Executive-Team — Black E.S.T.E.E.M.

Black E.S.T.E.E.M. Directors

Shayle Graham

CEO and Founder of Black E.S.T.E.E.M.

Shayle Graham is a social philanthropist who builds authentic partnerships with community organizations and institutions, for the purpose of advancing underserved youth. As an educator for the past 10 years, Shayle has streamlined the scope of her work to specifically address the systemic barriers that exist for Black youth, their families and communities.
Through her experience as a coach in the areas of equity, anti-racism, anti-Black and anti-oppression; Shayle collaborates with educators both locally and globally, to reimagine and implement programming in ways that honour the lived experiences of Black students, and cultural legacies that ground them.
More specifically, as an educator activist, Shayle advocates for increased representation of Black girls in STEM programming on a mission to create new educational and career pathways.
These ambitions have led Shayle to become the founder and president of a non-profit organization called Black E.S.T.E.E.M., which celebrates the beauty and brilliance of Black girls. It is her hope to leave a lasting footprint to honour those that came before her and pave the way for those that will come after.

Shannon Adams

Treasurer

My name is Shannon Adams and I am the Director of Content & Design here at Black E.S.T.E.E.M. As a passionate educator operating within the Toronto District School Board, applying pedagogy surrounding the intersectionality of ones’ self, my aspirations are to facilitate ideas of creativity and self- advocacy on equitable platforms that continue to empower Black girls and communities through the visual arts and media. It is my mission to inspire the next generation by servicing them to reach their optimal potential and to disrupt the common narratives, single stories and other limitations that restrict access to platforms and opportunities not freely awarded , or obtained often in Black communities. I look forward to shifting these concepts with all of you as we reimagine and execute change in the world for one little Black girl at a time.

As the Secretary of Black E.S.T.E.E.M. I bring with me an abundance of business and public sector experience. Our organization is dear to me as I thoroughly believe that young ladies of colour need to know that no dream or goal is unattainable to them. I strive to ensure that, through our purposeful and empowering programming, black girls will grow to see that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. I aspire to remind young black girls of their greatness and that a world filled with opportunities is at their fingertips.

I am Annette Grossi, Treasurer with Black E.S.T.E.E.M. A Social Worker for over 20 years, I have worked with Children and Youth in a multitude of capacities, including School Social Work and Counselling. I am dedicated to ensuring that my work is rooted in building equitable spaces that build upon the Capacity and Brilliance of Black Girls. I believe that Ensuring they are given the opportunity to find their Place in spaces not otherwise afforded, is one of the greatest ways we can challenge systems. When we build systems that allow Black Girls the opportunity to thrive and be at the forefront of changing our world, we ultimately will change the world for the better.