In this episode of As I, A Peer, we are thrilled to welcome Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker, a visionary multidisciplinary artist of Jamaican and Chilean heritage, who has been named Calgary’s 2024 Emerging Artist of the Year. Kamika is a filmmaker, producer, writer, and mental health advocate whose work has earned recognition from renowned organizations such as Netflix, Telefilm, the Canadian Academy of Cinema & Television, and many more.

We delve into Kamika’s remarkable journey, exploring her groundbreaking feature documentary, Finding My Way Back to You. This deeply personal project follows her emotional path back to Jamaica to reunite with her father after 17 years of separation due to his diagnosis of schizophrenia. Selected for prestigious programs like the Caribbean Tales Big Pitch and the Netflix Diversity of Voices Initiative, Kamika’s work sheds light on the importance of mental health and family connections.

Beyond her films, Kamika shares how she channels her creativity into advocacy. As the founder of The Walker Foundation, a mental health organization, and a board member of both the Black Arts and Culture Council (BACC) and the Latin artist collective Como Se Dice, she uses her platform to champion human rights and mental health awareness. Her artistic versatility spans film, spoken word, and visual art, blending these mediums to foster compassion and inspire change.

Join us as Kamika takes us through her experiences navigating the world of art and advocacy, her dedication to community, and how she transforms her lived experiences into powerful calls to action.

To learn more about Kamika and her inspiring work, visit kamika.ca. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!