  is both writer & photographer of her feature about Canadian mens' designers taking over New York Fashion Week.  Malia Indigo champions plus size models with her online membership directory.  Truth and depression must be part of the same discussion, and there is an organization which hosts a series of events to do just that.

African Fashion Week Toronto is all over this issue, from the designers to the showcases to the awards and the after events. SMJ Magazine goes from glam to edgy to earthy in one issue, with stories on Rock Star Arhitect Carlo Rinomato,  New Living Arts Centre CEO Nathalie Lue and the Warrior within Belinda "Kamshuka" Barrocks.

SMJ conducted two exclusive interviews with  Celina Caesar-Chavannes, the Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Incredibly, at the Rays of Hope Gala, we were able to have a short intimate exclusive with the Prime Minister's mother Margaret Trudeau,  We have a three story spread on the 4th annual Toronto Black Film Festival in Toronto and yet another exclusive interview, this time with the fifth generation head of Quebec's venerable La Maison Simons. 

A new feature on relationships  called 'Affairs of the Heart' is introduced in a revealing three-way discussion among the writer Akua Hinds, the Publisher, and the Editor-in-Chief.  It is also the Editor's turn to talk about his life's journey and lessons so far.  Fashion & design are heavily covered in this issue, paramount among Master Card Fashion Week Toronto.  The Publisher opens up on black women and mental illness.

SMJ delves into the world of politics and lobbyists and find sixteen year-old dynamo Rachel Parent.  This young woman has a checklist of causes she wants to champion, but will only deal with them one victory at a time. Our Publisher gives us an insightful overview into her life journey.  We welcome Claris M. Manglicmot as our Fashion & Design Editor.  Her first two stories are features on African Fashion Week Toronto.

We feature our Publisher's first front cover story about a young woman who came to Canada as a refugee from South Sudan, survived a personal tragedy in Windsor, and formed her own cosmetic line after moving to Calgary. Neveen Dominic is determined to succeed.  The latest trend in retail are pop-up boutiques.  We highlight one in Mississauga's trendy Square One.

An issue that could become a collector's item one day.  The front cover is a photo of the Publisher as a bride on her Convenant Day with the Editor-in-Chief on May 17th past.  That was also the day the front cover and the front cover story for the Anniversary 2014 issue took place.  The Publisher writes one of her most heartfelt 'From the Desk of' columns.  Our feature story continues with the cross-referencing of issues.  The interview with Jane Dayus-Hinch, Wedding Guru, was actually completed in time for the Fall 2014 issue but held back because of the wedding theme in this one.

Our front cover story involves a pioneer in every sense of the word.  The Hon. Jean Augustine came to Canada from Grenada at age 23 as a nanny, educated herself to be become a school teacher and then a principal,  before rising up to be Canada's first female MP and then first cabinet minister of Afro-Caribbean descent.  The first Toronto all-girls' school has been named after her.  Her legacy was a private members' bill that resulted in the establishment of  Black History Month throughout the country every February.  There are other firsts in fashion & design.   A story on the first of what we feel will be many years of African Fashion Week Toronto appears, as does an article on a designer we first met earlier in the year doing our first special edition, Fanny Ngantcheu and her brand Kwesiya.

This will be a year of firsts (and one second).  SMJ celebrates its first anniversary, and the Publisher held her first SpiritPreneur Conference.  We covered our first sports story about a can't miss 16-year old baseball player.  This issue marks the first appearance of Sheri Lake as our Creative Director.  And did she ever get creative with a beautiful 'under pressure' photo from our Chief Photographer Lubin Tasevski.  The 'before' appears in our feature Around the Town with SMJ.  The 'after' is what we feel will be an iconic front cover.  That front cover is also an introduction to a two-story headline feature on the most recognized winner of the TV show THE VOICE to that point, Tessanne Chin.

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SMJ magazine is a diverse and unique publication. Our focus is image lifestyle and business reporting in the fields of fashion & design  arts & entertainment, health & wellness,  faith & community. We publish original stories about people overcoming all and achieving more.  Often it is simply  ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

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