Black men and Black women with college and university degrees and ambition are making their presence felt in places like Ottawa, Halifax, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, in spite of passive aggressive Canadian racism. In Canada, the racists are covert for the most part, smiling to one's face while stabbing one in the back. Black folks operating in Canada have to be on their toes at all times. Treachery and prejudice often wear a pleasant face. Social change is needed, for real. Is there hope for the young Black men and young Black women attending Canada's colleges and universities? Will they find good jobs after graduation? Something's got to give!
Dr. Stephen Joseph is the president of the Ottawa Black Professionals Organization and the force behind its many scholarships, aimed at helping young Black men and young Black women attending colleges and universities across Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and other parts of Canada. Who is this amazing man and what makes him tick? Dr. Stephen Joseph is certainly a man of mystery. The good doctor can be seen giving speeches at colleges and universities along with churches, mosques and other places of power and influence. It must be said that he is a man on a mission. What drives such a man?
Dr. Stephen Joseph is a six-foot-tall, beefy and handsome, forty-something Black man of Haitian descent living in the City of Ottawa, Ontario. Educated at Concordia University and McGill University, this gentleman does what he can to promote good mental health in minority communities. Black men can make a difference in this world and not just in sports or entertainment. There aren't a lot of Black psychiatrists working in Canada and Dr. Stephen Joseph believes in paving the way for the future. There is nothing more important than mentoring the next generation of Black mental health professionals. Dr. Stephen Joseph can absolutely be considered to be a man on a mission.
"Thank you for mentoring us," Sylvia Monteiro said, and the tall, curvy and brown-skinned, Afro-Brazilian young woman smiled at Dr. Stephen Joseph. Their relationship is more akin to celebrity and fan than mentor and mentee. The good doctor returned the young woman's smile and gently stroked her cheek. Dr. Stephen Joseph is proud of the fiery and accomplished young woman that Sylvia Monteiro has become. In a few weeks, Sylvia Monteiro will graduate with her Master's degree in psychology from the University of Saint Paul. Isn't that something worth celebrating?
