Free public talk: CBC's Elamin Abdelmahmoud, two acclaimed authors and a lively house band

Join CBC's Elamin Abdelmahmoud for a free public talk with acclaimed authors Rhaina Cohen and francesca ekwuyasi at Halifax Central Library on Monday, Feb. 24.

Together, they will tell stories and provide insights to better navigate family, friends and relationships, while being true to yourself.

Local musician O'Sound along with a back-up band Universal Soul will provide musical entertainment throughout the evening.

This event is part of the Hear Me Out conversation series, a partnership between CBC and Halifax Public Libraries, that explores challenging and timely topics with an open mind.

Big thinkers invite us to broaden our perspectives and build understanding

​​​​​​There will be an audience Q&A, and books will be available for purchase, courtesy of Bookmark.

Portrait photography by creative director and photographer Musemo Handahu (@misslionhunter) featuring community members will be on display.

The conversation was recorded and featured on CBC's Atlantic Voice.

Atlantic Voice26:10Why friendship deserves the spotlight

Society pushes us to couple up; romcoms double down on that. But what if you put friendship front and centre - even to the point of buying a house with your BFF? Writers and thinkers Rhaina Cohen and francesca ekwuyasi explore those ideas with the CBC's Elamin Abdelmahmoud. This talk was recorded live at the Halifax Central Library as part of the Hear Me Out conversation series, a partnership between CBC Atlantic and the Halifax Public Libraries.

Elamin Abdelmahmoud is the host of CBC Radio's daily arts, pop culture and entertainment show Commotion, and a former writer for BuzzFeed News.

Rhaina Cohen is an award-winning producer and editor for NPR's documentary podcast Embedded. Her book is a national bestseller and Trevor Noah described it as "my new Bible."

Maritime Noon52:41Today's phone-in: Author and journalist Rhaina Cohen answers your questions about friendships and the role of these platonic relationships in your life. Plus from Digby Neck to Campbellton, how Maritimers are coping with snowy, icy weather of late.

On the phone-in: Author and journalist Rhaina Cohen takes your calls around the fulfillment found in a life centred around friendship. And how Maritimers are making the best of the cold, snowy weather – even when it causes havoc, like being iced in!

francesca ekwuyasi is a learner, storyteller, and multidisciplinary artist born in Lagos, Nigeria. In 2022, she was awarded the Writers' Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers for her debut novel, Butter Honey Pig Bread. The novel was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award, the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction, and the Amazon Canada First Novel Award and was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Dublin Literary Award. She co-authored a non-fiction book of art titled Curious Sounds: A Dialogue in Three Movements with Roger Mooking, and is at work on her second novel with generous support from Arts Nova Scotia.


Lively music by Owen 'O'Sound' Lee

Owen 'O'Sound' Lee is an artist, musician, songwriter, vocal arranger, and producer. He grew up singing in church, while simultaneously being influenced by the sounds of reggae, R&B, soul, and hip hop at home. He has shared the stage and collaborated with numerous critically-acclaimed artists such as Drake, Mariah Carey, Kim Burrell, Jordin Sparks, Jully Black, and Kardinal Offishall to name a few. He is currently the Minister of Music at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Upper Hammonds Plains.

Portrait photography display

Musemo Handahu is a creative director and photographer based in Halifax. Her unique eye for creating beautiful visuals has caught the attention of many global brands including Meta, Ikea, Google, Peloton, Mercedes Benz and TD Bank to name a few. Last year, Musemo presented her debut solo photo exhibit titled Kindred, a 10 photo series that explored connection. She is also a writer who has contributed to The Huffington Post, CBC Lifestyle and covered fashion weeks in Toronto for Fashion Magazine and in Johannesburg and Cape Town for Essence Magazine. Musemo is also a TEDx alumnus after delivering a delightfully candid speech titled FAT AND BLACK WITH THE AUDACITY TO BE A BADASS.