About our stories.

By creating this ground-breaking children's audiobook series, we are recognizing the impact Black Canadian women have had and continue to make in our communities. We will be giving these courageous role models their deserved glory and celebrating diversity that makes Canada such a special place!

Through inspiring stories of resilience during challenging times, young people everywhere can learn just how much can be achieved when there is courage behind an idea - paving the way for them to create positive changes within their own lives too.

About our authors.

  • Tyannah Brown resides in Oshawa, Ontario with her three sisters, mother, and father. She is currently pursuing a degree in Legal Studies, with a minor in Human Rights Law, at Ontario Tech University.

    Tyannah also works as a peer tutor and peer success facilitator at Ontario Tech University, where she helps students hone their time management skills and learn exam preparation.

    Tyannah would like to become a human rights lawyer as she believes that everyone’s rights should be respected and acknowledged. In her spare time, Tyannah enjoys watching television shows, and movies, and playing video games. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends. Tyannah hopes that this story will educate readers on the importance of being kind to everyone and appreciating all our differences. She also hopes that it teaches you to embrace who you are because we are all unique!

  • Rachelle is an experienced librarian, writer, and humanitarian. She holds an honour’s degree in English from York University and a master’s degree in Information Studies at the University of Toronto. Rachelle’s librarianship spans almost two decades and includes several leadership roles and assignments including Special Collections Selector for the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. In her current position as a Senior Services Specialist, Equity and Inclusion, she continues to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

    Rachelle’s volunteer work includes designing and helping to establish an elementary school library in Ghana and teaching basic bookkeeping to women in a remote village. She is a lover of books, travel, and life. In her spare time, Rachelle enjoys relaxing with family and friends, baking, and working on her own writing projects, including her first two picture books, Winnie and the Magic Masks and Count on Dr. O. Rachelle lives in Whitby, Ontario with her husband and two children.

  • Tara Kapoor is a fourth-year Bachelor of Science student specializing in the field of Kinesiology. While her area of study is science-based, the arts have always held a special place in her heart.

    Her initial career aspiration was to be an Author, which then changed to a Librarian. She has been an avid reader since she could turn the pages herself, and her most prized possession is her overflowing bookshelf.

  • Anne Moraa is a Kenyan feminist writer, editor, and performer. She is the co-founder of the LAM Sisterhood (TLS) an award-winning story company that fills the world with stories for African women to feel seen, heard, and beloved. Her work with TLS includes being the writer & co-creator of an original children's podcast "KaBrazen" telling our rich histories for our little ones, as well as developing multimedia children's content with the Aga Khan Foundation. Her adult writing can be found in Catapult, The Meridians Journal, The Elephant among others and she is at work on her debut novel (all while eating copious amounts of chilli-lemon crisps!)

  • Chidinma Blessing Okafor (Chidi) was born and raised in Nigeria, where she obtained her first degree in Economics. She later went to the United Kingdom and received a Master of Science (MSc) degree at the University of Salford.

    Asides from her dissertation, Chidi has contributed to the Accountability literature. She published in the Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal her paper titled Deployment of whistle-blowing as an accountability mechanism to curb corruption and fraud in a developing democracy.

    She previously worked as a billing officer and as a market researcher. Currently, she studies Accounting at the Chang School of Continuing Education, Toronto Metropolitan University and is pursuing her CPA designation. She lives in Mississauga with her family.

  • Amanda Ottley is a Registered Nurse and the founder of The Pamoja Institute for Community Engagement and Action.

    Amanda advocates for equitable access to the resources necessary to foster improved health and well-being in the Black community.

    Amanda’s work to create a Just Future Now has been recognized at home and internationally. She was awarded the Research Excellence in Black Community Impact award and received the Leadership in Business Award from the United Way of Greater Toronto.

About our editor.

  • Rachelle is an experienced librarian, writer, and humanitarian. She holds an honour’s degree in English from York University and a master’s degree in Information Studies at the University of Toronto. Rachelle’s librarianship spans almost two decades and includes several leadership roles and assignments including Special Collections Selector for the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. In her current position as a Senior Services Specialist, Equity and Inclusion, she continues to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

    Rachelle’s volunteer work includes designing and helping to establish an elementary school library in Ghana and teaching basic bookkeeping to women in a remote village. She is a lover of books, travel, and life. In her spare time, Rachelle enjoys relaxing with family and friends, baking, and working on her own writing projects, including her first two picture books, Winnie and the Magic Masks and Count on Dr. O. Rachelle lives in Whitby, Ontario with her husband and two children.

About our contributors.

  • Urja Patel is a first-year Honours Planning student at the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo.

    Urja is a creative and a humanitarian at heart; she is passionate about the built environment and the arts. She has always taken artistic liberties throughout her life, from drawing and painting to graphic design, on canvases and pages of paper, to using technologies and software. Urja strives to create art and bring the stories of incredible individuals to the spotlight every opportunity she can.

    As a humanitarian, prospective urban planner, environmentalist, and artist, she believes that Our Stories must be told.

  • Noah Glassford is from Northern Ontario. He is a programmer focused on interactive technologies. He went to school for Information Technology and Game Development.

    Noah believes in using technology to make the world a better place. He loves learning about new and emerging technologies like Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence and seeing how they can be used to improve many aspects of life.

  • Sara Taghavi Motlagh is a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at Ontario Tech University. With over 11 years of experience in telecommunications and a strong academic background, Sara is a highly skilled and adaptable professional.

    She has expertise in telecommunications technologies, research and development, and technology innovation, both in the academic and industry sectors. Sara is able to draw on a diverse range of skills and knowledge, ranging from practical technical skills to high-level theoretical concepts, in order to respond effectively to challenges. In her role as project coordinator for the Our Stories books project, Sara has brought her expertise and strong problem-solving abilities to bear in ensuring the smooth and successful execution of the project.

  • Ashaunté Samuels was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. Ever since she was in high school, she has had a passion of expressing herself through writing. She loves reading and exploring new perspectives. Her work with The Pamoja Institute has inspired her to pursue writing again. Ashaunté hopes to continue to make a positive impact on her community, by fostering creativity and spreading knowledge.

  • An activist, actor, writer and impact producer, Keda Edwards Pierre brings a unique and unorthodox mixture of talent, training and real-life experience to her work. Her commanding presence and captivating voice transform listeners from bystanders to participants in the stories and messages she brings to life. The richness of Keda’s sound imbues voice-over projects with a naturally expressive voice quality, compelling authenticity, vibrant energy and broad appeal. In a generous and thoroughly engaging way, Keda infuses her voice and acting with a relatable quality – creating a space where people can see and nurture their own human experiences in the stories she shares.