During Black History Month, the Milton Chamber proudly celebrates Black voices, stories, and impact. We are honored to spotlight individuals and businesses whose work continues to shape our community.
Abiola Adedeji is a PMP-certified project and transformation professional with over 14 years of experience supporting complex initiatives across public and private sector organizations. She currently works within a Business Transformation Office, contributing to enterprise-wide change efforts focused on operational efficiency, process improvement, and service excellence.
She is known for her structured thinking, attention to detail, and people-centered approach to transformation, with strengths in governance support, stakeholder engagement, and delivery enablement across cross-functional teams.
Abiola shared her thoughts on leadership:
“Leadership is not about position or perfection. It is about responsibility, consistency, and the willingness to create space for others to rise.”
Abiola serves as a Member-at-Large on the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) with the Halton Catholic District School Board, where she supports advocacy initiatives that advance inclusive education and improve outcomes for students with diverse learning needs.
She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Chronicles of an Autism Mum Foundation (COAAMF), a global parent-support community serving families across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.
Abiola is a proud mum to two lovely children and has been married to her spouse, Adewumi Adedeji, for 16 years. Her leadership is deeply shaped by faith, lived experience, and commitment to service, accountability, compassion, and consistency.
Jean Assamoa is a passionate community leader, cultural advocate, and the Founder and Executive Director of Akwaba Cultural Exchange, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities through education, arts, and cultural celebration. Since settling in Milton in 2008, Jean has been a driving force behind several impactful initiatives that foster diversity, inclusion, and social cohesion.
He is best known as the visionary behind the Milton African and Multicultural Festival, a vibrant annual celebration that brings together thousands of residents to embrace cultural diversity through music, dance, food, and storytelling. Now preparing for its sixth edition, the festival has become a hallmark event in Milton’s cultural calendar.
Jean reflects on his leadership style:
“Leadership is not about titles or recognition; it is about service, consistency, and lifting others so the whole community can rise together.”
Jean’s tireless volunteerism includes public speaking, youth mentorship, and collaborations with schools, local government, and nonprofit organizations. He also played a key role in organizing inclusive community events such as Black History Month celebrations and newcomer engagement forums.
His leadership has earned recognition from various institutions, including the 2025 Black Mentorship Inc. Community Builder Award and a finalist position for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. Designated “Citizen of the Year 2025” at Milton Excellence Awards, Jean remains committed to building a stronger, more inclusive Milton—where everyone feels seen, valued, and celebrated.
Tristin Burns is the Founder and Chief Vision Steward of VISIONFOCUSED® Strategies Inc. an Entrepreneurial Coaching and Consulting Group. As a dynamic speaker, author, mentor and vision strategist, Tristin has developed and facilitated a variety of powerful, interactive personal growth, leadership, team and business development workshops and success tools for adults and youth.
Over 30 years of Corporate Executive and Business Consulting expertise in the Financial, Technological and Educational sectors, allows Tristin to bring value added contributions from both a business leadership and a technical perspective. Tristin is currently Canadian Vice President of Administration and Lead Compliance Auditor for a global ITAD company. She has also held leadership roles within Royal Bank, Royal Trust and CIBC.
As a BarterPay™ Milton franchise owner, Tristin helps business owners trade their unused time, space or inventory with over 4000 business across Canada to get the goods and services they want without using cash. One of Tristin’s recent passion projects, is co-launching ‘Her Bold Voice’ Toastmasters club for women entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Tristin reflects what leadership means to her:
“Being VISIONFOCUSED® is having the clarity, capacity and foresight to say ‘”yes” to the things you should say “yes” to; and a resounding “no” to everything else.”
Duane Cornelius is a founding partner of C&P Partners CPA, a Milton-based accounting firm dedicated to serving as strategic business advisors for growth-oriented companies and established business owners. With Big Four accounting experience and a deep commitment to client success, Duane specializes in transforming traditional compliance work into meaningful business advisory relationships.
At C&P Partners CPA, Duane leads strategic advisory services that help clients navigate complex business decisions with confidence. His approach goes beyond the numbers—he partners with business owners to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and build sustainable growth strategies. Whether clients are scaling operations, evaluating new ventures, or planning for succession, Duane positions himself as their “last call” before major decisions.
Duane on leading with purpose:
“There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” -Nelson Mandela
A Chartered Professional Accountant with extensive experience across diverse industries, Duane combines technical excellence with genuine relationship-building. His leadership philosophy centers on accessibility, trust, and delivering measurable value. He believes the best advisory relationships are built on understanding each client’s unique vision and providing the strategic guidance to make that vision reality.
Through C&P Partners CPA, Duane is committed to elevating the accounting profession and empowering Milton’s business community to achieve lasting success.
Latania Dyer is a litigation lawyer, educator, and business owner. She operates her legal practice through her professional corporation, Sway Law Professional Corporation, focusing on civil and commercial litigation for individuals, small businesses, and family-owned enterprises. She has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario and is known for her practical, solutions-focused approach to resolving complex disputes.
Through Sway Law, Latania conducts her civil and commercial litigation work in collaboration with Taylor’d Litigation, a boutique litigation firm, allowing her clients to benefit from both personalized service and the resources of a specialized litigation team. She also dedicates a portion of her practice to Legal Aid matters through Sway Law.
Latania shared her perspective on leadership:
“I view community as a tree with deep roots. Leadership is about cultivating, protecting, and sustaining those roots so individuals and businesses have the foundation they need to grow and thrive.”
In addition to her legal practice, Latania is actively engaged in legal education and public legal literacy. She teaches part-time in the paralegal program at Mohawk College and is a frequent speaker on issues affecting individuals and small business owners. She is also the sole contributor to Law Talk on Milton.ca, an online community news platform, where she provides accessible legal commentary on current issues and explains how everyday problems can escalate into formal legal disputes.
Her work is grounded in community engagement, education, and building strong foundations that allow people and businesses to grow with confidence and resilience.
Sade Fujamade is the Founder and Managing Director of SteadyClean Inc., a professional cleaning company based in Milton, Ontario, serving residential, commercial, and post-construction clients across the Greater Toronto Area. What began as a service-based business has grown into a systems-driven operation focused on reliability, accountability, and long-term partnerships.
With a strong emphasis on process, compliance, and people, Sade has built SteadyClean around clear standards and structured workflows, ensuring consistent quality while creating meaningful opportunities for contractors and collaborators. Her leadership approach blends operational discipline with empathy, recognizing that sustainable businesses are built by supporting both clients and teams.
Sade reflected on her approach to leadership:
“Building a business taught me that leadership is less about control and more about clarity. When people understand the standards, the vision, and the why, they are empowered to do their best work”
Beyond day-to-day operations, Sade is actively engaged in the local business community. She is involved with organizations such as the Milton Chamber of Commerce and 100 Women Who Care Milton, and regularly participates in business development, procurement readiness, and community initiatives that support economic growth and inclusion.
As a Black entrepreneur, Sade is passionate about representation, visibility, and mentorship. She believes leadership is not defined by titles, but by responsibility, integrity, and the willingness to build systems that allow others to succeed. Through her work, she aims to create impact that extends beyond service delivery and into community empowerment.
From Little London to Your Table.
Grant’s Gourmet was born from a deep-seated craving: the need for connection. Our story begins in the vibrant heart of Little London, Westmoreland, Jamaica—a place where food isn’t just fuel, it’s a language. The scent of pimento wood, the heat of scotch bonnet peppers, and the rhythm of a bustling kitchen were the backdrop of our childhood.
When we laid roots in Canada, we found ourselves searching for that authentic taste of home to bridge the distance. But the shelves offered only hot sauces that lacked the soul of the West End. We realized that if we wanted the true essence of Jamaican cooking—without the hours of prep—we would have to create it ourselves.
Established in 2012, Grant’s Gourmet is a family-owned homage to that culinary heritage. We exist to bridge the gap between “Authentic Flavour” and “Modern Convenience.” Whether you are a novice cook or a seasoned chef, our products are your secret weapon. We don’t just sell seasoning; we sell the confidence to create extraordinary meals. No plane ticket required.
Denese offered her insights on leadership:
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars, to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman
Doneil Henry is a Canadian former professional soccer defender born on April 20, 1993, in Brampton, Ontario. He came up through youth clubs including Brampton Youth SC and North Mississauga SC before joining the Toronto FC Academy in 2008, where he became the club’s first homegrown player to sign for the first team and made his MLS debut in 2010.
Henry enjoyed a 13-year pro career playing primarily as a centre-back. In MLS he represented Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, LAFC, and Minnesota United FC, earning 114+ league appearances and winning three straight Canadian Championships with Toronto early in his career. He also had stints overseas with West Ham United (England), Blackburn Rovers (loan), AC Horsens (loan) and in South Korea with Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
Internationally, Henry was capped 44 times by the Canadian men’s national team, debuted in 2012, and played a key role in the squad that qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, although an injury kept him out of the tournament.
After finishing his playing career with Halifax Wanderers FC in 2023, he transitioned into coaching and leadership roles in Canadian soccer, including technical director positions and co-ownership of Simcoe County Rovers FC.
Shelley Jarrett, Multiple award- winning Entrepreneur, Magazine Publisher, Documentary Filmmaker, Women’s Advocate, Fashion Week Founder.
Named 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women-2022. Shelley Jarrett brings a wide range of expertise to the table. With a degree in Social Work, she has worked with women and supported them in various ways over the past three decades. She also believes strongly in partnerships and collaborations and is very supportive of developing business objectives and business skills through learning and teaching opportunities.
Shelley has been featured on several print media outlets and mainstream TV Including CHCH TV to talk about her journey of producing W’AT ABOWT US documentary and most recent an appearance on Breakfast Television to talk about Milton Fashion Week. Shelley is a Past Board Member of the prestigious Art Gallery of Mississauga Advisory to the Board of Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment. Shelley has merged her passion for community development and the creative arts.
Shelley on her leadership philosophy:
“Legacy is not always about money. I want to leave a body of work that generations of creatives can aspire to.”
In 2019 Shelley produced her debut film, the award-winning documentary W’AT ABOWT US. It tells the stories of eight courageous women from all 5 major cultural backgrounds tell their stories of truth. They all reveal personal experiences of domestic violence, child molestation, sexual assault among others and workplace harassment.
In 2023 Shelley produced and directed her 2nd documentary, WHAT WE DESERVE Restorative Justice and Reparation, which premiered at the Burlington Public Library. Shelley and the films have won numerous awards over the past six years.
Simon Martin is the founder and driving force behind So Fly Productions, a privacy-first experiential marketing studio that transforms community events into meaningful, lasting engagement. With more than 20 years of IT leadership, Simon brings a rare blend of technical mastery, human-centred design, and creative strategy to every activation he builds. His philosophy is simple and guides everything he touches: “Technology exists to serve people. Behind every system, a person is relying on it not just for solutions, but for service.”
That belief shaped his two-decade career in IT operations, accessibility advocacy, and service management fields, where reliability, empathy, and thoughtful execution matter just as much as innovation. At So Fly Productions, Simon channels that same ethos into crafting photo-driven experiences that feel effortless, inclusive, and genuinely memorable. His work goes far beyond taking pictures; it creates moments that families return to year after year, strengthening community ties and opening doors to deeper engagement.
Whether partnering with nonprofits, municipalities, or family-focused organizations, Simon approaches every project with a commitment to dignity, care, and measurable impact. So Fly Productions is the natural extension of his lifelong mission: utilizing technology, creativity, and service-first thinking to bring people together in lasting ways.
Julia McFarlane is a Program Manager with Conestoga College’s School of Trades & Apprenticeship – Motive Power trades, a role she has held since 2018. She brings over 20 years of experience across multiple sectors, where she has led academic program development, cultivated strong stakeholder partnerships, and secured funding to
support student success.
Deeply committed to advocacy and community engagement, Julia Co-Chairs the Regional Planning Team (RPT) #7, serves on the P.L. Robertson Black Parents’ Advisory Committee, and Elsie MacGill’s Black Families Advisory Committee. She is also a lifelong reader and has been a proud member of the Eat, Love, Read book club for over 16 years.
Julia lives in Milton with her husband, mother, three children, and fur baby.
Julia on her leadership philosophy:
“Doing what needs to be done to ensure our young people have what they need to be affirmed and to face the world with knowledge of self.” – Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine
Pauline Thomas a mother of 3 girls and a grandmother of 4.5. Jamaican born and Canadian raised. Pauline leaned at an early age that nothing would come easy, as a minority in Canada in the 19070s and 19080’s this meant working hard. Taught at an early age that getting ‘B’ was not good enough, B’s where like C’s unless you were white. So, excelling at whatever you did was the only option. Pauline holds a degree in Psychology, a diploma in Adult Education and Masters Organizational Development & Change management. Pauline has held many senior level positions in HR, Learning & Development, OD, in several fortune 100 Companies. Often, the only woman of colour to hold those positions.
Pauline on her leadership style:
“We all have the same 24hrs in each day.”
In 2019 Pauline left the corporate world to start another small business, one that would solve the issues that she had struggled with for over a decade. Comfort Bras by Pauline Inc. was designed by a woman, for women as a unique and welcoming place to shop the perfect fitting bra. We understand that bra shopping can be overwhelming and intimidating, but at Comfort Bras by Pauline we listen to our clients and guide them to the styles and items that fit their bodies and their lives.
I have completed bra fitting certification programs and training in specialty areas such as nursing bras, fitting large cup sizes, sports bras, post-mastectomy bras and prostheses, strain relief bras, and more.
For over 12 years, Ted Tomlin has served as a Board Member and currently as the Treasurer of the Executive Team. He has also coached for over 12 years with the Milton Magic Soccer Club (Milton Magic FC). Through sports, Ted Tomlin has helped countless young people grow and thrive through teamwork, adversity, and problem-solving skills.
Beyond the soccer field, Ted Tomlin is an active member of the HRPS People, Culture & Wellness Committee, where he works to strengthen trust and foster meaningful connections across Halton. Professionally, Ted Tomlin brings steady leadership and integrity to IT Operations at BMO, supporting large-scale initiatives with the same commitment shown in the community.
Ted on leading with purpose:
“Rooted in purpose and driven by compassion, I strive to lift others, strengthen our community, and help create a brighter future for all.”
Outside of work and volunteering, Ted Tomlin enjoys traveling, fishing, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. As a proud husband, father of two, uncle, and the eldest sibling, gratitude and giving back are at the heart of everything Ted Tomlin does.
Dorothy Vernon-Brown, is a marketing automation & AI strategist who helps seasoned business owners build sustainable systems with AI automation and smart marketing.
More than just a strategist, Dorothy delivers tangible, profitable results. Dorothy is the founder of AKB² AI Marketing & Consulting where her ‘Strategy First‘ approach has been the driving force behind clients achieving breakthrough results.
Then life handed her the hardest challenge of all: a near-terminal leukemia diagnosis. That experience reshaped her view of time – she learned it’s not just having more of it but protecting it fiercely and spending it with intention.
Today, she channels that lesson into helping seasoned business owners, entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders harness AI & automation transform how they work and stay ahead. Her significant contributions to the Black community in Canada have earned her the esteemed title of Woman of Honour by the Black Business Professional Association (BBPA).
She is also the co-founder and current chair of Donor Drive 4 Dorothy (DD4D) the first Black-led Canadian charity to address the severe under-representation of Black stem cell donors in Canada’s national stem cell registry.
Dorothy holds a degree in History and Social Sciences from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and a Masters Certificate in Marketing Communications from the Schulich School of Business, York University along with several industry certifications.
Dorothy is married with two adult children. She an official CN Tower EdgeWalker, having walked hands-free on the edge of the world’s highest full circle 116-storey building in Toronto.
Dorothy on how she leads:
“I lead by example and adapt my support to what each person needs. The goal is always ownership not dependence.”
The Black Brilliance Across Halton Region Luncheon will feature live music by KHAY, Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist celebrated for her soulful alternative pop/rock sound and dynamic performances.
KHAY (Kh-AY) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and high-impact live performer whose music blends soulful emotion with alternative pop/rock force shaped by influences like Tina Turner, Mellisa Etheridge, and Mavis Staples. Known for her dynamic stage presence and powerhouse vocal tone, KHAY delivers performances that captivate, inspire, and resonate long after the final note.
Her artistic foundation includes major international credits: original cast member of Broadway’s Tony Award–winning RAGTIME, cast member of FOSSE, performances at Carnegie Hall, the Stratford Festival, and appearances in the Oscar-winning film Chicago. She has shared stages with icons such as Chita Rivera, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Glenn Close, and Rosie O’Donnell, and acted alongside Angela Bassett, Tessa Thompson, and Timothy Hutton.
Her singles Broken, Lie, and Alone showcase her signature sound—a fusion of bold vocals, emotional truth, and guitar-driven storytelling—with latest EP arriving Spring 2026.
