9:45 AM – 10:00 AM ...............

Arrival, Registration & Early Networking

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10:00 AM – 10:15 AM ...............

Opening Session Welcome Opening Remarks

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10:15 AM – 10:35 AM ...............

Keynote Address 
- From Survival to Self-Determination: Thriving While Black in a Colonial Framework
Speaker:
- Prof. Awad Ibrahim – Vice Provost, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, University of Ottawa

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10:35 AM – 10:55 AM ...............

Feature Talk
– Mental Health, Collective Care & Support Among Afro-Caribbean Communities
Speaker:
- Papa Ladjike Diouf – Co-Chair, Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition

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10:55 AM – 11:55 AM ...............

Panel 1: Entering the Workforce & Climbing into Leadership

Topics:

- Navigating job applications and interviews

- Overcoming systemic hiring barriers

- Strategies for upward mobility and visibility

- Cultivating confidence and mastering the art of negotiation

- Building leadership capacity in early career stages and within organizational structures

Panelists:

- Guy Rwano – Team Manager, TELUS

- Michael Ngoma – Branch Manager, RBC

- Samah Melki – Branch Manager, Alterna Savings

- Lowa Lumbala – Acting Manager, ISED Canada

- Diane Umutesi– Director, Environment and Climate Change Canada

 

11:55 AM – 12:55 PM ...............

Panel 2: Leadership & Strategy

Topics:

- Building organizations that last

- Breaking glass ceilings: Strategies for advancement and influence

- Supporting emerging leaders: Mentorship, legacy, and creating space for others

Panelists:

- Dominic Simon – Director, Black Executive Network

- Sandra DiGnagbo – Deputy Director, Black Executive Network

- Yenga Ndinsil – Former Director, Canada School of Public Service

- Richard Smith II: Executive Faculty, Canada School of Public Service

- Sahada Alolo – Co-Director, Ottawa Guiding Council

- Moss Elmouftaquir M.A- Co-Chair, ESDC Visible Minorities Network

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12:55 PM – 1:35 PM ...............

Alterna Savings Toronto Team
Panel 3A: Tech & Innovation (AI, Career Pathways, Breaking into Tech)
Topics:

- Microfinancing

- Breaking into tech
- Career transitioning: Strategies for advancement and influence
- Artificial intelligence: Building wealth in the digital future

Panelists:

- Jean Barrett: Manager, Community Microfinance Program
- Muhuji Mshana – Cloud Security Consultant, Google
- Femi Anjorin – Software Engineer
- Enoch Olisa – Software Quality Engineer
- Godwin Olorunshola – Software Engineer

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1:35 PM – 1:40 PM ...............

Transition Break (5 minutes)

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1:40 PM – 2:15 PM ...............

Panel 3B: Project Management & Leadership (Unpacking the Hype, Opportunities & Realities)
Topics:

- Breaking into project management
- Tools of the trade and what it takes to succeed
- Certification vs. experience

Panelists:

- Charles Igwe – VP PMI Ottawa Chapter
- Thomas Doyle III – President, PMI Ottawa Chapter
- Kabir Adeoye – Senior Project Manager, General Electric
- Fikayo Abiodun – Senior Project Manager

2:15 PM – 4:00 PM ...............

Networking & Lunch Break
- VIP Afro-Caribbean lunch
- Exhibitor booth visits to discover resources and services
- LinkedIn profile photo optimization
- Group photos
- Relaxed networking with peers, potential partners, and mentors

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4:00 PM – 4:25 PM .

 

Panel 4: Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Wealth Building
Topics:

- Starting and scaling a business
- Accessing funding, grants, and capital
- Balancing passion and profit
- Building generational wealth through smart financial management

Panelists:

- Fikayo Aderoju – President & CEO, CYEF
- African Grills – Entrepreneur
- Paul Adeyeye- Entrepreneur

-Marsha Clyne-Fundraising Leader

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4:25 PM – 4:55 PM ...............

Panel 5: Grassroots Leadership & Community Support
Topics:

- Leading grassroots initiatives
- Preserving culture and identity
- Supporting newcomers and offering advice
- Approach to working with city officials to advance community priorities

Panelists:

- Raymond Kashiba – President, Ottawa Congolese Community
- Rilah Ratsimbazafy Andriananja – President, Ottawa Madagascar Association, UofO
- Kaidi Rial – Acting President, Ottawa South Sudanese Community
- Roger Jores JEUFACK NOUNAMO - Assistant-Greffier, Ville de Rivière-Rouge​

 

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4:55 PM – 5:15 PM

Closing Celebration
- Community acknowledgements
- Final remarks

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5:15 PM – 5:30 PM ...............

Final Networking & Connections
- Exchange contacts
- Revisit exhibitor booths
- Take final photos