In their own words
Get to know creative, beauty and art director Andrew Ly; media executive, author, and trans-rights advocate Chris Bergeron; footwear designer and activist George Sully; television host and personality, writer, model, and actress Michaella Shannon; and beauty and fitness content creator Saman Munir.
ANDREW LY
1. Tell us about yourself!
My name is Andrew Ly and I'm a freelance brand creative and beauty director. I was born and raised in Calgary, Montreal is my home base and I divide my time between Montreal and Toronto for work.
2. What does “together” mean to you?
"Together" to me means having an open heart and sharing space for those who need their voices amplified. Without an open heart there is no together, it's so important for us to work towards that openness and understanding of each other as a community. The divide that is happening in the world right now is because of ignorance and lack of understanding of each other, but I'm optimistic about the future.
3. What is something that brings you joy?
My mother brings me a lot of joy. When I think about her or facetime her, I always feel like everything is going to be okay. The love that I have for this woman is so grand and I can't wait to see her this holiday season.
4. What is something you’re looking forward to in the next few months?
In the next few months I'm hoping to find some form of balance in my life. Working on yourself is a difficult task at times but I'm in a place where I'm ready to go on that journey and I'm excited about it.
5. Is there an organization you admire and would like to shine a spotlight on for our readers?
Definitely the Asian Mental Health Collective. Mental health within the asian community is not really recognized as a serious thing. AMHC's mission is to to normalize and de-stigmatize mental health within the Asian community. Culturally we are taught to "not say anything" or it's looked at as "weak". I'd like to shine a spotlight on this particular organization and let my community know that there is help out there and it's important and okay to ask for help.
6. Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects?
My website (andrew-ly.com) and definitely my IG. I love sharing my craft with the world and I like to take life not so seriously and be absolutely ridiculous on my IG from time to time. We need to laugh at ourselves sometimes. Maybe all the time?
CHRIS BERGERON
1. Tell us about yourself!
Hello, my name is Chris Bergeron. I’m an author, a speaker and a Vice-President of Inclusive Creativity at Cossette. My mission is to make the worlds of culture, business and advertising more open to gender diverse folks
2. What does “together” mean to you?
I would hope that “together” could define our future as a society. We live in an increasingly polarized world, but if we’re ever going to overcome the challenges we are about to face, we’ll have to learn to set our differences aside and work together.
3. What is something that brings you joy?
Talking to my readers, sharing with them, listening to them is my greatest joy. It’s a huge privilege to have thousands of people spend a few hours of their precious time in a world I invented. Writing ( and being read ) feels like magic.
4. What is something you’re looking forward to in the next few months?
Valide, my sci-fi autobiography, is coming out in France in january. I now get the chance to brag to my friends about “my publisher in Paris”.
5. Is there an organization you admire and would like to shine a spotlight on for our readers?
I often work with Interligne. They are wonderful resource for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Québec. They help out thousands of people by providing a caring ear, emotional support and training.
6. Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects?
My Instagram is probably a good place to start. @Chrisbergeron.
GEORGE SULLY
1. Tell us about yourself!
My name is George Sully, I’m a footwear designer and activist from Toronto, and I’ve established a collective of multifaceted companies in the world of multimedia content creation and fashion design.
2. What does “together” mean to you?
To me, "together" means family, inclusion, and community. Sharing ideas, sharing moments, sharing thoughts. It’s very important to be together, especially during these times.
3. What is something that brings you joy?
Spending time with my family brings me the most joy. When you’re a creative, you want to surround yourself with other creatives. and my family. The three of us, we’re just that. My son - at just two and half years old - is already doing big, worldly things. I’m proud to share the legacy I’ve created with him.
4. What is something you’re looking forward to in the next few months?
Going on a long overdue holiday! These past few months have been a whirlwind of new opportunities and experiences (stay tuned through my IG below)! Don’t forget to take time for yourself to kick back and relax.
5. Is there an organization you admire and would like to shine a spotlight on for our readers?
Absolutely, I started an initiative called Black Designers of Canada. The BDC helps promote and shed light on designers most often marginalized in their respective design fields. It’s not just about inviting us to the table. It’s acknowledging the fact that we helped build the legs on which it stands. Visit www.blackdesignersofcanada.com to find out how you can lend you support or get involved.
6. Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects?
My Instagram (@realgeorgesully) is a good place to start! Most of all the info about me and my companies can be found on the link in my IG bio.
MICHAELLA SHANNON
1. Tell us about yourself!
My name is Michaella Shannon. I’m a member of Frog Lake First Nation, but I grew up in Saskatoon. I’m a television host, writer, model, and actress. I also facilitate workshops on alcohol and drug abuse and offer workshops for young women on reproductive health and self-esteem.
2. What does “together” mean to you?"
"Together" means working towards unification rather than separation. It means lifting each other up and lending that helping hand when you have the power to do so.
3. What is something that brings you joy?
Being out in nature, on the land, brings me the most joy! I’ve had a deep love for trees ever since I was a little girl. A walk in nature, any time of year, is what grounds me and brings me back to the present.
4. What is something you’re looking forward to in the next few months?
Winter Solstice. As odd as this might sound, I actually really enjoy Winter. I love the snow, the frosted white trees, the stillness, and the “hibernation” time. It’s a time of renewal. It’s a time to slow down, reflect, and let go so that you can set new goals for the Spring. Just like the trees, we need to shed the old and learn how to grow in new ways.
5. Is there an organization you admire and would like to shine a spotlight on for our readers?
Canadian Roots Exchange: The CRE is a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth who believe that in order to bridge the gap between Canada’s peoples and work towards reconciliation, we need to become educated and aware of the teachings, triumphs, and daily realities of Indigenous communities.
CRE is a registered charity/non-prof that provides Indigenous-based leadership, learning, and reconciliation experiences to every youth that participates in their programs. CRE organizes three main types of activities: leadership training programs, workshops, and gatherings. Central to CRE programming is the need to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. Regardless of the activity, we believe that having dialogue is necessary to foster understanding and reconciliation.
I chose the CRE because allyship is vital if we want to reconciliation to be possible. Our future generations will continue leading the way through reconcili-action.
6. Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects?
You can follow me on Instagram @michaella.shannon or on Facebook @MichaellaShannonOfficial
SAMAN MUNIR
1. Tell us about yourself!
My name is Saman Munir. I am a Toronto-based beauty and fitness content creator, and Under Armour ambassador who participated in the development of the Sport Hijab.
2. What does “together” mean to you?"
Together we are stronger, together we are unbroken, together we can accomplish anything and everything.
3. What is something that brings you joy?
Spending time with my husband and three beautiful children brings me the purest joy. Whatever goals I set for myself, my family is my biggest support system and will always have my back. As a personal trainer, I’m fortunately to be able to help others set goals for themselves and watching my clients achieve something they didn’t know they had the power to do inspires me every single day.
4. What is something you’re looking forward to in the next few months?
I’m currently in Jordan doing humanitarian work and it has been an amazingly rewarding experience. I’m looking forward to continuing this work into the new year and beyond.
5. Is there an organization you admire and would like to shine a spotlight on for our readers?
I would like to shine a light on HRF (Human Relief Foundation). For over two decades Human Relief Foundation has been instrumental in saving lives & relieving suffering in some of the poorest regions of the world.
6. Where should we follow you to stay up to date on your upcoming projects?
I actually have two Instagram accounts where I share projects and experiences! For all things beauty and empowerment, check out @makeuphijabs. If you want to get a killer workout, find me at @sfm_fitness for fitness content!
Love the looks? Check out the whole Together edit right here!
