Leadership Team

Anick Silencieux, who’s professional background is as an Electrical Engineer, is today fulfilling her social aspirations as the Founder & Executive Director of Support Black Charities (SBC).

Anick has held several volunteer positions such as fundraising specialist, digital marketer, outreach worker, speaker, and mentor for several organizations such as Pierspective Entraide Humanitaire, National Society of Black Engineers and Elevate Tech Week, etc.

In her career, Anick significantly contributed to establishing an industry leader in Canada as its 2nd Canadian employee working for an international technology company headquartered in the USA – KLDiscovery. She is using the same work ethic and vision to passionately and diligently build up SBC’s organizational and structural capacity, services, programs, outreach as well as community partnerships while assuming day-to-day operations.

These days, Anick and SBC are busy raising awareness about Black Philanthropy as the key to building a thriving and healthy Black Ecosystem while encouraging and facilitating harmonious codependent relationships between its 3 main pillars: Black community, Black organizations, and Black businesses.

The state of the Black ecosystem is closely related to the total and variety of philanthropic activities within a specific community.

Anick whose parents are from Haiti is relentlessly driven by her motivation to inspire compassion, encourage and support others within her community, the Black community.

Excerpt from our recent Online Info Session – May 2023. Click here to watch full video.

Tim Fray is a well-known hospitality and business industry figure with over 36 years of experience and a successful career that started from the back of a restaurant. Over the last few years, Tim’s involvement in the black non-profit and charitable sector has dramatically impacted his career, as he has dedicated his skills and knowledge to helping black businesses grow and prosper.

As the founder and CEO of the Hospes Group of businesses, Tim leads the company in providing practical certification training and development courses through its TFIT certification programs. This initiative helps Black companies, not-for-profit and for-profit achieve impeccable customer service. Tim’s deep understanding of what corporate brands require has made him a sought-after trainer for some of their key players.

Tim is also a representative for Executives PowerUp, an initiative that identifies and qualifies black businesses ready for scaling through investment, franchising, branding, and marketing. His commitment to the charitable organization, Support Black Charities, is evident in his efforts to give back and help others succeed in the industry.

Throughout his career, Tim has held various management positions in the hospitality and business industry, including working with Milestones, a subsidiary of CARA, and Pegasus Hospitality Group, where he served as the Director of Operations and set the standard for Convention Centers and Banquet Hall’s Front of House Services.

Tim Fray is a seasoned expert in the hospitality and business industry, and his dedication to giving back to the black community by sharing his skills and developing non-profit and charitable businesses has been the focus of his career for the last four years. His extensive experience, unwavering commitment to the industry, and passion for helping Black businesses scale make him a valuable asset to Support Black Charities.

Excerpt from our recent Online Info Session – May 2023. Click here to watch full video.

Randy Reid is a long-time media executive and currently the General Manager of Toronto-based VIBE105® #1 for Hip, R&B and The Culture (105.5FM). As a national and provincial award-winning expert in influencer-led media solutions, Reid is also the outgoing President of the National Community Radio Association (NCRA) and CEO/Lead Strategist at VX3 Exchange – a socially driven producer of quality culturally integrated media content experiences […facilitating brand placement for regional and national brands like TD Bank, Disney, Freedom Mobile, Digicel, RBC and more].

His work includes collaborating with active members of the BIPOC community to curate genuine and culturally relevant content experiences for mass market engagement. With over 20 years experience in public, private and community media across print, television and radio his extensive background has contributed to the enhancement of operationally viable community-led media models across Canada.

Nathaniel Fray-Smith stands as a testament to multifaceted excellence, blending over two decades of experience in the hospitality sector with a genuine commitment to social and youth work. His journey in the world of hospitality is marked by progressive roles – from an enthusiastic server to a proficient chef, and then elevating to strategic positions like training supervisor and facilitator. Each role enriched him with insights, but more notably, it honed his skills in fostering pivotal business relationships, ensuring unrivaled customer service, enhancing operational efficiencies, and adeptly managing a diverse clientele.
However, the core of Nathaniel isn’t just his entrepreneurial spirit. It’s his innate drive to uplift and empower. Every venture he undertakes, every relationship he forges, and every process he optimizes has an underlying motive – to empower individuals to tap into their reservoirs of potential. He sees himself not just as a business developer but as a catalyst for community growth.

While Nathaniel’s professional accolades speak volumes, it’s his personal mission that resonates deeply with those who have had the privilege to work with or know him. He doesn’t just aspire for success in business, but hopes to be remembered for something more profound. In his words, he wishes to leave an indelible mark as “a creator of opportunities, a harbinger of joy and peace, and most significantly, a beacon of love.”

In essence, Nathaniel Fray-Smith isn’t just building businesses; he’s building futures, and in doing so, exemplifying a unique blend of entrepreneurial acumen with a heart rooted in community and empowerment.

Kyle Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Copywriting Matters, focuses on brand communication projects to help make 3 things clear: 1) Who you/your brand is 2) What you/your organization is doing and 3) How do you/your organization help people. Kyle brings a wealth of expertise to SBC as a highly skilled copywriter in sales, marketing, training, and technology helping organizations and people with developing a strong online presence and engaged community.

Kyle completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto as a highly celebrated student from the Digital Enterprise Management program and is currently pursuing a double concentration Master of Information degree in Information Systems & Design and User-experience Design.

Kyle has worked for world-class consulting organizations such as Ernst & Young (EY), filling the role of an Instructional Designer and Content Producer to create fun and engaging training courses for corporate and crown clients across North America. Additionally, he has worked at the University of Toronto (UofT) as a Research Assistant leading the launch of a department-wide mentorship program consisting of over 400 students known as the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information & Technology (ICCIT) Student Mentorship Program (ISMP). Furthermore, Kyle assisted renowned professors such as Anthony Wensley in designing the digital-first, Business Research Methods undergraduate course from the ICCIT department.

Kyle is a very engaged community leader, actively helping students transition into higher education and the workforce through a student-led organization he founded in 2020 known as the Diversity Business League. He continues to volunteer his time and skills in a myriad of ways. Kyle’s commitment to excellence and unique skill set makes him a valuable asset to Support Black Charities.

Kyle Thomas oversees Support Black Charities (SBC) Website Development & Digital Branding department. Essentially, he leads their growth and engagement with their online community.

Marcia Darby has a professional background in Vendor Coordination.  Over the past 10 years Marcia is known for a Company she Founded, Innovative Business Radio.  This company was re-branded to Black Business Live Inc. in 2021 where she is Co-Founder alongside Gary Crawford.

Marcia Darby is a highly efficient and detail-oriented Coordinator in the digital media industry. With a strong background in managing partnerships and a passion for fostering successful relationships, she has become an invaluable asset to her company.

Marcia’s role involves liaising with vendors, negotiating contracts, and ensuring smooth collaboration throughout project lifecycles. Her exceptional organizational skills and ability to multitask enable her to effectively track vendor performance, resolve conflicts, and identify opportunities for process optimization.

Known for her strong communication abilities, Marcia maintains open lines of communication with vendors, actively addressing concerns and facilitating productive partnerships. Her dedication to delivering exceptional service and managing vendor expectations has earned her a reputation for reliability and professionalism within the industry.

Outside of work, Marcia enjoys staying updated on industry trends and advancements in management practices. She actively seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge and regularly participates in professional development activities to enhance her skills in the Digital Media Industry. Her current project Cre∞tiveOne’s Media Corporation, alongside Gary Crawford, Tim Fray & Maurice Davis will define how Black Business digital Media will pivot in the years to come!

Gary Crawford has a professional background in technical engineering for over 30 years in the security sector.  These technical skills crossed over to his talent and love for music and production. He was Co-Founder of Innovative Business Radio which was re-branded as Black Business Live Inc. in 2021. Gary was able to master emerging trends in the digital transformation which enabled him to tap into technology from beginning stages. 

Today, Gary Crawford has transformed into a dynamic and forward-thinking CEO in the digital media industry with his passion for technology and a keen eye for emerging trends, he has successfully developed and led his company Black Business Live Inc. to the forefront of the digital landscape within the Black Community. Gary’s unparalleled strategic vision has paved the way for groundbreaking initiatives, from innovative content platforms to cutting-edge marketing strategies. Gary’s ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving industry and his focus on fostering creativity within his team have positioned him as a true game-changer in the digital media space. Gary continues to shape the future of digital media by leveraging technology and pushing boundaries to provide seamless and captivating user experiences.

Gary along with his supporters and Business Developers were able to assist with the development of Cre∞tiveOne’s Media Corporation in 2023.  Which is heading towards great heights in Q1 2024.