Board of
Directors
Black Creek Community Health Centre is governed by ten volunteers, as representatives of the community, who act together as the organization’s Board of Directors.
The Board acts in the best interests of the community, providing oversight, which includes approval of budgets and ensuring the health centre’s leadership team has what’s required to lead the organization it serves.
The Board’s directors for 2023-2024 are reputable and engaged members of communities throughout Toronto’s northwest.
Abdikarim Abdullahi
Abdikarim is a 35-time published author, was awarded a full scholarship to get his Ph.D. from University of Toronto and was ranked in the top 10% of doctoral students in Canada, and yet, as a Black student, has experienced the stigma of lowered expectations from well-meaning educators.
His experience has transformed Abdikarim into a fierce advocate for improved access to post-secondary education and opportunities for disadvantaged students. In 2016, he co-founded the Black Researchers Initiative to Empower (BRITE) program at University of Toronto, which brings mentorship, guidance, and university application support to reduce the achievement gap in STEM programs.
Abdikarim is serving his 2nd term on the board of directors at Black Creek CHC.
Ola Adegoke
Ola Adegoke researches the link between human nutrition and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Through his directorship positions in churches in Montreal and Toronto, he contributed to activities and programs aimed at supporting recent immigrants and those facing socioeconomic barriers to accessing health and social programs and services.
Born in southwest Nigeria, Ola is the fifth of eight children in his family. He obtained his doctoral degree in Nutrition & Metabolism from the University of Alberta and was a postdoctoral fellow with the Canadian Diabetes Society at McGill. He moved to Toronto in 2007, where he is currently Associate Professor, School of Kinesiology & Health Science, York University.
Ola has been a member of Black Creek CHC’s Board of Directors for four years, acting as board chair in 2021-2022. Black Creek CHC’s Board and community of clients are grateful for his expertise, passion, and leadership.
Fatema Ali
As a member of the community, Fatema Ali has experience with community-engaged projects regarding chronic diseases, health systems and policies impacting people’s lives. Fatema has her MSc in Medical Anthropology with a collaborative specialization in Women’s Health from the University of Toronto. Her graduate research project focuses on understanding the experience of Black women, living with diabetes, by studying the intersection of health, race, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Fatema has worked and volunteered in various Jane & Finch community settings for over ten years. She is the coordinator for network activities and research at the University of Toronto’s Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations. Also, she is the Chair of the Research Advisory Committee at Black Creek Community Health Centre.
Evelyn Ascencio –
Secretary
From a young age, Evelyn was aware of the barriers faced by newcomers to Canada. As a lifelong resident of northwest Toronto, and as the daughter of Salvadoran refugees, she witnessed her own refugee parents’ struggles to access health and social services.
Evelyn graduated from University of Toronto with her Masters of Public Health. Her education, along with experience working on issues such as poverty, mental health, and housing offers the opportunity to blend her policy and public health expertise with her personal lived experience, to support real and impactful change for Black Creek CHC’s community of clients.
Karla Bravo
Karla’s passion and experience in community development is rooted in more than 25 years experience in staff training and development. Her coordination and implementation of recreational youth support programs, also includes experience with adapted and integrated programs.
With strong planning and organization skills, combined with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, Karla’s work on the Active Living Team with Toronto Community Housing, and as the Newcomer Youth Community Engagement Facilitator at Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre, is key to her role on Black Creek CHC’s Board of Directors.
Above all, it is Karla’s passion to support Black Creek CHC’s community’s needs and expectations, that makes her a welcome addition.
Dr. Oghenowede Eyawo – Vice Chair
As a professor, specializing in Global Health Epidemiology in the School of Global Health at York University, Dr. Eyawo lives and works in Black Creek CHC’s catchment area.
Dr. Eyawo shares challenges and experiences faced by many clients. As a strategic thinker who is passionate about improving population health and well being, he supports community-based initiatives supporting historically disadvantaged groups.
Carolyn Khalil – Chair
Carolyn volunteers her time and expertise with multiple organizations in Ontario, Canada, and Tanzania as a passionate advocate for equity, education, and sustainability.
She holds a Bachelor or Science in Chemistry and Math, as well as a Bachelor of Education, and an MBA. She is currently a secondary school teacher. As a specialist in operations, Carolyn enjoys problem solving. Her expertise is a welcome addition to Black Creek CHC’s Board of Directors.
Sayem Khan
Sayem is a professional Chartered Accountant. He has been a resident of the Jane & Finch community for more than a decade. He is a graduate of CW Jefferys Collegiate Institute and York University -Schulich School of Business, where he obtained his Bachelors in Business Administration and his Masters in Accounting. He has been involved in many community initiatives.
Sayem enjoys meeting new people and supporting his community. He has been a beneficiary of Black Creek CHC’s programs and has previous experience as a volunteer with the centre, including his work with a vaccine clinic at a local mosque. He is looking forward to his experience as a Black Creek CHC Board Member.
Laura Lavallee –
Treasurer
In her professional role as Director of Services, Yellow Brick House, Laura brings leadership in quality and risk mitigation and a proven track record for improvement of statistical compliance, quality, and best practice standards across the health sector to Black Creek CHC’s Board of Directors.
Her organizational leadership is invaluable for the implementation of RNAO’s champion standards, and Accreditation Canada Exemplary practice standards. Her oversight results in programs that are favoured by funders, agency partners, and the community at large.
Laura’s knowledge of the health sector and of Black Creek CHC’s clients and catchment area makes her a valuable addition to the Board of Directors.
Danavan Samuels
Danavan is a systems navigator and strategic thinker. As a proud resident of Black Creek CHC’s community, Danavan brings more than three decades experience from his work with all levels of government, as well as United Way, Community Housing, and grassroots organizations such as North York Community House and Eva’s Initiative.
Throughout his career, Danavan has advocated for equity-seeking populations. Most recently, in his role with the federal government, as Manager, Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, he worked to build a national ecosystem of Black-led non-profit organizations, and a funding mechanism to support organizational capacity.
‘As a proud father of five children, health, mental health, and community wellbeing are extremely important to me. I am humbled to get the opportunity to serve my community in this capacity”.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Black Creek CHC serves clients in Toronto’s Northwest, bordered by Steeles & Wilson Avenue; Keele Street & the Humber River.
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