2023 A.B.L.E Scholarship Recipients
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Reyanna Bridge
Sponsored by
Toronto Police Service
Reyanna is currently working on the last year of her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Toronto. She is proud of the mentorship work she is engaged in with the Imani Black Academic program at the university which fosters academic excellence and an understanding of how identity shapes experiences in youth. She has also conducted research projects with professors on systemic issues within the legal system, aiming to raise awareness and influence change at both the local and national levels. She is aiming to attend law school to spearhead this pursuit and implement reform directly through a career in the legal field.
Reyanna would like to express her gratitude to the A.B.L.E. organization for their investment in her academic career and promises to continue to work hard for everyone who contributed to her journey.
Alexia Velez Pinto
Sponsored by
York Region Police Services Board
Alexia Velez is pursuing her dreams in the field of Justice Studies at the University of Guelph-Humber earning an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Justice Studies and a Diploma in Police Foundations.
Alexia recognizes that disparities in access to justice, systemic inequalities, and discrimination persist in society. Her aspiration is to work towards dismantling these barriers and ensuring that justice is accessible to all, regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, or ethnicity.
She would like to thank the Association of Black Law Enforcers for selecting her as a recipient of the 2023 A.B.L.E Educational Scholarship. Her journey serves as an inspiration to all, illustrating the potential for positive change that can be achieved through dedication and service.
Naima Mire
Sponsored by
The FSCS at Humber College
Naima was born and raised in Toronto to Somali immigrants. She completed her college diploma in Police Foundations and then took a post-grad diploma in Protection Security Crime Scene and Investigations.
Growing up in Somali Muslim household as a woman, Naima wasn’t encouraged to pursue further education in law enforcement. Her dream has been to become a Police Officer. This scholarship will be invaluable in helping her finish her education and pursuing a career in law enforcement.
Her goals are completing her degree in Criminal Justice, becoming a police officer and being a role model to other women regardless of their age and ethnicity and to always let them know that it is never too late to accomplish your dreams.
Serena Pierre-Louis
Sponsored by
Durham Regional Police
Serena Pierre-Louis is a first-year Criminology student at York University
In high school, she held the position of Minister of Culture within the student council, where she also served as the Chair for the Equity Committee. She founded the Black Student Alliance and collaborated with the school’s administration aimed at preventing and addressing race-based microaggressions. Her actions lead to anti-black racism training for the school’s teaching staff.
Serena was honored with the Principal’s Leadership Award and the Alliance of Educators for Black Students Award. Serena is determined to attend law school, to become either a criminal or human rights lawyer. Serena’s commitment to giving back to the black community drives her passion, propelling her towards a future dedicated to making a difference.
Justis Mowatt
Sponsored by
Canadian National Railroad Police
Through studying criminology, Justis aims to explore the various avenues of criminal justice, including law enforcement, court systems, and corrections. By acquiring a holistic understanding of the criminal justice system, he will be better equipped to advocate for victims’ rights and work towards creating a fair and equitable judicial process that ensures the rehabilitation of offenders while safeguarding the rights of the vulnerable.
His decision to register in a criminology program stems from a profound passion for understanding the complexities of crime and the pursuit of justice. By studying criminology, Justis aims to unravel the underlying factors contributing to criminal behavior, advocate for victims’ rights, and contribute to the advancement of the field through rigorous research. Armed with these insights, he is confident in his ability to make a positive impact in the realm of law enforcement, crime prevention, and social justice.
A’asia Palmer
Sponsored by
Ontario Provincial Police
A’asia is 23 years old and was born in Toronto, Ontario. She is currently enrolled in the Political Science / Law program at Howard University in Washington DC.
In 2022, she volunteered at Ontario Court of Justice under the guidance of Madame Justice Braid. She sought to immerse herself in the myriad of issues facing Blacks in society today. Her professional goals include practicing white-collar crime and/or corporate law. She also wants to take over her mother’s business in processing pardon applications for those eligible for record expungement. She is on her path to find her tribe and continue that discovery of herself and her purpose to help the underrepresented and marginalized: to truly expand her compassion for serving others.
A law degree is what she would earn, but the contribution to community, returning back to Canada with a broader understanding and insight would be priceless.
Mendrika Ambinintsoa Ramanitrarivo
Sponsored by
Dr. Sheridan Cyrus
Mendrika grew up in Madagascar and attended the Catholic University of Madagascar studying Social Sciences Applied to Development with the dream to study abroad. She is enrolled in the Community and Justice Services program at Humber College with a goal to help the justice system when she returns to Madagascar.
Volunteering at Association Mitafa and working with the community in programs about social safety and education she worked with teachers and kids about benefits of education. Mendirka participated to a provide a social safety net program to get families get out of poverty.
These were amazing experiences, where she got to see the injustice lived and so she decided to work in that field to make real changes and be more than just a volunteer in the future.
Abdirahman Mao
Sponsored by
Canadian Police Knowledge Network
Abdirahman Mao is originally from Somalia and is now calling Ottawa home.
Abdirahman’s ambition is to become an immigration consultant; a dedicated guide for individuals and families navigating the labyrinthine of immigration.
He has committed himself to obtaining a certification from the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) to provide support and dependable guidance on immigration policies, legislation, procedures, and essential information.
In alignment with his commitment to education and his determination to make a difference, Abdirahman has enrolled in the Immigration & Citizenship Law Diploma program at Queen’s University. This program is a natural fit for his aspirations to become an immigration consultant, equipping him with the knowledge and skills necessary to serve his community and society at large.
Khalil-Najir Miles
Sponsored by
Dr. Lancelot Brown
Khalil-Najir Miles, is a student at the University of Toronto, Scarborough.
Working with the Toronto Police Service, the City of Toronto and Toronto Public Health he guides youth in aspects scholarship. He works with the York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities and coordinates African Youth Storytelling. He has cohosted the Black History Month Event.
He is the Vice-President of Academics in the Political Science Students Association and is Director of Political Science on his student’s union where he launched the Parliamentary Series to give students experience of debating and legislating at the House of Commons in Ottawa.
Khalil-Najir hopes to pursue a role in policy-making and analysis, in order to positively contribute to the lives of his fellow citizens.
Ezekiel Tatem
Sponsored by
Selwyn Peters
Ezekiel Tatem, is a first-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University studying Political Science and Philosophy in the Bachelor of Arts program. He is extremely grateful to have been selected for this award to aid in pursuit of his post-secondary education.
Politics, government and law are the areas he feels he could best have a lasting positive impact for others, and he plans to use a foundation in political science and philosophy to attend law school.
Growing up, Ezekiel spent many years playing competitive baseball, expanding his teamwork and leadership skills. Having worked part-time as a customer service representative at a U-Haul center in Oakville, he developed time management, organizational and interpersonal skills and relationships.
He would once again like to express his utmost gratitude for having been selected to receive this award.