Who We Are

The Black Health Professionals Network (BHPN) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the careers of Black professionals in the healthcare industry.

The organization provides a range of services and resources to its members, including networking opportunities, career development support, and advocacy efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in healthcare.

Mission

To strengthen Canada’s healthcare ecosystem by building a comprehensive, publicly accessible directory of Black healthcare professionals. We aim to support them as providers, entrepreneurs, and individuals through tailored advisory services, financial education, networking, and mentorship — bridging systemic gaps in knowledge, access, and opportunity.

Vision

The BHPN aims to enhance the economic prosperity and long-term sustainability of the Black community by empowering Black healthcare professionals through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and equitable access to resources that support both personal and professional growth.

Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team combines expertise with passion to transform vision into action, driving growth.

Advisory Committee

Our Advisory Committee of industry veterans and thought leaders guides our vision, keeping us at the forefront of innovation.

  • Raquelle Forrester

    Director, Primary Healthcare Services

  • Shelley Philip LaForest

    RN, BN, MN, CVAA(c), PhD Student

  • Lyndsay O’Brecht

    Medical Doctor

  • Sean Wharton

    Medical Doctor

  • Millicent Dampare

    CEO, Entrepreneur, Investor

  • Gladys Osien

    Juris Doctor

  • Michael Yat

    Real Estate Broker, Entrepreneur, Investor

  • Manny Ewara

    Strategic Team Lead - Oncology in the Market Access & Strategic Customers Department

Dr. Nikolai Whyte

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Dr. Nik Whyte is a family physician specializing in aesthetic and bariatric medicine and is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Black Healthcare Professionals Network (BHPN). Throughout his medical education and career, he observed the lack of Black doctors in Ontario and recognized that many physicians were not equipped with training in business and entrepreneurship. Motivated to address these gaps, Nik helped establish BHPN as a platform to increase both the number of Black healthcare providers and Black entrepreneurs in Ontario. As Managing Director, he oversees the organization’s operations and guides its efforts to achieve key objectives and milestones.

Abena Addo, MEng

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Abena is the Founder and Executive Director of Aspire for Higher (A4H), a Black-led not-for-profit organization based in Canada. A4H’s mission focuses on advancing health and wellness, community, education, and entrepreneurship. Under Abena’s leadership, the organization has secured more than $3 million in funding from provincial and federal governments, including the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

With over eight years of experience as a Transportation Professional and Civil Engineer, Abena has led business cases supporting major infrastructure planning projects across the Greater Toronto Area, including the Ontario Line—a $16 billion, 15.6 km subway project in Toronto. Her career spans engineering consulting, economic and financial modelling, negotiating public-private partnerships, project management, and business transformation.

Eldon Holder Jr.

Director of Social Impact

Eldon is the Vice-President of Social Impact & Stakeholder Engagement at Aspire for Higher and an award-winning HR professional with over 13 years of experience in community development, labour economic research, recruitment, and project management. He is passionate about giving back, whether by hosting workshops that equip youth with the skills to secure meaningful employment or by fostering connections across communities to create positive, collective impact. His work is driven by a commitment to building a more equitable Canada for the next generation.

Deeply connected to community, Eldon is the recipient of the United Way Community Builders Award (2017) and the Ontario Black History Society UN International Decade Award (2018). Outside of his professional pursuits, he mentors youth, films documentaries, and experiments with making small-batch Hibiscus Sorrel Kombucha in South America.

Jennelle Robb

Strategic Engagement & Events Manager

Jennelle Robb boasts a track record of success in event coordination, client satisfaction, and team leadership. With a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Western University, she brings a unique perspective to event planning, enriched by her insights into the healthcare domain. Known for her exceptional organizational skills, Jennelle ensures that every event she coordinates runs seamlessly, thanks to her meticulous attention to detail. Her creativity shines through in her ability to craft innovative and memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees.

Jennelle’s effective communication skills and problem-solving ability make her a valuable asset in liaising with vendors, team members, and clients. As an entrepreneur and owner of her own décor company, she infuses creativity and innovation into every project, ensuring each event is a standout success. Deeply committed to her community, Jennelle’s customer-focused approach ensures that the needs and satisfaction of attendees and members are always prioritized. With Jennelle at the helm, you can expect nothing short of exceptional events and membership experiences that exceed expectations.

Raquelle Forrester

Director, Primary Healthcare Services

Shelley Philip LaForest

RN, BN, MN, CVAA(c), PhD Student

Lyndsay O’Brecht

Medical Doctor

Sean Wharton

Medical Doctor

Millicent Dampare

CEO, Entrepreneur, Investor

Gladys Osien

Juris Doctor

Michael Yat

Real Estate Broker, Entrepreneur, Investor

Manny Ewara

Strategic Team Lead - Oncology in the Market Access & Strategic Customers Department