BTTF Podcast – Black To The Future

The Way Forward Podcast

Welcome to Black To The Future’s podcast series that takes you on a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of Black history, culture, and innovation.

In each episode, we explore the dynamic and diverse contributions of Black individuals, communities, and movements that have shaped and continue to shape our world.

The Way Forward Podcast Ep 6: Creating Organizational Culture with the Black Youth Workforce in Mind

Episode 6 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers”. Today's episode is a conversation about Creating an organizational ...culture with the Black Youth Workforce in mind. 

The final episode of CEE’s video podcast series features Janelle Hinds, Founder and Executive Director of Helping Hands, Anastasia Gordon, Director of Programs and Service Delivery and Matius Daniel, Community Engagement Specialist at CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals. The themes highlighted in this video dive into how transparency, communication and integrity shape workplace culture and build relationships throughout organizations. As well as, the power of feedback, growth opportunities and sponsorship of Black youth and strategies to reduce the fear of employer retaliation for Black teams and available supports. 

We would like to thank The City of Toronto for your contributions and support on the meaning project.  

Janelle Hinds:
Janelle Hinds is an award-winning entrepreneur, public speaker, facilitator and Diversity Equity and Inclusion and strategic consultant. Janelle is the founder of Helping Hands, a non-profit that aims to help young people build their skills and careers through volunteer, entrepreneurship, and early career exploration. As a public speaker and consultant, Janelle is an advocate for social innovation, Diversity Equity and Inclusion in various industries. Janelle sits on the Board of Directors for Futurpreneur and McMaster Alumni Association. In 2020, Janelle was chosen as the only Canadian on Forbes Top 30 Under 30 list for her achievements in the Education sector.Show More

The Way Forward Podcast Ep 6: Creating Organizational Culture with the Black Youth Workforce in Mind

Episode 6 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers”. Today's episode is a conversation about ...

The Way Forward Podcast Ep 5 - Creating a Safe Workplace for the Black Youth Workforce

Episode 5 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers”. Today's episode is a conversation about ...

Episode 5 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers”. Today's episode is a conversation about Creating a Safe ...Workplace for the Black Youth Workforce. 

This conversation features Jamal Francois, Lunkulu ‘Lu’ Bassunga, Richard Marshall & Adejumobi ‘Jumobi’ Ogundairo, four alumni from various CEE program cohorts accompanied by Anastasia Gordon, Director of Programs and Service Delivery of CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals. Collectively, they expand on the importance of fair compensation of skilled Black youth for their work, how organizations can cultivate psychological safety and trust with Black youth, and experiences working with non-black people from diverse cultures in new environments. 

We would like to thank The City of Toronto for your contributions and support on the meaning project.  

Anastasia Gordon
Anastasia brings over 15 years of progressive knowledge and action-based programming solutions to help businesses and nonprofit communities succeed in creating shared value concurrently. With the focus on bringing critical attention to issues faced by under resourced communities, her marketing and communications background is a key driver in articulating community needs with aligned partners shared sustainability goals.

Anastasia specializes in communications and engagement strategy with a focus on experiential marketing, sponsorship acquisition, team building, public speaking and fundraising. She is motivated by compassionate storytelling, the joy of connecting people to impactful causes and initiatives, and collaborating on innovative, equitable and sustainable solutions to challenges across diverse groups of her portfolio.

Richard Marshall:
Richard Marshall is an emerging content creator from Toronto, Ontario, who at the tender age of 14 began his journey in the creative industries studying at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts. After high school, he was accepted into one of the most prestigious media programs in the world; studying at TMU (formerly Ryerson University) for Media production, learning the technical aspects of production. Consisting of video production, audio engineering and graphic design amongst others.

His love and passion for both the arts & media drove him to spearhead his own projects, which consisted of a self-produced podcast called Project M.E, interviewing the likes of Nick Cannon, Emmanuel Hudson and Micheal Jackson Jr, the eldest son of the late-great King of Pop Michael Jackson. In addition to his media contributions, Richard has also brought his creative sensibilities towards more philanthropic endeavours; organizing the charity event Comedy for a Cause, where without a budget was able to get internationally renowned comedian Trixx to headline a show filled with some of the countries funniest rising comedians.

Successfully, raising money for Sick Kids Foundation and donations for impoverished children for the Randy Rozaay Sneakerdrive. Richard is determined to create meaningful content that people of all ages/ nationalities can enjoy, and leave a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.Show More

The Way Forward Podcast Ep 4 - How We Centre Programming for Black Youth Mental Health

Episode 4 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers”. Today's episode is a conversation about How ...

Episode 4 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers”. Today's episode is a conversation about How We Centre ...Programming for Black Youth Mental Health. 

This conversation features Shequita Thompson-Reid, Senior Director of Equity at Eva's accompanied by Trynée Hancock, Sector Leadership Manager, Biliana Cidade, Programs Manager and Bunmi Ehigiator, Social Supports Manager with CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals. These devoted experts share keys to making sure Black youth can access programming and the importance of accounting for their diverse lived experiences. Further breaking down approaches to service delivery that are formed through engagement, empowerment and community. 

We would like to thank The City of Toronto for your contributions and support on the meaning project.  

Shequita Thompson-Reid
Shequita Thompson-Reid has been working at the intersections of community development and equity for over 15 years.

Currently, she brings with her expertise within the fields of Program Development, Youth Engagement, Capacity Building, Housing, Violence Prevention, Conflict Mediation and Equity. She is well versed in working from practices rooted in decolonization and anti-oppression frameworks.

Shequita has worked successfully across various organizations to lead and support a range of broad band and high impact outcomes to achieve the desired goals at multi-level and multi-sectoral non profit and government spaces.

Shequita has developed, led and facilitated training and education on Conflict Mediation, Violence Prevention, Equity and Anti-Oppression to name a few. She also excels in coaching and professional development for individuals, executives and organizations looking to engage in change management processes.

Shequita also Co-founded a grassroots program, Words of Wisdom. This program used books as a catalyst towards having deeper conversations into inter-generational trauma, identity, equity and healthy relationships. In 2015, she traveled to Ghana to participate in a knowledge exchange with young women and girls globally, and developed collaborative strategies to end gender-based violence. She holds an Honors BA from the University of Toronto with a specialization in Sociology and Gender Studies.Show More

The Way Forward Podcast Ep 3 - Black Safety in the Workplace

Episode 3 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers” is a conversation about Black Safety in the ...

Episode 3 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers” is a conversation about Black Safety in the Workplace.  ...

This conversation features Kizito Musabimana, Founder of Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre, Talin Wright, Co-Founder at Friends of CAB, Jodie Glean, Director of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Toronto and Matius Daniel, Community Engagement Specialist at CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals. In this discussion, participants address the definition of safety for Black persons in the workplace, bias and discrimination that the black community faces in the workforce and accessibility to appropriate training and resources. 

We would like to thank The City of Toronto for your contributions and support on the meaning project.  

Jodie Glean:
Jodie Glean-Mitchell is an award-winning antiracism educator and EDI practitioner who has dedicated her career to developing educational programming in the field of antiracism, equity and inclusion. Jodie attained her Master of Arts in Educational Studies from Concordia University and is presently, completing her PhD degree in Education at York University with her research focusing on the experiences of equity practitioners advancing racial equity and inclusion in postsecondary institutions. In 2017, Jodie was the recipient of the Leadership in Learning Award from the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education and in 2020, she received the Harry Jerome Diversity Award.

Jodie brings more than ten years of experience working in the field of equity and inclusion. Jodie joined the University of Toronto as Director of the Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office in 2019. During this time, Jodie launched the inaugural Race, Equity and Action Speaker Series and ARCDO’s Reflect. Restore and Action Program, which centres healing and restorative practice to communities experiencing racial trauma.

Jodie co-developed and is a course instructor of the Transformative Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Leadership Certificate Program at Humber College and she currently serves as the Executive Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Toronto.

Kizito Musabimana:
Kizito prides himself in being a storyteller with a dream of telling successful African stories to the world. After graduating from the Film & Television Production program at Toronto Film School, he attended the Independent Producers program at Centennial College. He learned the art of building bridges through cross-sector collaboration to create a world we wish to see – a more connected, self-sufficient, and just society.

Born in Rwanda, Kizito was 11 years old during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and having grown up with memories of 94, he later faced an impossible battle to overcome PTSD; a struggle which many in the Rwanda Canadian community continue to face today – especially those who were young at the time of the Genocide.

By taking a holistic approach to life, Kizito was able to overcome the worst of PTSD (severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts). He has since worked tirelessly to understand issues in his (African Canadian) community, partnering with youth and leaders and leading organisations to develop programs designed to solve these challenges collaboratively for current and future generations.Show More

The Way Forward Podcast Ep 2 - Black Women's Mental and Physical Health in the Workplace

Episode 2 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers”. Today's episode is a conversation about Black ...

Episode 2 of Black to the Futures 2023 video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers”. Today's episode is a conversation about Black Women's mental ...and physical health in the workplace. 

This conversation features Shequita Thompson-Reid, Senior Director of Equity at Eva's, Laura Hammond, Co-founder of Elevate Resiliency and Trynée Hancock, Sector Leadership Manager at CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals. Together they unpack stressors that disproportionately affect the mental health of Black women in the workplace, policies and practices that must adapt to improve the mental well-being of Black women and reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues among Black women in the workforce. 
 

We would like to thank The City of Toronto for your contributions and support on the meaning project.  

Laura Hammond:
Laura Hammond is a co-founder of Elevate Resiliency and a community advocate who is passionate about personal growth and helping others. Laurs is actively working to decolonize wellness by creating community and providing intentional accessibility using ancestral practices of land stewardship. Laura is also an entrepreneur, storyteller, and community builder with 10+ years of experience in community development committed to enabling people and organizations to reach their fullest potential.

Shequita Thompson-Reid:
Shequita Thompson-Reid has been working at the intersections of community development and equity for over 15 years.

Currently, she brings with her expertise within the fields of Program Development, Youth Engagement, Capacity Building, Housing, Violence Prevention, Conflict Mediation and Equity. She is well versed in working from practices rooted in decolonization and anti-oppression frameworks.

Shequita has worked successfully across various organizations to lead and support a range of broad band and high impact outcomes to achieve the desired goals at multi-level and multi-sectoral non profit and government spaces.

Shequita has developed, led and facilitated training and education on Conflict Mediation, Violence Prevention, Equity and Anti-Oppression to name a few. She also excels in coaching and professional development for individuals, executives and organizations looking to engage in change management processes.

Shequita also Co-founded a grassroots program, Words of Wisdom. This program used books as a catalyst towards having deeper conversations into inter-generational trauma, identity, equity and healthy relationships. In 2015, she traveled to Ghana to participate in a knowledge exchange with young women and girls globally, and developed collaborative strategies to end gender-based violence. She holds an Honors BA from the University of Toronto with a specialization in Sociology and Gender Studies.Show More

The Way Forward Podcast Ep 1 - Black Mental Health in the Workplace

Introducing a new season of CEE’s video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers.” Episode One is a conversation on Black Mental ...

Introducing a new season of CEE’s video podcast series titled “The Way Forward: Black Mental Health and Change Makers.” Episode One is a conversation on Black Mental Health in ...the Workplace.

This conversation features Paul Bailey, Executive Director of Black Health Alliance, Sheena Ewan, Founder of OnePeopleTO, Osman Ali, Director of Organizational Management at Generation Chosen, and Agapi Gessesse, Executive Director of CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals. These professionals connect to discuss mental health in the Non-Profit Sector, making space for teams to be engaged, purpose, partnerships and why benefits are essential self-care for the sector.

We would like to thank The City of Toronto for your contributions and support on this meaningful project.

Osman Ali:
I'm Osman Ali, a web developer with a degree in Computer Science from Toronto Metropolitan University. I have a strong background in technology and a genuine passion for designing and building websites. Currently serving as an Operational Managing Director at Generation Chosen, I leverage my technical expertise to make informed financial decisions that drive the company towards success. Beyond my professional work, I'm deeply committed to mentoring and educating youth, specifically in mathematics and computer science.

Paul Bailey:
Paul is a strategist, urban planner and Executive Director at the Black Health Alliance.
Paul has spent the last decade designing interventions focused on improving outcomes for Black children, youth and families as it relates to: health and well-being, community violence, mental health and addictions, and the social service sector. His work is currently focused on social planning, health equity, and addressing the causes of neighbourhood distress and inequality.

Sheena Ewan:
As the Visionary/Founder of OnePeople TO & OnePeople Philanthropy, Sheena creates space for folks who are serving or seeking non-medical mental health support and well-being while also reclaiming integral parts of one's identity through cultural wisdom & ritual. Both organizations work from a liberated Black/Black mother cultural lens and lived experience
framework which underscores the importance of empowerment, reciprocity, wisdom and compassionate leadership. Her social enterprise work focuses on creating antidotes to social isolation, economic disparities and pathologizing mental health through establishing self-acceptance, connection, and authenticity. Reclaiming cultural practices for mental health
care and offering a sliding scale to systematically oppressed groups for wellness and healing that is inclusive, welcoming, and celebratory of one's whole self is an essential part of Black Collective Liberation. Black Liberation underscores and connects to liberation all over the world. Sheena is a Mindfulness Mentor, Mental Health Advocate, Reiki Teacher, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Creator. She feels privileged to share her story of self-mastery triumphing over self-harm.

Agapi Gessesse, the daughter of refugee parents and raised by her single mother, has devoted her career to fostering social impact and advocating for human rights. As the Executive Director of CEE Center for Young Black Professionals and Founder of Lehizibu Strategy and Consulting Group, she has played a pivotal role in advancing opportunities for marginalized communities. Her work has been instrumental in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality in various professional environments across Canada.

Her contributions to society have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the numerous awards and recognitions she has received. In 2023, she was named a Harry Jerome Decade Leader and a YWCA Woman of Distinction, as well as a nominee for the Women of Diversity Awards. She is a Harvard School of Business executive leadership scholarship recipient and received the 2021 Peace Award.

In 2020, she was recognized as one of Canada's Top Black Women to Watch, and in 2019, she was named a Dial Mover in Tech. Her dedication to making a positive impact in her community began early in her career. As the Board Chair at Amnesty International Canada, she continues to be a leader in promoting human rights and social justice. Her commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive society is unwavering, and her work has inspired countless others. Agapi Gessesse's career leaves a trail of talented, brilliant minds to show for her leadership.Show More

The Way Forward Podcast

The Way Forward Podcast Ep 6: Creating Organizational Culture with the Black Youth Workforce in Mind

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