Black Wealth: Creating Space for Black Women
Black people, especially Black women, have historically been aggressively shut out of the ability to build wealth. Black Wealth Matters is a movement to champion black wealth creation as a solution to socio-economic disadvantages afflicting blacks in North America. Female Black business leaders will dissect the issues and see how women can collectively make a change and empower our communities socially and economically for maximum impact.
Moderator
Otni Chinenere: Entrepreneurship Engagement Manager, Black Business Initiative
A Digital Content Creator, Host- Speaker and Brand Builder. With work in her Blog “JustOtni” and other platforms, she strives to be a voice of motivation to women just like her and uses the same tenacity in her work with Black Business Initiative helping people of color start and mold their businesses into unprecedented heights.
Panelists
Shakira Weatherdon: Director of Equity & Belonging, CEO, Shakira Weatherdon Consulting
A respected trainer with years of experience in sexualized violence, equity and inclusion. She provides subject matter expertise and leads the implementation of equity-related programs and services at Labour and Advanced Education, Director, Equity and Belonging. She supports organizations to create safer, more welcoming, and inclusive environments and cultivating Black Girl Magic and Black Boy Joy.
Kiana ‘rookz’ Eastmond: CEO, Sandbox Studios
A well-known public-figure, starting her career in music, evolving into an executive, from founder to a 5x award winning serial entrepreneur. rookz has been featured by global brands like Nike, Google, American Express, has made headlines in The Globe & Mail all the way to Complex magazine and has been a keynote speaker over 150 times in over 25 cities.
Gaynete Jones: CEO, G.A.M.E. Changing Industries
A leading business consultant, keynote speaker, best-selling author, podcaster, founder of G.A.M.E. Changing Industries, Cubicle Ditch Academy and Best,Periodt., a femcare brand changing the game. She has been featured in Forbes, Fox, Black Enterprise, Yahoo, NBC, MSN Money, Sheen Magazine, Huffington Post, Refinery29, Thrive Global, Medium and Success.
Shawnette Fraser: District Vice President, TD Bank Calgary North
Currently a District Vice President, supporting the Calgary North District, which consists of 20 Branches within Calgary and surrounding area. She has led and continues to lead multiple work streams within TD Bank. Shawnnette is the Prairie Lead for the Black Employee Network (BEN) which focuses on three pillars: 1) Increasing sponsorship and engagement in the Black Communities and important Black events in the Markets in which TD operates, 2) Advancing employee engagement, mentorship and career opportunities for Black employees and 3) Increasing recruitment and attracting Black talent to TD.
Nicole Piggott - HR executive with expertise in Inclusion and Diversity
Formerly the Vice President, Global Operations at the non-profit, Women in Governance, before which she held senior leadership positions at Bombardier, RioTinto, Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOCC), FedEx Canada and Royal Bank of Canada. During her career, Nicole has implemented and overseen all aspects of HR, from policy, programs and practices to engagement programs to improve the workplace and negotiated the first impact benefit agreements between IOCC and various indigenous communities in Canada.
