Latest news with #culturaldiversity
CTV News
13 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Sudbury celebrates Multicultural Day
Sudbury celebrates Multicultural Day Greater Sudbury marked its inaugural Canadian Multiculturalism Day on Friday to celebrate the city's growing cultural diversity.
Globe and Mail
17 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Javid Javdani Advocates for Community-Focused Small Businesses
Entrepreneur and Pharmacist Urges Support for Local Stores That Reflect Cultural Diversity and Community Needs Entrepreneur and licensed pharmacist Javid Javdani, recently spotlighted in a feature article titled "Javid Javdani: From Pharmacy Director to Food Entrepreneur", is raising awareness about the vital role that small, community-rooted businesses play in strengthening local economies and social connection—especially in ethnically diverse neighborhoods. With a career that spans two decades in pharmacy and over 15 years as a small business owner, Javdani is speaking out about the need to recognize and support neighborhood businesses that offer more than just products—they offer a sense of belonging. 'People wanted things that reminded them of home,' Javdani said in the article. 'We listened to that. Businesses that serve their communities in a personal way deserve to be seen and supported.' A Personal Story with a Broader Mission Javdani's journey—from working at car washes and gas stations to becoming Director of Pharmacy at Kindred Hospital, and later, the owner of a thriving grocery store and restaurant—highlights what's possible when practical ambition meets community-minded values. After buying a small grocery store in 2005, Javdani expanded it to double its size and tailored the inventory to meet the needs of the area's multicultural population. In 2011, he opened Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine, adding a restaurant and catering business that further deepened community engagement. 'I didn't start with a lot,' Javdani said. 'But I paid attention. If we want our neighborhoods to grow stronger, we have to support the people building those spaces.' Why This Matters Now Small businesses account for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and employ over 61 million Americans, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Yet, many neighborhood-based and ethnically diverse businesses struggle with visibility, rising costs, and shifting consumer habits. In multicultural neighborhoods, the loss of community-specific stores can reduce access to culturally significant goods and services—and leave gaps in connection. 'You can't find everything you need at a chain store,' said Javdani. 'A store that knows your language, your food, your customs—that's not just convenient. That's part of your identity.' A Call to Conscious Support Javdani is not asking for charity—he's asking people to notice what's around them and make intentional choices. 'You don't have to buy everything local,' he says. 'But once a week, visit a small business in your neighborhood. Talk to the owner. Try something new. That's how communities grow.' He's also encouraging young professionals, especially those with immigrant backgrounds, to consider entrepreneurship. 'You don't need a perfect plan. Start small, be flexible, and always serve with care,' he advises. 'The best opportunities are often right in front of you.' What You Can Do Today Shop Local – Seek out nearby stores and restaurants that reflect your community's diversity. Start Conversations – Talk with small business owners. Learn what they offer and share their story. Invest in Learning – If you're thinking about starting something of your own, begin with a skill you already have and build from there. Be Present – Your support doesn't always have to be financial. A recommendation, a review, or a referral can go a long way. To read more, visit the website here. About Javid Javdani: Javid Javdani is a licensed pharmacist and entrepreneur based in San Diego, CA. He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific and has served in leadership roles in hospital and retail pharmacy. He is the owner of a multicultural grocery store and the restaurant Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine, which serves as a hub for the local community. Contact: info@ Media Contact Company Name: Javid Javdani San Diego Contact Person: Javid Javdani Email: Send Email City: San Diego State: California Country: United States Website:
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
D.C. elected these noncitizens to office. Congress could oust them.
One arrived in the United States as a middle-schooler, his family granted asylum from Ethiopia. Another arrived in her 20s from Mexico for a job at an embassy and quickly fell in love with D.C.'s vibrant history. A third arrived as a college freshman from China with dreams of working in economic development.
The Guardian
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Six great reads: tradwives v radwives, hollowed-out London and the last musical genius?
'Like many people, reaching the age of 40 inspired Matt to do some self-reflection. He had achieved many hallmarks of adulthood: a college degree, a career he enjoyed, and two beloved dogs. But he'd never had a relationship, or even a sexual partner.' Scores of Christian men in the United States have been raised on ideas of abstinence and 'purity' – what, asked Jessica Bateman, does that mean for their sex lives later on? Read more The Prince Charles Cinema is beloved by film-lovers and counts the like of Christopher Nolan as a fan. But its future is at risk due to a David v Goliath battle with its billionaire owner. Writes Will Coldwell: 'To many, what was happening to the Prince Charles Cinema was about something bigger than a negotiation over rent. It was about the persistent threat of closure that so many cultural and community spaces in London face, the impact of rampant commercialism on the city's cultural diversity, and the seemingly unchecked power that developers wield.' Read more In pop, which equates genius with innovation, recent artists have not pioneered new forms like those from the 60s. Has, asks Rachel Areosti, the digital age sidelined invention and promoted the derivative for ever? Read more 'Height is often seen as a dealbreaker when it comes to romance, particularly within heterosexual relationships. But when Tinder recently said that it was trialling a feature that allows some premium users to filter potential matches by height, it quickly proved controversial. 'Oh God. They added a height filter,' lamented one Reddit thread, while an X user claimed: 'It's over for short men.'' What is behind the '6ft fixation' in dating – and could it be scuppering the chance of true connection? Leah Harper set out to find out. Read more Slick Rick, writes Alexis Petridis, 'remains the rapper's rapper, the most-sampled hip-hop artist in history'. In this brilliant interview the British-born artists explains why it's been more than quarter of a century since his last album and why he was inspired by the production techniques of Alvin and the Chipmunks. Read more 'For the uninitiated: the tradwife is a married woman, usually conservative and/or Christian, usually white (though not always), of the belief that her place is in the home. She is feminine, usually kempt, often dressed like Betty Draper, but increasingly workout gear in neutral tones too. Though at home, she is not a stay-at-home mother, rather someone who performs as if she is, documenting her life in dizzying, up-close fashion for us to wonder: who's doing the potty training?' Morwenna Ferrier isn't, she writes, the first wrung-out mother to take umbrage with this sort of performance. But, as the cost of living crisis squeezes, the fantasy of escaping into being a wife and mother becomes more vivid and, for realistic mothers whose life is a delicate balance between task and failure, app-reliance and guilt, maybe we should lean in to the term 'radwife'. Read more
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Fashion Designer Rayan Alami Is Championing Qatari Creativity On The World Stage
From celebrating individuality to celebrating difference, designer Rayan Alami is looking to start a movement For Qatari designer, and founder of contemporary brand Authentic Roz, Rayan Alami, fashion is about more than mere looks. 'I've always had a deep relationship with communicating my feelings through clothes,' he tells Bazaar. 'It's a way of channelling something beautiful and visual that remains unspoken. Fashion is a great way for me to give voice to that energy.' With an aesthetic vision that brings together facets of different cultures – think Italian refinery, Japanese silhouettes, and Moroccan textiles – it's a brand with a truly international outlook and one that celebrates what unites, rather than what divides, us; an increasingly important philosophy in today's fractured landscape. As a Qatari with strong ties to both Morocco and Brazil, living in the US and showcasing designs in Europe, that sense of creativity across boundaries is bound up in the designer's DNA. 'Our goal at Authentic Roz is to inspire each person to pursue their best selves. Here, being different isn't just accepted – it's celebrated. We want to foster a space in which everyone feels confident in their uniqueness, empowered to embrace who they are, and energized by the collective pursuit of something greater.' That exploration of culture plays out in fabrics, silhouettes, and colour palettes. 'Each element is an important means of communicating the cultural traits of the brand', says Rayan. 'The latest collection is inspired by earthy elements – you've got beige, which is reflective of the Qatari desert; terracotta, which represents the earthy rocks of Morocco; white and green, which to me reflect the peaceful, verdant landscape of Japan. All these elements are diverse yet interlinked and connected.' That focus on landscape is met with an appreciation of the importance of environmental sustainability. 'Our carbon footprint is something we take very seriously, as is the ethical nature of the business,' he says. 'We consciously minimise fabric waste and select fabrics that are more environmentally sound. Currently 80 per cent of our leather is vegan. All of our cotton and denim is organic. The fashion market is saturated and it is crucial that emerging and established brands alike take steps to create collections in a way that is sustainable; as well as to foster ethical working practices that value people.' Earlier this year, the brand unveiled its latest collection in satellite shows staged during New York and Paris Fashion Weeks courtesy of emerging talent facilitator The Lab. Runway highlights included the retro Seraph pants in rich terracotta, and the Desert Script distressed jacket, featuring an oversized silhouette with padded shoulders, hand-drawn graphics and a textured heritage print. 'I was extremely grateful to have this opportunity,' Rayan tells Bazaar. 'As a designer, showing in a fashion capital like Paris is incredibly important; it allowed me to experiment more and to really share the message of the brand with audiences – to explore the psychology and the ethos underwriting our pieces. This of course goes beyond silhouettes and fabrics and into something much deeper. It's about seeing the advantages of difference, championing individuality, and creating something harmonious across cultures.' As a keen DJ, creating an immersive, experiential show was key. 'I make music, so bringing that into the show in a real and tangible way was very much part of the concept. From the casting of the models, to the lighting design, the playlist, and the clothes themselves, it was very much a layered offering. Less a show, and more of a movement. That experiential quality, whether it's through a feeling or music or the designs themselves or all together, is where fashion is headed.' Having garnered positive feedback from audiences and support on social media, what is next for the brand? 'We've been approached by international buyers, which is really exciting. The focus now is to grow the brand in an organic way. Our pieces are very different, they are out of the ordinary. It's about reaching the right consumers in the right way. We are currently present in New York and available on our e-commerce platform and our goal is to be present in all urban capitals and to share our message with an even wider audience.'
