Board of Directors
Thank you for visiting our Board Member page. The following individuals are the minds and hearts behind BMHC. The diversity of our board which spans age, industry, gender, identity allows us to speak on behalf of and account for the multi-faceted experiences of the black community. To contact any individual on our board, select the image and scroll down to their email address.
Teneshia T. Samuels
Teneshia T. Samuel (they/them) is a Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, corporate trainer, and mental health educator with the Art Gallery of Mississauga. They are an advocate for harm reduction, 2SLGBTQ+ issues and Accessibility for people with disabilities.
Teneshia serves on the Board of Directors for Moyo Health & Community Services (an Ontario Harm Reduction and HIV/AIDS Service Organization) and the Board of Directors for Black Mental Health Canada.
Teneshia is a world traveller on the deafblind spectrum and has studied Mindfulness and meditation with Buddhist monastics in Thailand. Teneshia is a visionary leader in the riding of Mississauga-Centre and a federal MP nomination contender for the New Democratic Party of Canada.
Teneshia serves on the Board of Directors for Moyo Health & Community Services (an Ontario Harm Reduction and HIV/AIDS Service Organization) and the Board of Directors for Black Mental Health Canada.
Teneshia is a world traveller on the deafblind spectrum and has studied Mindfulness and meditation with Buddhist monastics in Thailand. Teneshia is a visionary leader in the riding of Mississauga-Centre and a federal MP nomination contender for the New Democratic Party of Canada.
Donna Alexander
Donna is BMHC education lead. She is a Social Worker with a specialization in addiction & mental health and a major aspect of her work is in the area of Race Based Trauma. She currently serves on the Clinical Equity & Inclusion Committee at the Department of Psychiatry and is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Factor Inwentash School of Social Work at the University of Toronto.
Donna currently serves on the John Howard Society of Ontario African Canadian Research, Evaluation & Public Policy Reference Group, and serve on the Community Advisory Committee of the Children’s Aid Society Toronto. She also serves as an Advisor on the Pathways to Care project for Black Youth and is a member of the Health Task Force for the Black Opportunity Fund.
Donna previously served as the Vice President of the Black Health Alliance and on the Black Experiences in Healthcare Initiative out of Sinai Health Systems.
Donna provides training and support to organizations in the public and private sector in the area of race based trauma and anti racist, anti oppressive practices in clinical care.
Donna holds a master’s in social work from the University of Toronto, and is a Founding member of the Ontario Chapter of the Black Social Workers Association. She currently works at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in an ethno specific service for clients that are of African descent.
Alice Wiafe
Alice Wiafe has served as a speaker, talk show host, wife, mother, author, Associate Professor, but most importantly a student of life. For the last decade, Alice has been a consultant of Anger Management, and has had the privilege of supporting hundreds of men and women through their emotional healing journey. She teaches how we can use difficult relationships to help us strive towards wholeness, purpose and a better quality of life.
Alice holds a Master's degree in counseling psychology from Adler School of Professional Psychology and is completing her doctorate in Psychology from Ryokan College. According to Alice one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a speaker is the opportunity to connect with real people with real problems.
Alice draws from a decade of working with individuals who struggle with anger and other painful emotions. Through the use of her personal stories and practical strategies, she is able to provide concrete solutions to those who suffer emotionally. She invites us inside her own personal struggle with anger and resentment as she enlightens individuals step by step on how to escape the destructive emotional patterns in their lives.
Nataša Pašić-Knežević
I am a passionate educator, advocate and a critical thinker, a proud mom, and a happy member of a supportive family. I was born in Serbia, where I have completed my Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, as well as my Master’s Degree in Science-Clinical Psychology (both at University of Belgrade).
My young family and I moved to Canada in 1994, where I have completed Bachelor of Education Degree (University of Toronto) and the coursework as a PhD Candidate in Developmental Psychology (York University). I have been an elementary school educator since 2002, employed by the Peel District School Board as a classroom and resource teacher, later an instructional coach and currently as a vice-principal.
I am a life-long learner, passionate in fighting disadvantage and marginalization, and removing obstacles in the world around me. My mission is to support children and youth in achieving their potential through providing conditions for them to access excellent education and resources to accomplish mental wellness, confidence and fulfillment of their dreams. I commit myself to passionately enabling every, but especially the disadvantaged child to become a confident, ethical and visionary leader of the future.
Shanique Victoria Edwards
Shanique currently works as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of the Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative at CAMH, SickKids Hospital and the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in Neuroscience and Psychology and is currently completing a Masters at Tyndale University in Clinical Counselling.
With over 10 years of professional experience in healthcare, Shanique has held diverse administrative, operational and clinical roles. She is very passionate and loves working with young adults and underserved, vulnerable populations. She is founder and CEO of the Eden Legacy Foundation which originated out of her desire to see every generation of young adults emerge as leaders.
Shanique consistently volunteers her time in various capacities that empower and edify both young men and women. She has helped organize and host conferences and workshops that inspire young people and professionals push through their limitations and live in the realm of their full potential and actualize their dreams. She also actively mentors young people, both professionally and personally. She is an avid reader, writer and loves to travel.
With over 10 years of professional experience in healthcare, Shanique has held diverse administrative, operational and clinical roles. She is very passionate and loves working with young adults and underserved, vulnerable populations. She is founder and CEO of the Eden Legacy Foundation which originated out of her desire to see every generation of young adults emerge as leaders.
Shanique consistently volunteers her time in various capacities that empower and edify both young men and women. She has helped organize and host conferences and workshops that inspire young people and professionals push through their limitations and live in the realm of their full potential and actualize their dreams. She also actively mentors young people, both professionally and personally. She is an avid reader, writer and loves to travel.
Ian-Lloyd Geroge
Ian-Lloyd Geroge's involvement in Black Mental Health Canada is geared towards increasing knowledge in the areas of mental health, so that the community can boost its overall health and wellness.
Judy Mclean
Judy has been working in Human resources for 12 + years and loves learning about the human experience.
Her journey has lead her to work in public and private sectors, from Insurance, Healthcare and specifically World Vision, where she started doing international recruitment.
Presently working as a Sr Recruiter at GroupM where her speciality is sourcing and hiring by connecting the pieces of the puzzle in recruitment. Learning to serve and to be there for people was learned by Judy’s parents, so naturally she would seek opportunities to help the community, just like her dad.
She’s a member of #WeAllRiseTogether an ecosystem created in 2020 to assist the Black and Brown communities in the US which has 3 main pillars. Judy is a apart of the Woman to Woman pillar and the mission is creating a safe space for Black Women to be seen, heard and cared for.
Presently working as a Sr Recruiter at GroupM where her speciality is sourcing and hiring by connecting the pieces of the puzzle in recruitment. Learning to serve and to be there for people was learned by Judy’s parents, so naturally she would seek opportunities to help the community, just like her dad.
She’s a member of #WeAllRiseTogether an ecosystem created in 2020 to assist the Black and Brown communities in the US which has 3 main pillars. Judy is a apart of the Woman to Woman pillar and the mission is creating a safe space for Black Women to be seen, heard and cared for.
Meshell Herbert
Meshell Herbert is a labour rights & mental health advocate. As a Payment Service Officer for Employment & Social Development Canada (Service Canada), Meshell is committed to supporting Canadians who often face financial challenges.
She is an outspoken union steward for the Canada Employment & Immigration Union, and a champion of mental health initiatives for people or African descent. Meshell sits on the board of Black Mental Health Canada.
She is an outspoken union steward for the Canada Employment & Immigration Union, and a champion of mental health initiatives for people or African descent. Meshell sits on the board of Black Mental Health Canada.
Rachel Wilson
Rachel Wilson holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University. She has closely worked with racialized populations, including those with developmental and dual diagnoses for more than five years. Her passion for advocacy and promoting social justice led her to pursue a Master of Social Work at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.
Rachel understands the fragility of Black mental health and has a strong commitment to equipping Black families with the necessary tools to promote their mental well-being.
Applying an anti-oppressive framework, she strives to cultivate racial pride and positive self-esteem in the youth with whom she supports. She is elated to join as a board member of Black Mental Health Canada and is passionate about promoting positive mental health in the Black community.
Rachel understands the fragility of Black mental health and has a strong commitment to equipping Black families with the necessary tools to promote their mental well-being.
Applying an anti-oppressive framework, she strives to cultivate racial pride and positive self-esteem in the youth with whom she supports. She is elated to join as a board member of Black Mental Health Canada and is passionate about promoting positive mental health in the Black community.