Mari "Dev" Ramsawakh

Mari “Dev” Ramsawakh is a disabled and non-binary freelance writer, workshop facilitator, podcaster and creator. They were the 2019 TVO Short Docs Contest winner for their short film, “Fluid.” They have written on media and pop culture, health and science, politics and current affairs, and lifestyle. They have written for CBC Life, CBC Arts, them, Xtra, Leafly, Wear Your Voice Magazine, Bitch Media, Nuance, The Establishment and other publications. Mari’s work is focused on increasing representation for racialized, queer, and disabled people in modelling, in journalism, and in other forms of media. Mari also co-facilitates workshops on ableism with a collective called CRIP. They have facilitated workshops for organizations such as LGBT YouthOrganize, the Revision Centre, PEAK volunteers at Planned Parenthood Toronto, York CUPE 3909 union, U of T’s Lead with Pride Conference, the Bricks & Glitter festival and others. They have also spoken on the Art As Social Practice Panel with Paperhouse Outreach Collective, at Playground Conference and the Equity 20-20 Summit, as well as facilitated a group discussion for the AIDS Committee of Durham Region. As part of CRIP, they were also consulted on the development of the series bible and character design of a children’s TV animated series. Mari was also co-host and producer of a (now defunct) podcast called Sick Sad World, which once performed a live show at the ROM as part of their Friday Night Live event. Their fiction has been published in the Hart House Review as well as an anthology from Spacing Magazine called Toronto 2033. They have also worked as a digital marketer, writing blog posts and managing social media for organizations such as The Word On The Street Toronto and Protellus. They have also worked as a digital researcher in CBC’s Unscripted department.