Street Voices has been a part of the SKETCH family for a long time. Today, we celebrate the launch of their new online directory on StreetVoices.ca where you can find free and low-cost services and programs in Toronto. We spoke with Street Voices Founder Joel Zola on the journey and how people can support this new directory.
Street Voices Founder Joel Zola
SKETCH: How would you describe yourself and your work?
Joel: My name is Joel Zola. I am a social entrepreneur and my work is about empowering marginalized voices. We shifted from a print magazine to an online platform as a result of our own education process, we had to learn how to navigate the online world and I think the shift was also connecting with more people – the online world is a bigger world. When I started Street Voices, basically I was homeless in a shelter. The majority of people thought it was a bad idea but I really stuck to my gut. What I can say is that if you really believe in a vision then don’t worry too much about what the outside world is telling you, if you truly believe in it on the inside.
SKETCH: How have you used your art to connect to people during the last 6 months that felt the most fulfilling to you? OR What did you do in the last 6 months that you’re most proud of, or that felt like it had the biggest impact in community?
Joel: We’re most proud of growing our online platform and creating a bigger platform for marginalized artists/voices. During COVIDm our online presence really did grow. We just released a new interview series called “In The Cut.” We were shooting before COVID and we just released the series now. We interviewed a bunch of local artists and this gave them interview content. It raised awareness about certain artists that people were not aware of before.
Check out In The Cut on our website at www.streetvoices.ca and social media @StreetVoicesTO.
SKETCH: How can people support your work?
Joel: People can support Street Voices by engaging with us on social media, checking out the website, a lot of our work is shared through word of mouth. Sharing and talking about our content is great, or you can donate to Street Voices here.
SKETCH: How do you feel about being in a leadership position in your initiative/community? What are your dreams/aspirations? Where do you want to go?
Joel: I feel like with leadership comes great responsibility. I feel like being a leader is very demanding and tons of responsibility but I’m up for the challenge. Street Voices feels like destiny, it was very accidental and not planned, I never was like “I’m going to grow up and start a platform for marginalized voices.” I think I only started Street Voices because it didn’t already exist; it if already existed I’d try to work there. My mindset was never “I wanna be a leader,” my mindset was, there’s a problem that needs to be solved, since it’s not solved, let me take steps toward solving it.
Our dreams and aspirations are to build an online platform and reach audiences outside Toronto. For example, this week we’re rolling out our first video news content, where we’re covering people with our video team. We’re getting more into more media content. We’re looking to add volume (more content) and expansion (outside Toronto). We also have hopes of creating more jobs in marginalized communities, by hiring people at Street Voices into creative roles. I’ve created a full-time job for myself as a creative director but I want to create full-time jobs for other people too, and give people opportunities to co-lead. I look at our core team as Directors themselves, where they have decision-making power. We’re more receptive to people who have big vision who want to lead, than those who want to be told what to do. I see myself contributing to the vision of Street Voices but also opening doors for other people to contribute their vision as well.
SKETCH: From your perspective as a young leader, what do you think needs to change in the arts & culture sector in Toronto? Where do you see yourself in that change?
Joel: I think more education on how to run a non-profit or even a business is needed. If you’re an artist, you’re technically a business if you’re trying to succeed. The Community Artist program at SKETCH was great. That program taught me a lot and I’m still using a ton of the things I learned from that program in Street Voices. The fact that the Community Artist program lost its funding means that there’s another Joel out there who needs to access this education. My education came from programs in the city, not formal schooling. More funding for these types of programs is important. Thanks to the funding that Street Voices has received, I’ve been able to create opportunities for people from marginalized communities.
The government mindset really affects the sector. I think where conservatives come from, if we put money in a non-profit, there’s no return. I grew up in a non-profit and what I’m creating is a return to society.
The reason I’ve been able to build Street Voices is not-for-profit funding and not-for-profit education. I assume that someone else who has similar interests as me would want and need the same thing. For example I can’t even find a business program because I’ve joined and graduated from like all of them.
Street Voices leads by example. I’ve never been the type to complain. It’s like, we’re going to have to get funding and create future funding opportunities and also continue to do workshops, continue to educate. We need more funding to continue doing that. I see myself in the action and leading by example areas. As I’m saying we need more funding and education in the system, I hope that Street Voices can provide more funding and more education.
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