As we mark the 150th anniversary of confederation, The Philanthropist is profiling Canadians from across the non-profit sector and putting a face to 150 individuals who work or volunteer in Canada’s social sector.
Name: Bryan Salazar Roldán
Current role in the sector: B.C.L./LL.B. Candidate at McGill University and Montréal City Ambassador at Apathy is Boring for their 150 Years Young initiative
Years working and/or volunteering in the non-profit sector: Three years.
What was your first job in the sector or a defining moment?
A defining phase of my involvement in the nonprofit sector was in South Korea, where I studied abroad for a year. Volunteering with the organization Teach North Korean Refugees (TNKR) as a language instructor, I helped my students refine their English skills so that they could further their education and find prosperity in their new lives outside the confines of North Korea. Providing these driven individuals with the tools and confidence to succeed in their new environment gave me a strong sense of purpose.
Describe your desk/workspace.
As a Montreal City Ambassador with Apathy is Boring, my workspace varied between different locations. I conducted informal interviews with civically engaged millennials inside local coffee shops or restaurants, always trying to find a easy and comfortable space that is most pleasant for everyone.
What are you reading or following that has expanded your understanding of the non-profit sector?
The 150 Years Young project by Apathy is Boring brought together twelve city ambassadors from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to promote the various ways in which young individuals are aiming to improve their communities. Among these ambassadors is the Co-founder and Creative Director of Gen Why Media, Tara Mohoney, whose organization develops creative and art-based projects to increase civic engagement. These inspiring projects, as detailed on the Gen Why Media website, have served as a great source for expanding my knowledge of the non-profit sector.
What do you think our sector needs to be thinking about?
The non-profit sector needs to consider the deeper issues at stake when advocating for those whose voice is otherwise unheard. In my opinion, non-profit advocacy organizations representing marginalized groups often forget to provide those same groups with a platform to speak of their own experiences. Instead, I believe that the non-profit sector could benefit greatly from enhancing the unfiltered voices and perspectives of those most affected by marginalization.
Do you know someone we should profile as part of this series? Email us at philanthropistprofiles@gmail.com
