About us

To foster success among our youth in all facets of society, we must confront the discrimination, challenges, and inequality they encounter daily. At Realize Your Potential Youth Society, we aspire to be the sanctuary where young members of the African Diaspora can access vital support, cultivate resilience, master emotional regulation, and develop indispensable life and career skills. Together, we strive to establish a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where our youth can flourish.

Our Mission

To provide a safe, supportive, and empowering space where descendants of the African Diaspora can foster relationships, overcome obstacles, build confidence, and gain opportunities they can use to enrich their lives.

Our Vision

Give descendants of the African Diaspora the power to realize their potential, so that they can excel in all areas of society.

Our values

Realize Your Potential Canada RYP father and son

We get you

Because we are you.

We are inclusive

We celebrate differences.

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We are passionate

About empowering young people.

Realize Your Potential Canada RYP wear team people in front of a laptop

We are a team

We work together
to make a social impact.

Meet the RYP team

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DESIREE HENRY

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Desiree Henry is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RYP Canada. She established RYP with the belief that young people of the African Diaspora deserve access to culturally responsive mentorship, education, wellness support and leadership opportunities.

Desiree created the RYP NewLife Program©, an integrated youth-development model addressing identity, life skills, mental wellness, education, economic empowerment, career exploration and leadership development. She sets RYP Canada’s strategic direction and leads the continued development and protection of its programs and intellectual property.

A graduate of Mount Royal University’s Broadcast Media program, Desiree brings experience in entrepreneurship, communications and mental wellness coaching to her leadership. She remains responsible for protecting the integrity, purpose and youth-centred foundation of the RYP model.

Realize Your Potential Canada RYP sharon

SHARON CORNWALL

Chief Operating Officer

Sharon Cornwall is Chief Operating Officer of RYP Canada. She provides executive oversight of organizational operations, funding, partnerships, governance support and strategic planning, ensuring that RYP’s vision is translated into sustainable systems and measurable community impact.

With more than three decades of experience in human resources, organizational development and community advocacy, Sharon has extensive experience building programs, establishing partnerships and mobilizing resources for youth and community initiatives. She also founded The Black Achievement Awards Society of Alberta and The Canadian National Griot Awards and has helped facilitate more than 200 bursaries for Black youth across Canada.

Sharon leads the development of RYP’s operational systems, accountability structures and external relationships, ensuring the organization has the foundation required for effective program delivery and responsible growth.

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KRISHA FRANKLYN

Director of Curriculum Development

Krisha Franklyn brings 12 years of classroom experience and a strong commitment to relationship-centred learning to her role as Director of Curriculum Development. A graduate of the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education and a diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education, Krisha directs the development and review of RYP Canada’s culturally responsive learning materials in collaboration with executive leadership. Her work strengthens curriculum quality, age-appropriate learning, facilitator preparation and consistency across RYP programs.

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KYWANA BONAPARTE

Kywana Bonaparte is a scientist, educator and community advocate who supports the development and delivery of RYP Canada’s NewLife STEAM Bridge Program©. A graduate student in Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of British Columbia and a first-generation Canadian of Jamaican and Grenadian heritage, Kywana brings academic knowledge, lived experience and seven years of youth-mentorship experience with the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. She works with RYP’s executive leadership to create engaging opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

STEVE SHAKES

Steve Shakes brings 20 years of experience in investment education, coaching and community mentorship to his role as Financial Literacy Program Lead. Holding a Certificate in Adult Education and Staff Development, Steve supports the development and delivery of practical financial-literacy programming that helps youth understand budgeting, saving, investing, entrepreneurship and long-term financial well-being. He contributes subject-matter expertise within RYP Canada’s approved program framework.

EDNA CORNWALL-SHADD

Edna Cornwall-Shadd is a mental-health professional and community advocate with more than 30 years of experience supporting individuals, families and young people. Holding a Bachelor of Social Work and a Developmental Service Worker Program Diploma, Edna provides subject-matter guidance that strengthens RYP Canada’s approach to mental wellness, emotional safety and holistic youth development. She works with executive leadership to help ensure RYP programming is trauma-informed, youth-centred and responsive to the experiences of young people across the African Diaspora.

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ANTHONY HEADLEY

Technology & Design Lead

Anthony Headley supports RYP Canada’s technology, digital platforms, visual identity and event-production needs. A Certified Computer Administrator with experience in information technology, audio and product design, Anthony helps maintain the digital and creative systems that support RYP’s programs, communications and public presence. He works with executive leadership to ensure technology and design projects follow RYP’s approved brand direction and organizational requirements.

David Bradshaw

Strategic Leadership Advisor

David Bradshaw brings more than 25 years of executive leadership, governance and community-development experience to his role as Strategic Leadership Advisor to RYP Canada. As President of the Calgary Black Chambers and Co-Founder of BradshawBolton, David has extensive experience strengthening organizations, supporting emerging leaders and building community-focused initiatives. He provides strategic advice to RYP’s executive leadership on governance, organizational development and long-term planning.