Emmanuel Akanbi

Emmanuel Akanbi is one of the founders of Antler River Media Co-operative and serves as a board member and Coordinating Editor for the outlet. As trained epidemiologist by day, he is very invested in the advancement of the public healthcare system and contributing to healthcare research. Outside of writing, he loves animation, film, smart comedies, and learning about different organizing histories. You can contact him at akanbi.e@proton.me.
A big cityscape repeating pattern in bright pastel colours

How the support sector went from community care to just a ‘business’

This story was written by Emmanuel Akanbi as part of a joint collaboration between Antler River Media Co-operative and The Philanthropist Journal, funded by the Rideau Hall Foundation. At the beginning of her support-work career, Makayla Pegg felt optimistic about the work she was doing. “A lot of newer people were very young then. Fresh out of school, very idealistic, looking for an opportunity to better what they were seeing in the world,” she says. Pegg started her career in Northern Ontario, at a residential living centre for youth with dual diagnosis, commonly referred to as “high-acuity” patients. Many of…

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Man carries a replica of himself in a hospital gown in his arms. The text says "The Sickling" in all caps.

“It’s affecting us the most”: Gabriel Badejo’s The Sickling brings sickle cell crises to light

Growing up as a Nigerian immigrant, my parents were acutely aware of the sickle cell crisis facing Nigeria. So much so that when I turned 17, my dad made sure to tell me that when I start dating, I need to get my blood tested to figure out if I was a carrier. At the time, sickle cell anemia was more of an idea that my parents were fanatical about than an active risk to my health. Going into health research in university, I would learn more and more about how common it was in Nigeria. Sickle cell anemia is…

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Author Sam Demma brings good will to London

On Thursday, Bestselling author and Canadian speaker Sam Demma comes to London as part of his cross-country tour dedicated to his new book Return on Goodwill.  The tour, dubbed Return on Goodwill Live, sees Demma sharing stories and the impacts of the goodwill he has received from others throughout his life, and championing the world he hopes to be part of. One that focuses on “return on goodwill” rather than return on investment. For Demma, the fundamental difference between the two is expectation. “Return on investment, there’s always an expectation. When you give money to a financial advisor, you’re not…

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Collage featuring three photos. The top photo features a screen lit saying Forest City Film Festival. The bottom left photo is of shoes on the Imagine Cinemas patterned floor, the bottom right photo is of a fan choice award ballot titled "Best of the world fests fan favourite award ballot" with the text "Let your voice be heard! Score this film by RIPPING through a number at the bottom of this ballot. 1 is poor. 5 is excellent." The balloted film is titled NO OTHER CHOICE. The numbers range from 1 to 5.

What the Forest City Film Festival brings to London

Last year, the tenth anniversary of the Forest City Film Festival (FCFF) brought together film fans, popcorn enthusiasts, and budding filmmakers from all around London for 10 days of celebration, artistry, and creation.  As we approach the festival’s 11th year, Antler River Media reflects at what having a festival like FCFF means for people here in London. Amidst many long-time fans, there were first-time attendees, like Elliott Cooper, who vowed to return for future editions.  “It’s cool to be able to just go see something that’s not out in most theaters yet,” said Cooper. “You can also help support local…

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Linda McQuaig and Neil Brooks discuss their new book on ‘Cancelling Billionaires’

On September 22, Canadian author and journalist Linda McQuaig and tax scholar Neil Brooks will visit London to discuss their recent book Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us: The Urgent Need for a Wealth Tax. The third book in their trilogy criticizing wealth hoarding and billionaires, their newest instalment brings a new urgency to the problem in an era further wrought with the wealth gap. The pair has been highlighting the issue for decades and now 16 years since the debut of their first co-authored release, The Trouble with Billionaires, McQuaig believes the problem has become much more pronounced. “The…

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Frontline workers supporting the city’s unhoused population sound the alarm about cuts to service

Frontline workers in London’s supportive services sector are sounding alarms about proposed changes by City Council to the city’s warming centres and funding for outreach services provided by London Cares. In advance of federal funding expiration — which had provided $4.2 million in support for the city’s homelessness response — city staff recommended London’s Community and Protective Services Committee extend a multi-year contract with London Cares and further evolve the homelessness response system.  However on January 23, Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson, Ward 2 Coun. Shawn Lewis, Ward 5 Coun. Jerry Pribil, and Ward 8 Coun. Steve Lehman, proposed amendments…

Read MoreFrontline workers supporting the city’s unhoused population sound the alarm about cuts to service