Charlene is a Jamaican Canadian who lives in Ontario Canada since 2002. Her primary role above all others is to be the best and most positive influence to her two sons. Second to that is her passion for people by sharing her stories of triumph over adversities. Her career spans a wide scope of activities, which in its early stages includes serving as a college counsellor and facilitator to first generation students at Florida Memorial University – One of the United States Historical Black Colleges (HBCU). There is where she spent an inordinate amount of time working alongside First Generation African American students as a counsellor and facilitator in a federally funded programme. This was primarily designed to assist them in assimilating into college life. Additionally, she spearheaded a peer-mentoring programme for senior students to guide and mentor freshmen and sophomores by providing them with academic support. After emigrating to Canada in 2002, Charlene was faced with the challenges of transitioning from familiar to unknown territory. Many of those challenges came with moments of disillusionment and at times regrets. Through it all she persevered. In 2008, she garnered a position of college professor at Sheridan College in Ontario. There she delivered courses to a diverse student population in the areas of Human Relations, Living and Working in a Diverse Society, and Sociology. Her current roles include Empowerment and Keynote Speaker, Workshop Facilitator, Adjunct College Professor, and Health and Wellness Coach. By working in the field of health and wellness, she works to support and enable her clients to successfully advance through the process of personal transformation, using a holistic approach to mental health and wellness. Her contribution to the black community in Ontario has enabled her to develop and expand her repertoire. As a speaker and workshop facilitator, Charlene has delivered seminars and workshops on a variety of platforms and in several subject matter, primarily in the field of mental wellness, personal development. As a facilitator, her mission is to provide education and encouragement which she does by sharing her personal stories of humility and hope. Charlene states that, although she has faced many barriers as a woman of colour in Canada, by persevering and self belief, she was able to overcome some treacherous times. Added to her repertoire is the title of Author, of 2 publications: “25 Of Life’s Simple Pleasures – that make life worth living.” (2012) A Sista’s Journal of Gratefulness - 2020
