SPEAKERS & PERFORMERS

Faith-Ann Allison professionally known as @FaithWithTheJokes is a Stand-up Comedian, Event host/emcee, Content Creator, and Youth Leader with a heart for people and a gift for connection. With degrees in both Social Work and Sociology, she uses clean comedy, high-energy hosting, and relatable storytelling to make people laugh while helping them feel seen, heard, and inspired. 

Her work lives at the intersection of faith, funny, and real life, purpose-driven impact, as she bridges gaps and builds community one joke and one mic at a time! Faith-Ann loves collaborating with brands and organizations that value authenticity, purpose, community impact and meaningful connection. 

Hussein Abdullahi is a purpose-driven sports and community impact leader with over a decade of experience leveraging basketball as a platform for youth engagement, leadership development, and social change. His work lives at the intersection of sport, culture, and community—creating access, opportunity, and pathways for young people where they are needed most. 

As the leader of the Toronto Pro-Am, Hussein has helped evolve the league into one of Canada’s most recognized basketball platforms, delivering an NBA-level fan experience to more than 30,000 fans across the GTA while remaining deeply rooted in community connection. Under his leadership, Toronto Pro-Am has partnered with global and national brands including Nike, Foot Locker Canada, Adidas, Canada Basketball, and CBC Sports, amplifying both elite competition and grassroots impact. 

Central to Hussein’s work is youth outreach through impact-driven initiatives such as The Rumble in the Jungle, TPA Youth Academy, and Umoja Basketball, which have collectively served over 5,000 youth participants. These programs are intentionally designed to prioritize access, mentorship, and leadership development—equipping young people with skills that extend far beyond the court.  

Recognized as a 2025 Faces of Scarborough recipient and a City of Toronto Community Impact Award (2024) honoree, Hussein continues to champion sport as a systems-level tool for empowerment, legacy, and meaningful community change. 

Michael Kim is a youth development professional with over a decade of experience supporting young people through community-based programming, employment pathways, and cross sector partnerships. He began his journey at Yonge Street Mission, dedicating five years to youth-focused roles as a community worker, employment counsellor, and job developer. Through this work, he empowered young people to overcome obstacles to employment and long-term stability. He later worked at Covenant House as a job developer for the Cooking for Life program, helping youth build practical skills and access meaningful employment opportunities. 

For the past five years, Michael has been with MLSE LaunchPad, where he currently serves as Manager of Programs and Partnerships. In this role, he focuses on connecting like-minded community partners to LaunchPad service users, building collaborations that expand access, opportunity, and impact for youth in the downtown core. 

Outside of work, you will most likely find Michael at a hockey rink on a Saturday night, still chasing his childhood dream of being an NHL player. 

Rachel is the Manager of the Anti-Human Trafficking Program at Covenant House, where she leads trauma-informed services supporting youth who have experienced exploitation and homelessness. She is deeply committed to creating safe, empowering spaces for both youth and staff to heal and thrive. 

Lindsay is a dedicated Child and Youth Care worker with five years of experience working directly with survivors of human trafficking. She currently work as a Case Manager on the Anti-Human Trafficking team at Covenant House Toronto, supporting individuals through trauma-informed, compassionate, and client-centred care. 

I’m Tassanee Weese, the Youth Engagement Manager with the Child and Youth Mental Health team at Kenora Chiefs Advisory. I joined the team in March 2025, and what I love most about this work is building genuine connections and inspiring youth in any way I can. 

I have a background in nursing and have spent the past eight years working alongside First Nations youth and communities across Treaty #3. My work is grounded in health, advocacy, and relationship-building, with a focus on youth leadership, mental wellness, and supporting young people as they navigate systems and transition into adulthood. I recently completed the Certified First Nations Health Managers Certificate, which allows me to blend clinical knowledge with community-driven practice. 

Outside of work, I’m deeply connected to the outdoors and draw strength, balance, and purpose from the land. In the summer, I also run a food truck with my brother, travelling to festivals and Treaty #3 powwows and sharing good food and good laughs wherever we go. 

Hey everyone! I’m Kyle Garner, a Youth Outreach Worker with the Child and Youth Mental Health team at Kenora Chiefs Advisory. I joined the team in June 2024, and what I love most about this work is walking alongside young people as they work toward becoming the best versions of themselves—it’s an incredible journey to witness. 

After years of running a business, I knew it was time for a new adventure. I realized I was at my best when I was coaching youth sports—encouraging young people, helping them navigate challenges, and watching them grow. I was fortunate to have a coach in my own life who saw my potential, created opportunities, and helped me recognize my worth. His impact continues to fuel my passion for doing the same for the youth I work with, both on and off the mat. 

Youth outreach and coaching share a lot in common—it’s about support, accountability, and helping young people explore new perspectives. Seeing youth push through barriers and move toward positive change is what drives me every day. 

Outside of work, I love being outdoors—whether I’m working in the yard, out on the lake with my family, or heading into the backwoods with my two sons. I especially enjoy watching them do “dangerous things carefully,” as they push their limits with focus and determination. It’s inspiring and incredibly rewarding to witness as a dad. 

I’m honoured to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of Kenora Chiefs Advisory and look forward to sharing about Youth Outreach in Northern Ontario. 

Zakisha Brown is a Toronto-born, Jamaican-descended hip-hop artist, poet, and cultural organizer known for her powerful storytelling and conscious lyricism. Her globally recognized songs Went to Ghana, Purpose, and The Shift earned international attention, with Went to Ghana shared by major cultural figures across Africa and the diaspora. She has toured and performed across Canada, opened for artists including Talib Kweli, Nas, Dru Hill, and Saul Williams, and has been featured on CBC Music, The Toronto Star, and international media outlets. Creating between Canada and Ghana, Zakisha continues to blend hip-hop, poetry, and social impact, with her debut album The Shift set for release in 2026.

Tracey Kayy is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist, mental health practitioner, and equity/diversity advocate who uses music, spoken word, and poetry to empower communities. She focuses on themes of social justice, racism, and colorism, aiming to educate and heal through her creative, community-focused work. 

Randell Adjei is an entrepreneur, speaker and spoken word practitioner who uses his gifts to Empower the message of Alchemy. Randell is a decorated and well sought out speaker who has shared his message across many corners of the globe. In April of 2021, he was appointed Ontario's first Poet Laureate. Randell, is the founder of one of Toronto's largest youth arts initiatives; Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere (R.I.S.E Edutainment). 

Randell is the author of “I am Not my struggles,” a powerful Anthology released in 2018. Randell was also named CBC’s Metro Morning’s Torontonian of the Year in 2015 and NOW Magazines Local Hero in May 2017. In 2020, Randell opened up for President Barack Obama at the Economic Club of Canada. In September of 2022, Randell was inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame. He also serves as the co-chair of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto PAB for Arts & Culture. 

elle de Lyon is an award-winning Cultural Producer, Arts Educator, and Spoken Word Music Performer. Her work in community program development began at YouthLink in 2009, and those early experiences eventually led her to R.I.S.E. Arts & Community Services, where she now serves as Program Director, leading arts-based initiatives that support youth through creative expression and literacy.