Joëlle Kabisoso is an ​award-winning community engagement coordinator, workshop facilitator and social entrepreneur. She is the founder and executive director of Sisters in Sync, a non-profit with a mission to bridge the gap between the lived experience of Black trauma survivors. She specializes in areas of trauma recovery, self-esteem, and capacity building.

She is a graduate of Western University, where she holds a BA in family studies, specializing in family mediation from York University. In her spare time, Joëlle enjoys travelling and spending time with her family.

“My name is Asmaou Balde. I specialize in natural hair care, protective styles such as braiding, crochet, weave, cornrows, colour cut (trim), twisting etc.

Growing up in my home in Guinea west Africa, I remember having a lineup of friends coming to get their hair done for Eid and it was so satisfying for me to do their hair despite them not paying me. When I came to Canada in my late teens, I would do my aunt's and her friends’ hair and they would pay me.  I was so happy when I realized I could actually make money by doing what I love to do. 

In 2006, I purchased my first home at 25 and started working from my basement. In 2009, I decided to complete my hairstyling diploma. In 2014, I opened my first hair salon and beauty supply shop, “Jerah Beauty & Spa” in Mississauga. In 2021, I partnered with Connecture Canada’s Braids On Call Academy to help teach Black Women in the GTA how to refine their hairstyling skills, and become a hairstylist.”

Shelly Philip LaForest has been a Registered Nurse for almost 23 years. Originally a diploma-trained nurse, Shelly returned to school to complete a Bachelor of Nursing Degree, a Master of Nursing Degree and she is currently enrolled in an Interdisciplinary Social Research Doctoral degree program. As a bedside nurse at SickKids hospital, Shelly has worked in the Operating Room, on the Burns and Plastics Unit, the General Surgery unit, and the Orthopedics and Otolaryngology unit and can now be found on the Vascular Access Team. Shelly is a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, and certified in Vascular Access from the Canadian Vascular Access Association. Shelly’s passions are mentoring, education and networking and she has held formal education roles – as a clinical instructor, faculty advisor and professor - with several post-secondary institutions.

In January 2021, Shelly founded and is the Executive Director for the Ontario Black Nurses’ Network [OBNN]. This not-for-profit organization has been instrumental in strengthening the voice of Black Nurses and nursing students in various healthcare forums.

When she is not wearing her many nursing hats, Shelly can be found reading, baking, and spending time with her family.

Ovie is nationally recognized as a nurse and business leader. She is a registered nurse, pursuing her Master in Business Administration and is a clinical nurse manager. She is Lean Six certified. Additionally, Ovie is a sought-after consultant to many national organizations. She is an advisor to the Canadian Nursing Association, and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, and is a stakeholder with Canadian Health Workforce Network.

Ovie is a transformative leader who identified a serious problem in healthcare and acted quickly to form a national organization and initiative to address this problem. She recognized that existing nursing associations work primarily to advance the collective interests of the nursing profession as a whole – an important mission. They do not, however, effectively help individual nurses maximize their personal and career potential – and none of the legacy nursing associations fully understand or adequately meet the unique needs of Canada’s Black Nurses. So, she conceived an organization that would fulfill those unmet needs – the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA).

A woman of African descent, Ovie sees the future of nursing through an African proverb Ubuntu and embodies the understanding that “I am because we are” as a motivation to strive for a society where all can grow and flourish. Ovie has broken the glass ceiling to inspire the next generation.

Michelle Alveranga is a Registered Social Service Worker and Grief Counselor and the founder of T.R.U.S.T. Wellness Inc, a grief and bereavement counseling agency for the Black community. Her approach is founded in mindfulness practices, spirituality, and African Indigenous values which involve wholeness, community, and harmony. She works with individuals and groups to build resilience and find joy in their darkest time. In her sessions, she takes great care in creating a space that is warm, safe, and authentic. She is currently completing her MEd in Counseling Psychology at the University of Toronto.

“Hi everyone, my name is Octavia Marquis and I am qualifying registered psychotherapist in Ontario. My clients range from ages 18- 26, male, female and non-binary. My practice focuses on providing a safe , non-judgmental and comforting environment for those from various backgrounds. My focus is placed on intergenerational trauma, depression, anxiety and self-esteem.

During my practice I have noticed a reoccurring narrative for my young clients. This narrative is centered around the idea “I am not enough”. I support them in breaking down this narrative in relation to cultural, societal and systemic context. I am looking forward to our day of mentorship where we can further break down beauty culture and how it can lend to this idea.“

Stacey Ann Berry is the founder and president of Bstellar® Group Inc., which provides professional development workshops as well as consulting services in government relations, business development and strategic planning. She is also a published author, singer, and songwriter.

Stacey is a service-driven leader who is passionate about the arts, community engagement and youth development. She serves as a mentor for Inspire North, a non-profit in Toronto that aims to empower the “next generation of leaders to pursue their dreams.” Stacey also serves as the Toronto Chapter President for Blacks in Technology Foundation, which makes tech careers more accessible for black professionals and provides resources, mentorship, career development and scholarships.

Stacey is the recipient of the “Outstanding Contribution to Student Experience” Award from York University. She was also recognized as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women as well as Canada's Top 100 Black Women to Watch by Canada International Black Women Excellence.

Myriam Hauterville est une athlète et une entrepreneuse. Elle est née et a grandi à Paris. Elle détient une maîtrise en marketing/communication numérique, ainsi que dives diplômes en affaires et gestion.

Myriam a déménagé à Toronto en 2017 et a lancé en 2018 sa première entreprise appelée Fitness by MH, un conseil en formation pour entraîner les athlètes.

Énergique et motivée, elle a développé de multiples compétences pour aider les gens à libérer tout leur potentiel holistique, entre leur vie personnelle et leur vie professionnelle.

Passionnée de fitness et de l'approche holistique, Myriam a eu l'honneur d'être formatrice auprès d'athlètes, de PDGs, dans des écoles d'enseignement et des centres communautaires.

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Myriam Hauterville is an athlete and an entrepreneur. She was born and raised in Paris. She holds a master's degree in marketing/digital communication, as well as various degrees in business and management.

Myriam moved to Toronto in 2017 and in 2018 started her first business, Fitness by MH, a training consultancy to train athletes.

Energetic and motivated, she has developed multiple skills to help people unlock their full holistic potential, between their personal life and their professional life.

Passionate about fitness and the holistic approach, Myriam has had the honor of being a trainer with athletes, CEOs, in schools and in community centers.

*Please note that Myriam’s session will be in French

Brenda McWilson-Okorogba is an award-winning service and learning experience designer, grant writer, community builder, strategy consultant, workshop facilitator and positive Psychology coach with over 6-years of experience ideating, designing and delivering outcome-based programming for diverse learners across industries, sectors and geographies. She is popularly known by the moniker "Momentswithbren" which is also her consultancy in Canada.

Brenda loves to distill concepts or methods into meaningful frameworks, and making ideas accessible for others to learn. I talk about the multidimensional analysis of life satisfaction, progress, well-being, personal improvement and self-leadership, ultimately motivating my audience to be the best versions of themselves.

Benslyne is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She graduated with a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa. She is passionate about helping individuals improve their psychological well-being by maintaining positive relationships with themselves and others.

In her practice, Benslyne mostly integrates techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), client-centered therapy, and emotion-focused therapy (EFT). Her areas of focus include relationship issues, family dynamics, anxiety, and depression. She strives to work in collaboration with her clients, helping them discover their psychological strengths and how to use them to maintain well-being.

Anaïs est une étudiante en deuxième année de Master en Afffaires Publiques et Internationales. Ayant soif de pouvoir répondre aux besoins de ses différentes communautés qu’elle occupe, elle a pu effectué un lobbying pour ses communautés estudiantines, noires et francophones au Canada. Ces différents efforts lui ont permis de se hisser parmi les 100 femmes noires à observer au Canada en 2020.

Elle est désormais en Côte d’Ivoire, son pays d’origine, où elle effectue un stage au Ministère de la Femme, de la Famille et de l’Enfant. Au-delà de ça, elle est la présidente et fondatrice du Mouvement Femmes et Paroles qui est une association qui partagent des ressources éducatives sur ce qui constituent une entrave à l’autonomisation de la femme africaine. De plus, elle est la CEO de ARD Consulting & Formation, qui est une méthode d’accompagnement pour booster le leadership et les competences entrepreneuriales

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Anaïs is a second-year Master's student in Public and International Affairs. She has a desire to be able to meet the needs of the various communities she occupies, and was able to lobby for her student communities, black and French-speaking, in Canada. These various efforts have allowed her to become one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada, in 2020.

She is now in Côte d'Ivoire, her country of origin, where she is doing an internship at the Ministry of Women, Family and the Child. Beyond that, she is the president and founder of Mouvement Femmes et Paroles, which is an association that shares educational resources on what constitutes an obstacle to the empowerment of African women.

In addition, she is the CEO of ARD Consulting & Formation, which is a support method to boost leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

*Please note that Anaïs’s session will be in French.

Mariama Touré est fondatrice et directrice générale de Women of Impact Academy (WIA), une académie de leadership dédiée aux femmes et aux filles, ainsi que de de MAT Coaching & Consulting. Elle est passionnée par la communication, le leadership, et aide les gens à développer leur talent et leur potentiel. Mariama est une coach professionnelle certifiée, une consultante, une animatrice et une oratrice passionnée.

Son parcours reflète son désir de faire une différence dans la vie des personnes. Son goût pour la communauté et l'action sociale l'a amenée à s'impliquer dans divers organismes communautaires à Montréal et à Toronto. Elle a été sélectionnée comme lauréate 2019 du Mois de l'histoire des Noirs des Réseaux de communication pour la prévention du crime (Recopac), et nommée également parmi les 100 femmes noires à surveiller au Canada de 2020.

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Mariama Touré is a Founder & Managing Director of Women of Impact Academy (WIA) a leadership academy dedicated to women and Girls and MAT Coaching & Consulting. She is passionate about communication, leadership, and helping people develop their talent & potential. She is a certified professional coach, consultant, host & passionate speaker.

She has a background that reflects her desire to make a difference in people's lives. Her taste for community and social action led her to get involved with various community organizations in Montreal and Toronto. She was selected as the 2019 winner of the Black History Month of the Communication Networks for the Prevention of Crime (Recopac), and nominated also among the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada of 2020.

Mariama strongly believes in the importance of giving back to her community her passion and the fruits of her experiences. She is part of a new generation of dynamic Afro-Canadians who firmly believe in a better future and their place in society.

*Please note that Mariama’s session will be in French

Helen Okoye is a doctoral candidate at the University of British Columbia School of Nursing. She is a registered nurse, midwife, and public health nurse educator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and Master of Science degree in community health nursing. As an experienced nurse practitioner and educator, she has contributed to the advancement of nursing in both diploma and baccalaureate nursing programs.

She has participated in community health nursing programs, partnering with rural communities, and engaging with stakeholder groups for health promotion. Her research has been around the social determinants of health and reducing health inequities for vulnerable populations. She has published articles in peer reviewed journals, presented conference papers, and attended several conferences locally and internationally.

She is passionate about adolescent and young peoples’ health and well-being. Her dissertation focuses on intersecting structural determinants and social statuses influencing adolescent sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa.

As a Registered Social Worker and the founder of Aworie, I focus my personal counselling practice on LGBTQ+ issues, body confidence, trauma/PTSD and self-esteem improvement. Some of the areas I address in individual counselling include how to maintain and strengthen self- confidence, enhance self-compassion, and improve relationships.

I understand that seeking help can be difficult, so I endeavour to make my clients feel as comfortable as possible. In doing so, they are able to explore the challenges they face in a safe and supportive environment. I am passionate about providing affirming space for LGBTQ+ folks and helping them feel seen and heard.  I have experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages.  As a member of the LGBTQ+ myself, I’m keen to address difficult queer and trans topics like, intersectionality, disclosure readiness, relationship difficulties, and more.

I have experience working with clients who want to lose or gain weight, as well as those who experience weight stigma or discrimination. My approach is trauma-informed, client-centered, racially/culturally sensitive, and strengths-focused.

My hope is to support my clients as they strengthen the relationship they have with themselves. By addressing the issues that contribute to negative self-talk and internalized body shame, we can work together to build a foundation of self-acceptance and empowerment.

Ophelia works with resilient and authentic leaders to create equitable and inclusive organizational cultures. Inclusion, diversity, equity, and access are at the heart of her work and central to her personal and professional success. She has over 20+ years of experience as a business consultant, entrepreneur, educator, and career coach – with proven expertise in engaging with people from diverse backgrounds and sectors.

Her experience as a public TV Host and Producer demonstrates her skills in facilitating essential and uncomfortable conversations about race, gender, privilege, mental-health awareness, and equity.

Clients engage Ophelia because of the attractive force she carries carry based on empathy, compassion, and a commitment in supporting people to have uncomfortable conversations on inclusion, mental health stigma, and how to promote a sense of belonging.