Ejibola Adetokunbo-Taiwo

2022 Honourees

Ejibola Adetokunbo-Taiwo
Title: Mrs.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

My top 3 major accomplishments as at today are (1) the Creator of the femImmiGRANTS, a grant opportunity in its 2nd season specifically for black female entrepreneurs in Canada; (2) the Creator and Strategist for the iLaunchHERproduct aimed at connecting women-owned businesses with big box retail stores in Canada; (3) the Co-Organizer of the Rise Up Pitch Competition, a national grant program for black female entrepreneurs in Canada that attracted over 700 entrepreneur applicants during the wave of Covid-19

Elaine Bennett
Category / Expertise: , ,
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

Being a single mom to one of Gods miracles. My son started his life journey in an incubator, he was born three months premature. My amazing son is now 22 years old, he’s a healthy and confident young man living out his God given purpose. Becoming a University Graduate, after being told by a grade school counsellors that University wasn’t for me. Being part of the fundraising team which contributed to the building and sustaining of the operations of the Windsor Life Centre, a faith-based addiction treatment home for women.

Elaine Lloyd-Robinson
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

My three majoir accomplishments that has brought tremendous joy to my life are as follows. My first one it the birth of my 4 children they have given me a true scnse of purpose by adding meaning to my life. My second accomplishment that I am extremly proud of was when I received my High school Diploma at age 36 from SCAS Scarborough Center for Altertrnative Learning while receiving the award for outstand academic excellence My third accomplishment was graduating from George Brown College at 41 while receiving the Hororable Jean Agustine Scholarship with my 4 children in the audience .

Elise Harding-Davis
Title: Mrs.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

Major Accomplishments: The National Historic Site designation of Nazrey African Episcopal Church, Amherstburg, ON, as 1st Black site in Canada 2000. Uplifting “THE BLACK THREAD IN THE CANADIAN TAPESTRY” and being a positive catalyst for change by promoting, educating, preserving and writing about African Canadian Heritage. 3 Daughters, 5 grandchildren

Fanny Mekoh
Category / Expertise: ,
Title: Mrs.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

I founded my own business, Belles Creatives, a marketing agency helping BIPOC and small businesses achieve their entrepreneurial goals online. I was featured on CBC’s 150 most interesting Canadians and; I also co-founded Aschenti Cocoa: Canada’s first farm to bar chocolate.

Florence Chumpuka
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

1. Receiving a merit award for distinguished contribution to the office of the Clerk and Prime Minister’s office. 2. Granting of recognition Award for contribution to the work of Treaty Bodies (CERD) and standing for Canada at the United Nations. 3. Achieving a tangible increase in diversity in judicial appointments for women of colour and other disadvantaged groups in Ontario.

Gemma Grey-Hall
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

2018 recipient of the Leading Women Building, Certified Fundraising Expert, Communities Award, Ontario NDP Candidate for Windsor Tecumseh,

Germaine Chazou-Essindi
Title: Mrs.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

1. My children are my greated accomplishment; 2. My work: Ability to support and increase equality-seeking NGOs working to address issues that affect women and girls across Canada (Gender-based violence, Leadership empowerment, etc.); 3. Going back school as an adult and was able to complete my degree

Hope Franklin
Title: Mrs.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

My greatest accomplishment is successfully raising my children, Julian, Jermain and Jessica, with my husband Franchot. I am grateful for the families they have built with loving partners and the love of my five grandchildren. I was also honoured to receive the Anglican Church Women (ACW) Woman of the Year Award from Christ Church Anglican Stouffville in 2013 and to fulfill my dream of writing my first children’s book, Rhonda the Panda in 2014.

Ida Fogo
Title: Mrs.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

1. Queens Jubilee diamond recipient for humanitarian efforts
2. Sitting on the Pickering Accessibility board
3. W.R.A.C. award for outstanding efforts assisting abused woman and children

Ikram Ahmed
Title: Mrs.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

Bachelor in Social Science & Psychology from the University of Ottawa. Crime Prevention Ottawa Award Finalist Recipient. Business Owner

Innes Howe
Title: Dr.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

In my corporate business tenure, I was honoured to be the first black person appointed to a management position in the Head Office, Human Resources department and was selected as the first Coordinator, in my division, to initiate activities in support of cultural diversity and people with disability.
While employed in one of the largest financial institutions of Canada, I was given the opportunity of the lead role in developing and negotiating Service Level Agreements, in collaboration with senior managers and executives of other top tier banks globally. These agreements were in support of a major system, Continuous Link Settlement (CLS), that was being designed to mitigate the possibility of huge financial losses when settlements of foreign currency trades, valuing trillions of dollars, would take place daily. Top executives were on hand to watch the launch of this initiative and witnessed the first settlement transact without any business interruption. Unknown to me at that time, I was a part of creating a legacy that would today support the business of the timely settlement of Foreign Exchange transactions internationally.
Working in a leadership role at my Church has been most fulfilling and impactful. I have coached and mentored several persons across all demographics, as well as provide spiritual and practical care for many. I have watched their lives transform and, in the process, I have grown exponentially.

Irene Moore Davis
Title: Mrs.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

As President of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, I share Black history through social media, traditional media, presentations, publications, and curriculum resources. I co-executive produced an award-winning documentary, The North Was Our Canaan. I co-founded Black Women of Forward Action, co-hosting a weekly safe space for Black women.

Jamea Zuberi
Category / Expertise: ,
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

Founder of Blockorama, Founder of Pelau Masquerade, Founder of North Stars Children Orchestra

Janét Aizenstros
Title: Dr., Dame or Lady
Achievements & Accomplishments:

2021 RBC Excellence Award, Canadian Business Employer of the Year, Presidential Service Award by the White House Military Office

Janette Wright Grosvenor
Category / Expertise: , ,
Title: Rev.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

1) An Author and Blogger to be able to share words of hope to others; 2) A Broadcaster and Show Host having built a platform to get more information out to those in need and share others; and 3) Grosvenor Ministries, allowing all of my abilities to help develop others

Jennie Powell
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

My three major accomplishments are: First, successfully raised my children into adulthood. Next, directing a community faith base Women’s Ministries by empowering and nurturing women to be the best God intended them to be. Last, becoming a Community Volunteer and Advocate.

Jennifer Monteith
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

1.Different Faces Model and Talent Agency. 2).Operating The Exhibitor Support Centre – 3).Became a heart transplant recipient

Jenny Okonkwo
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

I addressed an acute workplace representation and diverse talent sourcing gap in the finance and accounting profession, creating visibility and community role models I co-authored “the Finance Mentor’s Ledger” and “21 Resilient Women” In both 2019 and 2020 I was a keynote speaker at the AICPA Global Women’s Leadership Summit Europe

Jessica Carter
Category / Expertise: , ,
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

My most important accomplishment is raising a kind, conscious emotionally intelligent daughter. Teaching in Ghana. Helming the makeup dept of the iconic Canadian TV show Degrassi for 15 seasons.

Joanne Robinson
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

My three major accomplishments are: Having raised two wonderful and self-sufficient young men; secondly, the creation of Flo’s Seniors Health and Care Programs Network Inc; and my third accomplishment is being able to be a community volunteer for over 20 years and still going.

Juliet Creary
Category / Expertise: ,
Title: Mrs.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

My career, my mariage and my children

Kathy Mcdonald
Title: Trustee
Achievements & Accomplishments:

My greatest accomplishment to date is successfully delivering 4 children by Cesarean section, loving, nurturing and guiding them to be the best versions of themselves. Being elected and reelected to the Peel District school board as a trustee representing Brampton in wards 3/4 is my second greatest accomplishment especially because I believe that my advocacy and my perseverance played an important role towards the meaningful dismantling of systemic Anti-Black Racism in education. Surviving the trauma of advocating for the humanity of Black students and demanding that their human rights be recognized as they pursue an education is something that I am proud of especially since the changes are significant, permanent and my future grandchildren may have an education in Ontario free of discrimination, racism and hate. My third greatest accomplishment is making the Jamaican Chess Olympic team.

Keishia Facey
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

Developing Riddim Fitness Inc. and the Riddim Cultural Arts Program, writing and developing courses for municipal governments, school boards and not-for-profits for the betterment of Black children youth and families, and raising two Black children with my husband; children who are happy, healthy and grounded in the love of their family and community.

Kimberlee Shelley
Title: Ms.
Achievements & Accomplishments:

RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, CIBWE TOP 100 BLACK WOMEN TO WATCH AWARD, BRAMPTON TOP 40 UNDER 40