BY SIMONE J. SMITH

How did it come to this? Taxes… You always push them off until the last minute. Now, where did you put that receipt? Suddenly, the phone rings, startling you. You answer nervously “Hello?”

“Good afternoon, this is Agent Jones from the Canada Revenue Agency. I’m calling regarding your overdue tax returns.”

Your eyes widen in horror and you frantically search for an explanation. “Oh, uh, hi… Yes, I’ve been meaning to get to those. Just a small delay, you know, busy with business and all…”

The agent say’s firmly, “I understand, but we can’t overlook the matter any longer. Your taxes are considerably overdue, and there are penalties accruing. We need you to file them immediately.”

Your heart sinks as the weight of the situation hits you. “I… I’ll get right on it, I promise. Just give me a little more time.”

“I’m afraid we can’t grant any more extensions. You have to take action now, or we’ll have to pursue further measures.”

You hang up the phone, feeling overwhelmed and trapped. You slump back into your chair, staring blankly at the computer screen.

That’s right everyone; it is tax time, the dreaded season of the year, one that makes the majority of us anxious, but today we are going to introduce to the community a solution to your tax season trauma.

Founded in 2000, Nuages Consulting INC., Chartered Professional Accountants have had a single mission: to be the most successful, supportive, creative, and community focused Chartered Professional Accountants in the GTA. Nuage is French for Cloud, and this strategically represents the fact that even though they are centralized in Toronto, Ontario, Canada they are virtually everywhere. They have a team of: educated, determined, intelligent and energetic consultants with a passion to approach each of their clients with fresh eyes, and develop customized and unique strategies to assist you with your world-wide income.

They partner with their clients from start to finish, focusing on their needs while providing new ideas, developing effective strategies, and designing high quality and scalable solutions. They exist to solve the critical issues facing their clients, both large and small.

I had a chance to sit down with founding partner Gloria Kapuku, CPA, and she shared with me what separates Nuages Consulting Inc. from other consulting companies. “Our unique approach is not only what differentiates us, but also what makes us successful. We provide a broad range of services and solutions to help organizations: facilitate change, achieve their vision, and optimize performance and productivity.

We examine what organizations are doing to stay relevant and competitive in this fast-paced world, and which ones are doing it best. We then strategize using smart tools and global resources in order to understand the implications of every choice our clients can make.”

“How does your firm approach client relationships to build trust and long-term partnerships, especially if they are in the middle of a tax nervous breakdown?”

“With every single client, we take our time,” Gloria shares. “We partner  with our client from start to finish. There is no rush. It is like having a best friend, someone who listens to your issues, allows you to vent, and then helps you come up with solutions. We give them confidence; taxes are a daunting experience.”

“What specific services does your firm offer that sets it apart from others in the field?”

“We offer complete income tax services for: businesses, individuals, partnerships, charities, and not-for-profit organizations.  We don’t just file and go, we explain information to our clients as simply as possible to help them better understand their tax situation and the impact that various decisions may have on their return.”

​Nuages Consulting Inc. tax services include:

• Corporate Tax Return
• Self-Employed Tax Return (Sole Proprietorship)
• Personal Tax Return
• Sales Tax return (HST and GST)
• Payroll Taxes (PD7A, T4 slip, ROEs and Dividend)
• Investment Income

What I realized when speaking with Gloria is that what really differentiates her consulting firm from others is the personal care that is put into their client support. She shared with me six FREE services that clients get with signing up with a Nuages Consulting Inc., Chartered Professional Accountant, and Certified Public Accountants:

• They will represent you in all CRA matters, even making calls to the CRA on your behalf.
• Free re-files – If you forgot to include anything, they will re-file for you FREE of charge.
• CRA Audit and Re-assessment.
• Pre Return Assessment (Review the process of your tax year)
• Post Return Meeting (November). They reconnect with the client and see how their client is doing. With these updates, they can help their clients plan for the next tax season.
• Open Door Policy – Anything you need we will answer FREE of charge.

“No one else is doing this in the industry,” Gloria shares. “It is a lot of work, which is why it is not being done. We do it because we are committed to bridge the gap between complexity and clarity when it comes to taxes. We want to equip individuals and businesses with the insights needed to navigate the intricate world of taxation successfully.”

I visited their website, and found that they also offer a Bootcamp and Knowledge Hub. It is a six hour Small Business Bootcamp that provides access to funds, grants, and loans for your business, not-for-profit, or charity. They dive deep into vital topics like: business registration, bookkeeping, business structure, marketing, and funding, guided by our experts. You will also receive six hours of CPD/CPE credits!

The Knowledge Hub is a blog series focused on unraveling the complexities of taxes and holds numerous benefits for readers navigating this intricate landscape. Taxes, often viewed as convoluted and daunting, can intimidate individuals and businesses alike. However, this well-structured blog series serves as a beacon of clarity amidst the confusion. By stripping away the dense jargon and presenting information in a straightforward manner, the Knowledge Hub demystifies tax concepts, empowering readers with understanding and confidence.

Most importantly, all consultants and accountants at Nuages Consulting Inc. stay current with changes in Canadian accounting standards and tax laws, which is essential for a firm to provide clients with accurate and up-to-date advice.

“We do a lot of professional development and educational programs,” Gloria shares. “Every month we do about 10 hours of educational programs (CPE ). We pay very close attention to trends in the financial market, and we sit down with the CRA and go over changes.”

Time to take charge of your financial future? Visit Nuages Consulting Inc., Chartered Professional Accountants, Certified Public Accountants to ensure your taxes are completed accurately and efficiently. Don’t wait until the last minute—let their expert team guide you through the process and maximize your returns.

Your financial peace of mind awaits! Contact them at info@nuages.ca, or 416-477-1324.

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Whether it is photographs or works of art, images create a memory of people, places, and things that we hold with us forever. For Black women art has created a new space of recognition and has presented an opportunity to both celebrate and immortalize their contributions. It has created a new space of recognition.

Art does not show people what to do, or how to feel; great works of art create synergy between your senses, body, and mind. It can help you navigate your emotions, and this can spur thinking, engagement, and even action.

Most of us know the feeling of being moved by a work of art, whether it is: a song, a play, a poem, a novel, a painting, or a spatio-temporal experiment. Most recently I met a young woman, and upon seeing her work, I was transported to a new place that was, nevertheless, strongly rooted in a physical experience. I became aware of a feeling that I do not actively focus on. This transformative experience is what art is constantly seeking.

Quietly, Chika O has been experimenting with her artistic ability, finding ways to express herself, and help others express their innermost feelings. She specializes in curating inspirational and expressive paint events that enable those who are open to doing so tap into their creativity.

I was introduced to Chika O through a mutual friend of ours Nigel Birch; upon meeting her I knew that she was a phenomenon. It was on Friday, March 24^th, 2023, that I saw the extent of her magic. She was the art curator at the LEGUP Secure your Wealth Symposium, and to see what she was able to do with the space, to turn a hotel common area into an art gallery; it was incredible. I decided right there and then that I wanted to share her talents with the world, so we sat down, and I went on an artistic journey with her.

“I went to school for the arts, but I didn’t do anything for myself,” Chika tells me. “I didn’t use my talent for anything. One day, I realized something had to change.

I was born in Mississauga, then my parents moved out to Newmarket. After my parents separated, myself, my four siblings, and my mother moved to Markham.

As a child, I was very vocal about what I wanted to do: be creative or play outside. All my gifts were focused on art. Give me paints, give me crayons, and give me a pencil crayon that is what I wanted. It was like this until I was 12 years old. School takes art seriously, so I used school as an outlet for my art.

They would spend more money on art supplies, and it allowed me to do more. There is basic art, but I wanted to be challenged. I wanted to learn techniques. From 10 to 12, that urge to learn more came up. My mom put me in art camp, and there I learned colour theory, sculpting, and how to work with clay.”

There was no denying; she was born an artist.

“I would win competitions at church because of the detail that I put into their work. There is so much that can be told by looking at a child’s art. You can learn so much from their world.”

She was very detailed explaining what art does for a child, and I knew that there was a story there.

“I was seven or eight when my parents separated. I learned a lot during that time. You never know what a child has to deal with. When I was younger, I was very attached to my dad. I copied everything he did. When my parents separated, the picture of my life was destroyed. When I had to shift to the new picture, I resented it. I didn’t like this new picture. Single mom, going to school, with the absence of my father; my world had revolved around him. I didn’t know what to revolve around anymore.

There was a gap, a hole. I woke up unhappy. Now I know that it was depression. My mom did the best she could. She would keep us connected to our community as much as possible, but it never filled the void.

It is only now that I am older; I realize why I focus on women in my art so much. It can be very difficult for us, especially when dealing with the opposite sex. Back then, I didn’t even have the words, so I put it in my art.”

Chika O takes her responsibility as an artist seriously; the idea that artists have responsibilities may come as a surprise to some – it is to help people not only get to know and understand something with their minds but also to feel it emotionally and physically. By doing this, art can mitigate the numbing effect created by our daily experiences. So, what she has done is find a way to bring art to the community in an interactive and engaging way.

“I curate events for organizations, and I also have fun with my paint nights. This gives me an opportunity to engage with individuals on another level. I want to inspire people to keep that creative muscle in their brains moving.

Art is what I do so that I do not self-inflict. How you process pain is unique for each person. When I am in my artistic space, I am reliving my pain, but in the way that heals me. When you don’t have the words to express how you feel, it can be really frustrating.

My paint nights are special to me. I am given complete creative control.”

Each month Chika holds a themed paint party; her next one is themed the Green Garden happening on Saturday, April 1^st, 2023, from 7:30 PM  9:30 PM. Whether you are looking for a fun bonding activity for a group or a more personal experience, her events offer a perfect blend of social interaction and individual exploration. As your host, she is there every step of the way, guiding you towards creating a beautiful work of art that you can be proud of, and there is more…

I don’t want to give away too much about what Chika told me, but on May 6^th, 2023, Toronto is going to be formally introduced to Chika O. A group of us will be working alongside Chika on a project that reflects the unique experiences of Black women. We will be fusing art and words to tell the story of a Black woman’s experience living in the diaspora. Her struggles, her joy, her pain, her celebrations; it will be a recognition of Black women all over the world.

“I have been working on things for a long time, and now is the right time to showcase what I have to the world. I am really excited about it, and what I will tell you is to start looking out for event details in the first week of April. For now, you can FOLLOW me on Instagram @paintwithchikaoh, or @artby.chikaoh.”

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Women of colour have historically faced systemic barriers to entry and advancement in various professions, including the legal field. Discrimination, bias, and structural inequalities have limited their access to educational and professional opportunities.

The lack of women of colour in leadership positions within the legal industry has contributed to a cycle of underrepresentation. A lack of role models and mentors can make it more challenging for aspiring female professionals to envision a successful career in the field.

Luckily, our Woman Empowered smashed the ceiling on Tuesday, October 10^th, 2023, by becoming one of the first Guyanese women to be called to the Ontario Bar.

She is a first generation Guyanese Canadian with roots in 58 villages of Berbice. Her mother emigrated from Guyana to the United States in the 70’s, before settling in Canada. She is an Associate Lawyer practicing exclusively in the area of criminal defense. She joined the team of Heller Hunter Azevedo after articling for a prestigious Toronto boutique criminal litigation firm. She has assisted with successfully representing clients at all levels of court in Ontario and Canada.

Prior to law school, our Woman Empowered graduated with distinction from the University of Toronto, where she obtained a double major in Criminology and Sociology, and Ethics, Society and Law. She also received her Masters of Arts from the University of Toronto in 2018.

She earned both a Canadian and an American Juris Doctor degree from the University of Windsor, and the University of Detroit Mercy in 2022. While in law school, she volunteered as a student attorney at the 36th District Court of Michigan’s Public Defender’s office and served as Co-President of the Windsor Chapter of the First-Generation Network. She was involved in the Criminal Law Association of Windsor, and Pro-Bono Students Canada, and was also the recipient of the 2021 Brian E. McIntyre, Q.C. Memorial Award in Criminal Justice.

It was such an honour to sit down with Cassandra Geeta, and dialogue about her journey to becoming a Criminal lawyer. What I learned is that this young woman is not only determined, relentless, and driven to represent her community the best way that she can.

 “My mom immigrated from Guyana in her early teens, lived in the Bronx for a little, and then resided in Florida for a spell. Ultimately, she ended up in Canada. I was born in Brampton, Ontario, and we ended up settling in Mississauga. I had a difficult upbringing. When my mom moved to Canada, she moved because she had met my father. They ended up going through a difficult divorce, and my mom had no one here to support her. She was in a foreign land, facing a foreign justice system. All she had was her wits and courage to get through this.”

Thankfully, the universe sent them a guardian angel, a man named Vishnu Misir who was a lawyer from her mom’s extended family. “He helped my mom through some of her legal battles that she was fighting. He was one of the only family members who stood up for her and stood up for me. I can’t help but tell you that he has helped shape my destiny. He passed away a few years ago, and he didn’t get to see me where I am today. It is one of my biggest regrets to not get to see him now.

My mother and I are resilient. A lot of people don’t know what my mom and I have gotten through together. One aspect of my life that my mom enforced was school, ‘Take your education, take your book; when you have your education, no one can take it from you,’ she would tell me. 

I started to take my education very seriously in high school, and I ended up at the University of Toronto. It was here in my third year that I was introduced to a Criminology course. Justice Davies taught that class. It was practical criminal work, and I thought I might be good at this.”

Her heart became set on criminal law, and she continued her education to get her Masters.

“I graduated in 2018, and things slowed down for a year. I had to take some time for myself. One of my first jobs was working at Mercedes Benz as a concierge, and all the while I was studying for school, and writing the LSAT.

My mom’s parents passed away four, or five years ago and it was devastating for the family. They were the eldest grandparents. These are two people: the matriarch and patriarch of our family, and they didn’t get to see me reach here.

When I received the acceptance at University of Windsor, I called my mom and burst into tears. Every day since then, it has seemed like one less burden was on my shoulders. I knew I was going to have a career; I wouldn’t be struggling anymore. I got into Law School, and I was determined. I have always viewed school as a great challenge, and if I put enough effort into it, I would be able to do well. I have always done well with school.

I applied to the Dual JD program. When my mom came to this country, she lost everything, but gained me. She stayed here because of me. Having an American law degree would allow me to take my mom back to where she would be happiest.

I didn’t feel intimidated, but I realized there was so much to learn. Law school solidified for me that Criminal Law was my path. My mom really wanted me to get into other types of law; I think that people think there is something seedy about criminal law.”

It is understandable why Cassandra’s mom was trying to steer her daughter in another direction. Criminal cases involve high stakes and can have a significant impact on individuals’ lives. The outcomes of cases may determine whether a person goes to jail, faces fines, or has their reputation tarnished.

The pressure to secure favorable outcomes for clients can be intense, and dealing with criminal cases can be emotionally draining. Criminal lawyers often work with clients who are facing serious charges and may be going through difficult circumstances. The emotional toll of handling such cases, especially those involving violent crimes or tragic events, can be challenging.

Cassandra knew that the legal system was complex, and that criminal lawyers must have a deep understanding of criminal law, court procedures, and legal precedents. She understood that building a successful criminal law practice would take time.

“My first year of law school was in person, and the second two years were virtual due to the pandemic. It was difficult; it felt like a long haul.

I became Co-President of the Windsor Chapter of the First-Generation Network. It was a student association geared towards First Generation legal professionals. People don’t understand how much work it takes, so to be able to connect with other students who understood the challenges was important.

I also served as Student Attorney at 36th District Court of Michigan. It was my first real stab at practical advocacy. It prepared me for my experiences after law school, especially when it came to engaging this vulnerable population.

What you take from your studies is different from person to person. Crime is not simplistic; it can be just one wrong decision along the road. I don’t judge my clients; when they turn to someone to help them, they don’t want to hear judgments on their actions. I am empathetic to them, and they need that.

My mom inspired me to be in service to people who might need help like she did. I want to be that helping hand to someone else. Everything is a reminder of where I came from.”

Despite these difficulties, Cassandra finds the work incredibly rewarding, as she now plays a crucial role in upholding justice and protecting the rights of individuals accused of crimes. The challenges in this field often come with the territory, and thankfully for our community, Cassandra is passionate about criminal law and justice. We are proud of you Cassandra; your work is needed.