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Taking it to the Streets:
Documentary Series
"Taking it to the Streets" was born in the middle of the pandemic, a time when our city’s heartbeat, our local independent businesses, was facing an unprecedented threat. When the dust settled on the corporate landscape, my collaborator Fred Yurichuk, Dave Taylor and I knew someone needed to pick up a camera and show the reality of what was actually happening on the ground
.From the vibrant, diverse alleys of Kensington Market to the shifting shopfronts of Queen Street West, we set out to shine a light on the small businesses that give Toronto its soul.
While major media outlets were looking elsewhere, we went straight to the source. We sat down with the owners, the artists, and the icons who were being squeezed out by closures and gentrification, giving them a platform to tell their own stories.This series is a tribute to that community. It isn't just about what we lost; it’s about the people who fought to stay and the heritage that makes our neighborhoods worth saving.
My mission remains the same as it was on day one: to inform, entertain, and engage. Every episode is a reminder of why we need to make conscious decisions about where we spend our time and our money, and why we must protect the independent spirit of this city.
You are invited to look back at these stories, walk the streets with us, and hear the voices of the people who make Toronto, Toronto.
Killing Kensington
Black Donnelly Media presented the first installment of our documentary series. Our objective was to chronicle the history of the market, with a focus on the decline and the closure of several establishments. Through interviews with business owners, local artists, residents, and market organizations, we sought to illuminate the complexities of the COVID situation. We believed it was important to let the people speak for themselves, sharing their own accounts regarding how that crisis impacted their livelihoods and their community.
The Queen Is Dead
Black Donnelly Media presented this archive documenting the history of the Queen Street West neighborhood in Toronto, specifically detailing how the pandemic affected the area.
Part One, The Music, explored the cultural heartbeat of the neighborhood. Part Two, The Closures of Business and Effects on the Community, examined the economic decline and its lasting impact on the local populace.
Through extensive interviews with business owners, local artists, residents, and various organizations, we preserved the lived experiences of those who called the area home. The focus remained on letting the individuals themselves tell the story of how the crisis impacted their lives and the neighborhood identity.