Okwera Academy

🌟 Reflecting on 2024 with Gratitude & Excitement for 2025! As we close out 2024, we’re overwhelmed by the immense support you’ve shown towards elevating each other and progress we have made as a community. This year has been filled with milestones that highlight our collective power to elevate, connect, and transform careers and drive economic development in our community. From capacity-building workshops engaging over 2,000 community members to our Community Unity & Healing Event addressing critical social issues, and our Elevate & Connect Summer Mixer fostering meaningful connections, it’s truly been a year of impact, growth, and community. 🙌🏾 This year, we’re proud to have partnered with organizations like the Black Founders Network Federation of Black Canadians makingTheMove Mastercard Foundation High Commission of the Republic of Zambia in Canada, Frontlines Toronto , The Neighbourhood Group The Neighbourhood Group Trustee Hub City of Toronto Anutio , ALL BLK MARKET INC and Africhange and more. These partnerships allowed us to continue serving you by providing us, and you, capital, resources, mentorship, and connecting us to the communities that needed our services most💚 Looking ahead, 2025 is poised to be even more vibrant with new initiatives, partnerships, and opportunities. Keep an eye out for exciting announcements (and job openings!) as we expand our team and programs. 🚀 💛Thank you for being a vital part of this journey. Your support fuels our mission to elevate individuals, empower communities, and create lasting impact. From the team at Okwera Academy, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year! 💜 Justina K. Efosa KC Obano Ehi Agbonlahor Racheal Kalaba, PHD Candidate Folasade Daini Oluwatimileyin Aina Didier R Precious Abraham Clara Kalaba Shereen Ashman Olgar Chanda Ben Seun Oyajumo, MBA Kelly Boyi, P.Eng., PMP, CSM Dolapo Fadare Faith Ganda Fisayo Adelusi Dismas Kibungei Jermaine L. Murray 🇯🇲🇨🇦 Mujidah Sakibu Adewunmi Ajike Michael Moyo BongoHive Technology and Innovation Hub Jean Paul Nyereka, CPA,CMA Gontran L. Nzobonimpa FOLA BAKARE

Join us this Friday for an insightful session on ‘How to get grants as an immigrant entrepreneur living in Canada’. Our Executive Director, Justina K. will be sitting down with Folasade Daini and the Africhange team to share how she’s secured almost $1million in funding (scholarships, grants, awards) from prestigious organizations like Mastercard Foundation University of Toronto City of Toronto Weston Frontlines Centre - Frontlines The Neighbourhood Group The Neighbourhood Group and many more! Register for free here: https://lu.ma/w5dqwcmb

📝 Check out our comprehensive resource list to elevate your career! We’ve compiled essential #jobopportunities, #scholarships and #grants to help you succeed.🎉 Here’s what you’ll find: 💼 Job Opportunities: Top remote jobs across various industries. Remember to do your own research! 💰Scholarships: Financial support to pursue higher education. 💸Grants: Funding options to support your projects, businesses and initiatives. Ready to take the next step? Click here https://lnkd.in/dnK2-BPb for all the details and start your journey to success today! #CareerAdvancement #Scholarships #Grants #JobOpportunities #CommunitySupport #ElevateYourFuture

🌟 Elevate Your Career at Our Exclusive Career Fair! 🌟 Join us in collaboration with BFR - Be Future Ready and makingTheMove as we partner with Allblkmarket for a career advancement expo during their annual #BLKFRIDAY! Here’s what you can expect: 💼Meet Leading Employers: Connect with industry leaders and employers that are currently, or will soon be, hiring and discover exciting career opportunities. 📸Professional Headshots: Get a free professional headshot to enhance your online professional profiles. 📑Expert Resume Reviews: Bring a printed copy of your your resume for a complimentary expert review. 🤝🏾On-Site Career Coaching: Receive tailored career advice from experienced coaches. Secure your spot and advance your career in one dynamic afternoon! Register: https://lnkd.in/ggvPiVqu And use code OKWERA30 to get 30% off your ticket 🎟️ 😁 #CareerFair #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking #CareerCoaching Ehi Agbonlahor Justina K. Teniola Onabanjo Guedei Djimi Nobellum Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario | Agence fédérale de ... BDC Futurpreneur Centennial College Dream Legacy Foundation Black Founders Network Efosa KC Obano Didier R Melisa Ellis African Impact Initiative

🎉 Kick Off Summer’s End with Style at Our Elevate & Connect End of Summer Mixer! 🎉 🗓️ August 23 | 📍 Kensington Market Patio Join us for a vibrant evening of connection and celebration in the heart of Kensington Market! This isn’t just any summer mixer; it’s a night dedicated to uplifting and empowering the Black community in Canada. 🌆 Scenic Venue: Experience the unique charm of one of Kensington Market’s top patio restaurants—a perfect setting for an unforgettable night. 🤝 Networking Galore: Meet and mingle with fellow community members, industry leaders, and advocates, all committed to supporting and promoting the empowerment of our community. 🍴 Treats on Us: Enjoy a selection of delicious appetizers and drinks, all complimentary, to keep the conversation flowing. Cash bar also available! 🎶 Live Beats: Dance the night away as our DJ spins a dynamic mix of tunes that promise to keep the vibe lively. 🔄 Resource Exchange: Tap into a wealth of resources specifically curated for the resilience and advancement of our community. ✨ Why You Should Come: More than just a gathering, our mixer is a powerful platform for building meaningful community ties and celebrating the spirit of Black joy and resilience. 🎟️ RSVP Now: Space is limited! Secure your spot today and ensure you’re part of this empowering evening. 🔗 Register Here: https://lu.ma/kwnkfxte Black Founders Network African Impact Initiative Ehi Agbonlahor Ashley Wright Didier R Blessing O. Oluloto, PMP® Melisa Ellis Yvonne Ben Udowa FOLA BAKARE Folasade Daini Justina K. Racheal Kalaba, PHD Candidate Mary Daka Olgar Chanda Jaynain Panchal

Just over 24 hours to go! 🕗 Join us tomorrow at 7 PM EST for the “Empowering Zambians in Canada” virtual event. Here’s a sneak peek at our distinguished panel: Aaron Pendwe - First Secretary, Education, High Commission of the Republic of Zambia in Canada. Mr. Pendwe will offer opening remarks on behalf of His Excellency, Kennedy M. Shepande. 🇿🇲 Miriam Mutale Simmonds - An Ontario-based Zambian expert in Talent Acquisition and HR, sharing strategies to navigate the Canadian job market. 🌍 Dismas Kibungei - Education Consultant from Team Kartik, discussing online and hybrid career advancement programs in Canada, including government-funded opportunities. 🎓 Justina K. - Founder and Executive Director of Okwera Academy and 2023 Black Entrepreneur of the Year nominee in Canada. Justina will provide insights on starting and scaling a successful business in Canada, plus where to find business funding. 💼 Jonah Chininga - Founder of Woveo will explain how to use Rotating Savings Circles (Chilimba) to build credit and access low-interest loans in Canada. Don’t miss the $300 cash giveaway! 💸 Daniel Mumba - Private Banker at Zambia National Commerce Bank (Zanaco), will discuss how Zambians in Canada can access investment solutions, insurance, credit facilities, and general banking services from Zanaco. 🏦 Seun Sanni - Co-founder of Payfi (Techstars ‘23) will talk about using Payfi to pay rent, earn rewards, and build credit, along with a special rent discount giveaway for two lucky attendees. 🏠 Make sure to register and join us for an evening of empowering discussions and valuable resources! Register: https://lu.ma/2lso8hfv We can’t wait to see you there. 🌟

🌟 On June 29th, we hosted our first in-person event dedicated to community healing and career advancement, specifically targeting the cycle of gun violence! To say this event was heartwarming and impactful is an understatement! The event featured African drums, beautiful healing libations from our sister Shereen Ashman , lots of dancing, (a few tears of joy) and the building of great networks and relationships!❤️ Our biggest success story is that several attendees received almost $70,000🚀 in combined government funding to upskill at Ontario colleges, courtesy of our education consultants (stay tuned for more on accessing this resource). Plus, many connected with employers hiring for over 10 roles! A huge thank you to everyone who attended, and special thanks to the City of Toronto The Neighbourhood Group The Neighbourhood Group and @trustee hub for funding us with $15,000 to bring this impact to life! We’re excited for more initiatives like this! 🌟✨💼🎉 #CommunityHealing #CareerAdvancement #BreakingTheCycle #GunViolencePrevention #careeraccelerator #okweraacademy

If you’re a jobseeker, you don’t want to miss the Okwera Academy career fair happening this Saturday! Come meet employers hiring for multiple open roles. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gZrqyq6v

🌟 Looking for a job? 🚀 Join us this Saturday for the Community Healing & Unity Conference, featuring a career fair designed to connect you with employers! Our employer partner The Immigrant Library is hiring for multiple roles, including Program Coordinator, Graphic Designer, Social Media Manager, Content Specialist, Grant Writer, Strategic Partnerships, and more! 📅 Date: June 29th 📍 Location: 3357 Kingston Road, Scarborough 🕛 Time: 12 pm to 5 pm Bring your resume and your best interview game! 😀 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gZrqyq6v See you there! #hiring #jobfair

We’re honored to introduce our keynote speaker, Shereen Ashman a multi-awarded cultural equity consultant, social entrepreneur, and educator. Surviving gun violence ignited her passion for social innovation, equity leadership, and culturally responsive community development. For over 15 years, Shereen has engaged multi-stakeholder partnerships to design and deliver socio-economic programs for the advancement of marginalized and racialized communities in Toronto and the Caribbean. Shereen co-founded the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals and is a founding member of @sistertalkvillage Toronto, supporting women of color in leadership and life, and co-founder of All Out Canada, promoting wilderness recreation for healing in racialized communities. Currently, she leads Saccae Social Innovation Studio Inc., focusing on cultural adaptation and intercultural development. We’re thrilled to have Shereen Ashman lead a community healing session through her keynote, as she shares her story and delves into African Ancestral Knowledge Systems, Cultural Wellness, and Trauma Informed Care. Don’t miss the chance to hear Shereen’s inspiring journey and insights at our conference. Register now and be a part of this transformative event: https://lu.ma/b38b5fy0