Justine Abigail on Her Blog and Writing Workshops at Ryerson University

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Justine Abigail is the founder and editor-in-chief of Living Hyphen, a blog that shares the adventures of hyphenated Canadian newcomers and explores what it’s like to be a true bilingual (age 18 and over) while exploring all aspects of their lives. Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, Justine’s family is originally from France. She graduated from college in Kitchener (TO) in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work. Her blog is an exploration of life in Sudbury, through the lens of a Black woman whose immigrant background and cultural roots also originate from France.

Justine’s writing is inspired by various topics ranging from religion and spirituality to local history and current events in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Justine’s own experiences as a young woman between the ages of 16 and 22 are featured on her blog along with her thoughts and opinions about race relations, body image representations, body image policing, racial profiling, and more. Through this website and her writing workshop, Justine is sharing with those who come to “read her words”.

One of the greatest aspects about Justine’s blog and Living Hyphen are that she is open and honest in sharing the sometimes challenging journey that young newcomers face when adjusting to their new home. In addition to featuring her own blog, Living Hyphen includes articles written by others in the community such as Abigail Houghton who is a sociology professor at Ryerson University. The articles in this online site are filled with helpful insights and suggestions that many newcomers to Canada may not have otherwise thought about. This online publication provides a diverse group of writers who understand the culture and communities of their new country while helping newcomers understand themselves. Through Justine Abigail’s writing workshops and her blog, newcomers can begin to find true footing and the confidence to thrive despite being a new immigrant in a foreign land.

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