Meet our 2023 Speakers
Kamika Williams
As President and Co-Founder of Ninandotoo Society Kamika plays an active role within the organization. She has a strong background in business, finance, and hospitality and uses those skills to provide business strategies that support the organizations direction and growth.
Kamika currently works for the Ministry of Education and Child Care as a Project Coordinator on the "erase" portfolio, which is all about building safe and caring school communities. Kamika's own experience with racism and going through the criminal justice system as a youth is what drives her to fight for systemic change.
In 2021 Kamika initiated and mobilized advocacy around Black Excellence Day to mark the civil rights struggles of Black Canadians and to push for more Black history in the school curriculum. For this achievement, she was the recipient of the 2021 'Hands Against Racism' award.
Shiren Van Cooten
Ms. Shiren began her teaching journey in earnest four years ago, expanding her focus to encompass African Diaspora Studies for two, and has been developing a curriculum for kids and teens around this theme. She has found a connection to a very personal journey through this path, allowing her to dig into the nooks and crannies of history that have always been there, but that have not been common knowledge, readily available, easy to access, and in some cases, purposely concealed.
One of her lessons from this course revolves around Black hair. In addition to understanding her own history through her work, she has also had to rebuild a connection to her own hair, also finding that, like our history, our hair has become a 'foreign object' of sorts that we have to find our way back to after some of our own journeys in to the self-identity 'wilderness'. She is happy to share what she has learned on her own journey with others on the path.
Haeley Mariah
Haeley Mariah is a passionate and dedicated Holistic Health Coach, Speaker and Writer specializing in mind-body development. With a mission to empower individuals to take control of their health and discover their innate capacity for healing and growth. Haeley uses a unique holistic approach and strives to create a supportive and nurturing environment where her clients can thrive physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Whether you're seeking to reach your personal fitness goals, improve your nutrition, manage your stress, enhance your overall well-being or unite your team of individuals. Haeley is there to guide you on your transformative journey towards a vibrant and balanced life.
Tasha Lorenzen-Ewing
Tasha Lorenzen-Ewing (she/her) is an in-house counsel for the Hospital Employees' Union and earned her law degree from Thompson Rivers University in 2021. While at TRU, Tasha was a member of and then, during her third year, President of the TRU Black Law Students' Association. In this role, Tasha worked alongside other equity seeking groups to advocate for progress in the TRU Faculty of Law, specifically for increased supports for students from historically marginalized communities. For this and other work, Tasha received the Law Foundation Public Interest Award.
Prior to law school, Tasha earned her Masters in Gerontology and worked with seniors in the non-profit sector where her passion for public interest work grew. Currently, Tasha is on the Executive of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and is a member of the BC Canadian Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community and Elder Law Sections. Tasha is passionate about making public interest and access to justice a cornerstone of her work and continues to seek out opportunities to engage in such initiatives.
Bernice Auma
Bernice Auma is an accomplished professional with a diverse background. As a Business Analyst at StemCell Technologies, she optimizes processes and drives strategic decision-making. Her previous roles include Business Analyst at MTU Maintenance Canada and the Government of Alberta. Bernice is also a consultant at SimplyPro consulting which she founded. Her volunteer work includes raising awareness about kidney transplants through the Joab Transplant Journey and Transplanted Kenya. Bernice uses her expertise, adaptability, and commitment to make a positive impact in the world.
Kaya Marriott
Kaya Marriott is a Vancouver-based creator with a deep love for community and storytelling.
Starting as a Natural Hair blogger in 2016, her platform has since expanded to share lifestyle content, beauty tips, seeing her partner with brands like Olay, and practical advice for fellow creators, but has seen her partner with Google, become a founding member of Pinterest Canada's 2021 Creator Class, and more.
Bianca Europe
Fitness Coach, Spin Instructor and Motivational speaker Bianca is in the pursuit of writing her story while living out her dreams. Born and raised in a small city she grew up dancing and trained like an athlete from a young age. Through winning competitions, dance scholarships and training intensives Bianca had the opportunity to travel and perform throughout Canada and the U.S. After attending Concordia University majoring in Contemporary Dance Bianca traveled for dance to work and perform in LA, New York and Mexico.
Bianca's passion for music and performance led to the spin studio, and the spin studio amplified the coach within. Today Bianca is building a name for herself as a fitness Coach on and off the Bike. The foundation of her coaching style is to develop your mental fitness and endurance through movement. Founder of the Bianca Europe Company Coach B tag line "Be your work" from the inside out! She believes everyday is a gift to start anew and known to say “This is just the beginning!”. Her energy is contagious and elevating her clients mind and spirit comes naturally. Be your work is all about applying pressure to your personal growth while tapping into your inevitable greatness. No better time like the present moment to start training like the athlete that you are!
Elle Wayara
Elle Wayara is the daughter of Kenyan immigrants who is grateful to have been born and raised on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, also known as Vancouver. Elle completed her nursing undergrad at Queen’s and her Master of Public Health through UVic, creating career opportunities that have been centred in health, equity, and well-being Currently, Elle works as a Mental Health Care Coordinator through First Nations Health Authority. As well, Elle has been involved with Black Women Connect Vancouver for almost 4 years, a non-profit collective that aims to create opportunities of connection and community for Black women and femmes in the Lower Mainland.
Makita Wiggins
Makita Wiggins is an immigrant to Canada from the island of Barbados. She is Registered as a Clinical Counsellor and Counselling Therapist in British Columbia and Alberta respectively. She owns and operates a virtual private practice clinic and has over six years experience in the counselling field. Makita works with young adults, adults, and couples, who are interested in learning to cope with life’s challenges. She is committed to anti oppressive values in her practice and actively works to disrupt power in the therapy room, while being responsible and accountable to the communities she serves. Her approach is non-pathologizing, and respects the dignity and agency of BIPOC in all our intersections.
Asha Wheeldon
Asha Wheeldon is a passionate Plant-Based food maker and community builder, known for her work as the founder of Kula Foods and co-founder of Chop It Up. Originally from Kenya, Asha migrated to Toronto at 11 years old, where she was exposed to a wide range of Caribbean, West African, and Middle Eastern cuisine and culture. After moving to Vancouver, Asha found herself searching for spices, food, and ingredients that reminded her of home, which ultimately inspired her to found Kula Foods.
Kula, which means "eat" in Kiswahili, is focused on bringing people together through food. At the heart of the organization is a mission of community nourishment and a commitment to a sustainable future for all. Asha's dedication to sustainability is reflected in the products offered by Kula Foods, which are made with natural and locally sourced ingredients.
In addition to her work with Kula Foods, Asha is also co-hosting Chop It Up, a plant-based cooking series and podcast on a mission to share food stories of community members in the Greater Vancouver Area. Through her work with Chop It Up, Asha is promoting the growth of a plant-based community and encouraging more people to adopt a plant-based lifestyle