ebonEmpress Press
Discoder Magazine
Healing music, healing communities.
Dae Shields aka ebonEmpress is a Vancouver based emcee, rapper, bassist, spoken word artist, designer, activist, and community advocate (to name a few of her talents.) She is also one of the founders of AfroVan Connect, a non-profit dedicated to empowering people of African Descent through conversation, collaboration, creation and performance.
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver-based Dae Shields performs under the name ebonEmpress.
A dedicated activist, Shields founded the Afro Van Connect Society in 2019 to provide opportunities to people of African descent to come together and express their creativity.
Blending hip hop, jazz and R&B into a distinct style, ebonEmpress has collaborated with Indigenous rappers Snotty Nose Rez Kids, as well as making original solo work.
Named one of the Vancouver Economic Commission’s Black leaders in Vancouver, her work is dedicated to spreading awareness of “the impact of people of African descent have on Canadian and global cultures.” The singer sees jazz music as a spiritual experience that connects directly with the Black innovators that came before.
Envision the Future: Celebrate 23 Black Leaders in Vancouver
Each February, Canada honours the legacy of Black Canadians during a month of festivities and events. However, Black entrepreneurs, innovators, thought leaders and businesses have shaped, and continue to shape, our culture and economies every day – so it’s fitting the theme for Black History Month 2022is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History Today and Every Day.”
In the spirit of centring Black contributions to our community, and the important role they play in building a future that is sustainable, equitable and powerful, we’ve compiled a diverse – but by-no-means-comprehensive – list of Black leaders in Vancouver whose work is too important not to commemorate.
Afrofuturism in Art : Here are 5 local Black artists we’re grateful for
The month of February is also known as Black History Month in Canada. During this month, we celebrate and honour the legacy of Black Canadians and the communities they contribute to and continue to help build in Canada.
The entire month is also dedicated to the Black community’s contributions to the arts and culture in Canada.
The 2021 theme for Black History Month is “The Future is Now.” This theme serves as a call to action to move forward and continue building on the legacy of Black Canadians, as well as to recognize and celebrate the brilliant work that Black communities are doing now.