Inspired Initiatives: One Black Man’s Desire to Inspire our Youth

Forward By Ryan Elcock

In a world where a black male could be shot for wearing a hoodie and carrying a bag of skittles and a can of red bull, there is one black man striving to impact the youth in our generation. His name is Christopher Duff and I am proud to have him his as a colleague and a friend.

Every July, Christopher holds an event called ‘Inspired Initiatives’ in Toronto in order to encourage others to achieve their dreams and inspirations. This year, the event was held on July 21st and it was an awe inspiring event, especially because it showed that black men are not thugs and criminals, but are creating dreams and striving to help others reach theirs.

Please see the video and learn more about the great endeavor below:

Inspired Initiatives is a social organization comprised of a collective of initiatives with two objectives which include:

1). Empower people to tap into what it means to be human, and
2). Bring a touch of inspiration to everything you do.

Inspired Initiatives is about giving you a choice. Either to do the same thing and leave feeling the same way, or to do the same thing and leave inspired. It is about bringing inspiration everywhere.

Currently they operate four initiatives with more in the pipeline They host annual youth rallies called Engagements on the streets of Toronto, where the mission is simple; empower people to tap into what it means to be human – through signs, entertainment and one on one engagement. They host quarterly networking events crafted to connect guests on the level of their passion called “Dreams & Cocktails”. They host monthly workshops under their Dreams Extended Series.

Written to replicate a television drama series, each workshop becomes an suspense-filled episode contributing to the overall plot. The episodes focus on empowering young people to live more productive lives. And lastly, they host monthly dinners called Taste of Inspiration, which allow you to enjoy a collective dining experience where unlike traditional dining, you attend with the intent of meeting new people, having stimulating conversation and leaving inspired.