A place to share, learn & support each other.
Mission and Vision
Mission: Our mission is to identify, illuminate and combat Anti-Black Racism through positive action and supportive allyship.
Vision: To create a legacy for future generations where members of the Black Community have a sense of belonging that comes from being valued and respected.
Durham Black Network
Community support
DBN run programs such as, the Black Open Mic every 3 months, Black Experience Townhall (a 3-part series on Community Safety & Justice, Healthcare & Mental Wellbeing and Education & Child Welfare) to help support the Black Community in addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism with a focus of moving forward because Together We Are Stronger®.
For Black History month 2022, DBN members did delegations at the Municipality of Clarington, City of Pickering and Town of Ajax to recognize Black History Month and share the great work the team are doing in the community. Durham Black Network Members also took part in supporting Durham Catholic Virtual Elementary School by selecting quotes from Black Leaders for students to record themselves saying which were played during morning announcements during the month of February 2022. The team also recorded a video played for students and staff of Durham Catholic Virtual Elementary School for the morning announcement in recognition of Black History month.
Durham Black Network
BILLIE-JANE BOLTON-ROJO
Member, Durham Black Network
Founder, PCAL Financial
Ajax, ON Canada
When most people consider legacy, they envision money or property left to someone. But at PCAL Financial Group, we believe legacy transcends this simple definition. Legacy is the footprint you leave that enables those following you trod an even more impactful path. Our vision at PCAL Financial Group is to partner with families and organizations in creating a footprint so expansive that generations after the next can experience life beyond our expectations. It may be in equipping our children to pursue any academic pursuit, gifting or dream, without concern of financial obstacle; or changing the world with our business idea or community service, all while amassing and preserving wealth to transfer to our loved ones.
EMMA BOWER
Member, Durham Black Network
University Student & Advocate
Ajax, ON Canada
Emma is a university student taking History and French. As well as an advocate. She organized the march in support of Black Lives Matter in June 2020. Bringing the diverse community of Ajax and Durham Region together to show support for George Floyd, Brianna Traylor and others who were impacted by Anti-Black Racism. Her community involvement also include organizing a Christmas fundraiser in 2017 to give gifts to the Refuge, the local homeless youth shelter in Oshawa. The entire student body of Denis O'Connor Catholic high school brought in hygiene products, gift cards, winter gear, and school supplies for our fellow youth who were struggling and vulnerable. Emma organized a fundraiser for the Indigenous reserve in Attawapiskat Ontario, including money for school supplies as well as other necessary things ie: hygiene and other things teens would want. She also organized mental health workshops and assemblies all throughout high school. She led a program that introduced socially anxious grade 8's into high school early to help them acclimate by pairing them with outgoing seniors. A board member of anti-bullying committee that organized events to bring students from all schools together. Student ambassador that represented the students of Dennis O'Connor at the Durham Catholic District School Board.
JEMI SMITH
Member, Durham Black Network
Advocate, Moms & Children
Oshawa, ON Canada
Jemi Smith is a proud mom of 4 biracial boys. She has ran a local mom community for over 5 years and won the Mompreneur Award for her efforts. She co-produced and hosted Mom Talk with Jemi in 2019 which aired Nationally on Filipino TV. She an advocate for moms and young children in her community.
JAYLAN HAYLES
Member, Durham Black Network
University Student
Ajax, ON Canada
My name is Jaylan Hayles, I am a third-year Accounting Student at Ontario Tech University. It's an honour to be apart of Durham Black Network. I'm excited to get involved with our community, to make a positive difference in the life of others. My previous leadership roles includes: Firefighter, Politician, Former President of Durham College Student Association, Student leader, Activist, CEO, Motivational Speaker, Investor, and entrepreneur. Other skills that I specialize in are Video Production, Public Speaking, Social Media Management, Negotiation, Human Resource, Event Planning, Brand Endorsement, Content Creator, Business Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Innovator, Data Resources, etc.
MICHAEL OPOKU
Member, Durham Black Network
Community Advocate & Business Man
Oshawa, ON Canada
Bio - Coming Soon!
Genelle Pollydore
Member, Durham Black Network
Community Leader
Durham, ON Canada
Bio - Coming Soon!
Shakkoi Hibbert
Member, Durham Black Network
Dance Instructor & Spoken Word Poet
Need Some Koi Inc.
Durham, ON Canada
Shakkoi aka Need Some Koi is a multi talented creative excelling in dance instruction and spoken word poetry. She is a two time author and alumni of the University of Toronto. After performing as a dancer for six years, she is now focusing on making sure the world hears why they too Need Some Koi through her speaking, hosting and comedy appearances. Floetry Fitness, her business that focuses on creating spaces for movement and poetry, has been seen on Breakfast Television's Movin in the Mornings, as well as the Nia Centre, Black Women in Motion and the City of Pickering organizations all in 2021 alone. Shakkoi's unique, raw, inviting and powerful presence encourages many to "Release their Doubts & Step Out!". With plenty of experiences to share, there is no doubt that everyone needs some Koi in their lives!
Julia Hussett
Member, Durham Black Network
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
BIO COMING SOON!
NICOLE PERRYMAN
Member, Durham Black Network
Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist
Durham, Canada
Nicole Perryman, is a Registered Social Worker, Play Therapist and Psychotherapist practicing in Durham Region. Nicole started her career supporting children, youth, and families in child welfare, social services and has worked within children's mental health, parental contact and parenting time assessments, youth involved in the criminal justice system, trauma centers, and education. Nicole is the CEO and co-founder of "Ifarada [eye -fa-ra-da] Centre for Excellence and Kujenga [cue-jenga]" Family Wellness organizations that provide culturally-informed and trauma-focused approaches for children, youth, adults, and families. She is an occasional professor, and field supervisor for students in social work, child and youth, and counseling psychology. She is also a principal equity consultant supporting organizations across Canada and Internationally on their equity journeys.
The Women's Multicultural Resource & Counselling Centre of Durham (WMRCC)
Corporate Member, Durham Black Network
Durham, ON Canada
In the early 1990s, there was no specific agency in Durham Region dealing with issues of violence against multicultural women, immigrant and refugee women in the region. A group of dedicated volunteers researched the best ways to meet the needs of these specific women. There was a need assessment and focus group sessions conducted with women from diverse backgrounds who experienced violence and abuse by Barbara Rahder and associates. Following the needs assessment and focus group sessions, participants recommended that a counselling centre was needed in the region. A counselling centre, the Women’s Rights Action Coalition of Durham (WRAC) was established in 1993. The name was changed to the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham (WMRCC) in 2003 to more accurately reflect the agency’s services and target population. The organization’s aim is to provide culturally sensitive services to women, youth and children from diverse backgrounds.
Durham black network Merchandise
Check our store for Durham Black Network Merchandises to help support our programs for the Black Community.
Our Partners
Our Programs
Black Experience Townhall
Join 'The Black Experience Town Hall' a moving forward conversation about Systemic Anti-Black Racism on June 22, 2022 6:30pm in partnership with WMRCC at the Ajax Business Centre focusing on the Emotion impact, Rights and Laws and the Physical and long term impact of racism. Featuring a community conversation about Racism and the real life experiences of Carion Fenn who will share what happened to her in family court matter in Durham Region which her rights were taken away and harm cause to her and her family as a result of her need for Disability Accommodation exposing her to Systemic Anti-Black Racism at the Superior Court of Justice Oshawa.
black open mic
June 30, 2022 7PM - 8:30PM EST
Join our FREE virtual conversation for the Black Community to share their encounters with Systemic Anti-Black Racism. Has your voice been heard? Our Open Mic focuses on story telling or Poetry Sessions; Inspirational Quotes from Black Leaders and a Healing Activity. We invite you to bring your stories or poetry. Real talents, real people and real stories. Please Join us and share this event so that others may receive needed support. Let's keep on talking, last Thursdays every 3 months.
Anti-Black Racism Forum
Durham Black Network presents our FREE 3-part series, Anti-Black Racism Forum. Our Anti-Black Racism Forum is a live, interactive, virtual discussion to address System Anti-Black Racism in the following areas:
Community Safety & Justice September 27, 2022 7pm EST Healthcare & Mental Wellbeing – March 1, 2023 7pm EST Education & Child Welfare - September, 2023 7pm EST
Durham black network Merchandise
Check our our store for Durham Black Network Merchandise to help support our programs for the Black Community.