BCAN salutes the determined Travonne Edwards for constantly keeping his eye on the ball. This University of Toronto Ph.D. student is a force to be reckoned with. Travonne has served as a member of the BCAN research team, working closely with Dr. Julian Hasford and Dr. Camisha Sibblis. He has brought his expertise, drive, and commitment to our community as he helps us carry out our mission to promote equity-focused systems change and community empowerment through advocacy, community mobilization, community education, and research. Thank you, Travonne, for all that you do; you remind us that we are indeed stronger together.

BCAN salutes Chima Nsitem for being a strategic driver in promoting systems/structural change that will improve the lives of Black children and their families within the Peel community. Chima has developed and is currently leading several culturally specific wraparound services for children, youth and families. In addition, he has worked closely with BCAN, FFAF, ROOTS and our Community to develop the AKOMA Wraparound Service Model. He is currently working with our partners to co-develop a Peel-specific Aunties & Uncles Initiative.

As Director, Diversity, Inclusion and Service, Chima develops and leads the integration of diversity and inclusion practices across all service levels at Peel CAS. He sets out service delivery strategies and strives to ensure operational excellence, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a positive client experience. He holds key positions on community and regional committees such as the United Way Black Community Advisory Council, Child Welfare Equity of Practice Leads, Peel Police Human Rights Advisory Committee, the anti-Black racism and Systemic Discrimination Table, and the United Way of Greater Toronto Black Community Advisory Committee. BCAN thanks him for his continued support.

BCAN salutes the incredible elder Marjorie Taylor, an award-winning Community Leader who we have been blessed to call upon to share her wisdom, expertise and continued support. Ms. Taylor says, “volunteering has always been a part of my DNA, and I have been doing this since my youth.”

We congratulate her on being named one of the Accomplished Black Canadian Women (100 ABC Women). You are invited to view the biannual presentation on Saturday, September 18th at 6:00 PM.

BCAN salutes Jesse Murray for his commitment to the youth within the Peel region. Jesse and his outstanding team at Peel SWAG have been doing extraordinary work in building up young Black men and helping them to reach their full potential.

Jesse holds a Master’s degree in Child and Youth Care from Ryerson University. His child and youth services career began over 10 years ago as a frontline worker in residential care and youth custody settings. Following a passion for youth engagement and community development, Jesse moved on to work with youth in the community mental health sector as a Youth Engagement Worker with Peel Children’s Centre. Utilizing his experience in different milieus, Jesse also began lecturing part-time as a Professor with the Child and Youth Care Program at Sheridan College. Today, his courses focus on anti-oppressive practice, placement supervision, creative therapeutic programing, group facilitation, and advanced child and youth care issues. Before beginning his role as Senior Manager for the BYSSI project, Jesse also focused on youth program management, development, and evaluation as the Manager of Peel's Success With Age & Guidance program.

BCAN looks forward to our continued collaborations to better our community and the youth that we serve.

Juliet Jackson has been a committed and fierce support of the work of our organization, and for that, BCAN salutes her. BCAN is grateful for Juliet’s example of inspiration, tenacity, grit and commitment to mentor young women to move into their destiny. Her partnership with BCAN has only made the organization stronger and more resilient, and for that, we are truly grateful.

For his vision, innovation and resilience, BCAN salutes Richard Miller, founder of Keep6ix. Richard and his team have been working hard to assist youth and adults through their reintegration process who have lived experience with the criminal justice system.

Richard is a driven community leader dedicated to assisting underserved youth. After experiencing and witnessing misrepresentation, racism, corruption, and injustices experienced by black youth and minorities, Richard decided to establish Keep6ix. His passion is to bring healing to individuals who have been through traumatic experiences by ensuring resources and programming are available to prevent incarceration. In addition, Richard is an experienced and savvy entrepreneur who believes in training and developing the next generation of young professionals. He believes that our young people can thrive and become successful with a second chance and the right opportunities present.

With over 20 years of makeup artistry in the film and TV industry, Roxanne DeNobrega has become one of the most sought-after artists for high-profile productions in Canada and the US. While working on productions such as Netflix's Self Made, or Lifetime's Salt-N-Pepa movies, Roxanne loves to dabble in high fashion to exercise her creative artistry skills. Fashion magazine pages, such as L'Officiel, often feature Roxanne's work.

Roxanne's love for all things beautiful and passion for learning new things keeps her high in demand and at the top of her makeup game. However, Roxanne's passion extends to her love for community, the future of our youth, and women's empowerment. Whether she is lending her expertise to BCAN, individuals or various women's shelters across the GTA, Roxanne shows up with her whole self. Roxanne gives everything she has, tangible and otherwise, for the betterment of every individual she encounters and the community she serves. And for that, BCAN honours Roxanne DeNobrega.

BCAN salutes Deputy Chief Andrews for showing up and showing out to supporting the community, youth, the work of BCAN and the network. And for that, we are extremely grateful!

Deputy Chief Marc Andrews is a long-time resident of Brampton who grew up in and attended high school in Mississauga. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto and has a Master's of Business Administration degree from the University of Athabasca.

Prior to joining Peel Regional Police in 1990, Deputy Chief Andrews was a commissioned officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. He served with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry for five years, during which time he was involved in numerous operations and completed a United Nations Peacekeeping Tour in Cyprus.

Deputy Chief Andrews began his career as a Constable at 12 Division in Uniform Patrol and was subsequently assigned to the Morality Bureau. In 1998, he transferred to the Homicide Bureau, where he received his first promotion to Detective. While assigned to Homicide, he was the primary investigator on a number of high-profile investigations.

In September 2003, Deputy Chief Andrews was promoted to Staff Sergeant and subsequently held posts in a variety of areas within the organization including; Radio Operations, Field Operations, 21 Division and the Airport Division, before being promoted to Inspector and being assigned to the Duty Inspectors Office. In December 2011, he was assigned to 21 Division as the Uniform Inspector before being promoted to Superintendent and transferred to 11 Division, in May of 2013. In 2015, he was assigned to Corporate Development where he oversaw significant changes to the uniform recruiting and training processes.

Since September 2013, Deputy Chief Andrews has been an aide-de-camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, serving under the Honourable David Onley and the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

On March 27, 2018, Marc Andrews was appointed Deputy Chief of Police.