Jon Sarpong

Editor’s Letter

Canadian winters fall into one of two categories; long and cold or very long and very cold. This year, we seem to have gotten off easy, and as the warm rays of spring hit our vitamin D starved bodies, many of us may feel a renewed sense of dedication toward investing in healthier and more holistic lifestyles. With this in mind, Sway brings to you our spring health supplement packed with ways to help Renew, Re-energize, and Reorganize throughout the season.

In our special health supplement, we connect with black doctors, nutritionists and alternative health specialists to find out specific ways that Black Canadians can improve individual health and wellness. With ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity running rampant throughout our communities, the need for understanding issues related to black health has never been so critical. Sway is on the forefront of providing this much-needed information to our communities.

Stepping out of the doctor’s office and onto the main stage, our cover story features budding superstar and Toronto native Melanie Fiona. Currently on tour with Alicia Keys and Robin Thicke, the Grammy- and Juno-nominated songstress took time out to speak with Sway about her long road to the top of the Billboard charts, the peaks and valleys of the industry, and life on the road as an entertainer. Although she didn’t take home the Grammy (it went to some singer named Beyonce), Fiona definitely takes top spot as Sway’s favourite new talent and we’re sure there will be many award-winning performances in her future.

From the glamour of the main stage to the style of the small screen, Sway spent an afternoon in the home of Restaurant Makeover designer Robin Fraser, who gave us the inside scoop on how to reorganize any area into a well-designed, multifunctional, family-friendly living space.

Finally, Sway travelled to Montreal, the heart of CanadaÕs Haitian community, to speak with the leaders, activists and organizers working to save lives and extend hope to the populace of the devastated Caribbean island nation. Their stories are both heartbreaking, inspiring and act as a continual reminder that each of us has a role to play in shaping lives both in Canada and around the globe.

This spring, letÕs seize the opportunity to add Reaching Out to our existing list of Rs, and remember that although charity may begin at home, it should never end there. (For info on how to donate to the Sway Scholarship Fund for Haitian refugees, see page 70.)

Take care and stay blessed,

JON SARPONG