Maureen Fraser
Education/Academic
The ability to use the knowledge I gained in my Master’s Degree in Christian Counselling that enabled me to counsel many blacks through difficult times. Founder of Scrabble clubs (100 tiles ) also (200 tiles } bringing black women and girls together to share and think. Being a participant of two community choirs that have brought joy and happiness to the elderly in nursing or retired homes. Helped in the 55 Plus to organize, execute and as team made its 10th Anniversary a smashing success. As a single parent I have raised three adults who have made significant contributions to its 10th Anniversary
Co-Founder of a major financial brand, founder of Women’s day symposium and launching a new venture aimed as women empowerment
NCAA DI Student-Athlete
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, pursuing PhD
1. Raising two incredible human beings- two gorgeous children 2. Learning how to become my best self 3. Fulfilling my purpose while balancing the joys of life…family, friends and travel!
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.
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
Leading the Black Health Vaccine Initiative; Establishing the Black Health Education Collaborative; Publishing Black health research papers on Afrocentric care at TAIBU CHC
It is important to me to serve the community, my patients and contribute to my profession. My proudest moments include starting an organization to unite and mentor Black Occupational Therapists, developing an outpatient program for women with breast cancer, and authoring cancer rehabilitation courses that have reached international audiences.
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.
• Sole parenting 3 successful young black women
• 3 successful lingerie stores in a space not previously occupied by black women.
• Being able to climb the corporate ladder in organizations where ‘black female leader’ is still an anomaly.
Recently, she was recognized as one of the Top 150 Canadian Women STEM, Outstanding Young Computer Science Researcher Award in Canada, Top 100 Canadas Most Powerful Women, Top 100 Leading Nigerian Women, one of the Top 60 African Women in STEM, Top 50 Young Most Influential Best Brains in Nigeria, and admitted into the Royal Society of Canada College. She also won many research excellence awards and a digital leadership award as a Women Leader in Digital Economy for her work in advancing technology.
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.
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. 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.
In just seven years, I positioned TCBN as a key systems intermediary to create pathways into construction for equity deserving groups. My work has helped to generate thousands of good jobs in construction and hundreds of thousands of dollars in social procurement for local and diverse businesses and social enterprises.
My top 3 major accomplishments are: Becoming one of the Scarborough Board of Educations first black teachers and principals; Sharing my family’s rich history (beginning in the early 1800’s in Ontario)with students and various historical societies; coordinating and organizing the seniors’ program at Blackhurst Cultural Centre.
My first major accomplishment is being a mother to my three children: Siena, Quincy, and Anisa. The love, joys, challenges, and responsibilities have given me my deepest sense of purpose. They truly make my life more fulfilling and meaningful, and when I look at them, I know that being their mom surpasses any other achievement. My second greatest accomplishment is my unwavering pursuit of academic growth. I embarked on the journey of motherhood in my teenage years and navigated the demands of parenting while pursuing three university degrees, which ultimately changed the trajectory of the lives of my children and me. I proudly hold my master’s degree as a testament to the determination and resilience with which God has blessed me. Lastly, I was in a life-altering car accident in 2016 and the journey to recovery demanded a warrior spirit and steadfast commitment like I’d never known. The whole process was an unexpected catalyst for personal and spiritual transformation for which I am grateful.
My top tree major accomplishments sage the opening of Ottawas first Black Owned dance studio dedicated to Afro-Caribbean dance. My second would be the sharing of Afro-Caribbean culture on mainstream stages and théâtres to sold out audiences. And my third would be taking the full leap to full time entrepreneurship demonstrating that all things are possible.
I have been able to do all my endeavours grounded in faith and spirituality
I have been able to stand on the shoulders of Black women who have gone before and work in sisterhood with Black woman to advance change.
I stay true to valuing continuous learning and the brilliance of children and grandchildren.
1. Founding my own non-profit organization, Natural Kids Movement
2. Collaborating with the Child & Youth Permanency Council of Canada on a service project for Black children & youth in the child welfare system
3. 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women
Being a single Mom to three lovely boys they’re my world.
Being the first ever Reggae Artist to be inducted into the Brampton Arts Walk Of Fame.
as you can see in my bio I’ve had many first, but my greatest accomplishments is watching the artist I mentor grow.
My first accomplishment is my family including my three daughters, Ayesha, Tahira, and Jamilah, my sons-in-law, Osama and Wendell, and my grandchildren, Zaid, Umayma, and Zora Mae. I cherish my roles as mother and grandmother. While we are spread out over various countries, we are nurtured by our precious connections. My second accomplishment is the PhD I was able to achieve later in life. I was happy in my teaching but there was always a feeling of something missing. Each September would roll around and I would think to myself, its September and I am not in grad school. Finally I applied, was accepted into the program, and decided to start with just one course. I come from parents who are descended from indentured labourers and who barely finished primary school, so it was a special accomplishment that I was able to complete a PhD in mathematics education. I am also proud that I was able to gain some small measure of understanding of Lacanian theory (which is notoriously difficult) with the help of the Lacan Salon, Vancouver. My third accomplishment is the longevity of my career as an educator. I taught for 30 years at Langara, and I continue to teach in my 32nd year at TRU. I am proud of the fact that many of my students are themselves teachers and researchers in mathematics. This has given me an understanding and appreciation of people and cultures that have helped me as I continue to work with students who increasingly come from countries other than Canada.
