The Amazing Rat Race of Life with Bert Richards - Season 2 Episode 12

Celebrating Black History Month we talk with Bert (Dirt Gritie) Richards. Bert is an Edmonton, Alberta born entrepreneur and activist of Jamaican/Vincentian heritage. Currently Bert is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of “Joyful Noise Ink”, a company that provides family friendly programming using games, storytelling, music and dance from West African/Caribbean Heritage.  

A graduate of NAIT’s Special Event Management Program, Bert continues to make meaningful contributions volunteering on boards and working with groups such as Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (District H Rep), the Ghana Cultural Heritage Program (Youth Program Facilitator), 124st Grand Markets (Community Coordinator), Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival (Site Manager) as well as other professional and non-for-profit ventures.

An accomplished hip hop and spoken word artist, Bert co-found music for Mavericks Entertainment and The Breath in Poetry Collective (BIP). Both organizations have played a major role to elevate their respected genres locally.

Fun fact - Bert is also a two-time game show contestant, finishing fourth overall with his wife on season five of The Amazing Race Canada and competing with his family on Family Feud Canada.