DIDIHOOD ~ Issue 56

Happy October Didis! 

This month we're heading into the second phase of our mentorship program, focusing on creating a strong resume and building interview skills. We are so excited to have the fourth cohort of our mentorship program in full swing!

As for events, with the success of our summer social in August, we are hoping to plan a fall Didi social in Toronto very soon, so keep an eye out on our social channels for that! For those who celebrate Diwali, we would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Diwali season. 

Meet the Didi:
This month's Meet the Didi is Amrit Gill. She is a producer with the diversity, equity and inclusion content team at MLSE based in Toronto. Her work is focused on community and cultural content for MLSE sports properties like the Raptors and Maple Leafs. 

When did you decide to pursue a career in sports broadcasting?
I knew I wanted to go into broadcasting in my early teens. I grew up watching sports with my dad and news with my grandfather — the newscast was usually followed by a puck drop. In high school I pitched a hockey story to the CBC and became a student reporter. After that experience I went to broadcasting school and shortly after found myself in a newsroom during the weekdays and a hockey studio on the weekends.

What obstacles did you face as a South Asian woman pursuing a career in the media industry?
I have had various roles in the industry because I got my start early. From being in a leadership position behind the scenes as a producer to a career on camera as a reporter, there have been numerous professional and personal challenges along the way.
At times I have been the only woman or racialized person in the room, and usually the youngest. However, the adversity that came with being placed in these environments has helped fast track my development through the perspective I gained.

I have learned that you need to define what success means to you. Once you know what that is you can build a blueprint that aligns with your principles and professional goals. For me that is creating social and educational learning content and using my platform to advocate for sustainable change for issues I care about / have experienced.

You've made diversity, equity and inclusion a big part of your career, what are some of the impacts you've seen from that work?
I believe it is imperative that content which represents marginalized groups, cultures or is of historical importance needs to be done very thoughtfully because of the influence that media has. Representation matters, but the content created to convey it can often undermine it. That’s why it’s important for it to come from an honest place, with an eye to the genuine stakes.
Through Hockey Night in Canada’s Punjabi Edition my team and I have been able to help reduce the greatest barrier in hockey today, accessibility. At MLSE our teams utilize their platforms through content to empower communities by amplifying their voices and encouraging steps towards social justice. While working in a multi-language newsroom I was able to provide exposure for marginalized communities, help challenge systemic barriers faced by groups, and influence change in boardrooms, communities and government.

What are some of your favourite experiences or stories that you've been able to cover in your career?
As a reporter it was covering India’s first female ice hockey team’s trip to Canada. Watching Canadians come together to support a group of women from India showed me the power that sport has to transform lives and create sustainable change. The exposure they received in Canada not only provided opportunities for them back in India but it helped legitimize their participation. Now we are seeing younger players in that country have an opportunity to grasp their full potential and hold space for future generations.

While working as a news producer I covered how diverse communities were being affected by crime. I was able to tell stories with my team that helped advance the pursuit for justice and tell them through a lens that was able to address the needs of those communities as well.

Tell us about your work with Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition:
Hockey Night in Canada’s Punjabi edition is a vehicle for social change and goes beyond a hockey broadcast. It’s a place where differences are celebrated and that is a starting point for inclusion. In my role I tell stories of those who have contributed to the sport but have been left out of the conversation.

What advice do you have for young Didis hoping to break into your industry?
Be yourself. 
Commit to your craft, build a body of work that speaks for itself.
Overnight success does not always translate to impact.
Listen, learn and engage. 
Honour those who came before you because you stand on the shoulder of giants. 

What we're reading:

Mindy Lahiri Helped A Generation Of South Asian Women Fall In Love With Fashion — & Themselves

When It Comes To Eating Disorders, Brown Girls Don’t Measure Up​

Queer love story ‘This Place’ marries immigrant and Indigenous life in Toronto 

What we're watching:

Check out this list of our current favourite South Asian-led movies and shows! 

— Nikkjit Gill 

Issue 56
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