Mental health ups and downs come with any job and there’s no shame in talking about that. However, with Men’s mental health the stigma runs deep within our culture and often follows us to the workplace. So come sit down with our all-male panel to discuss the shifting culture and stigma around Black men’s mental health. By the end of this workshop, attendees will understand how to properly advocate for their own mental health and their brothers, while prioritizing their mental well-being and need for support regardless of the stigma.

Troy Crossfield, CEO of Crossfield House Productions (CHP), is a seasoned playwright, writer, and film producer with over 7 years of experience. Renowned for crafting soul-stirring narratives, his work has earned him accolades such as the 2018 People’s Choice Award for Stage Production of the Year.

Dr. Warren Clarke is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba in the Anthropology department, focusing on sociocultural anthropology. His research is tied to Youth Cultures; Black Studies; Social Citizenship; Neoliberalism/Gentrification; Race and Ethnicity; Anti-Colonialism; and Masculinity.

Drice Tchomba is a 4th year resident in psychiatry at the University of Montreal. He completed the first year of PharmD at University Laval and his entire medical doctorate at the University of Sherbrooke. His passion for social issues regarding equity, diversity and inclusion led him to actively invest himself in the EDI Comity of the Psychiatry Department of UdeM in order to promote more culturally sensitive care.

Jonathan (he/him) is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in the financial sector. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Jonathan is passionate about fostering inclusive work environments that drive business success, stronger community relationships, and a unique company culture.

Learn how to pitch like a pro in this in-depth workshop on how to score the partnership of your dreams. We’ll equip you with the tools and tactics you need to make your brand stand out in a crowded market while you seal the deal with confidence. Say goodbye to cold calls and missed opportunities – this workshop will have you attracting brand deals like a magnet, leaving you with endless collaboration possibilities.

Monique Taylor-Yee Shui is a dynamic content creator with nearly a decade of experience in the influencer industry. Known for her authentic and creative approach, Monique has built a thriving brand that spans lifestyle, fashion, recipes, home decor, DIYs, travel, wellness, and beauty.

We've been here. Building a team takes a lot of time and consideration, but have you been considering your teams diversity? Join us for an eye-opening discussion on circumventing HR struggles in finding and recruiting diverse candidates. Discover the mindset shifts and structural approaches needed to thoughtfully boost diversity within your company. From reformatting job descriptions to implementing inclusive hiring practices, attendees will learn the keys to unlocking untapped talent pools.

Tenisha Younge Wint is a Founder, Principle Consultant and Advisor in BIPOC Talent and Equity Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Advisory at The "How" Strategy. An award-winning EDI Strategist and with a distinguished track record in orchestrating and advancing EDI strategic planning.

Driven by her passion for people and inspiring projects, Vanessa Mesidor has charted an unconventional career path that has allowed her to connect with individuals across various professional sectors. This diverse experience has sharpened her ability to foster creativity and embrace diversity in her daily work.

Vivian Kaye is an immigrant, college dropout, and single mom who bootstrapped KinkyCurlyYaki, a premium textured hair extensions brand for Black women, into a multimillion-dollar empire. As a vibrant keynote speaker and media personality, she bridges the worlds of big and small business, combining Gary Vee's hustle with Oprah's heart.

As the Chief Operating Officer of HOVR, a pioneering rideshare company based in Toronto, Muna Abdi is driven by a passion for innovation, equity, and community-focused values. With over a decade of experience in business, Muna has dedicated her career to creating inclusive opportunities for marginalized communities and advancing diversity and inclusion in the tech and business sectors.

Sabaa Quao is the Chief Creative and Innovation Officer at Cossette, Canada's largest integrated marketing and advertising agency. Cossette's work reaches 95% of the Canadian population every day. With a wealth of diversified experiences, Sabaa brings a unique and forward-thinking perspective to Cossette's marketing innovation and creative output.

Tseli Moshabesha is a global partnerships strategist with over 10 years of experience managing projects at the intersection of strategic partnerships, climate and biodiversity policy, and stakeholder engagement. Known for being proactive and forward-thinking, she consistently delivers exceptional results in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Whether you're pivoting careers or seeking to cultivate resilience and self-development, taking that leap to transitioning in your career, or even just starting out, can be hard to navigate. This workshop is packed full of insights on self-empowerment, finding purpose-driven work, and landing in the right industry fit. Attendees will leave ready to unleash their full potential and thrive in their career path with confidence, clarity, and success.

Amy Sylla is a multifaceted professional, balancing her role as an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisor at CBC with her coaching and artistic career as a professional dancer. Hailing from France with Senegalese roots, she is a passionate speaker recognized for her engaging storytelling and dedication to empowering others.

Sponsored by BDC, this roundtable will spotlight the challenges Black entrepreneurs encounter, such as limited access to capital and networks. The discussion will focus on how a collective mindset and community-driven support can bridge these gaps. By enhancing access to vital resources, we can empower Black business owners to thrive. This event will bring together successful entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and key stakeholders to share insights and develop actionable strategies for creating a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial landscape.

Nicole Antoine is the CEO of NA&Co and the co-founder and CEO of ‘Four Brown Girls,’ where she combines her expertise in marketing and leadership to drive meaningful change. With a background in customer service, management, and strategy, Nicole’s passion for making an impact shines through in every step of her journey.

As Regional Manager for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Sola Oluwole works with BDC teams and with partner organizations to connect diverse entrepreneurs with programs and the network help their businesses grow and thrive.

Three exceptional Black tech entrepreneurs will take the main stage in a compelling pitch competition, each vying for a $10,000 grant powered by DMZ. Boss Up & Pitch highlights the innovation and creativity of emerging Black talent in the tech sector, showcasing their entrepreneurial ventures and unique solutions. The finalists will present their groundbreaking business ideas, demonstrating their potential to create impact and drive change within their communities. Join us to witness their pitches and support the next generation of Black leaders in technology.

It’s time to take a seat and let the wisdom flow. Join us for an inspiring discussion on generational knowledge, featuring insights from accomplished Black professional women. Dive into the stories, strategies, and financial literacy lessons that have been passed down through generations, empowering the next wave of leaders. Together, we'll explore the invaluable transfer of knowledge and financial acumen within the Black professional community. Let’s bridge the generational gap, unlock the power of shared wisdom, and equip ourselves with the tools to thrive. Prepare to leave feeling empowered, enlightened, and ready to bloom.

Ashley McKenzie-Barnes is an award-winning Creative Director, Curator and Academic Professor with over 20 years of integrated experience in design, cultural programming, education, and visual and public art. She has worked in the advertising, media/broadcasting, entertainment, publishing, corporate, and non-profit sectors.

Christine Scott is a senior business leader with over 27 years of experience in Marketing and Communications, focusing on agency environments. Her work has spanned across the world, including the US, the UK and Asia, and she has led the strategic charge for some of the biggest brands on earth.

Lea Trotman is a Senior Manager in MNPs consulting practice, where she is a leader in the Strategy and People Advisory Practice and leads MNP’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) consulting practice. Lea has extensive experience helping organizations in Canada implement meaningful change successfully.

There’s no mistaking, DJ Lissa Monet rocks parties. And although she is somewhat selective of the events she spins at, she is pretty versatile and open minded about the events she is hired for. Lissa has been influenced by musical legends mixed along with music from her Caribbean upbringing and a unique passion for album liner notes.

Step into this dynamic roundtable where we’ll break down how homeownership can be a powerful tool for building generational wealth in Black communities. We’ll dive into real-world strategies for navigating the housing market, boosting financial literacy, and overcoming barriers to create lasting legacies for future generations.

A real estate visionary from the very beginning, Jasmine Lee has been thriving in the industry since 2004 garnering over $230,000,000.00 & counting in property sales. Her many years of experience have fine tuned her expertise in an ever-changing market conditions and certified her in many different areas of real estate, making her a wealth of knowledge to clients and peers alike.