February 1, 2025
Hi! I’m Stephanie, one of your friendly neighbourhood newsletter editors. Alyssa Hasset and I are still working hard to boost site traffic keep the Calgary Journal community informed about what’s new on the site and around the city.
We have some new stories this week, but first and more importantly, our social media coordinator, Chantel Belisle, made a cool TikTok of us in the style of our predecessors’ video:
In this newsletter:
- Black History Month isn’t just about history
- Crowchild Classic: a disappointing result for Mount Royal University, but people still had fun, I hope
- (Optional readings) so I heard we’re getting tariffed?
- Get to know the other newsletter editor (that’s me)
In the city
Black History Month edition
Today marks the first day of Black History Month. We’ve compiled some events happening in Calgary this week. And we’ve put a black background underneath.
Throughout February
The Calgary Public Library is hosting an array of writers, poets and historians this month, presenting an opportunity to learn about the Black experience through storytelling. For example – how much do you know about the history of Black cowboys in Alberta?
Feb. 6
AI and Race Speaker Series, featuring guest speaker Calvin Lawrence, author of Amazon bestseller Hidden in White Sight: How AI Empowers and Deepens Systematic Racism and first ever chief technology officer of Responsible and Trustworthy AI at IBM USA.
This is a free online event, or in-person at Bennet Jobes Lecture Theatre.
Feb. 6
The Women’s Centre of Calgary is hosting renowned playwright, filmmaker and author Cheryl Foggo at a fundraiser event. Foggo will speak on the topic her work has been covering for the last 35 years, Black women in western Canada and the contributions they have made in Calgary and Alberta.
Feb. 7
Heritage Park is hosting the third ever annual Black History Month dinner. With a three-course meal, art, music and dance, this fundraiser event raises money for the Calgary Black Chambers Scholarship Fund.
Crowchild Classic
You can check out our recap of yesterday’s Crowchild Classic, the annual hockey showdown between Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary. Every year, this event is packed, which is why I wasn’t there. Our sports editor, Olivia Whissell, was there, however, to be one of the first to report on the game.
Dinos sweep Crowchild Classic with record 13,118 fans in attendance
The University of Calgary Dinos dominated both the women’s and men’s games in […]
In other news
From dreams to reality: Immigrant entrepreneurs are transforming Calgary’s business community
Immigrant entrepreneurs account for 17 per cent of businesses in Canada
New study finds BMI is not a strong indicator of health risk
Study finds individuals who are overweight and obese but exercise demonstrate a lower risk of death than those within the normal-weight body mass index (BMI) who don’t exercise
How academic stress causes mental health distress — and how to deal with it
A recent survey suggests 13 per cent of Mount Royal University students have contemplated suicide in the past year.
Inspiring community in Calgary through sport and recreation
Calgary Journal reporter Val Babin spoke with Run Calgary’s Jon Bird about his passion for building community through sport.
Oh, tariff!
Trump slaps 25 per cent tariffs on most Canadian goods. CBC News
Why is this happening to us?
- ‘Nothing’ Canada can do can prevent tariffs, Trump says. CTV
How will we be affected?
- From blueberries to crankshafts, here’s how tariffs could hit Canada unexpectedly. The Globe and Mail
Get to know our editors
Well, here’s me (Stephanie Gabriel).
PHOTO: COURTESY OF STEPHANIE GABRIEL
Q: Why did you want to go into journalism?
I took a break from school for three years to figure out what I wanted to do. I found that I missed school – particularly diving into interesting topics then putting what I’d learned into writing. I thought I should probably go into journalism.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
In the last year, I’ve gotten back into reading novels – and found that fiction is often a nice break from real-world events. I like staying active, whether at the gym, pool or out in Kananaskis Country. I’m also a bit of a gamer.
Q: What was your favourite piece you’ve written for the Calgary Journal?
I wrote a piece about a wild animal rehabilitation centre. I enjoyed hearing about all they did to ensure these animals could have the best possible quality of life – caring for other species is a very nice thing we humans do. Unfortunately, this was during the pandemic so I couldn’t go out and photograph the patients, but I did receive some very cute pics. These cute pics are here.