Blessing Akpan (She/Her) is a certified Scrum Master and Human Resources Professional with over a decade experience from Nigeria and now Canada. Blessing holds an M.Sc degree in Finance and Economics from the University of East Anglia, UK, postgraduate certificate in Human Resources Management from Conestoga College and professional certificates in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from University of South Florida. 

Blessing has served in both private and public sectors mainly as a management consultant and learning facilitator. She is currently the Community Impact Director with Waterloo Region Community Foundation. Within her role, she supports the foundation’s mission of creating sustainable, equitable and thriving communities by granting, impact investing and convening conversations. 

Blessing is very community oriented, and passionate about helping people; she volunteers with several organizations including service on the Boards of Rising Oaks Early Learning Ontario and Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo (NIROW). 

What led you to your current (career, art, activism)?
I’ve always been passionate about humanity, our development and sustainable wealth creation that delivers value and is equitably distributed. Over time, I’ve gravitated towards roles in these areas that fulfill my personal and professional mandate. As life and learning evolves, I’ve tried to keep up to date all with the singular focus of contributing value by supporting people around me. If they thrive, so do I; and vice versa.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is a call to remember my identity and walk in it. Not the one inputted by colonial masters or propagated by erroneous media publications fueling harmful perceptions; but the truth of my history, descended from a race of people noted for industry, enlightenment, royalty, community and growth. With this identity, I am called to stand on the shoulders of these giants to do better. Stand tall and proud, representing these excellent values in my work, relationships, and life.

What are you most proud of accomplishing?
LIVING! Dusting myself off everyday and living in my truth and my values. Learning where I’ve failed and striving ever forward!

Why do you think it’s important to be an ally to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?

Being passionate about humanity for me is all encompassing with no labels. We are all disadvantaged in one form of the other, and at the same time have some privilege in one way or the other. As a member of a discriminated group myself I know how appreciative I am knowing that there is someone else who genuinely cares, is speaking up for me, and standing in the gap for me. Isn’t this what is at the heart of community? Contributing our individual strengths for a communal whole? For if it rains on one roof it rains on us all!

What’s on your playlist right now? 

Lift Me Up by Rihanna. (Nigerian Artiste Tems is one of the Song Writers!)

Social media or contact information

Linkedin

Colleen James (She/Her)

Colleen James was elected to Regional Council in October 2022, representing City of Kitchener residents.

Colleen’s professional career includes more than 15 years of experience in municipal government at both the city and regional levels. As the founder of Divonify Incorporated, Colleen is a leading consultant on equity and inclusion. Locally, nationally, and internationally, Colleen partners with a wide range of public, private, and not-for-profit organizations and businesses that are committed to change.

Colleen’s values are central to her work as a leader. These values determine her approach to making decisions as a Councillor on behalf of the community. These values include building trusted relationships; having equity-informed community discussions; listening and collaborating; empowering and amplifying; taking meaningful action, and being accountable.

Colleen graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours B.A in history, political science, and Caribbean studies. She holds a master’s degree in leadership, higher, and adult education from U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).

In 2020, the Canada International Black Women Event, named Colleen one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch. In 2021, she was named one of the Top 25 Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Persons of the Year by the Canadian Multicultural Group.

Colleen is a graduate of Leadership Waterloo Region and serves on several local boards and committees, including the Kitchener Public Library (2020-2022), KW Oktoberfest (2020-present) and the selection committee for Leadership Waterloo Region (2019-present). She is also involved in many collaborative community projects, including the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, where she established the James STEM scholarship.

Born and raised in Kitchener, Colleen’s family immigrated to Waterloo Region more than 50 years ago. She currently lives in Kitchener with her partner Daren and daughter Maleigha.

What led you to your current (career, art, activism)?

A clear recognition that there are perspectives and narratives that were not part of important decision-making tables. I want to change that. It’s critical that all voices are heard when determining the future of our community.

Who are some of your influential authors or books to read?

Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man. I read it in high school for an English project. It stuck with me because it highlighted the Black experience in society. It was the first time I was able to validate some of what I was experiencing. Being in spaces and not being seen or heard. It also addressed racism and societal impacts.

I am currently reading DEI Deconstructed by Lily Zheng. I am reading this as it provides insights into the ways organizations can address DEI. It is a pragmatic approach to organizational change.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

To me Black History Month means Black joy. It’s a time to celebrate accomplishments and recognize the perspectives and narratives that compliment the spaces that we’re in; the contributions of Black people in society. It’s also a time for me to reflect on the parts of our history that have been erased. It’s a reminder that Black history and heritage should be – and must be – celebrated all year around.

What are you most proud of accomplishing?

It’s hard for me to pick just one… my daughter; my education; owning and operating a business; being a Regional Councillor – to name a few. Nothing has come easy for me. There have been many times when I was told no. But, I didn’t let that stop me!

Describe a scene from your vision of the future for Waterloo Region.

A community where everyone feels like they are seen, heard, and valued for who they are and what they bring to the spaces they choose to be in. I want Waterloo Region to be a place where everyone thrives.

What’s on your playlist right now?

90’s RnB Music!

Social media or contact information:

Instagram

Twitter

Ajirioghene Evi-Cobbinah (She/Her)
BA, BSW, MSW

Ajirioghene Evi (pronounced Ah-Jiri-Or-Ganeh) (she/her) is the Executive Director at Kind Minds Family Wellness and the Community Engagement Specialist at the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies. Ajirioghene holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Social Development Studies and a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from the University of Waterloo. She also has a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Western University.

Her Child Welfare background started with direct child protection work with survivors and perpetrators of domestic and intimate partner violence. However, it was not long before she started working with Black and racialized service recipients due to the culturally inclusive lens and approaches to her work, especially with Newcomers to Canada, via a proactive and preventative engagement in the community.

Ajirioghene volunteers in an inaugural role as Executive Director of a Black-led Not-For-Profit
organization, Kind Minds Family Wellness (KMFW), nominated as a 2022 Agency of Excellent by the United Way Waterloo Region Communities. As the Executive Director, she oversees the administration, programs, and strategic plans of KMFW.

In 2022, Ajirioghene was selected as a recipient of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch from the Canada International Black Women Excellence. An award for her outstanding achievement and a great testimony of the impact she, her work, and her accomplishments have on the people who witness this around her. In 2021, Ajirioghene was recognized and nominated for the Master of Social Work Field Instructor Award by Wilfrid Laurier University. This award was for her invaluable mentorship of Master of Social Work students and contribution to field education.

What led you to your current (career, art, activism)?

As a Black-identified social worker passionate about working with individuals, families, groups, or communities that are culturally diverse and not necessarily the celebrated norm, I depend on this dynamic force mixed with action to ensure that I am sitting in spaces to speak to gaps, identify needs and work with systems to bring about the change in a timely and effective method. I achieve this via the cross-cultural leadership skills that allow me to assume several roles in the community, from working and supporting grassroots work and initiatives for deserving equity groups to engaging and educating private and corporate entities on how to dismantle systemic racism and promote equitable outcomes for their clients and service recipients.

Who are some of your influential authors or books to read?
They include:
-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
-Wole Shoyinka
-Maya Angelou
-Chinua Achebe

What are you most proud of accomplishing?
Recently, it would be founding a Black-led and Black-serving establishment during the pandemic to address the immediate and long-term needs of Black-identified communities in the Waterloo Region and being recognized as one of Canada’s 100 Black Women to Watch of 2022.

Why do you think it’s important to be an ally to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?
As a cross-cultural leader (acting as a bridge in the conversations needed to increase awareness and acceptance of 2SLGBTQ+ issues) of African descent who had to start my learning journey as an international social work student many years ago, I have appreciated that being an ally and co-conspirator to the 2SLGBTQ+ community means being susceptible and openly acknowledging that I do not have all the answers and that I do not have the experiences of members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This means having empathy rather than sympathy, which goes a long way toward improving behaviours and creating a supportive community. Learning about the 2SLGBTQ+ community is essential to unpack all the historical baggage(s) associated with sexual orientation and gender identity!
 
Everyone should use their voices and opinions to support members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community who are targeted by oppression. As a Black professional, understanding the plight of Black-identifying members of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities is also where I use my positionality and access to ensure that I speak to solidarity, collectivity, intersectionality, and identity, as well as resistance to discrimination and violence.

Social media or contact information:
LinkedIn