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Mission

Brown Gyal Diary offers a culturally responsive environment where Indo-Caribbean women and girls gather to foster community and prioritize their mental well-being.

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Brown Gyal Diary Holiday Lime Christmas Market

OUR VISION STATEMENT

Our vision is to create an inclusive sanctuary where Indo-Caribbean women and girls unite, fostering a vibrant community while nurturing their mental well-being in a culturally resonant space, internationally.

Our Impact

In the last 4 years, Brown Gyal Diary has:

 

Told over 81 authentic stories. We wanted to give women a space to use our platform as an open diary. Together we are safely sharing our stories and understanding one another.

 

Hosted more than 5 major events that helped Indo-Caribbean women explore their identity and feel connected to their culture

 

Grew our platform from 900 supporters to over 14,000 supporters worldwide. Telling us that there is a need for a safe space for Indo-Caribbean women, we are determined to create this.

Meet the Team

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Founder & President

Ashley Abdul

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Lead Mental Health Expert

Shanti Georgiou

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Vice President

Tiara Chutkhan

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Writer

Nievana Judisthir

Cultural Intersectionality, Practices & Faith Myths,

Legends & Folklore

Domestic & Sexual Violence Against Women

Mental Health and Wellness

Nievana, an English and History teacher from an artistic Indo-Guyanese background, advocates for diversifying Ontario's curriculum. With a background in English, History, and Classical Studies from UofT, and a recent OTU BEd graduate, she's committed to incorporating her cultural perspective into education. Her interests include romance novels, horror podcasts, and advocating for inclusive learning environments. Pursuing her MEd at OTU, she aims to introduce Caribbean Literature and History into high school classrooms, inspired by her own experiences and the desire for empowerment through cultural representation.

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Writer

Reshma Ramkellawan

Identity

Motherhood & Parenting

Relationships, Generational Connections, & Legacies Internalized Racial Oppression

Reshma Ramkellawan, a first-generation Indo-Guyanese American, prioritizes her role as a mother to two daughters while preserving and sharing their cultural heritage. She has served as both a middle school English teacher and assistant principal, and now lends her expertise as an education consultant and adjunct professor at Rutgers University through her co-founded company, Equity Consulting Group. Reshma holds degrees in English Education from the University of Central Florida and Columbia University Teachers College, where she focused her research on themes of identity, teacher education, and fostering joy in educational environments by challenging white supremacist ideologies.

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Writer

Bibi Hakim

Mental health & Mental Health Policy

Diplomacy

Women in Politics, Leadership, Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Bibi, a Toronto native, graduated from the University of Ottawa. She's served in various governmental roles, including at the House of Commons, United Nations, and now at Transport Canada as the Parliamentary Affairs Advisor. As a mental health advocate, she founded Project Breaking Barriers, contributing to significant policy changes and funding allocations. Bibi's accolades include the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards and Ontario Service Award. She aims to become Canada's first elected woman and woman of color Prime Minister, advocating for accessible mental health services and community support initiatives.

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Writer

Valini Sukhu

Caribbean History

Multiculturalism

Parenting/Fertility & Mental Health

Tech Spaces

Valini, a 2012 graduate specializing in Caribbean & Canadian history, has navigated a diverse path encompassing tech, motherhood, and mental health. Canadian-born to Trinidadian parents, she's deeply committed to preserving her culture and exploring generational trends through her writing. With contributions to Caribbean Xpress and York Excalibur, she's highlighted multiculturalism, music, and fertility. As a mother of two, she's attuned to women's challenges and strives to break barriers. Her reflective and inspiring writing delves into culture, family, and mental health, aiming to resonate with others on similar journeys.

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Brown Gyal Diary is an international organization creating a space that contributes to the mental wellbeing of Indo-Caribbean young women. Through collective action, we are exploring cultural identity to better understand ourselves. Through creative content, community engagement, and advocacy projects, we are defining what it means to be Indo-Caribbean through our own stories. Indo-Caribbeans reside all over the world; some of which have the ability to belong, and some of us are positioned in parts of the world where we have no access to cultural understanding or unity within our community. Brown Gyal Diary provides both worldwide awareness through our digital footprint and affirmative action through our desire to provide a safe space for Indo-Caribbean women. 
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© 2023 by Brown Gyal Diary

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