Lolleta Cunningham
Community Advocate/Service
1. Giving back to the community in any way I can.2. Marrying my soulmate Barry and raising a wonderful family.3. Establishing my own company, Lolletas Creations, which has been a successful business for over 25 years.
I became aware of who my God ( I am that I am) is and the birth of my sons.
1. Launching the first Canada-wide black-led mental health support program. 2. Being a contributor and the national spokesperson for the MHCC new resource Shining A Light On Mental Health In Black Communities. 3. Getting acknowledged by the Haitian embassy for our efforts.
My academic, professional, spiritual and personal(being a mother) accomplishments.
-My marriage and three amazing children-Having had a positive impact on healthcare over the last 20 years -Being a positive role model to young Black girls.
I received the Deeds Speak Award from York Regional Police, opened for Mrs. Obama, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the former GG of Canada, and being the proponent in the Enslavement of Africans in Canada being named a historic significant Canadian event.
My top three accomplishments are the launch of ref, and AfroQueer- and the ability to ground my practice with community work that centers and drives Black cultural production and gathering, graduating from OCAD with my MFA, and the opening of Sankofa: African Routes, Canadian Roots at the Museum of Anthropology UBC.
My top 3 major accomplishments are my children, the Nikki Clarke Show, and starting the first Black Music /Urban Showcase with Canadian Music Week in 2014.
My top three major accomplishments? Firstly, raising two incredible humans, my pride and joy. Secondly, forging a career path as a black woman dedicated to driving positive change. Lastly, simply cherishing being alive – navigating life’s challenges, embracing growth, and relishing every moment.
Leading TEC through the lens of service, humility and passion. Raising my daughter as a single mother while pursuing my own goas, and teaching her to do the same. Being a mentor and source of support to women from my community who needed guidance in navigating a new country
My top three major accomplishments? Firstly, raising two incredible humans, my pride and joy. Secondly, forging a career path as a black woman dedicated to driving positive change. Lastly, simply cherishing being alive – navigating life’s challenges, embracing growth, and relishing every moment.
Being honoured as one of the top 100 ABC women in 2024, I emerged as a winner in the BBPA Rise-Up Pitch 2023; I was named one of the top 100 Black Women to Watch 2023 in addition to other special recognition in 2023.
My greatest accomplishments include mothering three sons. I am also a published author of “Success is a Journey, the Entrepreneur’s Handbook.” Additionally, I achieved recognition as one of the Top 15 Coaches in Mississauga for both 2022 and 2023. In 2014, I was honored with the Microskills Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Leading the Black Health Vaccine Initiative; Establishing the Black Health Education Collaborative; Publishing Black health research papers on Afrocentric care at TAIBU CHC
I founded the African Canadian Weddings; I authored the book, Motherhood, a Sacred Ministry; Certified Human Resources Professional & Payroll Compliance Practitioner
Being a parent to 2 wonderful adult children whom I have been blessed to raise for most of their lives as a single parent. Being instrumental in creating the first Access to Justice Team in Canada who provided training on Gender Based Violence in East Africa. Last but by no means least, having this auspicious nomination as one of 100 ABC Women in Canada.
From I was a child I wanted to put books and people together. That resulted in the career I chose. I believe that literacy and being informed is key to making wise decisions for life. uthor of My Bert Has Alzheimer’s: Caregiving is living for Two. I found the strength to lay bare the anguish and the moments of joy of caring for a loved one living with dementia. Sharing is caring and I hope the book can help others on a similar journey.
As President of the Ontario Library Association I was able to work with a creative dedicated team which saw the birth under my watch of the Forest of Reading programmes which has spread all across Canada.
As a lifelong advocate for social justice I am still reaching. That keeps me working and aware. Doing my part to level the playing field, to call out injustice, and to be a voice for those who are voiceless are worthwhile goals.
Being a mother who was a student and not a student who was a mother, she balanced being a single parent and community activism always.
1. Becoming a mother – the most taxing yet rewarding experience in my life 2. Working within the Black Community – I have had the opportunity to help create change and continue legacy work of others 3. Pursuing educational goals – I was thrown many curve balls, and still achieved, through Christ and family support.
My three greatest accomplishements include, raising my daughter as a single mother to become the thoughtful and caring young lady she is today, founding and leading my own non-profit, Project iRISE, to help survivors of trafficking rebuild their lives, and returning to school to complete my Ph.D. in Public Health.
Being in love and loving other human beings around me , my ability to forgive others and practice empathy .
My top 3 major accomplishments are:
1. Being a mother to my children and other children in our communities.
2. Being able to support community members to support themselves through emancipatory
healing and resistance centred processes.
3. Being grounded in Black feminist, Critical Pan-African, intersectional, anti-oppression work. Dedication to Black wellness and healing, even when it was not ‘popular’ or profitable.
1. I was appointed in 2018 as Canadian Citizenship Judge (1 of only 9, first merit based appointment of judges, only Black judge, first paralegal and RCIC appointed as a CJ),2. First paralegal to be awarded with the Lincoln Alexander Award by the Law Society of Ontario (nomination sent for another award and the Treasurer saw my application and sought to change the rules to award the Lincoln Alexander Award to me), 3. I am the first Black professor in Mohawk College’s Paralegal Program
1. Spearheading the promotion of construction skilled trades to women and youth, creating pathways for inclusivity and diversity in the industry.
2. Mentoring and coaching numerous women and young individuals across diverse industries, fostering their growth and success.
3. Empowering and inspiring individuals from all walks of life to reach their full potential, with a focus on philanthropy to uplift communities and contribute to social well-being.
1. Producer and Chair of the Nova Scotia Mass Choir Annual Tribute concert to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also acknowledging the contributions of ANS individuals and groups from 2008 to 2020. The concert shone a light on the untold stories of African Nova Scotians such as Midwives, Silvia Hamilton, Carrie and Calvert Best. I created the annual “”Towards the elimination of Racism concert series held in acknowledgement of the international day to eliminate racism 2008 to 2019.
2. As volunteer Chair of the Parent Teacher Organization of Nelson Whynder Elementary School and working as the Community Recreation Coordinator in North Preston. I created the Summer Brain Power Program to support students in grade 4,5,6 moving from a primarily segregated school in North Preston outside community. The program runs with the sponsorship of the Department of Education, African Canadian Services Branch across Nova Scotia. Presently as the summer Scholars grant program.
3. In 2019, As volunteer Chair of the North Preston Day Care Centre 50th Anniversary Celebration and Renovation committee, I planned the Anniversary Gala Celebration held in May of 2022. The Daycare Centre was the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada employing ANS Moms within the community of North Preston. I was successful in securing over $160,000.00 towards the 50th Anniversary project for renovation, board and staff development, and accessibility. The board has been successful in acquiring additional municipal land in community to expand the daycare program to develop a family resource centre.