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Spring 2023 Edition
Young Global Leaders Accelerator
The ForUsGirls Foundation, Young Global Leaders (YGL)Accelerator, is a 7-week total immersive professional development, global leaders, and entrepreneurial training program. We designed this program to empower, develop, and mentor young Black, Indigenous, and of Color women and gender diverse aged 17-25.
The Emerging Young Global Leaders accelerator program provides training from Fortune 500 company executives, inspirational entrepreneurs, and leading industry professionals on the UN Global Goals, Global Citizenship, Design Thinking, Business Model Lean Canvas, Agile Project Management, Branding & Marketing, Sponsorship & Pitch Funding.
The YGL Accelerator provides insights on how to create, design, and launch social-impact-focused businesses and social justice community projects.
If you are ready to challenge yourself, learn, develop, and grow personally and professionally, apply to participate in the Winter 2023 Kitchener Waterloo Edition and compete to win $1,500 seed funding to launch your community project or business sponsored by Shopify.
This edition is made possible with funding from the City of Kitchener RISE Grant and Shopify.
NEW ACCELERATOR DATES
- Applications Open: December 14, 2022
- Applications Deadline Extended: February 26, 2023 (midnight est)
Spring 2023 Edition Cohort 5 Announcement: February 28, 2023 - Accelerator Weekly Date: Thursday Evening
- Start Date: March 2, 2023
- End Date: April 20, 2023
- Finale & Pitch Competition Date: April 27, 2023
Featured Keynote Speaker
Collen James, Regional Councillor, Waterloo Region
Colleen James was elected to Regional Council in October 2022, representing City of Kitchener residents.
Colleen’s professional career includes more than 15 years of experience in municipal government at both the city and regional levels. As the founder of Divonify Incorporated, Colleen is a leading consultant on equity and inclusion. Locally, nationally, and internationally, Colleen partners with a wide range of public, private, and not-for-profit organizations and businesses that are committed to change.
Colleen’s values are central to her work as a leader. These values determine her approach to making decisions as a Councillor on behalf of the community. These values include building trusted relationships; having equity-informed community discussions; listening and collaborating; empowering and amplifying; taking meaningful action, and being accountable.
Colleen graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours B.A. in history, political science, and Caribbean studies. She holds a master’s degree in leadership, higher, and adult education from U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).
In 2020, the Canada International Black Women Event named Colleen one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch. In 2021, she was named one of the Top 25 Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Persons of the Year by the Canadian Multicultural Group.
FEATURED KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson, Vice-President, Technology Export Development Canada
Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson, is an award-winning leader, and Technology Executive. Currently holding the position of Vice President, Technology and Operations & Services and a Cloud Transformation at Export Development Canada — but that’s not all. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics, and minor in Computer Science, from Concordia University. Outside of work, Nkechi is involved in the Fitness Industry, and competes as a Professional Bodybuilder. She is founder and CEO of Empowered in My Skin Inc., a grassroots organization she is nurturing that focuses on Personal Branding and helping humans everywhere thrive on a daily basis. She aspires to help one billion people think in ways that is empowering. She is a firm believer that empowered people, empower people, which is the key way to create sustainable change in this world.
Guest Speakers
Dr. Joann Halpern
Dr. Joann Halpern is the director of the Hasso Plattner Institute, New York (HPI), a Design Thinking coach, and an adjunct professor of International Education at New York University. Prior to joining HPI, she was the founding director of the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI). Before she established GCRI, Dr. Halpern was Director of Academic Affairs and Senior Studies and Assistant Professor of International Education at Global College of Long Island University. She also co-founded Knowledge Transfer Beyond Boundaries, an NGO with projects in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Yemen. From 1996 to 2001, Dr. Halpern was Director of International Programs at Harz University of Applied Sciences in Wernigerode, Germany. She received her B.A. from Dartmouth College, her M.A. from Harvard University, and her Ph.D. from New York University. Dr. Halpern is a recipient of the Harvard Award for Distinction in Teaching as well as scholarships and fellowships from the Fulbright Association, German Academic Exchange Service, Robert Bosch Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She serves on the advisory boards of the German Accelerator, Charité Entrepreneurship Summit, Technical University of Dortmund, and University Alliance Ruhr.
Nancy Taiye
Nancy Taiye Aragbaye has always been an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Since her youth, history has always been an interest of hers. Fascinated by how communities and cities grow, She hyper focused on developing solutions to transform impoverished communities to thriving environments. As a former Teach For America Educator, She discovered a gap in the education system - a desperate need for formal business & leadership development. In response to these challenges, She launched Strategic Solutions Global, an organization focused on providing Business & Leadership Education to Black Women across the globe. As a seasoned leadership expert, business strategist and Women’s Empowerment Advocate, she understands that female led sustainable small businesses serve as a key element to economic mobility.
Meet YGL Cohort 5 Pitch Competition Winners
Chelsea Ohiolei Ehimiaghe
Chelsea Ohiolei Ehimiaghe
Chelsea Ohiolei Ehimiaghe
Created Nigerian Energy Agency
Brialis Phan
Chelsea Ohiolei Ehimiaghe
Chelsea Ohiolei Ehimiaghe
Healing With Opportunity (Hwo)
Kaleigha Kennedy-Noble
Chelsea Ohiolei Ehimiaghe
Kaleigha Kennedy-Noble
Created Kali Kurls
Our Partners & Sponors
Black Girls Thriving Workshop
Black girls deserve spaces where they can embrace their power, find their voice, and step into their confidence. Black Girls Thriving: Finding Your Voice & Building Confidence is an interactive half-day experience designed to uplift, inspire, and equip Black girls with the tools to lead boldly, navigate their futures, and embrace their unique strengths.