“If you’re not trying to be the best, why play the game?” 

Born in Toronto, Ontario, to Trinidadian and Tobagonian parents, Daniel Carter is the youngest of three brothers. Shortly after his birth, his parents relocated the family to Ottawa, where he and his siblings spent their childhood. Once Daniel completed his schooling, he moved back to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to rejoin his family.

Daniel’s profound dedication to family and advocacy stems from watching his own father do everything possible to ensure his family had everything they needed—from working three jobs to showing up for every single extracurricular activity. His father’s passion for advocacy was naturally passed down, making it clear that Daniel was born to lead and care for others.

Alongside his Queen, Daniel is the proud father and stepfather to four future kings. His journey as a Black father has been filled with both adversity and joy. Since the birth of his first child in 2010—whom he raised as a single father until his son was eight years old—Daniel has been fiercely self-advocating for his paternal rights. While his journey has not been easy, Daniel’s refusal to give up is what truly sets him apart from most.

Daniel lives his life on the principle of being the best at everything he does. This mindset is truly reflected in his dedication to personal growth, continuous learning, and fighting racism. He is a strong believer that we mustn’t wait to get a seat at anyone’s table; rather, we should make our own. Today, he serves as a powerhouse leader on multiple Black-serving committees in Simcoe County.

 Janise Peters is dedicated to building healthier, more resilient communities through structured innovation and compassionate leadership. Janise’s academic background in Psychology and Health Informatics allows her to navigate the complexities of community health with a focus on both individual well-being and systemic efficiency.

A seasoned expert in population health management, Janise utilizes her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification to drive projects from vision to reality, ensuring they meet the highest standards of timely execution. Her ability to connect with diverse populations is enhanced by her fluency in French and English and a ten-year legacy as a volunteer peer mentor. At The Black Fathers Alliance, Janise leverages this decade of experience to provide the empathetic, evidence-based support essential to the success of our mission.

Rico was raised in Mississauga and has lived and worked across Ontario, developing a strong understanding of the diverse communities he serves. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Equity Studies, an academic foundation that informs his lifelong commitment to equity, inclusion, and community empowerment.

A community strategist and advocate, Rico blends grassroots leadership with technology-driven innovation to strengthen non-profit initiatives and expand opportunities for families. With more than two decades of experience across finance, technology, and the non-profit sector—as well as the past ten years in public service—he brings a multidisciplinary approach to addressing systemic barriers and building sustainable solutions.

Rico leverages digital tools and AI to design infrastructure that supports community organizations, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. He is also an active participant in the labour movement and works closely with equity-seeking groups to address local challenges and foster meaningful, lasting change.

Grounded in the values of trust, integrity, and accountability, Rico’s work focuses on fostering healing, legacy, and long-term stability for Black families. 

He is proudest of his roles as a father, husband, and mentor. 

Outside of his professional work, he enjoys travel, tech, investing, physical fitness, chess and board games. 

  Nicole Stewart is a philanthropy leader with over 15 years of experience advancing fundraising strategies across the non-profit sector, including youth development, healthcare, human rights, and international development. She specializes in building meaningful relationships with donors and designing strategic programs that generate sustainable, transformational support.

She brings deep expertise in donor engagement, campaign strategy, and cross-functional collaboration, and has contributed to large-scale fundraising initiatives that have generated significant impact. Known for her warmth, strategic thinking, and donor-centered approach, Nicole is passionate about connecting people’s values with causes that create lasting change. She is deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and ensuring that philanthropy serves as a powerful force for expanding opportunity and strengthening communities.

Nicole treasures time with her children and loves creating meaningful memories with them and exploring the world —believing that travel has the power to inspire, broaden perspective, and turn moments into stories. 

Jonathan Bajik is an accomplished IT Consultant based in the York Region, recognized for his strategic approach to solving complex technological challenges and his unwavering commitment to client success. With a robust background in navigating the modern tech landscape, Jonathan acts as a trusted advisor, bridging the gap between intricate IT infrastructure and practical, high-impact business solutions.

Jonathan’s professional and personal philosophy is rooted in a unique foundational history. As the eldest of nine siblings, he developed an innate sense of responsibility, patience, and collaborative leadership from an early age—qualities that seamlessly translate into his consulting methodology today. Driven by a profound life purpose to give back, he approaches every project and partnership with a genuine desire to uplift others, lend his expertise where it is needed most, and make a lasting, positive impact on his community.

When he is not architecting IT systems or guiding organizations through technical hurdles, Jonathan embraces a dynamic lifestyle centered around movement and the outdoors. An avid sportsman, he can regularly be found fishing, skating, or carving down the ski slopes. His passion for excellence also extends to the court; as a lifelong basketball fanatic and Michael Jordan devotee, he draws constant inspiration from the legendary drive, discipline, and pursuit of greatness that define the sport.