Meet Our Speakers
2021 Speakers
Key Note Speaker
JAHMEELAH GAMBLE
Jahmeelah “Jam” Gamble is an award winning media personality, sought out keynote speaker, and CEO behind “Slay The Mic”, a program that helps aspiring speakers, content creators, and entrepreneurs transform their voice into their ultimate superpower.
Through corporate training, Slay The Mic online course, masterclass events, virtual learning, and private coaching, she has helped over 700 voices learn how to #SlayTheMic. Jam is on a mission to help everyone transform their voice into their ultimate superpower.
Dora Kamau
Panelist
Dora is a 200 hr meditation teacher and wellness artist, who uses meditation as a tool to awaken individuals to the true experience of who they are. Impenetrable and unshaken by the qualms of life, Dora utilizes her own lived experience to guide and host in-person and online gatherings for women to connect through intentional conversations. Over the last 1 year, she has led thousands in meditation with individuals from all over the world. Dora is also the founder of Bliss Your Heart, a nurturing women’s community in Vancouver, in which she’s hosted workshops focused on creating awareness and conversations on self-care, self-love, and mental health. Aside from meditation and Bliss Your Heart, Dora is a registered psychiatric nurse that integrates holistic, trauma-informed practices for women living with substance dependence and mental illness in Vancouver, BC. Her work in the community has aligned her with brands and companies such as Headspace, Insight Timer, NBC, lululemon, Reebok, Saje Natural Wellness, Call It Spring, and many others.
Aisha Addo
Panelist
I’m Aisha Addo and I thrive on working to make the world a better place for women. Although I’m a graduate in Business Administration-Accounting, my true passion and dedication lie in ensuring girls around the world are provided with the guidance and resources that help them identify their true purpose and calling to reach their full potential. I founded Power To Girls Foundation, a non-profit organization to offer young girls the mentors and role models that were absent during my own youth. As an award-winning entrepreneur "MY Power App" the first social connection app for girls to access mentorship and a safe online space is my latest initiative and next steps in empowering girls and women around the world
Dr. Love-Ese Chile
Panelist
Dr. Love-Ese Chile is Founder and Technical Director of circular waste research and testing company Regenerative Waste Labs. As a person who comes from diverse backgrounds both personally and professionally, Dr. Chile is driven to connect people who may not usually come together in order to co-create products and services that will lead our communities into a greener and more equitable future.
Ruthie Unaegbu
Panelist
Ruthie, a Nigerian-Canadian, is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Supervisor (RCC #12132) who wears many hats: actress, doula, fitness and nutrition coach, and website developer. Currently working at a non-profit agency as the Manager of Counselling Services, Ruthie helps parents and caregivers seeking more effective ways of parenting. Ruthie plans to open her own counselling private practice, through which she hopes to support Black people seeking healing, transformation, and validation
Sade Awele
Panelist
Sadé is a multifaceted artist and practicing civil engineer whose heritage played a major role in the carving of her path thus far; a path which intertwines both the sciences and the arts. Having graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering - Concentration in Management, Sadé has since then followed an unconventional path with a second career as a singer, song-writer, and producer with artist name Sadé Awele. Inspired by her Yoruba and Ibo heritage and a family of multitalented individuals, Sadé found her artistic expression in music that ranges from afro-soul to conscious alternative r&b, neo-soul and contemporary r&b. Her music is certainly in a category of its own. Her most recent work includes a series of singles with accompanying music videos available on all music platforms, Youtube & IGTV. Her most anticipated EP project "Time Love Journey", was released in the fall of 2020 and has gained over 200,000 streams since its release. There is so much more to come from her unique sound. One of Sadé's long-term aspirations is to use her knowledge of building materials to influence the construction standards and building codes in Nigeria, and to influence the Nigerian real estate with affordable, modern, multi-purpose buildings.
Nadia Stewart
Speaker
Nadia spent 17 years working as a journalist in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta and B.C. She's currently the manager of media relations and communications at Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver. She also helped relaunch the Canadian Association of Black Journalists (CABJ), serving as Executive Director. This national organization works to counter systematic racism in the media through advocacy and education. Nadia continues to educate and inspire the public through journalism. Her role allows her to invest in the next generation of Black reporters and media experts.
DJ Revy B
DJ
DJ Revy B is one of the premier DJs in Toronto. She mixes old school R&B, Hip Hop, Soca and Dancehall with the vibrant new sounds coming out of Africa. Revy has opened for established artists such as Neo-Soul legend Erykah Badu, Rapper/Singer Jidenna and international sensation Mr.Eazi, She also frequently performs with rising star Nonso Amad as his DJ. Revy is a resident DJ of Gumbo traveling music series and the SUPAFRIK Toronto arts collective. She is the first Afrobeats DJ to be featured by Serato, the number one DJ software company in the world. An accountant by day, she is also the co-founder and producer of She Be Lady, an event that marks International Women’s Day by putting the spotlight on African Women with a live concert and panel discussion.
Thandi
Workshop Facilitator
Michelle St. Hill
Workshop Facilitator
When most people her age are slowing down, Michelle continues to rev up with speed. Having been in the Hair industry for over 40 years, Michelle opened her third salon in 2016 - She is both an Educator/Technical Consultant, and Master Stylist.Her latest salon, “Eddie & Ev, the salon” - is based in the Austin Heights area of Coquitlam, BC where she listens daily to people who have had bad salon experiences because of the texture.
This salon is different, it specializes exclusively in Textured hair. Fact: 65% of the world's population belong to this category. Michelle is adamant to teach the next generation to love and appreciate their hair as it is and to “Not apologize for it!” The Crown Act is real.
You can often find her teaching qualified Salon Professionals, speciality subjects related to textured hair - Both for those who want to keep their hair in its natural condition and for those who want to apply chemicals to change the look semi-permanently.
“The one thing I love about this profession is that it is forever changing” says Michelle “but unfortunately, we just can’t find new talent or people who are wanting to join the craft. Side note; This profession is very rewarding and if you’re really passionate about it, you can earn enough to have a very rewarding future.