Dr. Jason Drew Harrow (Kardinal Offishall)

Dr. Jason Drew Harrow (Kardinal Offishall)

Jason Drew Harrow better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall is a Canadian rapper and record producer. Often credited as Canada's "hip hop ambassador", he has been regarded as one of the country's most prominent hip hop producers during the 2000s and is distinctive for his reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip hop.

A native of Toronto, Harrow began his career in the city's mid-1990s underground hip hop scene, when he formed the hip hop group the Circle. He released his debut studio album, Eye & I (1997) and extended play (EP), Husslin' (2000) independently before signing with MCA Records in 2000. His second album and major label debut, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 (2001), moderately entered the Canadian Albums Chart and was supported by his first Canadian Singles Chart entries: "Ol' Time Killin'" and "BaKardi Slang"—the latter of which popularized Toronto's nickname "T-dot". He failed to release the album's sequel on MCA, in part due to the label's absorption by Geffen Records prior to its release. Harrow's third album, Fire and Glory (2003), was released by Virgin Records; despite widespread critical praise, it was met with commercial stagnation and became his only release with the label.

He then signed with Senegalese-American singer Akon's record label KonLive Distribution, an imprint of Geffen Records in 2007 to release his fourth album, Not 4 Sale (2008). Its lead single, "Dangerous" (featuring Akon) peaked at number two on the then-newly established Canadian Hot 100, number five of the US Billboard Hot 100, and received quadruple platinum certification by Music Canada (MC). The song yielded his furthest commercial success, and was followed by his guest performance alongside Colby O'Donis on Akon's single "Beautiful" that same year, which peaked within the top 20 of the latter chart. Not 4 Sale debuted at number eight on the Canadian Albums Chart, number 40 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the Canadian Hot 100-top 40 single "Numba 1 (Tide Is High)" (featuring Keri Hilson or Rihanna), which received gold certification by MC. His 2010 single, "Body Bounce" (featuring Akon), peaked within the top 20 of the chart and received platinum certification, although he parted ways with KonLive later that year.

An independent artist once more, he formed the record label Black Stone Colleagues shortly after, although in 2013, Harrow was named the creative executive director of Universal Music Canada's A&R division. Two years later, he released his fifth album, Kardi Gras, Vol. 1: The Clash (2015) to moderate success. In April 2021, he was promoted to senior vice-president of A&R for Universal Music Canada.

Patricia DeGuire

Patricia DeGuire

Patricia DeGuire, the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, is a distinguished Black woman dedicated to public service, mentoring, coaching, and legal education. Her multifaceted expertise as a professional adjudicator, arbitrator, mediator, and coach is complemented by her scholarly achievements, holding a Fellow of Chartered Insurance Professionals of Canada – Claims Major, and co-authoring and co-editing the first Canadian Insurance Dictionary. Patricia is a constitutional law scholar, and an avid mentor and coach for young people and adults in the legal, medical, and other professions. Patricia is the recipient of many awards for her mentorship and public service.

Patricia's illustrious career includes serving as a Deputy Judge with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, SCC Division, and over 25 years of service on provincial and federal tribunals. In 2023, she received the designation of Kings Counsel (K.C.).

She is a trailblazer in fostering inclusivity, co-founding the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and the Black Law Students' Association of Canada. Patricia's global influence extends to lecturing at international law forums and advocating for the educational empowerment of marginalized youths. She spearheaded the Julius Alexander Isaac Scholarship and the Juanita Westmoreland Scholarships at Windsor Law Scholarships, and an active supporter of the Julius Alexander Diversity Moot.

Patricia's numerous accolades, including the prestigious BLSA Canada 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award and the esteemed CBA 2020 Touchstone Award, underscore her transformative impact within the legal community. Recognized for her unwavering commitment to justice, she has been honoured with awards such as the 2006 Law Society of Ontario (then LSUC) Lincoln Alexander Award, Legal Aid Ontario's 2007 GEM Award, and the OBA Distinguished Service Award.

An emblem of inspiration, Patricia DeGuire epitomizes resilience and an unyielding dedication to a more just and equitable society. Through her exemplary leadership, steadfast advocacy, and mentorship, she continues to shape a brighter future for generations to come.

Mark Beckles

Mark Beckles

Mark has over 25 years’ experience in financial services, Mark has executive leadership experiences in banking, insurance, risk management and non-profit leadership.

Mark leads the strategic execution of RBC’s community investment initiatives with a focus on Skills for Thriving Future and Driving more Equitable Prosperity. Mark also leads stakeholder relations to cultivate and maintain key relationships across Canada including policy makers, partners and stakeholders to advance RBC’s community investment priorities.

Mark previously served as Head, RBC Insurance Advice Centre, responsible for over 500 licensed insurance advisors who provide insurance advice and solutions to 750,000 RBC Insurance clients across Canada and served as Regional Vice President, Retail Banking at RBC with market responsibility for North Mississauga and Scarborough.

He also has significant non-profit leadership experience, most notably as President & CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada)

He currently serves as a board member of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and chairs the audit and finance committee. He is serves on the board of Fulbright Canada. Most recently, he was Vice Chair and Board member of the William Osler Health System. He also serves on the advisory committee of the Lincoln M. Alexander Award, Global Skills Opportunity and The Canadian Multicultural LEAD Organization.

In 2011, Mark received the City of Toronto Bob Marley Award for his commitment to diversity and City Building. He was also recognized for his work in support of the Canadian Sickle Cell Network. In 2012 he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for community volunteerism.

In 2015, Mark received the Harry Jerome Award for Professional Excellence. In 2016 Mark received the Barbados 50 Independence honors for community service and in 2017, Mark was awarded the African Canadian Achievement Award for Leadership and Management.

Mark holds an MBA in International Business from the University of Bradford and has completed executive programs with Richard Ivey School of Business and holds the Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D).

Leslie Woo

Leslie Woo

Leslie Woo CRE® is a respected city leader with over 25 years of experience building sustainable communities and shaping urban development in Canada’s fastest-growing urban region, greater Toronto. Leslie is a tri-sector athlete with experience convening and co-creating with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She is a seasoned urban planner, architect and tireless community activator. At CivicAction Leslie has been building leadership programs that are building the next generation of civic-minded leaders. As CEO at CivicAction since 2020, Leslie leads this powerful apolitical organization that moves between all sectors to make progress on impactful solutions to pressing urban crises.

Before joining CivicAction, Leslie was Chief Planning and Development Officer at the Greater Golden Horseshoe regional transit authority, Metrolinx, for over 12 years, responsible for the strategic planning and public policy for a historic public investment of $60B in transit expansion. She is a Board Director at Waterfront Toronto (since 2021), Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care (since 2022), and the Urban Land Institute’s Curtis Infrastructure Global Advisory Board (2020-2023).

Leslie has been recognized as a 2023 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award Recipient; one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2017 (by WXN); Spacing Toronto’s Transit Changemaker in 2016 and Canada’s Women’s Infrastructure Network’s inaugural 2015 Outstanding Leader. Founder of shebuildscities.org, Leslie uses her voice and platform to amplify and celebrate other women city builders.

Leslie is a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto and a member of the Advisory Board of the Social Purpose Real Estate Accelerator at the Infrastructure Institute, University of Toronto. Leslie holds a graduate degree in Planning, and undergraduate degrees in Architecture and Environmental Studies, from the University of Waterloo.

Leslie was born in St. Augustine, Trinidad and is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain.

OnyX

OnyX

Onyx Initiative is a non-profit organization founded by entrepreneurs and philanthropists Wayne and Nigela Purboo in the wake of the 2020 global social justice movement and the subsequent call to action. The organization was established on the simple premise that anyone seeking meaningful employment and advancement, who is equipped and eager to fulfill the duties of a role, should have an equal opportunity to do so. Onyx's purpose is to expand the recruitment pipeline by offering comprehensive career development resources and forging mutually beneficial corporate, educational, and community partnerships to close the systemic gap in the hiring, retention and promotion of Black college and university students and recent graduates for roles in corporate Canada.

Onyx's model is based on a dual and complementary value proposition - leverage post-secondary educational resources to create an expansive supply of high potential Black talent and collaborate with prominent businesses to nurture a growing demand for more inclusive internships and full-time placements. In short, the Onyx Scholars Program is designed to ensure participants are equipped with critical decision-making support before they land an opportunity and the essential skills to thrive in a range of work environments throughout their career journey.
Some of the resources that Onyx provides include Mentorship, Career Coaching, Scholarships, Employer Discovery Sessions, Career Development Webinars, a LinkedIn Learning Club Series, Career Exploration Meetups, and Executive Fireside Chats. Our signature event is a Black Professionals Career Fair, which allows scholars from across the country to visit our corporate partners’ virtual booths, network with recruiters, and interview for jobs on the spot.
Since inception, Onyx has received more than 1000 applications for the Scholars Program and have welcomed over 900 participants; many of whom have secured internships and full-time positions and often tout the fact that the resources have made a tremendous difference in their lives, personally and professionally.

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