KBI Inspire Magazine is digital bi-monthly publication that aims to inform, empower, and inspire young people.
KBI Inspire Magazine was created to help young people achieve their full potential. The publication's goal is to maintain a platform that showcases the depth of the human experience. KBI Inspire Magazine explores topics related to mental health, self care, creativity, literature, relevant and pressing social issues, and everything else in between.
KBI Inspire Magazine was inspired by the story of Kaitlyn Bates and the Kaitlyn Bates Initiative, a non-profit in Northumberland County, Ontario an is now published by A Modern Portrait Media. Interested in being a part of our growing community? Consider submitting your work, donating, or advertising on our site.
OUR TEAM
GILLIAN SMITH-CLARK
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Gillian is an accomplished photographic artist, writer, editor and most recently, producer of the 'Life Outside the Box' podcast. She is the owner of A Modern Portrait Media and holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in both English and Psychology, with additional education in photography and fine art.
Outside of Canada, Gillian has lived and worked in the United States, England and Estonia, and her camera has traveled with her around the world. She has published two books and currently lives in Northumberland County, Ontario with her family. When she's not working, she has a passion for literature, music, philosophy, tennis, and her dogs Hairy Potter and Hudson.
As a survivor of suicide loss, she is also a tireless advocate for mental health literacy and suicide prevention.
ABBIGALE KERNYA
MANAGING EDITOR,
BOOK REVIEWS, LOTB Co-host
Abby Kernya is third year University student majoring in English with a specialization in creative writing. She has a passion for music, art, reading, and film! Abby’s all time favourite albums are Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars by David Bowie, Fine Line by Harry Styles, Meddle by Pink Floyd, and Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. She has been playing guitar for almost 5 years, and is currently learning the bass and autoharp in her spare time. Abby’s current favourite books are Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, and On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong Follow her on IG @abbigalekernya
HAILEY HECHTMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Hailey Hechtman is a creative, intentional and purpose-driven social impact leader with a passion for co-creative team development, strength-based program implementation and collective impact. She has 10 years of experience working in the social services sector with an aim for promoting thoughtful leadership and aligned decision-making for mental wellness, disability, and youth organizations. She is a strong communicator with a background in direct service provision that recognizes both the importance of a big-picture perspective and a practical, hands-on philosophy towards creating sustainable change.
Some of her career highlights include founding the Yukon Distress & Support Line, establishing the Yukon Inter-Agency Network on Disability, creating standardized narrative reporting processes for the Yukon Government and spearheading the Learning Essential Support Skills Online (LESSON) program. She moved back to Ottawa in August 2020 to take on the role of Executive Director for Causeway Work Centre. In 2023 Hailey became the Executive Director of Unsinkable.
.jpg)
MAUREEN POLLARD MSW,RSW
EMOTIONAL HEALTH ADVISOR
Maureen is a registered social worker who has worked with individuals, families and groups for more than 27 years. She holds a Bachelor and Masters degrees in social work, as well as a certificate in adult education.
Currently, Maureen works in private practice in Cobourg, ON where she focuses on offering compassionate care for individuals, families and groups during difficult times. She specializes in helping people cope with traumatic grief, compassion fatigue and engage in resiliency recovery.
Visit her website: www.maureenpollardmsw.com
ASANTE HAUGHTON
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, LOTB Co-host
Asante Haughton has emerged as a leader in mental health. A veteran of the speaker circuit, Asante has presented across the globe, including a pair of TEDx talks telling stories detailing how family trauma impact mental health. Through his work, Asante was also named as a CAMH 150 Difference Maker, being awarded the distinction of being one of the top 150 difference makers in Canadian mental health.
Having firmly entrenched himself in the mental health space at large, Asante is now devoting his time, energy and focus to the intersections of race and mental health, seeking to amplify the myriad experiences of Blackness across the diaspora in order to shed light on the ways in which being Black in a world that seeks to diminish Blackness impacts the mental health of Black people. Asante believes in confronting current and historical truths about our world and the human condition, however uncomfortable those truths may be, in order to move toward healing.
When not trying to save the world, Asante can be found laughing at his own jokes, Netflix'ing, checking his fantasy football stats, watching cartoons, and being frustrated with Toronto sports teams (except the Toronto Raptors!). Though Asante can be pretty laid back, he is loud about his advocacy and drive for change as he aims to deliver a message of social awareness, justice, community betterment, and above all, hope.
MEGAN KEE
MEDIA + COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Megan Kee is the Founder and Director of Twentytwenty Arts, an organization that empowers non-profits with the tools, support, and skills necessary to connect and engage with a different generation of donors online. With over 10 years of experience in the fine-art industry, Megan believes in the power of visual art to create meaningful change in the social impact landscape.
HELENA NIKITOPOULOS
YOUTH EDITOR, SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Writer, creator, and student, Helena Nikitopoulos is currently finishing up her English Literature and Film Studies degree at Western University. After she graduates with her Bachelor of Arts degree, she hopes to complete a master's degree in Journalism or English at the University of Toronto where she can continue to fulfill her passion for writing and creating.
Furthermore, her love for writing has led her to publish a variety of poems and articles in magazines such as The University of Toronto's UN Magazine, Bloom, The Oakville Beaver, and Western University's Student newspaper, The Western Gazette. Many of her pieces focus on mental health and wellness as she believes them to be crucial to one's overall happiness and well-being. She also has a fitness account (@helenanfitness) where she shields light on the importance of one's mental and physical health as well as using the space to further advocate for body positivity and self-love. Alongside her fitness account, you can find Helena's published works as well as her deepest thoughts and words of advice on her personal writing account (@helenaawrites).
When she is not writing or brainstorming for a new written piece, she spends her time exercising or spending time in nature (preferably in the shade where she can read a book). As someone who is always eager to create new things, Helena constantly finds herself brainstorming for a new piece to publish and share with the world. She hopes that her words not only touch her readers but empower them to live every day with a positive and hopeful mindset.
EMMA SHEHAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Emma is a graduate of the Master of Arts: Music and Culture program from Carleton University in Ottawa. She currently lives in Toronto, ON and is working as a law clerk specializing in US Business Immigration. A dedicated life-long musician, Emma releases original music under the artist name Maira.
Passionate about mental health advocacy, environmentalism, and animal rights, Emma is proud to be working with the KBI Inspire team to promote positivity for youth. During her free time she enjoys reading, playing instruments, binging Netflix, and hanging out with her cat, Pearl.