On February 24th, 2026, we partnered with Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
to bring a unique experience to their senior students.
7 entrepreneurs below came to share their story in two 75 minute keynote presentations.
Outlining a bit of their story, and telling stories about how their real world experience in business overlaps with their school curriculums.
You can meet them below.
If you'd like to support us on our mission to inspire 100k students per year, please do so for free.
PATHWAYS TO
POSSIBILITIES
This Black History Month,
Allow Us To Introduce You To Some Local
Black Leaders
Making History
And a bit about how they got there.
Josiah Martin Joseph
Started a Home Services Company.
In high school, my friend and I worked home service jobs for a guy who was only two years older than us. After a whole day of cleaning a house, we got paid $25 each. What stuck with me wasn’t just the amount… it was the thick wad of cash he pulled it from.
At that moment, I realized we weren’t just underpaid. We were undervalued.
If he could run a business at that age, why couldn’t we? The next week, we started knocking on doors and built something of our own.
But the real turning point happened before that.
When I was about 15 or 16, I was frustrated watching people live paycheck to paycheck. I didn’t want that life. At one point, I even considered making money the wrong way.
Instead, I had a real conversation with Javon, my brother, and one of my biggest inspirations.
He didn’t judge me. He showed me better options. He introduced me to young entrepreneurs, real estate agents, contractors; real people building real legitimate businesses. He showed me what was possible.
That conversation changed everything.Looking back now, especially after networking trips and milestone moments, I see how far I’ve come from that $25 day.
I live by a simple belief: time will pass anyway. So I might as well build something meaningful while it does.
Jaylen Babb Harrison
Became a Celebrity Barber & Started a Line of Products.
“What do you mean you don’t know how to give yourself a line-up?” His uncle asked. Growing up where he grew up, haircuts at a barbershop was a luxury so for all the boys in his family, it was something they had to.
After a few years of cutting his own hair, he started cutting some of his friends’ hair as well. At 16, Jaylen had a lineup outside of his house of all of his friends wanting haircuts and his mom was fed-up.
She called the local barber shop and next thing you know, he had an opportunity to show off his skills to show the owner what he’s got. For him, it was always something on the side, because Jaylen played basketball at a D1 scholarship level and later playing professionally.
But he had a choice to make, play basketball for the next few years? Or start a career that can last a lifetime? Now, he’s a celebrity barber and creating a brand that can expand globally.
Chanée Dowdie
Started a Restaurant, and a Catering Company, And Another Restaurant.
She had no clue what she wanted to do, she just knew she wanted to be in charge of something. But as a teenager, she needed a job and the restaurant was the quickest way she found to make some money.
So she started as a host, quickly moved up to server, and then bartender. When she expressed her hunger for responsibility, the managers started showing her the ropes of how managing a restaurant worked.
She found creative expression in making her own drinks that the regulars fell in love with, but the managers weren’t happy when they kept requesting off-the-menu items.
So she decided to create her own restaurant, with her own menu, and now the city can’t get enough of her creations.
Aaron Charles
Bought Houses, Built Homes, & Now Develops Neighbourhoods.
This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes it unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer.
This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes it unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer.
Nathaniel Gardner
Wanted to Learn About the Path To Wealth, Now He Sells Money.
After University I got a job at the bank, thinking I was going to get rich and climb the corporate ladder... So I put in extra hours. But the bosses were still leaving after me.
This one manager was working there for 15 years and it was almost like my future flashed before my eyes. I realized I had to do something different.
One of my friends introduced me to this network marketing thing and it got me exposed to meeting people that were creating their own futures for themselves and they suggested reading books.
Think and Grow Rich was the catalyst and it opened up a whole new world. But I was torn, do I go down the corporate route or should I buy Real Estate and try selling insurance? I said, “I’d rather bet on myself and if 15 years goes by, at least I can still come back to this corporate world.” I’m about 20 properties in and I haven’t looked back since.
Brandon Fenton
Had a Party, and Another One, Now Has Events All Over the World.
After a team member on his soccer team invited him out to a party, he thought to himself, “I know a lot of people, maybe I can make something like this happen.” He instantly saw a new life for himself. It started with networking and connecting with people who already hosted the events that he wanted to do, but they were a bit older.
Now, it’s evolved into an international events organization that hosts events, exclusive parties, concerts, and special appearances for celebrities. Brandon spends his time organizing teams, curating unique experiences that have never been done before, and bring ideas into reality.
Javon Martin
Started a Media Company, Then a Podcast & It Evolved Into This Program.
After getting a job at the bank and consistently working overtime, he realized he wasn’t going to get rich or have the level of impact that he wanted.
He started interview projects as a way to learn more about people and what made them successful.
These media projects turned into blogs, podcasts, and events- eventually a videographer came and made a free video as a favour.
After realizing the cost of producing a video, he figured he may as well just do it himself.
That evolved into a video production agency that makes content for some of the largest professional conferences & events in Canada and beyond.
He started a podcast to show his little brother ways of making money. But now that his little brother makes money, its time to inspire others the same way.
So thanks for being here.
The System For Our Youth Isn't Equal for Everyone.
The gap between students with access, connections, and opportunity, and those without is growing fast.
That gap starts in high school, widens after graduation and creates barriers to future career growth.
We’re creating access by exposing students to real careers, real mentors, and real opportunities before they fall behind.
What if you could:
Learn directly from people who look like you who have built success their own way?
Turn the skills you already have into a real career?
Learn multiple ways to succeed?
At the $100k Foundation, we'll introduce you to people who have done it.