Meet the BCC Board of Directors

Judy Brooks has a range of professional, volunteer and career skills, knowledge and interest in the areas of community and policy development, working with not-for-profit organizations in areas such as program development, organization development and effectiveness, including community planning, engagement and outreach. Judy is currently working at Metrolinx as the Community Benefits Specialist in the development, management and implementation of Metrolinx Community Benefits Program.

 Nigel Barriffe is a Board member of the Rexdale Community Legal Clinic, Board Chair of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, and a member of the Good Jobs For All Coalition. Nigel’s activist work focuses on quality public education, good green jobs, and a more just society for all inside and outside the classroom.

Angela Pierre is a former Executive Assistant with over 35 years of expertise in human resources, information technology, organizational development, web design, event planning and customer service. Angela is currently a board member of a number of not for profit organizations.is a former Executive Assistant with over 35 years of expertise in human resources, information technology, organizational development, web design, event planning and customer service. Angela is currently a board member of a number of not for profit organizations.

Michael G-A. Lashley is a former career diplomat whose activities and writings focus mainly on public policy issues. His primary policy concerns are: re- building the labour market which is currently being dismantled by precarious employment; and restoring personal development and civic responsibility to their proper place in the formal education system. He is an avid advocate for community development and culture.

Shannon Ashman has over 10 years of experience working with children and youth. She continues to remain devoted to creating safe, supportive, empowering, and welcoming environments where youth can identify and actualize their potentials, while being active decision-makers and informed community contributors.

Stanley Julien

Stanley Julien is currently the National Director, Special Accounts Management Unit responsible for leading a team of senior account managers engaged in the restructuring and management of the Bank’s high-risk corporate and commercial loans portfolio. Stanley currently sits on the Advisory Board of Centennial College, is a member of the Turnaround Management Association and is a co-founder of Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professional (CAUFP) – formerly Urban Financial Services Coalition.

Loris Thomas is a dedicated community organizer and volunteer.  She is the Provincial Representative for the Congress of Black Women Ontario Inc., responsible for providing leadership and direction to create and maintain links among the eight chapters in Ontario. She has also held several leadership positions with the Mississauga Chapter where she is currently Education Coordinator, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Congress of Black Women of Canada (Mississauga) Non-Profit Housing Inc.

Ivor Picou: For many years, Ivor has worked with different community arts and education organizations. Some of these included the Black Education Project, Jane Finch Community Organization (JFCCO), St Vincent and Grenadines Association and most recently For Youth Initiative (FYI). He co-created the West Indian Performing Group/Yorktones (WIPG), and worked with arts groups like Theatre Fountainhead, Up on Eglinton, Theatre in The Rough, We Are One Theatre, Caribana Cultural Committee, Trinbyrds Steel Orchestra and Pan Fantasy Steelband. He recently did two tours to Carifesta with the Caribbean Canadian Arts Network. Ivor has a Bachelor in Fine Arts from York University and a Bachelor of Education from University of Toronto. He was a teacher with TDSB and in his retirement continues his support of community development.

The Board and staff of A Different Booklist Cultural Centre acknowledge the original caretakers and storytellers of this land – the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, the Métis, and the Wendat First Nations. We thank these mighty nations for allowing us to build our families, homes and dreams in this land. We pledge to walk hand in hand with them as we journey on the road to self-determination. Meegwetch.