In regards to profession as a Founder & Executive Director, my personal and professional experiences motivate me daily to operate RXYM because I want to utilize my experiences to empower others to reach their full potential. The ability to change the narrative and goals young Black youth from low-income communities embody is a significant why for me because I am committed to aiding Black youth to achieve their dreams despite social and financial barriers. I want increase their access to personal and personal resources that can aid them to thrive within their personal and professional endeavours.

What is your educational background?
I attended University of Windsor as a student-athlete, football, and Completed Bachelors of Arts (Honours)- Psychology & Family Social Relations. Thereafter, I attended University of Guelph and completed my Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy

What are your daily responsibilities?
Registered Psychotherapist
– I currently work within a Children and Youth Mental Health Agency, Lumenus Community Services and Private Practice.
Roles and responsibilities include:
– Providing individual, parent-coaching, and family therapy services to diverse clients experiencing but not limited to relational challenges, trauma, psychiatric diagnoses, and socio-cultural challenges, multi-stressors, and mental health challenges
– Liaising and coordinating school-based and community services for children, youth, families and post-secondary students but not limited to psychoeducation and psychiatric assessments, housing services, student supports, and community referrals
– Providing evidence-informed single-session, brief, and on-going therapy to children, youth, post-secondary students, and families though anti-oppressive and evidence-informed therapeutic practices

Founder & Executive Director, Rexdale Youth Mentorship (RXYM)
– Creating and delivering culturally-informed and anti-oppressive services, mentorship, events, and social resources catered for Black and Racialized youth, ages 13-29 years-old
– Providing leadership and collaborative management to staff, volunteer mentors, and post-secondary placement students to provide anti-black, anti-oppressive and culturally sensitive services catered for Black and Racialized youth and families

– Proactively fostering and maintaining relationships with diverse community stakeholders and partners to advocate and mobilize resources for Black youth and families in the Rexdale community and surrounding areas, including City of Toronto- Community Coordination Plan, United Way Greater Toronto, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Toronto District School Board, John Tavares Foundation, Ontario Trillium

What advice would you give to the 15-18 year old version of yourself?
– Prioritize your academic responsibilities because knowledge is a vital tool that will assist you in better understanding yourself, family and community. Then inevitably your personal and professional aspirations.
– Identify your passion by volunteering and being curious of different career pathways of interest. Pursue the career pathway that you love and are fascinated about despite your family and friend’s assumptions. it’s truly important to feel comfortable deviating from the norm and standards you grew up in, because it will increase your self-confidence and broaden your vision!

“To live is to suffer to survive well… that’s to find meaning in the suffering”- DMX