Ejibola Adetokunbo-Taiwo
Education/Academic
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
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 .
I am extremely proud of my top three accomplishments: founding the Pinney Learning Centre, creating Rooted in Excellent and becoming a published author. These achievements have not only proven my ability to initiate and execute successful projects, but also demonstrate my passion for education and personal growth.
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
1. Winning of the highest leadership and diversity awards in Canada. In 2020 and 2023, I received the title and award of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards.
2. Completing the general machinist apprenticeship. Which requires 8000 hours of training.
3. Supporting women across Canada and sharing my story.
My three major accomplishment are
• Founder of The Black History Heritage Society 2018
• Founder of Mozia Women’s Network Society
• Executed MDC Marcus Garvey Entertainment Centre for Youth, Jamaica WI Sep 2007
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 childrens book, Rhonda the Panda in 2014.
My top 3 accomplishments are 1) founding three environmental organizations 2) developing projects and services that address health disparities experienced by Black women and Black people and 3) having my first book lead to a Netflix documentary I co-produced.
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.
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.
Founder of Blockorama, Founder of Pelau Masquerade, Founder of North Stars Children Orchestra
One of Joy’s most significant achievements is not just a professional milestone but a personal triumph—finding her purpose and staying true to herself. This authenticity is the guiding force behind her work as an educator, advocate, and facilitator.
Single mother of 4 amazing children. Named diabetes educator of the year through the faculty of the Medicine University of Toronto. Recognized by the Canadian Diabetes Education Certification Board for the award of excellence in diabetes education management. Community advocate and activist for continental Africans and other Canadian communities to get free access to health, health equipment and medications for all.
My greatest accomplishments have been to my family, supprting and enjoying
multiple generations and learning from their wisdom and the strength of our ancestors.
The opportunity to address racial and social justice in so many spheres including in education, institutions, government and organizations both public and private, and have been a source of great satisfaction. As an educator and researcher, contributing to the production of knowledge and being able to work with young people in supporting their intellectual, social and social justice development have been a great joy of my life.
My topic three accomplishments are: Provincial Family Award – September 2020 for exceptional volunteer work within my community; National recognition of Canada’s Outstanding Principal in 2019; and the Creator of the first Africentric Cohort within a Public Education System in 2018.
My major accomplishments include; creating space for Black and Racialized students to feel heard and seen in higher learning, co-developing a Black mentorship program at the university of ottawa, and developing a knew consciousness to address systematic inequalities.
My top three accomplishments are: Leading as director for 6 years (2 terms); receiving the Fellowship of the American College of Nurse Midwives (FACNM) for service and leadership; and having the joy of co-parenting 3 step sons and co-grandparenting 3 grandchildren.
*Mentoring youth to share their stories in the photovoice exhibitions that I curated e.g., Urban Gardening: Voices of Indigenous Youth at the Urban Shaman Gallery and fostering community conversations about the history of Black spaces as part of Hidden Spaces Nuit Blanche 2022,
*Mentoring the next generation of artists, designers, and graduate researchers
*My research on pharmacogovernance and my family
I never imagined growing up in Little Jamaica in Toronto with two regular parents, working regular jobs that I would end up halfway through a Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, having already taught four university-level courses and published one paper before the age of 30. As a result, I am dedicated to giving back to my community, especially young Black girls, as I can identify with their journey through adolescence, and have founded a grassroots organization in partnership with two other exceptional women in my neighborhood – Auntie’s Place – that co-creates a safe space with Black, Indigenous, and Afro-Indigenous youth who reside in Toronto and are seeking social support, community, food security, healing, and cultural knowledge. Furthermore, I have also gained the confidence to use my expertise to improve corporate and non-profit organizations policies and programs related to racialized individuals by conducting research through my own consulting company, which was inspired by the success of my research and analysis recruitment and retention of racialized individuals at TD Bank and the incorporation of my recommendations into their long-term plan.
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.
My top three major accomplishments are that I authored several high-impact peer-reviewed articles that have furthered the field of medical neuroscience, I established multiple community initiatives and programs that support the success of black youth, and I have built a loving family and home.
– increased SMP applications by more than 350% and enrolment by more than 200% between 2013 and 2021
– 2015 IDERD Award Recipient
– 2020 Staff Impact Award Recipient
Becoming a professor; winning a medal at the world championships; starting ANANSI School for the Performing Arts
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.
Earning a law degree, my admission to the Quebec Bar, and having practiced law in both official languages. Overcoming my fear of public speaking and earning the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award. Being a vocal advocate for the marginalized and the voiceless in the workplace and in the community.