Michael Haywood migrated to Canada from Jamaica over 14years ago, and have worked with a Non-Profit Organization in the Parkdale area as an Administrative assistant, thereafter attaining a Business Diploma from George Brown College and is currently with Banking Operations at a financial institution.

Julet Allen has over 30 years of experience in the social service sector as a social worker in Toronto, Canada where she has successfully worked with various organizations in a leadership role to achieve impactful outcomes for those on the margins. Currently she is a professor at Humber College in the Faculty of Community and Social Services where she teaches in the Community Justice Diploma Program.

She brings expertise within the fields of Youth Engagement with special focus on Black youth in the child welfare and justice systems, anti-Black racism, mental health and trauma. She is well versed in working from practices rooted in decolonization, anti-Black racism, and anti-oppression frameworks.

Canute attended St. Patrick’s Primary School, Jamaica, 1974-1979; Wolmer’s High School for Boys, Jamaica, 1979-1984; The Mico University College, Jamaica, 1984-1987; The University of the West Indies, Jamaica, 1988-1992; La Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela, 1997; La Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, 1999; Yorkville University, Canada, 2020-2022.

Canute Lawrence is a Jamaican-Canadian educator who taught in Jamaica for 16 years, 4 years in the United States, and 17 years in Canada. In Jamaica, Canute’s voice was heard in several radio plays and commercials. He was an actor with the LTM Pantomime Company of Jamaica for 7 seasons. Canute co-hosted an entertainment segment on RJR 94FM in the 1990s called ‘Sound Bytes’ which provided brief entertainment updates and reviews on concerts, movies and plays on the local and international scenes.

While teaching in New York City, Canute also appeared in Off-off Broadway productions. Currently, Canute resides in Toronto where he continues to add richness to the Diasporan entertainment scene with his stage plays. In 2021, Canute published his BESTSELLER book, Pathology of a Pandemic, which Amazon rated #1 New Release in Canadian Literature just two weeks after its June publication. Canute is a contributing writer to The Caribbean Camera newspaper in Canada. He is a recipient of The Mico University College 185th Alumni Commemoration Award. When Canute is not working, he spends his time traveling, sight-seeing, reading, and entertaining friends and family.

Cecil Thoms has more than two decades of experience in journalism, marketing, communications, and public service. His career is marked by a deep understanding of media dynamics, storytelling, and strategic public relations.
He has held pivotal leadership roles in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company where he has served as the head of communications for both organizations. Currently, Cecil is serving as head of Communications and International Relations at the Office of the Information Commissioner, where he champions transparency, data security, and regulatory compliance.
A distinguished alumnus of the University of the West Indies, Cecil earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication, followed by a Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Sheffield in England. These academic achievements have enriched his global perspective and diplomatic
acumen.
Raised in St. Catherine and educated at Tacius Golding High School, Cecil’s passion for debating, dancing, and drama flourished. His talents were recognized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, where he earned medals in all categories.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Cecil is a devoted advocate of the fine arts, actively supporting local artistic initiatives. He maintains an active lifestyle as a 5K and 10K runner, embodying discipline and perseverance in both his career and personal endeavours.