Markus Aurelyus is a Scarborough-based singer and songwriter with a story to tell. He has a unique R&B vocal style that’s influenced by Gospel, Soul, Pop and Hip-Hop. He has performed on stage with artists like Jully Black and DVSN, recorded with Serena Ryder, as well as many local artists, such as Quincy Morales and Katasha J. Whether singing his latest single Carnival on stage or singing background for artists around the city, Markus’ energy and presence on stage is hard to ignore.
Liselle Sambury is a Trinidadian-Canadian author. Her brand of writing can be described as “messy Black girls in fantasy situations.” She works in social media and spends her free time embroiled in reality tv because when you write messy characters you tend to enjoy that sort of drama. She also shares helpful tips for upcoming writers and details of her publishing journey through a YouTube Channel dedicated to helping demystify the sometimes complicated business of being an author.
Desiree Mckenzie (she/her) is an award-winning poet, arts educator, national poetry slam champion, voice actor, and photographer from Toronto. Her poetry and voice have been featured in works for CBC’s Poetic License series, VIBE Arts NExT Exhibit, When Sisters Speak, Clearco Financial’s International Women’s Day Campaign, Kids Help Phone and Home Depot. In 2020, she was awarded the JAYU iAM Arts for Human Rights Award recognizing creatives doing exceptional work where the arts and human rights intersect. As a facilitator, she works with organizations like Unity Charity, JAYU, Poetry In Voice and VIBE Arts, bringing poetry into classrooms and community spaces across the country. In March 2021, she released her EP, Wet Hair, now available on streaming platforms.