We have an excited list of special guest in attendance for the Black Leadership & Recognition Breakfast
Presented by United Way Greater Toronto and the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC / FCN), this breakfast event will explore the theme: ‘Beyond the Decade: Empowering the Next Generation.’
We will discuss the achievements and opportunities for the next generation to build equitable communities. We will present community awards, host a panel discussion, and feature a special guest as a keynote speaker.
You don’t want to miss our special keynote speaker, renowned writer, radio host and TV personality Bee Quammie, and our incredible panellists:
- Denise A. Campbell, Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration (SDFA), City of Toronto
- Paul Bailey, Executive Director, Black Health Alliance
- Faith Edem, Policy Advisor, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Panel Moderator: Len Carby, Wealth Consultant, IG Wealth Management; Board Member of UWGT as well as Peel Regional Police
The event will be hosted by Femi Lawson, esteemed arts advocate, actor, and entertainer.
All of these special guests have shown amazing examples of black leadership in their respective fields, please read below to find full bios!
Don’t miss the chance to reconnect with old friends and network with our Peel, Toronto, and York Region partners.
Limited tickets available. Secure your spot by January 23!
Event Details
Date: Friday, February 2nd, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport- Near Pearson Airport
Ticket per person: $75 (Click here to purchase tickets)
SPECIAL GUEST BIOS
Keynote Speaker
Bee Quammie
Renowned writer, radio host and TV personality
Bee Quammie is a multimedia storyteller: a writer, radio host, TV personality, and public speaker. She has written for publications like The Globe and Mail, Men’s Health, Today’s Parent, Macleans, and more. She has hosted radio shows on Flow 98.7FM and am 640 Toronto and has been a featured commentator on shows like CityTV’s Cityline, CBC’s The National, and CTV’s The Social. Bee regularly writes and speaks on topics like race and culture, parenting, mental health, pop culture, and more, and her debut book, The Book of Possibilities, will be published by Penguin Canada in 2025. Bee resides in the GTA with her two daughters.
MC/ Host
Femi Lawson
Esteemed arts advocate, actor, and entertainer. He has not only made a mark on the international stage but has also dedicated over 15 years to community activism, advocating for newcomers and individuals involved with the criminal justice system.
Femi’s educational journey reflects his commitment to both arts’ education and criminology. With a master’s degree focused on Environmental Studies with a focus on Arts Education and Youth, coupled with a bachelor’s degree in criminology, he embodies a unique intersection of creativity and social consciousness.
Delving into his past community endeavors, Femi served as the Creative Director for the Nia Center of the Arts, a role where he channeled his creative vision to foster artistic expression and cultural enrichment. His commitment to rehabilitation was further evident through his work with incarcerated youth via Fernie Youth Services, where he contributed to creating positive pathways for young individuals within the justice system. Femi also played a pivotal role on the board of ArtReach Ontario, distributing over half a million dollars’ worth of grants to support diverse artistic projects.
In the entertainment sphere, Femi Lawson wears many hats. He is making noise in the acting world with his tv debut in a series called Rich Africans featuring Michael Blackson on Amazon prime. And in 2023 two projects he featured in got into the world-famous Toronto International Film Festival and received high praise. Femi’s vibrant personality has also solidified him as a luminary sought out host, having achieved the groundbreaking milestone of being the first Canadian host of Afro nation. This festival, recognized as the biggest worldwide Afrobeat celebration, boasts headliners such as Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, and more. Femi’s role in Afronation not only showcased his entertainment prowess but also underscored his commitment to fostering cultural exchange through music and celebration.
Beyond the spotlight, Femi remains deeply connected to his roots, frequently returning to Lagos, Nigeria, to understand and celebrate his cultural heritage. His dedication to cultural exchange extends to Ghana, where he immersed himself with the youth of Jamestown. In this vibrant community, Femi collaborated closely with the young residents, capturing the spirit of their experiences through a documentary attached above. Locally his upbringing in the Jane and finch community allowed him to overcome systemic barriers and help advocate for the injustices and be a light to the youth who come after him.
Panel Moderator
Len Carby
Wealth Consultant, IG Wealth Management; Board Member of UWGT as well as Peel Regional Police
Len Carby has record of over 20 years of community service in Canada and abroad, Len Carby is driven to serve his community by bringing practical and innovative social leadership. He understands the challenges and opportunities facing the Region of Peel, and desires to position the growing region to confront them by offering new ideas to make his community a caring, inclusive and welcoming place, where residents feel safe to live, work and raise their families.
Len is member of the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee at the Peel Regional Police and a member of the We Rise Together Steering Committee with the Peel District School Board. He has volunteered with United Way of Peel Region, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario–Black Leadership Health Summit, Jamaica Consul General Citizenship Committee, Cuso International and was a founding board member of the Federation of Black Canadians. Len was a candidate for Peel Regional Council in the 2010 Municipal election.
Len is currently a Senior Financial Consultant at IG Wealth Management. Previously, he held positions as a Financial Planner at RBC Royal Bank, Financial Advisor at Versatile Financial Group and managed an Associate General Agency with PPI Solutions. Prior to this, Len worked in Information Technology.
Len holds a Fellow at the Life Management Institute (FLMI), a Personal Financial Planner (PFP) accreditation from the Canadian Securities Institute, a BBA from the University of Technology in Jamaica, and an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.
Len lives and works in Peel Region. Len was the Chair of our Black Community Advisory Council from 2012-2018 and continues to be an active member.
Our Black Leadership Panelists
Paul Bailey
Executive Director, Black Health Alliance
Paul Bailey 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.
Faith Edem
Policy Advisor, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Faith Edem is a leader in sustainability, she is currently a Policy Advisor in Environment and Climate Change Canada engaging on international trade policy. Faith has an array of expertise in trade, climate finance, energy policy, net-zero emission, building sector and decarbonization. She has been recognized as a 2023 Clean50 Emerging Leader, 2022 Aspen Institute Future Leader, 2021 Corporate Knight 30 under 30 Sustainability Leader and a Circularity 2021 Emerging Leader. Faith is a policy researcher, published climate resilience author and diversity and inclusion actor. She is passionate about shaping evidence-based projects and opportunities to support an intergenerational approach to ambitious action.
Denise A. Campbell
Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration (SDFA), City of Toronto
Denise Andrea Campbell is a purpose-driven executive leader with a successful history of delivering transformational change on social justice issues. A seasoned public servant, in 2019, Denise became the Executive Director of the Social Development, Finance and Administration Division at the City of Toronto where she leads a passionate team of community developers, funders, youth workers, researchers and policy writers to help make Toronto a safer, more equitable and just city. Among leading social equity work like the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism and the Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy, Denise and her team just launched the ground-breaking Toronto Community Crisis Service for people experiencing mental health crises as part of Toronto’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, SafeTO.
Before joining the City of Toronto, Denise worked internationally on race and gender policies in numerous United National Forums and the African Union, and nationally, developing equity and community investment strategies. She’s received numerous awards for these efforts, including Who’s Who in Black Canada, Women of Distinction and Harry Jerome Awards for leadership and service and in 2021, being named one of Toronto Life’s most influential Torontonians. Denise is an avid media spokesperson, a former TV host, and an author and photographer. Her most challenging role came in 2018 with the birth her of twin boys, Zander and Zion with her husband, His Worship, Justice of the Peace, Bentley Springer.
Denise holds a Masters of Voluntary Sector Management from McGill University and completed her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies at the University of Ottawa and University of Toronto.
Join us in recognizing black leadership in the GTA!
We hope to see you there. Don’t miss your chance to purchase your tickets.
