Events

Calling Recent Graduates & Leaders of the Future with the Black Talent Community:  we are hosting a professional panel of accomplished black leaders in their field to share stories, provide perspectives – Please Join Us!!!

Professional Panel Discussion:
Sharing Stories, Providing Perspectives

Calling All Black-Student Athletes: Recent Graduates & Future Leaders

Learn more about the upcoming 6-week workshop on Self-Development & Career Readiness, Meet the Program Facilitators and Ask Questions.

Black Beyond Sport Open House

As a new or exiting BTI Talent member, we would like to invite you to join our Monthly Mixer! The purpose of the mixer is for you to learn more about BTI, the connections available through the network and its programming, to help us understand your professional development goals and how we can assist you in addition to learning about our partners and their opportunities.

We encourage you to come prepared with questions and an outline of how you believe BTI can help you in your development. 

BTI Talent Mixer

How would your life change if you had the confidence to use your resilience and courage for every challenge you face?

After working with Jennifer to discuss how confidence and lack of confidence is a habit that can be grown or broken respectively, you will learn how to face fears and take care of your C.O.R.E. to build your confidence level.

Participants will be provided with a workbook that includes a blueprint template to complete and leave the session with a plan of action.

Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in a 12 week group coaching program called Manifest Excellence with Jennifer and her team (there is a minimal fee for this program)

To Learn more about Jennifer please visit: 

Mentorship Mondays

We are bringing our weekly Friday meetup OUTSIDE and in real life to connect with our community for some special events this spring and summer. A space of sharing and learning from amazingly talented leaders within the community focused on impacting change.

Join us for our first ever IN-PERSON Friday Meetup on June 17th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM ET at 60 Adelaide Street East, Downtown Toronto, hosted by our partner MiQ with our special guest Educator, Artist and Speaker, David Watkins.

David will be joining the BTI to talk about the historical significance of Juneteenth, his work educating students of the African Diaspora, and the importance of understanding your history as key to self-awareness and self-determination.

In-person seats are limited so if you’d like to join us in real life please register as soon as possible! For our friends who won’t be able to join us in-person, don’t worry - we will be streaming it live so you can tap in.

Friday Meetup #speakerseries LIVE- In person 

We’re back with our Mentorship Mondays! 

Join us on June 20th from 5:00-6:30 PM ET, where we will dive into 

, Director, Interim Management and Executive Search at Farber.

In this interactive and informal session, we will focus on how you communicate your value proposition with intent and passion. You will learn some techniques on how to build and present your 

value proposition(s) and identify your audience(s)—rather than reciting a 

Learn more about our Facilitator, Darren Berger, CPA, CA:

As a “reformed” accountant, Darren made the difficult, but ultimately rewarding, decision to pivot his career and joined Farber as part of the Interim Management and Executive Search practice. Shifting from working with some of Canada’s most well-known brands as an operational finance leader, he decided to align his passion for helping companies and people succeed—making it his career calling. 

Combining his accounting knowledge and diverse working experiences, Darren loves solving problems and helping organizations improve and grow. Darren takes pride in being candidate-centric with a client focused approach to help forge meaningful working relationships. His experience helping mid-sized companies attract the best people, ensures the right team is in place to build and execute strategies and set companies up for both short and long-term success.

Mentorship Mondays Presents: Networking and Value Proposition with Darren Berger, CPA, CA

BTI Mentorship Monday Presents: Allyship and Empathetic Leadership, A Panel Discussion In Collaboration with OLG.

On October 24th, we will feature a panel of DEI leaders within our allied network focused on facilitating change and promoting equity. Our panelists will engage in a meaningful conversation about the importance of creating a culture of safe spaces, practicing effective allyship, and the importance of leadership setting the tone.

Brooke Graham is the Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Manager at LifeLabs. She uses she/her/hers pronouns and is fortune to live, work and play on Treaty 13 land and the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Before joining LifeLabs, Brooke led Diversio’s consulting and training practice, supporting various organizations’ DEI journeys across multiple industries. 

Previous to her consulting work at Diversio, Brooke played a vital role in the strategy development and program delivery for the Federal Indian Day School Class Action Community Support Program and the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation Survivor Engagement Project. She is humbled that this life-changing work resulted in reaching over 35 communities and supporting over 1250 Indian Day School survivors and her work with the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation was awarded the International Association of Public Participation’s 2021 International Project of the Year & Award for Indigenous Engagement. In addition, Brooke has developed and facilitated DEI trainings and conversations for multiple organizations as well as industry bodies such as the Human Resources Professionals Association.

Outside of work, Brooke also volunteers with two Black advocacy non-profit organizations that are very near and dear to her heart, Black Talent Initiative and Code Black Communicator Network.

Nancy Kennedy is responsible for the development and implementation of enterprise workforce strategies that build a diverse, performance-driven culture, enable ways of working to drive the enterprise strategy, and positions OLG as an employer of choice to attract and retain top-talent. This includes integrating sound management practices and equity, diversity, and inclusion principles into policies and programs that continually evolves OLG’s human capital and creates an environment where all employees can excel.

Before joining OLG, Nancy served as the Deputy Minister of Treasury Board Secretariat and prior to that, was the inaugural President and Chief Operating Officer at the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS).

Nancy has two decades of senior public policy and regulatory experience, having led high profile projects, including work with OLG, OCS, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and Metrolinx. Nancy also held senior positions leading policy and strategy in Cabinet Office and the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care, Transportation, and Government and Consumer Services.

Leslie Woo is a respected multi-sector leader with over 25 years of experience 

building sustainable communities and shaping urban development 

in Canada’s fastest-growing urban region, greater Toronto. Leslie assumed the role of CEO at CivicAction in September 2020 where she convenes established and rising leaders to catalyzes actions and impactful solutions. Before joining CivicAction, Leslie served as Metrolinx’s Chief Planning and Development Officer. An experienced planner, architect and community activator, she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2017 by WXN, Spacing Toronto’s Transit Changemaker in 2016 and Canada’s Women’s Infrastructure Network’s 2015 Outstanding Leader. Founder of 

, Leslie uses her voice and platform to amplify and celebrate other women city builders.

BTI Mentorship Mondays Presents: Allyship & Empathetic Leadership, A Panel Discussion In Collaboration with OLG

Black Beyond Sport Presents: Influence & Inspiration: Sharing Stories, Providing Perspectives 

On February 1st, we will feature a panel of emerging thought-leaders, who have successfully managed to transition from varsity sports to rewarding careers and will engage in a great conversation about their personal journeys. 

They will discuss important topics such as:

·Being prepared for the mental impact of transitioning out of sports and overcoming "Identity Loss"

·Recognizing, honouring, leveraging your "intangibles" and transferable skills from the student-athlete experience

·The importance of finding sponsors and mentors

·Finding your "why" that will translate to a fulfilling career, post-athletics

·Building a plan to identify the right opportunities, interview, and workplace readiness

Additionally come join us to learn more about our upcoming 7-week Black Beyond Sport workshop series on Self-Development & Career Readiness. The cohort will run 

U Sports Basketball Alumni, Founder HOOPQUEENS

Nakissa Koomalsingh, also known as Keesa K, is the Founder of HOOPQUEENS. Before entering her entrepreneurial journey in July 2020, Nakissa graduated with a Degree in Business Administration and a certificate in Entrepreneurial Finance.

Growing up, she played for the popular YAAACE organization.  Throughout her post-secondary education, she had the privilege of going to school away from home and being a varsity student-athlete. She started her post-secondary journey on the East Coast of Canada in Prince Edward Island attending Holland College. A couple of years later, she completed her post-secondary journey at the University of Nipissing and decided to hang up her jersey after her career-ending ACL injury.

Prior to starting HOOPQUEENS, Nakissa knew there was a niche waiting to be served. There were no spaces specifically for pro and varsity athletes to train and compete, so she created it. Being a former varsity athlete, she understands the struggles of female athletes and knows what they need to be successful in their academic and athletic careers. ​

​Today, Nakissa is focused on using the game of basketball to change the narrative of women in sport. Being a Black woman navigating through race and gender inequities isn't always easy, but Nakissa is on a mission to empower and encourage women to be confident when creating their own lane.

Director of Basketball Operations, Lay-Up Youth Basketball Alumni; NCAA Basketball Alumni

Micaella brings playing experience at the provincial and national level, as well as in the NCAA at the University of Minnesota where she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology. She went on to Kansas State University to complete her Master's in Counseling and Student Development while coaching and assisting in recruiting operations with the Wildcats. Since then, she played professionally overseas and has worked as a National Scout identifying elite talent across Canada. She is currently entering her third year as the Director of Basketball Operations at Lay-Up Youth Basketball.

CSCS Football Canada Worlds Team Player, Seattle Seahawks, NFL Assistant Running Backs Coach; U Sports Track & Field Alumni

Amanda played football for Football Canada Worlds Team in 2017. She also competes in Olympic lifting and holds all Saskatchewan records in snatch and clean and jerk for two weight classes. She was one of the first women to coach football at the USport level as the Running Backs coach at McMaster University where she was also the strength and conditioning coach for the football team.

Coach Ruller had the opportunity to be an assistant Running Backs coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL and had an opportunity to coach this season in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks as the assistant Running Backs Coach as the first female Coach with the Seahawks.

NFL & NCAA Football Alumni Co-Founder & CEO, Amplio Global

Originally from Greensboro, NC, Ed has lived away from home since the 9th grade. He attended Woodberry Forest School in Orange, VA and spent half of his junior year abroad in South Africa. He took a leap of faith and chose to accept a scholarship from Stanford University in 2010. While at Stanford he studied Political Science with a concentration on International Relations. 

He dealt with an ACL tear in spring practice leading into his sophomore year. He took a medical redshirt for that whole season but came back even better. The following season starting at free safety for the Stanford Cardinal, Ed led the nation in defensive TDs (3) and interception return yards (301 yd which is 1 yard off the NCAA all-time record) and went on to named All-PAC-12 first team, 

 All-America second team and Associated Press All-America third team. This really put Ed's name out there nationally and after a successful senior season, Ed was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 5th round in 2014. 

Ed played in Philly for two seasons before moving to Cleveland, OH and playing for the Browns for two more seasons. Another knee injury in 2017 forced Ed to look at other options outside of football. He was a coaching assistant back at his alma mater in 2019 and realized that he really enjoyed the mentorship part of the job, but was done investing all his time into football. He wanted to try new things which led to a couple of years of business development in the real estate space then eventually led him to meet his business partner, Roger Jones, and create Amplio Global, a solution-driven consultant firm with clients and partners all over the world in many different industries.

NCAA Soccer Alumni Sr. Director, Business Intelligence, Canadian Football League (CFL)

Dave Musambi currently works at the Canadian Football League (CFL) as Senior Director of Business Intelligence. In this role he leads their enterprise data strategy and a team of talented data engineers, analytics engineers, and data scientists. He has been with the CFL since October 2018 where he began his journey as Manager, Data Strategy and Team Services. 

He grew up in Ottawa, Ontario playing youth soccer before receiving full D1 athletic scholarship to the University of South Carolina Upstate, before transferring to the University of San Diego. He has since moved to downtown Toronto. He enjoys watching sports, staying active and socializing with friends. He escapes the Toronto winter and lives in Panama during the colder months.

Black Beyond Sport Presents: Influence & Inspiration: Sharing Stories, Providing Perspectives

BTI x OLG Presents: Black History Month Panel: Economic Impact & Financial Literacy

On February 8th, we will feature a panel of financial leaders within the Black community focused on facilitating change and promoting equity through the sharing of knowledge, perspectives, and tools. Our panelists will engage in a meaningful conversation about the economic impact that we’ve experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a financial plan, and the importance of financial literacy within the Black community.

Brian Ford leads OLG’s Operational Risk Management department, with responsibility to build and mature the organization’s operational risk management programs and frameworks needed to support appropriate risk-taking. Brian has built an operational risk department that focuses on helping the organization remove barriers to performance, develop the skills and capacity to manage risk and improve operational efficiencies. 

Prior to joining OLG in May 2019, Brian worked 15 years at CIBC with progressively responsible experience, concluding his role as Director, Operational Risk Management. In this role he was responsible for the design, development, implementation, and governance of the Bank’s Risk Management Portfolio for Technology Operations. 

With more than 30 years of business experience across multiple industries, from telecommunications, satellite communications, wealth management, the stock exchange, and financial institutions, Brian has the experience and ability to deliver on large complex initiatives meeting organizational objectives, optimizing technical investment, and reducing business risk. 

Brian holds professional designations in CRISC, CRM, PMP and an ERM certification from the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies.

Co-Founder & CEO, Miq (Previously known as MICC Financial)

Jonah is the Co-Founder and CEO of Miq, a digital platform that enables communities of interest to pool funds, save and build credit. He's passionate about entrepreneurship and sits on the Startup Zone board of directors. The World Bank accredits Jonah on secured transactions & alternative financing.

Executive Director, SETSI (The Social Economy Through Social Inclusion Coalition)

At the age of 24, Victor Beausoleil Co-Founded Redemption Reintegration Services one of the largest youth-led, youth justice agencies in Canada. In 2013 Victor Beausoleil received his first public service appointment by the Premiere of Ontario Kathleen Wynne as a member of the PCYO (Premiere’s Council on Youth Opportunities). Victor has worked diligently in the broader equity seeking communities across Canada for the past nineteen years.

Victor is currently on the board of directors for the Toronto Community Benefits Network, The Board President of CCEDnet - The Canadian Community Economic Development Network, on the loan review committee for the Fair Finance Fund, on the advisory of the Table of Impact Investment Practitioners, on the advisory of New Power Labs/Marigold Capital and on the board of REAC - the Regional Ethno-Advisory Council for Corrections Services Canada, on the board of the Tribe Network and a Co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Non-Profit Digital Resilience.

The Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, National Post, Share Newspaper and The Caribbean Camera, have all highlighted Victor Beausoleil’s work in communities across Canada. Victor Beausoleil is currently the CEO of Intuit Consulting and the founder and Executive Director of SETSI – The Social Economy Through Social Inclusion Coalition. Victor has written thirteen books and is a Husband and Father of four brilliant children.

Executive Director, Wealth Management Client Segments and Strategy (Canada and USA) at CIBC Wealth

Austin’s professional background is across many areas of banking including Capital Markets, Retail, Strategy and Wealth. Austin holds a degree in political science from Western university and has done graduate studies at the University of Toronto, Colombia University and the University of Alberta in Financial Analysis and Business Management, Economics, and Indigenous Studies. He also holds certificates in Design Thinking and Project Management. 

When not working, Austin enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball, and giving back to the community.

At PEO Leadership, we have a holistic approach to helping you achieve your goals. Based on the Five Key Elements of Success that form the foundation of our methodology, we believe we can increase your performance as a Leader. Achieving leadership and life goals does not have to be complicated! 

The Element of Success we employ are: Personal Relationships, Business, Career, Health and Wealth.

PEO's Leadership program, helps support up and coming individuals in their leadership journey. This year, in collaboration with the Black Talent Initiative, PEO is launching a scholarship program to support 2-Black Leaders. At this event, attendees will hear from trailblazing leaders on their journey and how to leverage the PEO program for success.

PEO Leadership & Black Talent Initiative Presents: Sharing Perspectives on Successful Leadership 

We're kicking off the summer with an in-person BTI Mixer on June 19th to honour Juneteenth! Join us for an evening with our community of members, partners, and volunteers.

Bringing together old and new friends of the BTI, connect with inspiring individuals, build relationships and hear about our vision and future plans for the organization.

*Once registered through the link above, if you do not receive a calendar invite to your inbox, please check your junk mail.

The event will take place at Suite 101-10 Alcorn Ave. Toronto, ON M4V 3A9, at the MH3 Collective's office on the main floor of the building.

There is parking available at Indigo (15 Summerhill Avenue Toronto, ON M4T 3A8) or GreenP Parking 195 (15 Price Street Toronto, ON M4W 1Y7)

 Closest TTC subway station is Summerhill Station.

​Questions prior to the event? Feel free to reach out to us at 

BTI Mixer in Celebration of Juneteenth

Following the murder of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, Black Talent Initiative (BTI) was born out of shared compassion, lived experience, and the desire to reimagine workplaces that are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

In 2021, the House of Commons voted to officially designate August 1st as Emancipation Day, and this marks the Abolition of the Slavery Act.

This year BTI will commemorate Emancipation Day on August 1st. Join us in-person at George Brown College Waterfront Campus for open conversations, thoughtful discussions, networking opportunities, and to hear from incredible speakers.

The event will be held at George Brown College’s Waterfront campus with three sessions + networking and refreshments throughout the afternoon and evening.

We invite you to join us for one or all the following sessions:

Session #1 (3 PM-5 PM): Presentation and discussions

​Session #2 (5 PM-7 PM): Networking Session 

Session #3 (7 PM-9 PM): Presentation and discussions

Featured speakers include Taijah Cox, Shahaddah Jack, Hugh Lawson, Tyjondah Kerr, Joel Scales, Lisa Headley, Jermaine Murray, Kwasi Adu-Poku, Valerie Chelangat, Wilfred Sam-King, and Chadwin Bartley. You don’t want to miss these changemakers, leaders, and voices discussing liberation for Black Canadians.

Stay tuned for speaker announcements and to learn more details about each session! 

Feel free to donate generously to fund our programs and initiatives: 

https://support-bti-on-emancipation-day.raisely.com

*Once registered, if you do not receive a calendar invite to your inbox, please check your junk mail.

BTI Commemorates Emancipation Day

BTI is hosting a networking event with our partner 

 (OLG)! Come and engage in a dynamic gathering where professionals from diverse fields come together to connect, exchange insights, and ignite valuable relationships. This event will provide a unique platform for fostering meaningful connections, sharing knowledge, and exploring a wide array of potential opportunities spanning from Digital, Brand Communications and Sustainability, Lottery and Customer Care, and beyond at OLG.

"Ignite" Room, 6th Floor - 4120 Yonge Street. North York, ON M2P 2C6

Join us for an afternoon of interactive discussions, idea exchange, and the opportunity to expand your professional network. We hope to see you there!

OLG’s purpose is to contribute to a better Ontario by delivering great entertainment experiences for our customers. We are a multi-billion-dollar organization with a wide array of business lines including, lottery, land-based casinos, digital lottery and casino, horseracing, and charitable gaming. OLG is amidst a massive transformation focusing on being customer obsessed and bringing our digital business to a whole new level.

Brand, Communications and Sustainability team is accountable for master brand marketing focused on a strong OLG brand value proposition, essential to OLG’s growth. 

OLG’s Digital team develops and executes on a digital strategy focused on growth, new value creation and speed to the market. This division also provides oversight of land-based gaming operations and manages the relationship with the Horse Racing Industry and partners with the government of Ontario.

OLG’s People and Culture team is accountable for the development and implementation of enterprise workforce strategies that build a diverse, performance-driven culture.

OLG’s Lottery and Customer Care is accountable for giving growth and value of OLG’s Lottery business and informing enterprise and business strategies and priorities.

BTI x OLG Networking Event

The BTI Friday Meetups take place every Friday from 12:30 PM to 1:30 pm ET via Zoom. 

The BTI Friday Meetup aims to be a source of information and inspiration for the Black Talent Initiative community. A space of sharing and learning from amazingly talented leaders within the community focused on impacting change. Each week 50+ members gather to share updates, discussions and hear from our new guest speakers weekly.

Friday Meetup #SpeakerSeries

BTI is hosting an educational networking event with our partner 

, that promises to be both informative and engaging! This collaboration brings together two dynamic organizations committed to fostering knowledge sharing and professional growth within our community.

Programmatic trading is at the heart of MiQ, providing a unique link between commercial and data-centric capabilities. Their traders look beyond numbers, as they uncover insights that help drive results for our clients. 

If you want to learn more about Programmatic Trading, join us at MiQ's Toronto office to meet their trading team who will share their experiences in the ad-tech industry, as well as how programmatic works, how campaigns are created and how data and insights work to move the needle forward for brands.

9th Floor - 60 Adelaide Street East. Toronto, ON. M5C 3E4

This event is open to professionals of all levels, from newcomers eager to learn to seasoned veterans looking to stay at the forefront of industry developments. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge, grow your network, and be a part of a vibrant community of like-minded individuals.

Stay tuned for more updates and speaker announcements, as we approach the event date.

MiQ is a programmatic media partner for marketers and agencies. Their better connected approach to programmatic advertising means MiQ can connect data, discover insights and activate them in high-performance campaigns to deliver real business outcomes for their clients in an increasingly divided world. 

MiQ connects the right people, industry partnerships, and technology in a complete programmatic stack so they can solve your precise business challenges by maximizing the value of your data.