A. LaFerne Clarke
2024 Honourees
My three adult children lead happy productive lives. Based on my faith in Jehovah God as my provider, protector and friend my hope is always bright, focused and clear. I have carried out my family motto “To whom much is given much is asked” to be best of my ability.
Studying as a full-time student for 7 years as a wife and mom and starting a non-profit organization.
Adejisola has achieved three significant milestones that she is particularly proud of: completing her EMBA at the age of 49 despite challenging circumstances, authoring her debut book, “Authenticity: How my why me moments shaped my life,” and honoring her father’s memory through her impactful TEDx talk.
Research Chair – Canada Research Chair in Transnational Labour Law in recognition of my scholarly work that has sought to change the way that we understand labour law and its relationship to emancipation; Task Force Chair and Author, Employment Equity Act Review Task Force Report; lead expert in the International Labour Organization’s standard setting on Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention (No. 189) and Recommendation (No. 201)
My three major accomplishments are:
1. My beautiful Family
2. Ongoing work on anti-Black racism within the health care system and beyond
3. My career growth as an educator in tertiary mental health with affords me a chance to mentor and support folks across the health care system
Recipient of the RBC Global Citizen Award
Recognized as a Phenomenal Woman for International Women’s Day
Appointed Trustee for the Upper Grand District School Board
1. Founding and obtaining base funding for Ancestral Hands Midwives
2. Being elected president of the Association of Ontario Midwives, the largest midwifery association in Canada
3. Earning a soccer scholarship and competing as an NCAA division one student athlete at the University of Arizona
Creating The ForUsGirls Foundation YGL Scholarship fund and awarding 7 young Black girls from my hometown with scholarships, creating my own tech company, and supporting over 1000 students in Jamaica with textbooks.
My top three accomplishments are: becoming a parent, receiving a Canada Research Chair Award, and the making of the documentary entitled Hogan’s Alley (1994).
I am a cherished wife, sister, cousin, friend and co-worker.Surviving for more than 32 years in the media business.Delivering night after night. The viewer sees only a fraction of the work that goes on behind the scenes.
My top three accomplishments: instrumental in acquiring $25 million from the Ontario Government to develop a Black Health and Social Services hub in Peel; awarded the 2023 Naseem Somani Memorial Leadership Excellence Award from Brampton Board of Trade; being the first recipient of the Nation Publishing Company’s anniversary scholarship in 1984.
1) Becoming a wife and mother 2) Becoming an author 3) Sticking with Engineering. I’m an Engineer’s Engineer
I founded the network Black Wimmin Artists, a national collective of over 250 Black women and gender non-conforming artists and arts workers.
Working as an artist and being able to be a role model and example to emerging artists that it is possible to work creatively and that the ideas we produce are important and help us understand the world differently.
Curating Three-Thirty, a multi-site public art exhibition that presented artwork on the facade of Pearson Collegiate, University of Toronto Scarborough campus and the exterior of the Malvern Public Library. It was the first time a multi-site outdoor exhibition was mounted in the community of Malvern.
In 1970, I joined the ranks of single Black parents and was blessed with one of God’s greatest gifts, my son, Sean “Sax” Taylor.
In 2003 I attended and received a Certificate from Oxford University Round Table on the Superintendency and Principalship.
I mentored innumerable Black teachers who now hold positions as Principals and Supervisory Officers in many Boards of Education.
In the recent years: I have mentored Black youth interested in politics by sponsoring high school students to shadow my work as a municipal councilor. I created the Femme d’influence Award to honor impactful immigrant women leaders. I also launched a municipal council simulation through AFIO to engage underrepresented groups, especially Black, immigrant and women participants, to inspire the next generation.
One of my most significant achievements is cultivating a loving family as a devoted mother and wife. Gratitude fills me as I embrace the chance to mentor and inspire others, guiding them towards transformative change. Lastly, I am profoundly blessed by the invitation extended by Dr. Bernice King to address the audience at the 2022 Martin Luther King Global Summit—an honor that amplifies my commitment to meaningful dialogue and positive impact.
Graduating with my Doctoral of Social Science degree (2022)
Having my film Ise Abe (Circumcision) selected and screened at many international film festivals most especially the Women Deliver Conference in Rwanda (2023)
Publication: proceeding paper in book “Social Engaged applied doctoral research in Canada: approaches to contemporary social management opportunities and challenges” Chapter 4 “equity, diversity and inclusion applied research: Doctoral student submission”, Royal Roads University (2021)”
Implemented a revamped, impactful community investment program at Standard Life.
Negotiated over $2 million to fund expansion of programs and double the Alzheimer Society of Montreal’s clientele.
Contributed to the development and adoption of the Anti-Black Racism Action Plan to dismantle systemic racism in the Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
1) Raising three conscious, secure, and talented children after having been a teenaged mother
2) Surviving a tumultuous childhood and adolescence, and continuing to achieve against all odds
3) Ultimately completing my doctorate as a Black woman in a white supremist institution, in spite of institutional racism/sexism, while working full-time, supporting my family, and raising my young children
1. Establishing two charities dedicated to supporting and developing the welfare of girls and women by providing avenues for further education and fostering self-sufficiency.
2. Establishing the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Bursary in Divinity Studies with the University of Toronto. This prestigious award is a tribute to Archbishop Tutu (Hon. LLD 2000) and his profound impact on spiritual and human rights leadership in Canada and globally.
The bursary aims to empower promising young humanitarians at the University.
3. Leading a delegation and creating a program supporting forensic testing for sexual abuse victims. The program addresses and combats violence against women, providing essential support and resources to survivors. Collaborators include the Centre for Research in Women’s Health, Sunnybrook Hospital, and Women’s College Health Centre.
1. Holding a Canada Research Chair in Africana Development and Feminist Political Economy.
2. Founder of the Diverse Solidarity Economies Collective, a group of feminist economists scholars
3.Coining the concept and advancing scholarship on the Black Social Economy
In addition to my role as a dedicated mother of two African Nova Scotian boys, my proudest professional achievements include earning my master’s degree during the pandemic, spearheading legacy programs for young black youth across grassroots organizations, and being appointed to the Expert Advisory Team for the Online Safety Bill by the Federal Government of Canada. These accomplishments highlight my commitment to academic excellence, community empowerment, and contributing to impactful legislation.
My top accomplishments are 1) Being a role model 2) Having confidence to have difficult conversations and bringing people together 3) Having the courage to start my own business and keep trying new things.
– Becoming the first black woman and youngest cabinet-appointed board member of the Francophone Television of Ontario.
– Being recognized internationally as one of the Top 100 most influential people of African descent by the United Nations General Assembly
– Selected as a leader to meet President Barack Obama
– Supported over 30 impact-focused organizations globally and co-raised over $5 million for capacity-building programs.
Major accomplishments include pandemic response and recovery efforts in the agrifood sector that resulted in vaccination rates of 95% amongst workers in Ontario; mandated training standards resulting in a 30% decline in workers’ death falling from heights; and changes that allow people who get financial support to get more.