BEF Roster scholarship Award winners
Jedi Amoako
Jedi Amoako
Jedi Amoako
Jedi Amoako is a Child & Youth Worker and second-year law student at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law in Toronto. Passionate about improving access to justice, Jedi aspires to serve the Black community with her law degree in the area of family law and child welfare. She has served as a youth program facilitator in a variety of institut
Jedi Amoako is a Child & Youth Worker and second-year law student at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law in Toronto. Passionate about improving access to justice, Jedi aspires to serve the Black community with her law degree in the area of family law and child welfare. She has served as a youth program facilitator in a variety of institutions including schools, churches, and social services. In her leisure time, Jedi loves to learn different languages and instruments such as the bass guitar and piano.
Eva Ojo
Jedi Amoako
Jedi Amoako
I am a Nigerian-Canadian high-school graduate. I enjoy reading, art, caring for plants, spending quality time with those I love. I have a passion for justice, fairness, equality, being involved in the various communities im a member of. I aim to attain my bachelors degree to enter medical school to became an anesthesiologist.
Sara Shifaw
Jedi Amoako
Sara Shifaw
Sara Shifaw is a young educator and vocalist who has recently earned her bachelor’s degree in music with specialization in education and minoring in theatre studies at Western University. This school year Sara will begin her next journey earning her Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy studying at the University of Tor
Sara Shifaw is a young educator and vocalist who has recently earned her bachelor’s degree in music with specialization in education and minoring in theatre studies at Western University. This school year Sara will begin her next journey earning her Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy studying at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute of Studies in Education. Her experience navigating through Ontario’s education system as a Black identifying Ethiopian Canadian has resulted in her interests in advocacy work. She translates her educational experiences studying at a predominantly White institution and produces pieces that spark deeper level thinking on topics such as equity in education, the student experience of racialized students, and elitism in education. As Sara begins her master’s program, she strives to continue making positive contributes towards shaping an education system that ensures equity for all students.
Kindred Foundation Roster scholarship award winners
David Akintola
David Akintola
David Akintola
I am pursuing a Nursing Degree at McMaster University and will start in September. I am an NBA fan and love to play and talk basketball. I'm an avid Marvel movie fan and will talk Marvel with anyone who let's me. I want to help people lead healthy lives and make a tangible difference in this world one person at a time.
Noran Izalarab
David Akintola
David Akintola
I will be attending Western university to study Medical Sciences and hopefully after my undergraduate degree I will be pursuing medicine because I don’t picture myself being anything but a doctor! During university, I want to travel more frequently to explore new cultures and food! I am beyond grateful and honoured to have been selected a
I will be attending Western university to study Medical Sciences and hopefully after my undergraduate degree I will be pursuing medicine because I don’t picture myself being anything but a doctor! During university, I want to travel more frequently to explore new cultures and food! I am beyond grateful and honoured to have been selected as the recipient of this award. Thank you to the Black Education Fund committee for believing in me.
Lillian Menghistab
Lillian Menghistab
Lillian Menghistab
In the fall, Lillian will finally venture into the psychology field. Her passion for this discipline sparked from the themes and characters in some of her favourite movies and shows. She hopes to begin her practice after obtaining a degree in psychology.
Nikaela Walker
Lillian Menghistab
Lillian Menghistab
Nikaela Walker is an incoming third-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University studying Honours Biology while concentrating in cells, molecular biology and genetics as well as anatomy and physiology. Upon graduation, Nikaela hopes to attend a Canadian dental school where she will later specialize in orthodontics. It is her ultimate goal t
Nikaela Walker is an incoming third-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University studying Honours Biology while concentrating in cells, molecular biology and genetics as well as anatomy and physiology. Upon graduation, Nikaela hopes to attend a Canadian dental school where she will later specialize in orthodontics. It is her ultimate goal to open her own practice where she will provide patients with lasting results and confidence in their smiles.
Shadia Adekunte
Jayden Blackwood
Jayden Blackwood
My name is Shadia Adekunte, and I am going into my second year of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Becoming a physician has been a dream of mine since I was a child, so I am incredibly excited to be on this journey! The value of community has been instilled in me, so I believe it is important to use my skills to get involved whereve
My name is Shadia Adekunte, and I am going into my second year of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Becoming a physician has been a dream of mine since I was a child, so I am incredibly excited to be on this journey! The value of community has been instilled in me, so I believe it is important to use my skills to get involved wherever I can! I am passionate about mentorship and positive role models in my community, so I help lead a program that encourages Black youth to pursue post-secondary education.
Jayden Blackwood
Jayden Blackwood
Jayden Blackwood
While studying Neuroscience at the University of Toronto, it became increasingly evident that the knowledge I learned was most impactful when practically implemented. As I continue to develop my passion for using visual media to communicate scientific concepts, I look to contribute my scientific knowledge across academia and various healt
While studying Neuroscience at the University of Toronto, it became increasingly evident that the knowledge I learned was most impactful when practically implemented. As I continue to develop my passion for using visual media to communicate scientific concepts, I look to contribute my scientific knowledge across academia and various health-based initiatives. Overall, I aim to foster environments where inquiry is encouraged and information dissemination encourages autonomy and informed decision-making.
Rhonda Boateng
Jayden Blackwood
Rhonda Boateng
My career objective is to become a Scientist and Professor in the area of Global Health, Implementation Science and Evaluation. My research projects have and continue to center mental health and non-communicable diseases in Black population. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Health Services Research.
Kiya Busby
Kiya Busby
Rhonda Boateng
Kiya Busby is the founder and director of the Black Voices Lab. Over the past year, The Black Voices Lab is a student-led organization that advocates for Black history education and Black student success. Kiya is known for speaking on the importance of fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for Black students as well as disru
Kiya Busby is the founder and director of the Black Voices Lab. Over the past year, The Black Voices Lab is a student-led organization that advocates for Black history education and Black student success. Kiya is known for speaking on the importance of fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for Black students as well as disrupting anti-Black racism in education. Kiya will attend the University of Waterloo where she will be studying Honours Health Sciences with a plan to pursue dentistry.
Naomi Dover
Kiya Busby
Naomi Dover
I have always been passionate about the sciences and am extremely excited to start attending McMaster university in the fall! I will be getting my Bachelor of Technology and will be studying biotechnology specifically. I plan on working hard and creating positive changes in my community!
Julia Eden
Kiya Busby
Naomi Dover
Julia Eden (they/them) has coordinated health equity adult learning, research, and community programming for over ten years. Their work has focused on the intersection of 2SLGBTQ; racialized; immigrant, refugee, and non-status people. They are starting their Masters of Social Work at the University of Toronto, where they hope to build th
Julia Eden (they/them) has coordinated health equity adult learning, research, and community programming for over ten years. Their work has focused on the intersection of 2SLGBTQ; racialized; immigrant, refugee, and non-status people. They are starting their Masters of Social Work at the University of Toronto, where they hope to build the clinical and system navigation skills needed to provide caring, ethical support to patients and clients as a therapist.
Mesai James
Leila Rose Mekchoudi
Leila Rose Mekchoudi
My name is Mesai James and I am starting my Undergrad at the University of Toronto in the program of Life Sciences. I have a passion for mission/community work. My interests include watching films and movies as well as drawing. My goal is to give back to my community by becoming a doctor.
Leila Rose Mekchoudi
Leila Rose Mekchoudi
Leila Rose Mekchoudi
Abigail Otu
Leila Rose Mekchoudi
Christina Reid
My name is Abigail. Some of my interests include volunteer and community work, reading, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. Some of my short-term goals include completing my degree and passing my licensing exam. I also aim to become better at budgeting and more financially savvy. Now, for the fun stuff. I want to check at
My name is Abigail. Some of my interests include volunteer and community work, reading, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. Some of my short-term goals include completing my degree and passing my licensing exam. I also aim to become better at budgeting and more financially savvy. Now, for the fun stuff. I want to check at least one destination, if not more, off of my bucket list every year and go skydiving. These two are important to me because it is a goal of mine to constantly push myself out of my comfort zone and do things that might make me uncomfortable. In addition to this, I am a student nurse and I work with a NGO that is dedicated to inspiring and working with Black and marginalized girls through various avenues (e.g., personal development, mental health, mentorship). Thank you to the Black Education Fund for thinking of Black students like myself. Thank you is not enough to express my gratitude!
Christina Reid
Christina Reid
Christina Reid
I will be the first Black student to graduate from St. Stephen's University a couple years from now! I enjoy traveling and delight in expanding my cultural horizons and appreciate culture differences. I wish to work at the UN in the distant future and being involved with short-term missionary assignments. I love music, nature, art and food.
Ajay Woolery
Christina Reid
Ajay Woolery
I am currently a student enrolled at OCAD University, and will be pursuing a Bachelor of Design in the Environmental Design program this fall. I am passionate about architecture and design. In the future, I hope to establish a practice focused on combating socio-spatial disparities by designing solutions meant to enhance the built environment in marginalised communities.