About

Samantha Kaine

Industry lead

Samantha Kaine is a Jamaican-Canadian, award-winning independent film and television creative producer, mentor, and Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (AR-EDIA) Leader. Committed to anti-racism training and strategies, Samantha advocates for equitable workplace practices and inclusive environments. With over 20 years of experience, she has guided organizations in understanding and dismantling systemic barriers, leveraging the positive impact of a diverse workforce. In 2020, Samantha founded I.M.P.A.C.T, a national non-profit to combat systemic and anti-Black racism in Canada. She has been a board member of various organizations, including the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BIPOC Creators, and contributed to Telefilm’s committees. Samantha has created programs like "Empowering Black and Racialized Women" with the University of Montréal and CBC/Radio-Canada, and provided recommendations for the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Samantha continues to drive change through articulate leadership, optimizing AR-EDIA goals for organizations in Canada and the US.
Italia Smith

Operations Manager

Italia Smith is an operations and human resources professional with a passion for social justice and equity. She holds a business administration degree from the University of Toronto and an MBA in sustainable commerce from The Lang School of Business at the University of Guelph.

Throughout her career, Italia has prioritized fostering healthy organizational cultures and ensuring fairness and respect. Despite challenges such as managing a busy medical institution during the COVID pandemic while raising two children, she remains dedicated to her work.

Italia stays informed on legal and cultural developments through various publications and advocates for work-life balance and self-care. In her free time, she enjoys family activities and painting. Guided by her faith and her mother's wisdom, Italia encourages patience and growth in aspiring professionals.
Michelle berry

Programs Manager

Michelle Berry is a Toronto-based filmmaker deeply committed to her craft and community. For over 15 years, she has actively empowered youth within the vibrant Jane-Finch neighbourhood. Her creative journey began at Humber College, where she obtained an Advanced Film and Television Production Diploma. She further honed her skills at Toronto Metropolitan University, specializing in Community Engagement Practices.

Her dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices has led to significant milestones, such as the premiere of her documentary "Code of Silence" at HotDocs and the recognition of her film, "Leah," at the Toronto International Film Festival Student Showcase. Michelle hopes to see a diverse and inclusive media environment where BIPOC filmmakers — like herself — succeed and provide real stories. She works to add stories that capture the depth and complexity of the human experience to the cinematic landscape.
Valerie Amponsah

Program COORDINATOR

Valerie Amponsah boasts over a decade of experience focused on youth engagement and community programming. Renowned for her leadership prowess, self-driven approach, and creativity, she is the mastermind behind several groundbreaking initiatives. Notable among these are the ‘My Story Photography’ program, the ‘Young, Broke, and Talented Book Project,’ and “The Writers’ Room,” each of which she conceptualized, implemented, and secured public funding from municipal grants. As a project manager, Valerie spearheaded outreach efforts, facilitated workshops, and forged collaborations with youth-serving community partners and stakeholders.

Moreover, she is an award-winning filmmaker, celebrated for her debut and CSA award-winning short documentary, “Joseph, Margaret, and I.” The film delves into the complexities of a Ghanaian family grappling with the effects of alcoholism, encapsulating themes of vulnerability, healing, and forgiveness. Beyond her filmography, Valerie is also blazing trails in the immersive media space, currently working on a documentary through the Hot Doc Accelerator program. The upcoming project explores self-love across three generations of Black Canadian women, pushing narrative boundaries and challenging conventional storytelling norms.

Retired from filmmaking, Valerie now channels her creativity into writing and is actively involved in the VR space with her project, Protectress. Additionally, she serves as the Scale Up Programs Coordinator at OBAC, overseeing three programs: Scale Up Immersive, Scale Up Masterclass, and Scale Up Business Bootcamp. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a diverse skill set honed over years in the community service sector, she inspires aspiring creatives and change-makers alike.

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