Artists in Motion (AIM) is a multidiscplinary dance company established in 2015 by Shameka Blake. AIM is a Black Led, Black Focus and Black Serving dance company that creates works to motivate present and future generations to use their voices to shed light on the issue of social justice and the perspective on Black Culture.  

WORKSHOP

RHYTHM & CULTURE

Angie is a Trichologist dealing with hair loss and scalp issues and she specializes in afro-textured hair education. Angie feels that afro textured hair is beautiful and that we need to embrace it.  It is her mission to make afro-textured hair widely accepted in society and she believes that educating the youth is the first step.

WORKSHOP

MANE SOLUTION

Camille is a Canadian Afro-Caribbean Small Business Owner of Sclassy Cosmetics established in 2017. She is also a model, actress and entrepreneur.

WORKSHOP

S. H. E. 101 SELFCARE HEALTHY HEALING ELEVATION 101

Clara James graduated from the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, Forestry, and Design at the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies and a Minor in Visual Studies. During her time as a student, Clara founded Black Students in Design, the first Black student group at the faculty, which has now evolved into BAIDA Students, a student chapter of the Black Architects and Interior Design Association. Through her work in equity and community building, Clara had the opportunity to create Building Black Success through Design, a free 12-week mentorship program for Black high school students interested in architecture and design, who are mentored by Black university students at the Daniels Faculty. This program is now in its third year of operation and has raised over $150K in university funding and is currently facilitating over 30 mentees. Clara works as an event coordinator at the Daniels Faculty, as well as a Program Supervisor for the Building Black Success through Design Mentorship Program. 

WORKSHOP

DESIGNING FOR BELONGING

With degrees in Computer Science and Adult Education, and a wealth of professional certifications, Claudette's work extends beyond the creation of STEAM programs and tech curricula; it resonates with youth and adults from diverse backgrounds, empowering them to see themselves as the future of technology. Claudette's influence reaches government policies and big-time collaborations with groups like the National Society of Black Engineers and tech giants like Texas Instruments. Claudette's mission is powerful: empower Black and Indigenous girls and women to participate in and lead the tech world. 

WORKSHOP

IDEA TO MVP: RAPID DEVELOPMENT WITH AI

Dr. Crystal Garvey is a PhD graduate from Queen’s University. Her doctoral research was about developing and testing a theoretical model and identifying the relationship between bullying and its impact on students' mental health, focusing on those representing various intersectionality’s. Her doctoral work has led her to develop and disseminate her theory, “The Student-educator relationship”, where she has presented to academics and educators the importance of creating safe learning environments to foster healthy learning. Crystal has nursing experience spanning 2 decades, specializing in Emergency and Mental Health Nursing. 

WORKSHOP

UNVEILING HEALTHCARE HEROES: EXPLORING THE SUPERSTARS OF HEALTH

Ehi, has 14+ years of career and entrepreneurial experience across multiple industries. A participant in the IBM Design Thinking Lab, she has successfully delivered design-led projects in financial services, agribusiness, and eCommerce, earning recognition through multiple pitch competitions and prizes for her startup, Anutio. Ehi has worked in Financial services including Treasury and Capital markets, Wealth and Financial planning, Product development in Blockchain, Open banking, Sustainable finance and more recently as Product Manager, Generative AI at TD Bank. As an entrepreneur, Ehi is the founder of Anutio - an AI-powered career guidance platform for students and working professionals. 

WORKSHOP

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS: HOW TO TURN AN IDEA INTO A BUSINESS

I am the Co-Owner and Creative Director of Daejadream Event Design, a company renowned for its exquisite and innovative event decor and floral arrangements. Under my leadership, Daejadream has transformed ordinary spaces into stunning visual experiences, making each event uniquely memorable. My passion for design and detail is evident in every piece and project I undertake, reflecting my philosophy that decor and floral design are labors of love. 

WORKSHOP

DARE TO DREAM

Imani Walker is an award-winning journalist with previous experience reporting and producing shows at CBC News, CBC Radio, Yahoo News Canada, ByBlacks.com and The Brandon Gonez Show. Her reporting focused on  community stories, politics, entertainment and culture. Imani’s passion for storytelling inspired her to launch her own media and PR company in 2024 called Future People Media. 

WORKSHOP

YOU'RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO BE A JOURNALIST!

Jawahir is a Program Manager at Visions of Science. She is a graduate with a BSc. in Biology and currently working towards a Master of Education in Social Justice & Equity. Throughout her undergraduate career, she was able to work with different non-profit organizations working directly with communities within Toronto which has shaped her work ethic here at Visions. Her favourite thing about STEM is to discover new ways to make STEM fun and engaging. 

WORKSHOP 

MAKING BATH BOMBS

Jillian has a background in social services and adult education, with over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She is passionate about working with youth, through a holistic approach, and providing them with skills and resources, so that they feel empowered to forge a brighter path for their futures through education and employment. 

WORKSHOP

RISE AND SHINE: LEADERSHIP, LEARNING, AND WELLNESS FOR YOUNG BLACK GIRLS

In the inaugural role of Black Recruitment Officer and Career Advisor for the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University Jodi supports youth domestically and internationally navigating their post-secondary pathway. Through the McMaster Engineering Black Outreach in STEM Series program, also known as BOSS, a significant portion of her work involves introducing Black students to the opportunities they have in STEM education through culturally relevant workshops and hands-on activities. Additionally, Jodi provides career and experiential guidance to current Black students of the faculty. Coining the term Black @ Mac Eng Jodi is dedicated to fostering a community of inclusion and highlighting Black excellence.

WORKSHOP

SAFE SPACE DESIGN CHALLENGE

Kwame is the Manager, Diversity Student Recruitment and Admissions Office of the Registrar, University of Toronto Mississauga and a  U of T Psychology & Philosophy Honours Bachelor of Science graduate, currently completing his Master of Arts in Higher Education at OISE. Within Kwame’s current role as a Diversity Student Recruitment & Admissions officer in the Office of the Registrar, he provides support in advising prospective students and their families interested in applying to the University of Toronto Mississauga. He aims to ensure students have the best information to make the right decisions for their future. 

WORKSHOP 

BAEE @ UTM

Layla Pottinger is a Freshman majoring in Speech Language and Pathology with a minor in Broadcast Journalism at Howard University. She chose to attend Howard University because it is an HBCU (Historically Black College/University), and she takes great pride in her Black identity and Black culture. Layla has an undying love for public speaking and communication in all forms. Throughout high school, she was a drama major and theatre enthusiast. She has since redirected her pathway to the field of communications, where she believes she can fully utilize all of her skill sets.  

WORKSHOP 

BLACK GIRL BRILLIANCE: UNLEASH YOUR VOICE!

Lisa is a senior laboratory technician in the UTM Biology teaching labs at the University of Toronto at Mississauga. She oversees the lab components for introductory and upper year physiology and neurobiology courses. 

WORKSHOP 

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY 

Montana is a fourth year Forensic Science and Biology Double Major student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, and like many forensic students, was first drawn to the investigative process through crime shows like Forensic Files- watching detectives and forensic scientists dismantle a crime, building up a solid case, and speaking on behalf of victims. With the goal of forensic pathology, Montana seeks to use her knowledge to advocate for everyone's human right to have a voice, even after death. 

WORKSHOP 

FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS

Mulu Geletu is a Senior Research Associate, Cancer Biology in the Department of Chemical and Physical Science Center for Medicinal Chemistry (CMC) at the University of Toronto Mississauga. For the past eleven years, my research project has been focused on facilitating the design and development of several small molecule inhibitors for clinical evaluation. She has overseen the biology lab's operations and responsible for evaluating newly synthesized compounds against multiple cancer cell lines in Gunning’s lab. She supervises and guides undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows, to ensure that their training and research run smoothly. 

In addition to her scientific contributions, she is committed to diversity and recognize the barriers that women and other minorities face in STEM fields. For the past nine years, she has been actively involved in her community, promoting STEM to young people from underrepresented backgrounds. She also made a significant contribution to the University of Toronto Mississauga by organizing experiential learning opportunities for underrepresented black community high school students from the Greater Toronto Area during the March and summer breaks. Through community outreach and mentoring, she hopes to inspire young minds and instill values like curiosity and perseverance. 

WORKSHOP 

CELL AND CELL STRUCTURE

Nawaal is a Program Coordinator for youth in grades 8 to 10 at Visions of Science. She has a history Honours degree and is pursuing a teacher certificate at York University. Nawaal has been involved at Visions for over 9 years, experiencing the organization as a participant and now as a staff. Her interest in STEM started as I discovered the endless creative possibilities that STEM produces.

WORKSHOP 

MAKING BATH BOMBS

Raani is an undergraduate teaching laboratory technician in the Biology Department at UTM focusing on courses teaching the development and physiology of plants and animals. 

WORKSHOP

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

Renée Powell-Hines is an artist and an aspiring architect who views the field of architecture and design through the lens of equity, ethnography, and sustainability; she is currently a Masters students in Architecture at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at UofT, where she received her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Architectural Studies in 2021. Renée is the president of BAIDA Students, the student chapter of the Black Architects and Interior Design Association; she is also the Co-Creator and Facilitator of the Building Black Success through Design mentorship program at UofT.

She hopes to see the world of architecture become more inclusive as she moves forward in her career, and is currently working towards that by contributing her time to supporting young black students interested in design, and participating in global academic partnerships including working as the research assistant for the course "What Is A Good City" alongside Associate Dean Jeannie Kim (UofT) and Architect Farida Abu-Bakare. This course is in partnership with the Architecture department at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. 

WORKSHOP

DESIGNING FOR BELONGING

Roxanne Challenger holds a Master's in Leadership. She has over 18 years of experience overseeing government-funded youth programs at the Federal, Provincial, and Municipal levels, including foundations and corporations, with a focus on youth employment.

Roxanne is the driving force behind the launch of the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship Canada (NFTE). NFTE's mission is to prepare the next generation of youth entrepreneurs for the future of work. By activating entrepreneurial mindsets and equipping youth from under-resourced communities with startup skills, NFTE aims to enable their success and contribute to building a more vibrant and inclusive society.

WORKSHOP 

RISE AND SHINE: LEADERSHIP, LEARNING, AND WELLNESS FOR YOUNG BLACK GIRLS

Septembre Anderson is a seasoned front-end web developer with over seven years of experience in building and maintaining websites. Leveraging her background in journalism and social media management, she integrates her web development skills to create immersive digital experiences for diverse clients, including digital agencies and corporations.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Septembre dedicates her time to volunteering for Black Girls Code as both an instructor and mentor, passionately contributing to the empowerment and education of young Black girls in technology. 

WORKSHOP

DIGITAL DIVAS: EXPLORING FRONT-END WEB DEVELOPMENT 

Sieanna Pottinger holds a Bachelor's degree in Media Production and Communication from Toronto Metropolitan University. This achievement has equipped her with a solid foundation in media production and communication, reflecting her commitment to academic excellence and the pursuit of knowledge. Beyond her background in media, Sieanna has a deep passion for all things AI. She is constantly fascinated by how artificial intelligence is transforming various industries and is eager to explore its applications in media and communication. 

WORKSHOP

BLACK GIRL BRILLIANCE: UNLEASH YOUR VOICE!

Shanika Gosling is an accomplished Portrait Photographer renowned for her expertise in Personal Branding and Women's Group Experiences. Her life's mission is dedicated to celebrating, uplifting, and empowering women, cherishing the essence of who they were, who they are, and who they aspire to become. 

WORKSHOP

BUILDING CONFIDENCE & SELF WORTH THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

Simone Brown is a Peel Board graduate and recently finished her second year in the Journalism and Human Rights & Social Justice program at Carleton University. Her focus is arts, culture, and social commentary through writing and visual art. 

WORKSHOP

WRITE YOUR STORY! MASTERING THE ART OF JOURNALISM AND CREATIVE WRITING

Proud member of IBEW LU353 and Member of IBEW LU353 Human Rights committee. I am passionate about ensuring there are doors open in the Electrical Trade for all youth  and youth of minority groups . I Partner with Toronto Community Benefits Network and Trading up in Trades. Both are organizations which allow me to spread awareness and opportunities to youth, through educational speaking events and trade mentoring. 

WORKSHOP

UNLOCK YOUR INNER ELECTRICIAN

Tatyana is a Program Coordinator at Visions of Science. She is in school to be a Social Worker. Throughout high school she has volunteered at Visions and has tons of experience with youth and young adults. Her favourite thing about STEM is that STEM is in everything! 

WORKSHOP

MAKING BATH BOMBS