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.

Anthonia Ikemeh is an educator, advocate, mentor, education consultant and artist. She was born in Nigeria and migrated to Canada at age 11. Currently, she works as an Occasional Teacher for the TCDSB. She continues to dedicate time to volunteer as a mentor for the Black Future Educators’ Pathways (BFEP) initiative at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Anthonia offers her services in communities as a guest speaker and shares her thoughts, experiences, and story on anti-racist education. She has won numerous awards and scholarships as an educator and leader in her professional journey. Anthonia is passionate about the early years, play-based learning, and African-Indigenous way of being, knowing and learning. She reflects and expresses her thoughts and experiences through poetry, drawing and painting to heal from past, present, and ongoing trauma. Anthonia believes that educators have a critical responsibility to actively engage in social justice issues. Equipped with a diploma in Professional Theatre and Early Childhood Education, Honours Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and a Masters in Teaching degree, she has dedicated her professional training towards understanding young children and best-practices in teaching and learning processes. Anthonia considers herself to be a developing anti-racist learner and is in a constant state of unlearning and relearning to enact transformative change.

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.