Nancy Falaise
2020 Honourees
Nancy Falaise Owner, founder and teacher at Salon et Academie Nancy Falaise. She has been a stylist for over 20 years. She has worked and taught in New York, Switzerland, Montreal, and London Ontario. She teaches professionals everything from washing, coloring, cutting and styling curly hair. Nancy also does speaking engagements, sharing her knowledge and experience. She is involved with a couple of Montreal schoolboards giving seminars and workshops. She also has a program with Social services of Montreal working with social workers and foster families with no experience with afro hair to teach them how to wash, manage, take care and style their foster children hair.
Njeri became a licensee of the Law Society of Ontario when she was called to the bar in June 2015. In addition to providing sound representation to her firm’s clients, Njeri has become distinguished by her strong legal and business acumen, her problem-solving skills, and her ability to navigate complex legal matters for employers, while remaining grounded in social justice principles.
Notably, in May 2018, Njeri was invited to deliver the keynote address at the annual conference of the Ontario Public Supervisory Officers’ Association. Her address “Equity in Education: Practically Speaking” was very well received. As a result, Njeri has been retained to provide legal training to over 1500 school board administrators across the province on the intersection of human rights and education law.
Annually, since 2016, Njeri has been a faculty member of the Osgoode Certificate in Human Rights Theory and Practice. She also delivers an annual seminar in both the Critical Race Theory, and the Lawyering Using an Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Lens course at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Njeri Watkins is a Digital Analyst & Digital Intelligence | UBC Instructor as well as an accomplished leader and educator actively contributing to Canada’s digital technology sector by advising and teaching the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. Sought after for her prolific insights and analytical mind, Njeri’s illustrious career spans the cultural, educational and digital technology sectors.
A seventh generation Canadian born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Njeri has a deep affinity for her cultural heritage and authentically embodies Canadian values in all her pursuits. Blessed with a remarkable history of resilience and ingenuity, her maternal family is from the historic Black communities of Lake Loon and Cherry Brook of the Preston Township Settlements in Nova Scotia and her paternal family is from Michael’s Village, St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda.
Njeri studied marketing at St. Mary’s University, Halifax; received a Provincial Instructor’s Certificate with the Nova Scotia Department of Education; and graduated from The Entertainment Administration Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Norma Williams was born and raised in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Growing up, issues of race and racism informed her world. The difference maker for her, was the advice and support of her family, the hometown and province-wide African Nova Scotian communities. She lived the reality it takes a village. Entering Dalhousie University, it was no different. African Nova Scotians and People of African descent often banded together to support the good and decry the bad occurring on campus and in society. Through these avenues her critical perspectives toward race and racism, anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusionary practice were born.
After graduation, Norma was successful in gaining employment with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. As a Human Rights Officer, she had the opportunity to increase her cultural competency knowledge, skills and abilities. During her years at the Human Rights Commission, she gained strength in case investigation, mediation, public education, communities outreach and employment equity initiatives including working with industry to support equity; etc. Of importance, was that she was able to support the recruitment and placement of equity group members through the Commission’s community and industry centered equity program.
Patricia Mayaza Mwilu Marie-Antoinette Kumbakisaka was born in Bucharest, Romania in Eastern Europe. She is the youngest daughter of Dr Leopold Useni Yumbi Jean-Paul Choppard Kumbakisaka and Marie-Therese Wenda Mbau Kalokola Kumbakisaka and has two older siblings Rene Kumbakisaka and Marie-Christine Kumbakisaka Stimpson. Her family originates from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kinshasa however Patricia has never been to DRC but hopes to go visit one day. Due to her family’s work with diplomats, after living in Bucharest, Romania at the age of three, she and her family moved to Greece, Athens where they lived for seven years. There Patricia went to Greek school from kindergarten to half of grade five. At the age of 10, Patricia and her family immigrated to Winnipeg Canada where she lived for 18 years before moving to Ottawa in spring 2018. Patricia speaks and writes fluently in five languages: French, English, Greek, Swahili and Romanian.
Patricia also represented Canada at the UN Youth Association Human Rights Council and at the UN Youth Assembly in New York where she got a chance to elevate her voice in international dialogues, empowered youth to advocate for future generations, and mobilize youth as agents of impact change.
Patricia graduated from the University of Manitoba with her degree in Political Science with a specialization of International and also took an extended course at the University of Ottawa in the Department of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution where she focused on understanding integrative peacebuilding issues around the world & received an online certificate from the University of London in Global Diplomacy.
Dr. Rai Reece was born in Leeds, United Kingdom and immigrated to Canada with her Barbadian mother and Grenadian father. As an only child, her parents fostered her sense of curiosity and were always incredibly supportive of her academic pursuits. Rai spent her childhood and teenage years living in Scarborough, and developed a strong sense of community and social justice from an early age. Having experienced a lack of representation of Black leadership and mentorship in her educational settings, she realized early that ‘representation matters’ and her early educational experiences as one of two Black girls in elementary and high school classrooms had an indelible impact on her learning and growth. This experience was one of the primary factors in her pursuing a career in education.
Rai’s educational pursuits were driven by examples demonstrated by her parents’ strong work ethic that they continued to reinforce in Canada even when they faced adversity in a country that devalued their skills. This reality was not lost on Rai and her foray into university education began by completing her Honours undergraduate degree in Mass Communications and Anthropology. Her formative years at university ignited her passion for research that focused on the social experiences of Black women in Canadian society. While she pursued her master’s degree, she diligently fostered a scholar-activist Black feminist lens in both her theoretical and practical work. She honed her social justice skills as a community worker and social justice advocate by working with street active/homeless youth, as a Partner Abuse Response Coordinator in the violence against women sector, and with incarcerated and post-incarcerated HIV positive folks.
Rai began her Ph.D. studies in 2002, and in 2007 she conducted the first research project that exclusively examined the intersections of race, incarceration and citizenship, as it pertained to federally sentenced Black women in Canada. This work was nominated for York University’s Dissertation Prize. In 2010, Rai was one of approximately ten Black women to receive a stand-alone PhD in Women’s Studies.
Regina Beatrice Oppon is a co-Pastor at Gethsemane International Assembly Wood Buffalo and the Executive Director of Rehoboth Alliance, both located in Fort McMurray, Alberta. She was born in Freetown Sierra-Leone West Africa; with 21 years banking experience at Standard Chartered Bank Freetown Sierra-Leone. She graduated from the Freetown Bible Training College (FBTC) and taught there for two years.
She holds a bachelor’s degree focused in Pastoral Studies/Counseling from the Open Bible College and is currently pursuing a Human Resource Management Certificate from Athabasca University.
Robyn Maynard was born Winnipeg, MB. She is currently a PhD student at the University of Toronto in the Women and Gender Studies Institute, where she is a Vanier scholar, and a course instructor University of Toronto-Mississauga. She is the author of Policing Black Lives: State violence in Canada from slavery to the present (Fernwood 2017).
The book is a CBC national bestseller, currently in its third printing, designated as one of the “best 100 books of 2017” by the Hill Times, listed in The Walrus‘s “best books of 2018”, shortlisted for an Atlantic Book Award, the Concordia University First Book Prize and the Mavis Gallant Prize for Non-fiction, and the winner of the 2017 Annual Errol Morris Book Prize. This work received a starred review in Publishers Weekly as well as glowing coverage in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, Now Toronto, Maclean’s, and the Ottawa Citizen. In fall 2018 the book was published in French with Mémoire d’encrier, titled NoirEs sous surveillance. Esclavage, répression et violence d’État au Canada. Translated by Catherine Ego, it recently won the 2019 Prix de libraires in the category of “essais”.
In 2001, Ruth helped to organize the union at long term nursing home where I was employed.
As a true advocate, Ruth volunteered for many organizations, such as Helping Hands of Antigua and Barbuda Canadian Cultural Association of London Ontario, which is a non-profit organization, involved in fundraising for medical equipment for the Hospital on the Inland and funds for bursaries.
Focusing on her leadership skills, in 2001 Ruth was elected Chairperson at her workplace for two teams. Part of her responsibility was to negotiate a Collective Agreement, settle Grievances and arbitration cases. She was then elected Trustee in her local union Canadian Auto Worker (CAW) for one term in 2006, where she attended Leadership and activist courses throughout her term. In 2010 she was elected co-chair of Aboriginal and Workers of Color national committee, CAW.
As Vice President of CAW local 1106, in 2006, she held that position for three terms full-time being responsible for over three thousand members, negotiations, arbitrations, grievances and campaigning for minimum daily standards of care.
Dr. Ruth Rodney is an Assistant Professor at York University’s School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health. She entered the academic and research field as an accomplished nurse with 15 years of clinical nursing experience in a number of areas in Canada and globally. In her current role, she contributes to fostering the next generation of Canadian nurses, encouraging them to be bold, dynamic health care leaders who think critically to address global health issues.
Dr. Rodney graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing in 2004 from Ryerson University. She began her nursing career in Hamilton, Ontario and also worked in Kenya, Bolivia and a number of cities in the United States. After six years in practice, she returned to school to pursue Master of Science degree in global health with a focus on global health management. Dr. Rodney then obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy in nursing and global health from the University of Toronto. Dr. Rodney is also a World Health Organization (WHO) trained clinician on health sector responses to violence against women. She has also contributed to advancing higher education for the profession of nursing in the global south by guest lecturing in Guyana and Ethiopia.
Sharmaine McKenzie is the Director of Strategic Planning and Operations in the Faculty of Law at Ryerson University where she provides leadership on academic administration, financial and human resources planning and organizational development.
Raised in Mississauga by parents who shaped and inspired her core values and work ethic, Sharmaine has always been focused on developing people and putting the necessary systems in place to help them succeed. After receiving a degree in Human Resources Management from York University, followed by a post-graduate certificate in adult education from the University of Toronto – Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Sharmaine began her career at Ryerson in 2007, and soon distinguished herself as a leader overseeing large-scale projects and initiatives, and as a community builder advancing cultural diversity at the University.
Sharon Douglas is the Principal, S.M.D. Consulting Inc. Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, Sharon is a proud Nova Scotian Grenadian Barbadian Muslim woman. Sharon is a visionary, passionate and fierce leader and advocate for the Black community. Throughout her career including her work with United Way, Sharon has exemplified the values and principles of equity, justice and fairness, and has always selflessly advocated for the needs of those individuals and communities that are marginalized, discriminated and pushed to the side.
Sharon has worked in the Human Service Sector for over 20 years. She has held a variety of positions from Executive Director of the Peel Halton Dufferin Training Board and the Cultural Interpreter Service of Peel to the Diversity Coordinator for Family Services of Peel, the Public Education Coordinator for the Social Planning Council of Peel, Director of Community Investment, United Way of Peel Region (UWPR) and most recently as Consultant to United Way Greater Toronto (June 2019).
Sharon Hinds is a highly successful organized leader with over 25+ years of International & Canadian career experience gained across multiple industry sectors who is committed to building and sustaining a positive work culture where collaboration and team work is essential to attainment of organizational goals.
She has extensive experience as a hands-on creative problem solver leader known for delivering notable cost-savings and operational improvements to the companies’ bottom line profits.
Sharon is well versed in managing volunteer and non-profit community initiatives with extensive and extremely well-established trusted relationships and driving a philanthropic culture throughout organizations. She is a strong communicator who is passionate about people and brings excitement, focus, and leadership to open-minded individuals in order to create a memorable working experience. Sharon loves to inspire, engage and empower employees through mentoring and coaching whilst cultivating business relationships built on respect, loyalty, and trust.
Sharon Elaine McLeod is the second child, born in downtown Toronto to Alvin and Elaine McLeod, newly arrived double immigrants from Jamaica via England. She attended primary and high school in Scarborough – a place that helped Sharon find and secure her voice.
A graduate of the University of Toronto, University College with a BA in 1993, and Howard University with an MSW in 1995, Sharon is a full-time lecturer and Academic Lead for the Field Placement Office at the Ryerson University School of Social Work. Prior to this, Sharon spent 25-years as an Addiction Therapist and Senior Social Worker at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Donwood Institute. An early advocate for Black Health, she recalled the pride, she and other thought-leaders felt when the BHA successfully negotiated a sanctuary for Black Health concerns we now know as TAIBU.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tyjondah Kerr, born in Toronto, is a Senior Municipal Relations Manager within Corporate Affairs for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). She is engaged in community stakeholder relations with Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, the Quest for Gold Program for amateur athletes, and manages the Community Recognition Program with host gaming communities.
While completing her Psychology Degree at the University of Windsor, Tyjondah started her career in gaming in 1994 with Casino Windsor. She has held various management positions at OLG Slots at Mohawk Racetrack and OLG Slots at Woodbine Racetrack. During her 20 years with OLG, Tyjondah has had progressive leadership roles. In March 2019, Tyjondah received the Vaike Murusalu Empowerment Award at OLG.
Vivienne Dickson is one of three founders, and Chief Executive Officer of A-Supreme Nursing and Home Care Services Inc. Her expertise in sales, marketing and management with her ability to create efficiencies in commercial operations for organizations are few of the reasons she, along with her two partners, selected to launch A-Supreme; an organization that supports and caters to the needs of seniors in the community. Finding solutions to senior care is critical to A-Supreme Nursing and Homecare Services. The organization is a community-driven company that is people-oriented and focused on providing important senior care services.
With over 25 years of experience in Financial Management and Executive Leadership, Wendy Beckles is an accomplished and innovative Healthcare Administrator.
Wendy is a graduate of Harvard University and the Rotman School of Management. She holds several accreditations including the Certified General Accounting designation, Chartered Professional Accounting designation and Certified Healthcare Administrator designation.
As President and CEO of Shepherd Village Inc., Wendy provides executive leadership to the largest integrated single site, seniors’ community in Ontario. Serving over 900 seniors across an innovative healthcare campus, Shepherd Village Inc. delivers a continuum of care including independent living, retirement living, assisted living and long-term care.