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About Us

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 develop an ecosystem of Black healthcare in Ontario by building a comprehensive directory of Black healthcare professionals which can be accessed by the general public. In addition, we aim to support Black healthcare professionals who are aspiring entrepreneurs by providing tailored business advisory services, networking opportunities, and mentorship.
Vision The BHPN aims to increase access to healthcare for Black Canadians. We seek to improve the economic prosperity of the Black community by supporting Black healthcare professionals in their entrepreneurship and business development goals.

Our Objectives

01

Create a comprehensive directory of Black healthcare professionals in Ontario in an effort to increase public access to their services.

02

Develop an app and web-based directory of Black healthcare professionals from each field which has both public and professional interfaces.

03

Provide Opportunities for Black healthcare professionals to engage each other through networking, referrals, partnerships, and collaboration.

04

Assist Black healthcare professionals who are interested in or engaged in entrepreneurship through business advisory services, mentorship, and networking events.

Leadership Team

Dr. Nikolai Whyte

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Dr. Nikolai Whyte

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Dr. Nik Whyte is a family doctor practising in aesthetic and bariatric medicine. He is co-founder of the BHPN. Nik noticed a lack of Black doctors in Ontario throughout his medical education and subsequent career. He also noted that many doctors were not trained in business and entrepreneurship. Nik believed that the BHPN would be an effective way to both increase the number of black entrepreneurs in Ontario and increase the number of Black healthcare providers, two important mandates of the organization. As managing director, he oversees all aspects of the organization and helps to achieve the project’s objectives and milestones.

Abena Addo, MEng

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Abena Addo, MEng

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Abena is the Founder & Executive Director of Aspire for Higher (A4H), a Black-led not for profit organization based in Canada. A4H's mission and vision is centered around health and wellness, community, education and entrepreneurship. Through Abena’s leadership, A4H has received over $3 million dollars of funding from the provincial and federal levels of the Canadian government including the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario.

Abena has a background as a Transportation Professional and Civil Engineer with over 8 years of experience leading business cases to support infrastructure planning projects in the GTA including the Ontario Line, a $16 billion dollar, 15.6 km subway project in Toronto. Throughout her career she has gained experience in engineering consulting including technical expertise and oversight for economic and financial models, negotiating public-private partnerships, strategy, project management and business transformation.

Eldon Holder Jr.

Director of Social Impact

Eldon Holder Jr.

Director of Social Impact

Eldon is Vice-President of Social Impact & Stakeholder Engagement for 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. Giving back and helping others is a fundamental part of what keeps Eldon occupied. Whether it is hosting workshops to equip youth with skills to secure gainful employment; or connecting communities across the country to create positive collective impact – he is committed to building a more equitable Canada for the next generation.

Deeply connected to community, he is a recipient of the United Way Community Builders Award 2017, and the 2018 Ontario Black History Society UN International Decade. When he is not tackling socio-economic conundrums, he can be found mentoring youth, filming documentaries, or experimenting with making small batch Hibiscus Sorrel Kombucha in South America.

Cassandra Brady

Marketing & Communications Manager

Cassandra Brady

Marketing & Communications Manager

Cassandra Brady is a dedicated advocate for the black community, leveraging her expertise in small-business growth, branding, and marketing management to uplift and empower entrepreneurs.

With a deep commitment to fostering economic empowerment and social change, Cassandra has spent years supporting and guiding small businesses in their journey toward success. Through strategic branding and marketing initiatives, she helps businesses amplify their message, connect with their target audience, and achieve sustainable growth.

Her passion for supporting the black community shines through her unwavering dedication to creating opportunities, driving innovation, and fostering economic equity.

As a Wayne Embry Fellowship Finalist of the Toronto Raptors, Cassandra makes it a priority to support the development of basketball within the GTA and has found a home at Aspire for Higher, growing the passion for the game and expanding A4H’s footprint in the community as a Marketing and Communications Manager.

Schamona Pounall

Health Enterprise Outreach Coordinator

Schamona Pounall

Health Enterprise Outreach Coordinator

Schamona is the Healthcare Enterprise Outreach Coordinator and a medical secretary with proficient experience in medical office administration. With a background as a medical secretary and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Schamona brings valuable insight into the operational needs of medical practices. Her hands-on experience in medical administration allows her to understand the challenges clinics face, making her a trusted partner in helping find effective solutions.

With a deep passion for mental health, particularly within the Black community, she believes in the power of accessible and culturally competent healthcare, and her work aims to bridge gaps that can often hinder progress in these areas. By aligning her commitment to mental health with her role, Schamona is driven to make a lasting impact on the healthcare industry and the communities it serves.

Pako Tshiamala

Entrepreneur in Residence

Pako Tshiamala

Entrepreneur in Residence

Pako started his career in corporate finance working for top institutions in financial services and technology industries. In 2009, he founded PEDLA Consulitng Group which writes and executes business plans for startups including healthcare and legal organizations. Some of his clients have included: Appletree Medical Clinic, Pinpoint Healthcare Centres, Insig App, and healthcare impact investment fund Grand Challenges Canada. He is also the founder of Blink Equity, a DEI & ESG Consultancy helping organizations build future-proof workplaces and communities. Blink Equity specializes in Racial Equity Audits, ESG Strategy, and Events. As an Entrepreneur in Residence(EiR) at BHPN, Pako will be leveraging his business know-how and network to help BHPN build corporate partnerships that will help the organization increase access to healthcare for Black Canadians. In 2024, Pako Tshiamala was awarded with the the U of T African Alumni Association Social Innovation award for his work within the community. .

Jennelle Robb

Events & Membership Coordinator

Jennelle Robb

Events & Membership Coordinator

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 like clockwork, 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 decor 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.