Friday Meetup #SpeakerSeries

​About the Session:

Underdog to Trailblazer: Turning Adversity into Leadership and Impact

This session explores the power of starting imperfectly and how our struggles can become the foundation for leadership and impact. Sharing my journey as a first-generation student and community advocate, I will reflect on growing up with poverty and housing instability—and how these challenges became fuel for my work in research, youth empowerment, and public speaking. I will challenge the myth that success must look polished from the start and instead emphasize the value of leading with lived experience. My goal is to inspire others to embrace their beginnings, build confidence through action, and transform adversity into authority.

About our Guest Speaker:

Tenisha Noel, Founder, TrailblazerTenisha

Tenisha Noel is a dynamic researcher, youth advocate, and founder of TrailblazerTenisha, a personal and professional development platform dedicated to empowering underdogs to become powerhouses. Currently pursuing a Master of Laws at Osgoode Hall Law School, her research explores the complex intersection of race, poverty, and policing in Toronto’s Eglinton West community.

With a deep commitment to advancing social and educational equity, Tenisha has led and supported a range of community programs across the Greater Toronto Area. Her work includes cultivating youth leadership, facilitating workshops on civic engagement, and championing initiatives that uplift marginalized voices.

Tenisha’s impact spans collaborations with organizations such as York Region Children’s Aid Society, One City Scholarship Fund, Girl Impact, and Afrika Outbound. Known for her engaging public speaking and powerful storytelling, she has inspired countless young people to harness their potential and drive change in their communities.

Her dedication has been recognized with the Lincoln Alexander Award and the Alpha Phi Sigma Student Achievement Award in honour of her contributions to justice and community building.

Looking ahead, Tenisha plans to pursue a JD/MBA and continue building spaces where marginalized voices lead transformative change.

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​BTI Friday Meetups are a weekly source of information and inspiration for the Black Talent Initiative community. This is a space to share, learn, and engage with talented leaders driving meaningful change.

What BTI Friday Meetups Offer:
• Engaging Updates – Share accomplishments and celebrate progress across the BTI network.
• Inspiring Speakers – Hear from trailblazers and changemakers shaping a brighter future.
• Thoughtful Discussions – Collaborate and explore solutions for systemic change across industries.
• Meaningful Connections – Build lasting relationships with like-minded professionals and leaders.

Join us and be part of the conversation!