Shelley Ann Morgan-Bair
100ABCWomen Database
1. Starting to believe in myself and taking that first step forward
2. Creating my app
3. Buying the property
Producing W’at Abowt Us Documentary, Providing an training manual for entrepreneurs and raising my sons to be great human beings.
It is not the numerous awards and accolades that make Shernett Martin qualified for inclusion in this publication, but what she has done tirelessly to earn them and the fact that she gets the tasks done with passion and without giving any thought to who is paying attention. An immigrant from Jamaica, Shernett started volunteering as an adolescent and by the age of 19, she was teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in a church basement and becoming the Coordinator for the Scarborough Black Education Organization. Racism, sexism, homophobia and anti-Semitism did not go unnoticed when her schoolmates had to face such negative behaviour. She formed a theatre company, wrote and produced a play called “Today’s Lesson, and received funding support from the Province of Ontario, to have her ground-breaking play travel throughout schools and communities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). She subsequently founded a non-profit organization in Vaughan ten years ago that works with marginalized youths to mentor and support them academically and socially.
During all these activities, Shernett pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and two years later, another in Education. She did not rest on those laurels – she later pursued a Master’s Degree in Education. Despite her busy schedule with academic studies, she continued to be involved in educational and writing projects, speaking and fund-raising engagements, and membership on various boards and committees.
Shernett is known as a well-respected, innovative and committed teacher by profession, workshop creator, facilitator, motivational speaker and published author, with a brilliant mind. Among her publications is: “My Friend Chantal Has Sickle Cell Disease “.
Sherrol is a Registered Nurse, born in London, England and lived in Montreal, Ottawa and now lives in Toronto. She retired from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in 2018 where she was Manager of Ambulatory Clinics and Chemotherapy Unit at the Odette Cancer Centre. A graduate of Algonquin College and University of Ottawa in Ontario, she worked with inpatients on an oncology/hematology unit at Ottawa General Hospital. Sherrol moved to Toronto, started working at the Odette Cancer Centre Chemotherapy Unit applying her expertise in chemotherapy delivery, patient care and patient education. In 1997, Sherrol obtained her Canadian Nurses Association certification in Oncology Nursing.
Sherrol revised and expanded the Cancer Centre’s Chemotherapy Education Program, created to allow Registered Nurses from other institutions to learn about chemotherapy delivery, the side effects and care of patients. Nurses from Toronto, other provinces and other countries e.g. Hong Kong participated in the 2-week program. These students were able to return to their own institutions and establish evidence-based chemotherapy delivery practice, increase their roles as registered nurses, create patient education materials tailored to their patient populations and then teach their colleagues about the care of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Sherrol has taught chemotherapy administration courses and workshops locally, nationally and internationally.
Healthcare Executive Leadership; Entrepreneur (small business owner); Passionate mentor to young Black girls and women
My top three major accomplishments are being the recipient of the Universal Womens Network (UWN) 2019 Women of Inspiration award for Diversity and Inclusiveness, named one of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women 2022, and the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award 2022 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP).
Stacey Berry is founder and owner of Bstellar Consulting Group, which provides premium soft skills and community development training, as well as consulting services in event management and content development for private and non-profit companies. Stacey has more than 10 years’ experience teaching youth and adults from diverse communities.
Stachen Frederick is very multifaceted and wearing multiple hats is not uncommon for someone like Stachen in the impact to society. Since 2016, she has been the Executive Director of Weston Frontlines Centre, a youth charity in one of the poorest ridings in Ontario. She says “Frontlines is a place where relationships are built, hugs are shared and children and youth continue to foster their skills”. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Stachen has over 15 years international and Canadian experience in community and program development.
In 2008, she founded BrAIDS for AIDS, a not-for-profit foundation that raises awareness of HIV/AIDS internationally and in African, Caribbean and Black communities in Canada through hair braiding. She oversees the development of culturally appropriate, gender specific and age appropriate HIV/AIDS programs for those Communities. The organization also funds relevant causes in the fight against the disease. Stachen says that connecting with youths, whether as Executive Director of Frontlines and founder of BrAIDS is the coolest part of her job. One youth told her when she held a session at the prison that he wanted to connect with her organization when he was released from prison. She continued to say that she thought that was “COOL stuff”.
Ms. Frederick is also a Grant Writer and Facilitator
Stacy Clarke has been a member of the Toronto Police Service since 1998. She has served in a broad variety of uniform, investigative, training and community-oriented policing functions and has been part of a variety of community-building initiatives and partnerships. She has a Bachelor Degree in criminology and Psychology. Stacy is a current member of the Civic Action DiverseCity Fellowship Program that strives to foster inclusive leadership, innovation and city building within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas (GTHA). She believes strongly in continuous education and as such has attained further knowledge in the areas of Collaborative Change Management and Leading with Emotional Intelligence from the Schulich School of Business. Stacy has completed the FBI Trilogy Leadership Program which is a three-step leadership training program for leaders in law enforcement who not only have extensive leadership potential and experience but the willingness and passion to be a change agent. Born in Kingston Jamaica, Stacy attributes her success to her strong Jamaican upbringing. She is a mother of two beautiful children, her daughter Jahnya and her son Kafany both of whom are her biggest inspiration.
Staff Sergeant Stacy Clarke currently leads the Learning Development & Standards section of the Toronto Police College, and is a past co-chair of the Police and Community Engagement Review (PACER). Stacy has been a strong and influential leader in policing since she was a young constable.
2015 Co-Founding the Nunavut Black History Society (NBHS); 2021 Selected Organizer, Writer & Presenter: History of People of African Descent in Nunavut at the Canadian Heritage first Emancipation Day Celebration event; 2022 Featured in Soft Landing, a Project by the Canadian Museum of Immigration on Immigrant Achievement and Impact on their communities
I would say, my greatest accomplishments were: being elected to public office in one of the City’s most marginalized community, and to serve in that capacity for twenty-three years, and also being the first Black female who was elected to the Toronto District School Board, undefeated.
Surranna Sandy was born in Grenada and is proud to be an Immigrant to Canada who works to help Immigrants in her role as the Chief Executive Officer of Skills for Change (SfC), a registered charity and non-profit multi-service agency in Toronto, Ontario serving 16,000 Immigrants and Refugees annually. Having the first-hand perspective of an Immigrant in a new country, Surranna found her calling in advocating for and advancing the needs of immigrants and refugees as a volunteer and board member in the settlement sector. Prior to becoming the CEO of SfC, Surranna enjoyed a successful career as President and Founder of Surcorp Group, a Career Management firm with offices in Toronto and Ottawa. Surranna elected to resign from her firm and accept the invitation to serve as Skills for Change’s CEO, turning her advocacy of ensuring that Immigrant and Refugee have a fair chance to realize and fulfill their potential into her life’s vocation.
Surranna has a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management from Anglia Ruskin University, a Master’s of Business Administration degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Wales, an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management from Northumbria University, a Diploma in Human Resources Management, a Certificate in Human Resources Management and is a graduate of Harvard University Business School Strategic Perspective Nonprofit Management Certificate program.
My top tree major accomplishments sage the opening of Ottawas first Black Owned dance studio dedicated to Afro-Caribbean dance. My second would be the sharing of Afro-Caribbean culture on mainstream stages and théâtres to sold out audiences. And my third would be taking the full leap to full time entrepreneurship demonstrating that all things are possible.
I have been able to do all my endeavours grounded in faith and spirituality
I have been able to stand on the shoulders of Black women who have gone before and work in sisterhood with Black woman to advance change.
I stay true to valuing continuous learning and the brilliance of children and grandchildren.
Sylvia Wilson, like many families, has a varied cultural background. Maternally, she is of African, English and German descent; paternally, she is dominantly Irish. She is the 7th generation direct descendant of Canadian Black settlers of Grey and Simcoe Counties. Her family resided in Collingwood before it was incorporated as a town. Growing up, she worked in her grandparents’’ business – Sheffield’s Cedar Inn Restaurant & Tourist Resort (1945-1971) catering mostly to Black American visitors, providing a safety and comfort zone.
In 1990, her late Uncle Howard Sheffield began promoting the family ancestry for Black History Month. After his passing in 2008, Sylvia and her sister, Carolynn, have continued as the owners of Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum, promoting and preserving the stories and accomplishments of black pioneers, past and present. As a northern terminal on the Underground Railroad, it was their privilege to share their Canadian roots (and snow!) with 500 American visitors in 2015 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Ski Weekend.
1. Founding my own non-profit organization, Natural Kids Movement
2. Collaborating with the Child & Youth Permanency Council of Canada on a service project for Black children & youth in the child welfare system
3. 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women
Tanika graduated from the University of Toronto, Scarborough campus with a degree in International Development and Environmental Science, as she has always been passionate about community empowerment, and protecting and honouring Mother Earth. In 2003 at the age of twenty- four Tanika co-founded the non-profit POR AMOR which means FOR LOVE. POR AMOR is a multi-disciplinary arts and culture organization that provides arts-based experiential learning in Wellness, Equity and Leadership. The first project Tanika co-designed under POR AMOR was working in the Dominican Republic with poverty-stricken youth teaching the sacred interconnectedness between humans and our planet. Upon her return to Toronto, Tanika created an innovative program “Youth 4 Human Writes” for Black and Indigenous youth using the power of Hip Hop, Poetry and Visual-Mural Arts. The program’s vision was to re-connect black youth to their ancestral roots, instill a sense of pride and power and support black youth to use their voices to enhance their community.
Building on the three-year success of that program Tanika began working with Woodgreen Community Services and their Rites of Passage Program for six years. Rites of Passage is an Africentric program that supports black youth on their journey to responsible adulthood mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Tanika supported the Rites team in increasing acceptance rates for black girls to post-secondary education, supported black girls to know their power through sisterhood circles and empowered black youth to understand their PURPOSE with the support of their Ancestors.
Tanisha Scott is a world-renowned Choreographer, Performance and Creative Director. Tanisha was named by Billboard Magazine and Italian Vogue as one of the top 30 under 30 artists in the entertainment industry.
Born in Toronto of Jamaican heritage, Tanisha’s exemplary work has garnered her multiple MTV awards and nominations for Best Choreographer. Her entry to dance was greatly influenced by her Jamaican roots. Her father owned a Sound System that inspired her love for music and movement. While she was enrolled at the University of Windsor on a track scholarship, she joined the local hip-hop dance troupe, Do Dat.
Tanisha auditioned for a back-up dancer slot on Mya’s tour and was selected for the ‘gig’ by Sho-Tyme, the Singer’s then choreographer. Director Hype Williams, subsequently booked Tanisha as a dancer, for various videos very early in her career including a FUBU commercial featuring LL Cool J. She earned her first choreography credit for the Little X -directed video ‘Gimme The Light’ for Sean Paul and continues as Sean’s choreographer and creative Director for tours and videos. Her career includes Television, Film and Theatre. On Television, she was coach for ‘So You Think You Can Dance Canada, a dance reality and competition show. She was also a featured guest choreographer on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC). Doing the ABDC segment, she tutored the 787 Crew (a dance group act on Season 7, of America’s Got Talent) on the popular Jamaican dances, such as ‘the Dutty Wine’ and the ‘Chaplin’ for a dance-hall inspired performance on the show dubbed the ‘Rihana Challenge’ which was set to the singer’s music.
Having been the woman behind Rihanna’s award-winning ‘Loud’ tour, as well as Drake’s ‘Summer Sixteen’ (the highest grossing hip-hop tour of all time), Tanisha is highly sought after by the most acclaimed artists in music, film and television.
Being a single Mom to three lovely boys they’re my world.
Being the first ever Reggae Artist to be inducted into the Brampton Arts Walk Of Fame.
as you can see in my bio I’ve had many first, but my greatest accomplishments is watching the artist I mentor grow.
Terese Sears believes much of her accomplishments have been nurtured by a strong loving connection to her family as well as her mindset. She says “Determination, desire and vision have to walk hand in hand with honesty and kindness, with that as your resolve, anything is possible”. Born in London, England, her family immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s settling in Oakville, Ontario. She brought with her a sense of style, optimism and determination. It was this combination that Terese translated into success as a Journalist, writer, and Designer. After high school Sears headed to the city she lovingly calls home, Toronto where she attended the University of Toronto.
Her first career passion was television. Starting at CityTV she learned the news business hands- on through a variety of mediums; news editing, media promotion and the craft of storytelling. It was also where she conceived the idea for her first business venture; a fashion production and promotion company called The Canadian Fashion Alliance. It successfully propelled the careers of several high profile Canadian Designers. Ironically, the company also led Sears back to television. She was hired by Global News as their Fashion Expert.
Sears became a much loved fixture on Global, and traveled the world as a Reporter. She says she interviewed “Everyone from Prime Ministers to prime suspects“. Terese is also a founding member of the Canadian Association of Black Journalists. After nearly 20 years in news gathering, the award winning Journalist decided to make a quality of life shift to focus on her other passion; Interior Design. Sears opened a retail store and Interior Design firm called AT Design. The company specializes in spatial planning, renovation consultancy and interior decorating.
Tessa has been a member of the following Board of Directors bodies: The United Way in York Region, Markham Historical Museum, the Markham Arts Council, representing visual arts, literacy arts and performance arts, the Ontario Film Review Board and the Ontario College of Pharmacists. Ms. Benn-Ireland has a distinguished record of service to her Community of Markham and the Province of Ontario. She was also appointed to the Board of Governors at Seneca College of Arts and Technology.
Thando Hyman is a dynamic young leader and highly qualified educator with a proven track record that encapsulates her professional career. With over 18 years of teaching and administrative experience in the Toronto District School Board, she has a demonstrated commitment to educational and community leadership, to student success and teaching practice, curriculum development, and to equity and diversity. Ms. Hyman has served as an Equity Instructional Leader at the Toronto District school Board and Principal of General Brock Public School, the Africentric Alternative School. She is currently Principal of Alexander Stirling Public School in the Malvern community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Master of Education from York University.
Thando Hyman was the first Principal of Toronto’s Africentric Alternative School which opened its doors in September 2009 for students from JK to Grade 5. Due to the overwhelming response and support for the school, the enrolment doubled to 160 students by the end of its first week in September 2009. In its second year, the Africentric Alternative School made national headlines when the inaugural Grade 3 class significantly outperformed both the school board and the province with 69% in reading, and 81% in writing and mathematics. With the success of the Africentric Alternative School, the TDSB has now commenced a secondary program.
Theresa Nyabeze, who resides in Sudbury, Ontario is a Professional Mining Engineer and an avid Community Organizer. Educationally, she holds a Mining Engineering Degree from Laurentian University (with a few courses from the Master’s in Business Program).
In addition to her contributions to technical excellence and diversity in mining, she is a recipient of a ‘Top Forty Under Forty’ Award in recognition of her role as a community change maker in the Greater City of Sudbury.
I became a lawyer, when all the odds were against me; I became the Chair of the Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal, adjudicating on matters all over Canada, except Quebec, becoming one of the few Black Deputy Judges of the Toronto Small Claims court and was honoured with the Lincoln Alexander Achievement Award by the Law Society of Upper Canada and chosen by my Law School to represent my graduating class for the University’s 50th anniversary.”