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At the end of another profound year in business with A Team Coaching, I am looking back to celebrate the moments that woven together continue to shape a legacy - a family business.
Long-term systems change isn’t always readily visible or obvious, which is why I am grateful to slow down and take note of progress and milestones. It reminds me of the power in taking many consistent small actions toward something bigger than all of us and at the same time - encourages me to keep pushing forward for a more just and equitable future.
On a personal note, family remains the grounding force that fuels both my ambitions and my resilience. Their unwavering support, love, and understanding provides a strong foundation to navigate the challenges and joys of life. Because of this our family updates are intrinsic to the professional highlights of our year:
2024 Highlights
Amari started Grade 1
Family, honouring past generations, and nurturing a better world for those generations yet to come is at the core of what we do. I have the honour of seeing the potential and spirit of the next generation through my grandson Amari, who started grade school this year. This year we saw three generations of our family on one bench! Basketball coach's dad (AJ) and grandfather (Dean) coached Amari while he played for the North Preston Bulls.
Going Deeper with Black Girls Pillow Talk
2024 was all about taking A Team Coaching to the next level of ambition for Black women. What an experience to have this journey with my daughter. Led by Angelina Simmonds, Black Girl Pillow Talk hosted events throughout the year to deeply explore health, wellness, and self-care for Black girls, by Black girls. Being able to also experience the Women Evolve conference with Angelina was valuable for building upon our spiritual growth and to uplift others to build upon their own self-confidence toward becoming a stronger woman warrior! This journey only expanded our passion. With admiration, I continue to witness Angelina take pride in creating a safe and culturally informed space, which has created a unique opportunity and special bond that I am forever grateful for.
Making Impact for Transformational Change
This year we worked with more clients, on more projects, and with more resources than ever to advance lasting systems change. We know our efforts can have a ripple effect, and they should if we wish to see the kind of progress our society needs. This is why our approach is rooted in education that empowers all of us to be learners and teachers. We equip our client with the tools and knowledge to continue the work on their own and support their teams to act with courage. This year we facilitated 10+ EDIA-related learning journeys, co-created EDIA strategic plans for governing agencies, and helped navigate countless difficult conversations, workplace mediations as well as opportunities to mentor, collaborate, and share our knowledge and learnings with peers in the business community.
It Takes Continuous Learning
We believe that EDIA-related work means embracing a learning journey that doesn’t end. We’ve learned that to be true facilitators of this work, this sentiment applies to us. This year I had the opportunity to receive the Diversity and Inclusion Service Management Certification, as well as the Communications in ADR certificate. Our A Team members have recently pursued anti-oppression training through the NS College of Social Workers, and certification through the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT) to help build resilience in youth.
Dean was appointed Deputy Chief
This year my husband Dean, who started his career over 22 years ago was appointed Deputy Chief of the Halifax Regional Police. Dean has a gift for creating opportunities while lifting others as you climb, and always staying true to his purpose while guided by the love and support of our family. This promotion is a testament to his greatness, and it’s only the beginning of the amazing things yet to come.
Joining ANSJI
This year, I took the leap and left a corporate position with McInnes Cooper, to practice law by combining criminal justice and human rights advocacy at the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI). Making this decision was about legacy, and reflects my passion for advocacy and breaking down barriers. This decision required me to know my worth and take a step towards trusting myself and my ability to make the greatest possible difference I can.
Our Team is Growing
We are grateful to all of the incredible contributors, partners, and consultants who have amplified our vision through collaborative projects. At A Team we embrace a collaborative consulting model, which means we intentionally build a holistic team to meet our client's needs for every project. Check us out here! This works for us because our organization fosters transparency, equitable compensation, and flexibility. It works for our clients because we define a combination of forces representing the varying knowledge sets and skills that align with their particular needs.
MCing for the first time!
It was an honour to MC Ability to Rise, an incredible gathering on the International Day for Persons with Disabilities hosted last week by TEAM Work Cooperative and the Nova Scotia League of Equal Opportunities🙏🏽
What’s next for us in 2025?
We are looking forward to continued growth and a deepening of our services and impact this year. Offering Workplace Investigations For example, we have expanded our service offerings to provide workplace investigations to address some of the most challenging dynamics involving people, respect, and identity. This is an opportunity to meaningfully combine my legal and EDIA consulting backgrounds to facilitate solutions for problems related to racism, harassment, and discrimination.
Sharing our Learnings
Every opportunity to share knowledge and inspire others has deepened my commitment to growth and learning. It's a continual reminder of the power of connection and the shared responsibility we have to empower others in their journeys. I am looking forward to sharing more knowledge this year through keynotes and panels (check out what we offer here!), to create conversations that inspire deep reflection and informed action.
Deepening Community Impact
Along with the continuation of Black Girls Pillow Talk, we are looking forward to expanding offerings that relate to youth and young men that goes beyond the game (beyond sports, learning how to prioritize your mental health and agility). I am proud of A'dre for hosting first Precision Play camp and AJ’s efforts to engage fathers in healthy fatherhood rituals. 2025 is an opportunity to take these initiatives to the next level.
Black on the Ballot This February I will be in Ottawa for the launch of the Black on the Ballot Podcast, which has been an incredible opportunity to engage in candid dialogue about what it means to be have been a Black politician. This new series combines deep conversations and groundbreaking new research to give the inside scoop, whether you find politics interesting or not. See the teaser here.
2025 Business Award Finalist We look forward to celebrating with our peers at the Chamber’s 2025 Business Awards. A Team has been nominated as a New Business of the Year Finalist. We are excited by this recognition, but also honour that entrepreneurship is not new to our family. My father’s business and entrepreneurial mindset inspired my path. I worked to ensure his legacy lived on after his passing when we took over his cleaning company and ran it successfully for 10 years before I went to law school. Now we are continuing this legacy through the building of A Team coaching.
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Thank you to everyone who has believed in our vision and has been a part of this collective journey toward shaping a more just and equitable future. We are grateful for the countless collaborations and the trust in us to be your partner in fostering equitable change.
For those of you on a journey to more deeply trusting yourself and your precious gifts in 2025 let your light shine and those who don’t like it, let them be dazzled by it.
With love,
Angela
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