Renée N. Rawlins, BBA, B.Ed., M.Ed., Ed. D. Candidate – Executive Director

Renée N. Rawlins has always prided herself on being relevant in the community and not merely apparent. So her initiative to found Black Pearls Community Services, Inc. and join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. falls right in line with her personality. While attending Schulich School of Business at York University, where she graduated with honours attaining a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in marketing, Renée was a very active student. She started an organization for Black females, took part in Cultural expositions, modeled in numerous fashion shows, tutored students in the community and organized numerous mentoring opportunities for high school students. Her academic and extracurricular achievements also led to her subsequent title of Miss Barbados International, 1999 where she had the opportunity to represent the country of her second citizenship. After graduating from York University, Renée attended the University of Toronto where she earned a Bachelor of Education. During the completion of this degree, Renée was the President of the Student Teachers’ Union, the student government for her faculty. She also had the honour and distinction of attaining a 4.0 GPA, the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award, the Alexander Preggie Award for Academic Achievement, an OISE/UT Commendation award for contribution to school life and a membership into the Golden Key Honours Society where she was acclaimed as one of the top three undergraduate students at the University of Toronto. Renée has also been playing the piano for 20 years. Renée is currently a Counsellor in the Toronto District School Board. Her passion for education and community advancement further led her to earn a Masters in Education, specializing in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto. Renée is currently a candidate in the Doctor of Education program in counselling psychology at the University of Toronto. Renée also runs an event management company, Student Leadership Institute, where she co-ordinates two annual conferences, one for high school students entitled the Student Leadership Conference: Strategies for SAC Success and another for elementary school students entitled Be Tween Leaders: Elementary Student Leadership Conference.

Kim Tull, H.B.A., CCM – Program Director

Kim Tull was born in Toronto, Ontario from Barbadian parentage. Kim gained an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and has also received a Post-Graduate Diploma in Cultural Management from Humber College. In 2003, Kim completed her Events and Meeting Management Certification from George Brown College. Kim has always felt the need to be involved in the community. She has worked with the Durham Board of Education to help with race relations within the community and high-schools. As a result, she was part of a selected group of individuals chosen to develop the very first race relations policy for the City of Pickering and in doing so Kim was acting mayor for a day and received the Race Relations Policy Award from the City of Pickering. Kim’s commitment to community and cultural awareness continued throughout University where she received the Outstanding Contribution Award for her involvement in Student mentorship programs, drug tutoring programs, involvement with various ethno-cultural associations and coordinating, choreographing and producing numerous cultural, talent and fashion shows. By doing so, Kim found her passion for event coordinating. After coordinating events professionally for the University of Toronto from 2002-2005, Kim was promoted to Awareness Programs Coordinator managing young alumni programs for U of T. Kim has been recognized both by the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) with a Silver Prix D’excellence Award and by Council of Advancement and Support of Education with a Silver District II, Best Event Series Award for her signature program - SHAKER. In January 2007 Kim moved onto the University of Toronto Scarborough as Manager, Alumni Relations. Despite Kim’s hectic schedule, she is still finding time to give back to the community by volunteering for various community organizations. Kim is the co-founder of Black Pearls Community Services, Inc and a member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In Kim’s free time she is freelances as an Events Manager and as well, she facilitates and presents at numerous workshops and conferences geared towards elementary, high school and university students. Most recently, Kim was highlighted in SWAY Magazine Spring/Summer 2006 edition for her role as a young, black woman who graduated from and is currently working for the University of Toronto.

Monique Taylor, B.Sci. – Volunteer Director

Monique Taylor was born in Toronto in 1981 to parents Carlton and Saundra and brother Duane Taylor. She grew up in Whitby, Ontario attending Dr. Robert Thornton Public School and Anderson Collegiate where she excelled in academics and sport, graduating with honours and winning Andersons Female Athlete of the Year Award twice. In 2000, Monique placed 2^nd in the triple jump at the Canadian Junior National Track and Field Championships. As a result of her performance, she was recruited heavily and offered full scholarships by numerous universities in the US.   She chose to attend the prestigious Ohio University in Athens, a school highly recognized as the national leader in Sport Administration education, where she would attain a Bachelor of Science. While attending Ohio University, Monique broke four all-time jumping records becoming the best jumper in the schools’ 200 year history. Despite a hectic training schedule, outside of the track, Monique was very involved in university life. In her first year, she volunteered with Ohio University Athletics development department and was promoted the following year to Assistant Director of Recruiting operations for the University’s Football team where she coordinated recruiting events for 3 straight years. Because of her significant contributions, Monique was offered a contract position to work with the Hula Bowl in Hawaii where she aided in recruitment, marketing and promotions tied to the National All-star football game. Monique has also worked at Atlanta Spirit LLC and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. Currently, Monique is an executive at CIBC.

Shani Leatham, BBA – Finance Director

Shani Leatham has always been one to follow her dreams no matter what the cost, so when she decided to leave her native town of Toronto to pursue her education at Southern Arkansas University, no one was surprised. It was at SAU that Shani realized she was destined for greatness. She was the President of the Black Student’s Association where she spearheaded the efforts to have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day recognized at the University; on the committee of many organizations and was the first Canadian in the University’s history to ever be crowned “Homecoming Queen”. Despite a hectic schedule, Shani still finds the time to give back to her community. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Shani played an integral role in the chartering of the very first Canadian chapter of the sorority in 2007) and presents workshops and conferences for the social, financial and academic enhancement of elementary and high school students. Today Shani is the founder and president of "That's My Jam" a songwriting and publishing firm based in Toronto. She is also the co-founder and Sr. Marketing Manager of an events planning company, “In the Spotlight Entertainment,” an organization dedicated to providing high quality events and entertainment for the urban professional. Most recently Shani served as a writer for CityTV/Citynews.ca, detailing the inner workings of the 2007 Caribana Festivities.

Karen Boreland – Administrative Director

Karen Boreland is the Administrative Coordinator for the Student Leadership Institute where she plays a major role in coordinating two annual conferences, one for high school students entitled the Student Leadership Conference: Strategies for SAC Success and another for elementary school students entitled Be Tween Leaders: Elementary Student Leadership Conference. Karen is also a highly competent and dedicated Human Resources Professional employed by one of the leading financial institutions. She exceeds expectations through excellence in quality and service. Karen is currently pursuing the Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate Program at Seneca College, working towards her Certified Human Resources Professional Designation. Karen began volunteering with Black Pearls in 2003 in an effort help provide unique community services to the Black, female community

Tashi Moore, B.F.A. – Marketing Director

Tashina Yvette Moore was born determined and amiable. Young Tashina moved to Yokosuka Japan at the age of two. In Japan she had the opportunity to travel to various other Asian countries, which would give her a slightly Eastern civilization view of things. After eleven years overseas her family returned to California. Tashina attended was the prestigious Howard University in Washington D.C. While attending she grew to establish a greater sense of self and purpose, joining several organizations such as Golden Key International Honour Society, NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Habitat for Humanities, Bison student leadership program, and the Circle K International. In May of 2004 she graduated cum laude from Howard University and set off to make her mark on the world. Traveling was something she had done her entire life. In just the four years while in university she had been to Tokyo, Chicago, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, London, Paris, Lyon and Korea. Because mundane occupations involving travel wouldn't suffice she searched for a clever way to turn her passions into a career that helped others find fulfillment their lives while she hers. After three years of a lot research and hard work 30 Elephants was incorporated. At 25 the future for Tashina Moore is very bright.

Autherine Ricketts, B.A., B.Ed., C.I.P – Project Co-ordinator

Autherine Ricketts was born in Jamaica and moved to London, Ontario at the age of 8 years old. She moved to Toronto to attend York University, where she graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and History (specializing on Blacks in the Diaspora). During her studies she spent a year the the University of the West Indies, Mona campus in Jamaica. While attending university her involvement in the community included working as an assistant to the Founder's College Academic Advisor where she hosted a Race and Cultural Relations workshops between high school students and members of York University community. While studying in Jamaica she was a member of SWUAVE an association for the advancement of women via education. Autherine completed her Bachelor of Education at Brock University and earned a Chartered Insurance Professional certificate in 2007. Autherine spent a couple of years working with troubled and abused teens at Central Toronto Youth Services as an advisor and youth case worker. More recently her volunteer work involved mentoring teens through the YMCA Youth Leadership Corp teaching essential life skills. She is currently working as a corporate educator and teaches two night classes.

Jewel Celestine, H.B.A., B.A.S., B.Ed., M.HRM., CHRP – Volunteer Co-ordinator

Jewel Celestine was born in Toronto, Ontario to Trinidadian parents. She earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Administrative Studies from York University. After completing her business degree, Jewel went on further to specialize in Human Resource Management, completing Ryerson University’s certificate program. She also holds a Certificate in Management from York University and a Certificate in Management and Administration from the Canadian Institute of Management. In 2007, Jewel earned both a Masters degree in Human Resource Management from York University, and an undergraduate degree in Adult Education from Brock University. Combining her passion for Human Resource Management with Adult Education, she is currently pursuing a Masters in Education from the University of Toronto, where she is focusing on Workplace Learning and Organizational Development. Her community work includes her current role as a mentor and job coach with “Opportunities Unlimited”, a federally-sponsored program focused on bridging the workplace gap for young women. She has also worked with VACA- the Vaughan African-Canadian Association. As a Certified HR Professional (CHRP), Jewel currently works as a Business Consultant, Strategic HR Initiatives with the Government of Ontario.

Dianne Canzius, H.B.A., M.A., M.P.A. – Fund Development Co-ordinator

Dianne Canzius was born in Toronto and completed her first university degree – an Honours BA in Political Science and History at the University of Toronto. While at UofT she was a starting player on the OUAA Women’s Field Hockey Team. In addition, as a member of the Ontario Women's Field Hockey Team she won a silver medal at the Canada Summer Games in 2001. She pursued graduate studies in Political Science and obtained a Master of Arts Degree at Western. Most recently, she completed a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Queen’s School of Policy Studies. Dianne currently works as a Research Policy Analyst for the Ontario Government on policies and programs that provide student aid funding for Ontario college and university students. Dianne is passionate about life and about “paying it forward”. She is well traveled and believes in helping everyone realize and achieve their full potential.

Lauren Canzius, H.B.A., M.I.R. – Business Affairs Co-ordinator

Lauren Canzius was born in Toronto and holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Relations from Queen’s University, and an Honours B.A from the University of Toronto. Lauren is very community focused. Over the past two summers Lauren has volunteered as a softball coach, leading her team to win the 2006 league championships. Also, as a university student, Lauren returned to her high school to help mentor and act as a resources to students in their academic pursuits. Lauren currently works as a Labour Relations Analyst for the Ontario Government, as part of the highly competitive Ontario Internship Program. Motivated to pursue life’s goals, Lauren believes in living life to its fullest and helping others explore life’s possibilities.