‘Broken crayons still colour’: This CBC Changemaker is proving your past doesn’t define you

As a young teenager in Miami, Svens Télémaque was dealing drugs and headed to a life behind bars. When he was acquitted on gun possession charges, he decided it was his chance for a fresh start and he moved to Montreal. Since then, he’s become an author, spoken word artist and a successful mentor and community leader, transforming his lived experience into a powerful tool for good. He’s part of the 2026 CBC Black Changemakers, a special series acknowledging individuals