MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are a group of individuals who were looking for opportunities to “Pay-it-Forward” to our community, the Black community
We were inspired by the popular movement “Support Black Businesses” to bring attention to various Black-led, Black serving and Black focused charitable organizations (including charities, non-profits, grassroots) around the world..
We found that there was a need to make it easier for supporters, donors, volunteers and businesses to find and contribute to the welfare of the Black Community. We choose to uplift our community by highlighting the amazing work that is already being done through Black organizations.
Support Black Charities is mostly self-funded but rely on your generous donations to sustain growth and scale effectively. We gladly volunteer our time to make an impact within our community!
ANICK SILENCIEUX
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
I am a proud black woman fascinated by my culture and inspired by those around me and those that have come before me. Within the black community, we are privileged to know countless stories throughout history of role models like Harriet Tubman, whose courage, bravery, and dedication to fighting for a cause she believed in – despite dangerous circumstances – inspired countless others and changed the face of our history.
I have been fortunate to also have strong, black female role models in my life. At least twice a year growing up, my family sent clothes, shoes, and money back home to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. My mom started this tradition, and my sister and I have continued it. My Aunt also volunteered her time – and ours – growing up. She was so generous with her time doing work within our community and I could see the impact of her work – also how rewarding it was for her. It wasn’t until I was a bit older that I fully realized the need to really support organizations within the black community locally and “back home”.
PASCALE DECOSSE LEGER
COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR & TREASURER
Pascale is a well-respected IT professional with experience in both the public and private sector. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science, MBA and PMP certification. As a mother of a young black boy and girl, Pascale is committed to supporting Support Black Charities in its effort to elevate black communities around the globe.
Pascale was born and raised in Montréal, Québec by Haitian parents with close ties to the Haitian community. She left to pursue post-secondary studies at Ryerson University in Toronto and chose to make this vibrant, multicultural city her home.
She has previously volunteered on the board of Times Change Women’s Employment Service and is thrilled to be part of the board of Support Black Charities.
SOLEDAD SILENCIEUX
PROGRAMS DIRECTOR & SECRETARY
Soledad is a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist with 20 years of experience helping kids and adults thrive despite their disabilities. Overtime, the experience and passion she brought to this role pushed her to broaden her reach and her skills and become more socially involved in the community.
In 2006 Soledad travelled to Cameron to volunteer and share her clinical knowledge and professional expertise with peers and healthcare leaders for 2 months. She often refers of this time as a personal awakening as she titled her presentation on her work in Africa: To give is to receive, lessons from Cameroon. Soledad realised that investing in the welfare of others elevated her own happiness and well-being.
Soledad is Anick’s twin sister, the founder of Support Black Charities. She too was raised in Montreal, Quebec, as a child of immigrant parents from Haiti. Her parents were proud Haitians who kept close ties with their family back home and consistently and generously supported them; as her parents explained “we make it when everyone makes it”. As part of her upbringing, Soledad was reminded of who paved the way for her opportunities and was encouraged to pay it forward.
The birth of her black son re-ignited her devotion to fostering a better world for her community here and elsewhere. She understands the interdependencies between the well-being of a child, the household and the community.
Soledad’s commitment to Support Black Charities remains a personal and a social quest to pay it forward and elevate the black communities of Toronto and the world.