DIRECTOR, STORYTELLER

Tiyahna is a storyteller and equity and inclusion strategist.

In 2020, she authored Trailblazers, a bestselling children’s book published by Indigo Press about Black leaders in Canadian history.

Tiyahna is the co-chair of Cooperation Canada’s Anti-Racism Taskforce and a member of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism.

She has delivered hundreds of talks and workshops on topics related to social inclusion and holds training in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion from the University of British Columbia, an MA in Public Policy, Administration and Law from York University, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Ottawa.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, VISUAL STORYTELLER

Merryl-Royce is the illustrator of Trailblazers:The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada. From a young age, Merryl-Royce has been passionate about art and has developed his own unique style over the years. His work has been featured at the "Festival International du Film Panafricain de Cannes" and the Art of Sounds live exhibit in London, England. Merryl-Royce has amassed a social media following of several thousand supporters who follow his popular culture artwork.

He has an educational background in biochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Ottawa and has been able to balance artwork and sciences in many aspects of his life. As a new father, Merryl-Royce hopes to leverage his artistic skillset to foster a more equitable world for the next generation.

Project Coordinator

Tyana is a mixed Odawa, Ojibwa and Jamaican woman. She is currently studying Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University and has a background in co-developing programs surrounding Indigenous histories and worldviews.

In her pursuit to promote inclusively and equity across Turtle Island, she has joined Counterstory to support the stories and creations of Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.

Counterstory has curated a community of superbly talented creators with varying lived experiences of marginalization. These creators are all trained in antiracism and counterstorytelling and lend their professional expertise to support projects as needed.

LAWYER

Frandy is a lawyer based in Montréal . He hopes to utilize his legal expertise in order to protect Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour when it matters most.

As a bookworm and storytelling enthusiast , Frandy has been attracted to unique stories for years. By joining Counterstory, he now intends to create a safe space for these stories to be heard which will lead to a better world for the next generation.

Frandy holds a Law degree from the University of Ottawa. After years of defending human rights through class actions, he now helps individuals and entrepreneurs start a new life in Canada.

AUTHOR & PROFESSOR

Suzette Mayr is the author of five novels, including her most recent, Dr. Edith Vane and the Hares of Crawley Hall. Her fourth novel Monoceros won the ReLit Award and the City of Calgary W. O. Mitchell Book Prize, and was longlisted for the 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Her novels have been nominated for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book in the Canada-Caribbean region, the Writers' Guild of Alberta's Best First Book and Best Novel Awards, and the Ferro-Grumley Award for LGBT Fiction. She teaches Creative Writing at the University of Calgary.

MARKETING STRATEGIST

Charissa Tosio is a Queer Filipina woman. She is a social media creative and strategist that is passionate about collaborating and bridging communities online and offline.

She has worked in the social media industry for almost ten years across international and local brands. The fusion of her creative and strategic approach has led to innovative online and social media campaigns.

While she has worked across international brands, she’s also worked with smaller organizations and activists.