Dwania Peele

The foundation of a dynamic life is often laid in clarity: a relentless focus, an understanding of self, and an unshakeable connection to the world one hopes to elevate. For our Woman Empowered, that dynamism was not a sudden burst of ambition, but the steady, powerful current of a life dedicated to making a difference.

Even when others around her were entangled in youthful problems, our Woman Empowered was perpetually “on the go,” involved in movements, and striving for impact. She carried the future on her shoulders long before the world recognized the weight of her potential…

“I knew what I was bringing to the table, and I wore the pride of Jamaica on my chest.”

Dwania Peele’s roots stretch back to Jamaica. Her educational journey began at Unity Preparatory School, a place she credits with molding her identity, instilled with the strict and potent mantra, “Only the best of good enough.” This rigorous foundation proved critical when she moved to New York City. Suddenly, Dwania found herself in an environment where people tried to make her feel like she was different, forcing her to fight to maintain her sense of self. Yet, the foundation held, “I knew who I was. I knew what I was bringing to the table, and I wore the pride of Jamaica on my chest.” Everything she did became a reflection not just of her, but of her origin.

Her academic pathway was marked by extraordinary success and an early embrace of opportunity. She was one of the few students fortunate enough to attend Cornell University for summer college after her junior year, an achievement that filled her with pride, attending an Ivy League institution before even finishing high school. Dwania graduated at 17, having excelled at her all-Black high school in Bed-Stuy, where the principal ensured students always aimed for the best.

The next step took her to Canada, where she quickly experienced the “push and pull of Canadian culture.” As a Black alumna, she feels a sense of pride when seeing others like her, but she also encountered the frustrating reality of being constantly identified as “from New York.” This love-hate relationship between Americans and Canadians often created a small, annoying divide. Dwania learned to dismiss these remarks with firm grace, “Is that going to change what we’re talking about? No. Let’s keep moving.”

At the University of Windsor, Dwania pursued two degrees: a bachelor’s in chemistry, and a bachelor’s in political science. It was a professor, Dr. Dutton, who changed her life by advising her to go to college for Chem Lab technology. Though she feared her Caribbean parents would “kill” her for suggesting she leave university for college, she took the leap. It was the best decision; she secured a job immediately, and that job funded her final year of university. She worked full-time at both the job and school simultaneously.

Dwania’s entrepreneurial spirit was often ignited by a simple, yet powerful, catalyst: boredom. When her first job ended, she had a summer off and, that boredom feeling his, so she started her first business, Tiny Delights, selling cupcakes and pies. This venture started before the cupcake craze hit Canada. It shaped her business process, including how to incorporate a company on her own.

Her most enduring and impactful venture, Canadian Small Business Women, was started in 2013, again because her mind needed novelty. She was bored at a subsequent job, often finishing her work in two hours, and would be sitting there with nothing to do. The deep-seated motivation for this company, however, was far from mundane. As an immigrant who struggled to find necessary business information, Dwania recognized a profound lack of resources for other immigrant entrepreneurs. She was incensed by the lack of business events for immigrants, noting that they were primarily offered at job fairs. “As an immigrant, we don’t only come here to be your labour force,” she declared. “We come here with ideas, and with money and we want to create jobs.”

Initially, Dwania implemented a strategy that spoke to the racial politics of the business world: she did not want the company to be a “Black business,” but a Black-owned business. Out of fear and strategy, she often remained hidden, even bringing a white friend to her booth. It was her mother and a close friend who continually urged her to step forward, to host her own events. Finally, at an expo at the Ontario Science Center, she decided to MC. Having always loved public speaking (from literary programs to being president of NESBY) she commanded the stage.

“You’re the owner. You’re the founder. You did this.”

When she came off, an older Jamaican woman approached her. The woman, eyes wide with pride, confirmed, “You’re the owner. You’re the founder. You did this.” Dwania knew, in that instant, that the look the woman gave her, the look of profound maternal pride, was the reason she had to be visible. “That woman was so proud to see that somebody who looked like her did this,” Dwania recalls. Since that day, she has consistently put her face out there, determined to help her community see themselves in her success.

However, visibility brought challenges, particularly dealing with what she terms the “nice nasty” behaviuor of Torontonians and the constant flow of opinions from men who felt they knew better. Dwania navigates this with an emotional intelligence built on powerful self-respect. She has learned to match energy, looking people “dead in their face” when they try to dismiss her work. She is polite, yet metered, a reflection of the Jamaican ability to be the “nicest, nastiest people.” She learned how to state her feelings professionally, ensuring that while they might feel told off, “They can never say it’s disrespectful.” When organizations look at her sideways, she simply walks away, “I will go where I’m wanted.”

Dwania’s resilience is etched in professional victories, and also in deep personal vulnerabilities. She is navigating intense struggles as a woman, including announcing her breast cancer diagnosis. Dwania refuses to engage with negativity, knowing her community will come to her defense, but these moments reveal the immense pressure she shoulders while continuously building her empire.

Despite all the hurdles, Dwania’s ultimate purpose remains the tireless service of others. Currently serving on three boards, she asserts that if she is not engaged in helping people, she is not happy. The legacy she seeks is one of community, hoping that when people hear her name, they simply smile. She lives by a guiding philosophy that echoes the necessity of altruism: if you have something to give and you don’t give it, “what’s the point?” She believes in the metaphor of the open hand, “If you keep your hands closed nothing’s coming in, but nothing’s going out. So, if you open your hands, you can give and you can receive.”

For any young woman feeling unsure, or insecure, Dwania offers a powerful reminder to acknowledge their inherent power. Life will bring challenges and hurdles, but the secret lies in perspective: “We just have to look hard and find the silver lining.” Her ultimate philosophy of resilience is encapsulated in the title of her book: “Tomorrow is another day.” As long as one can breathe, there is a chance to reset and start again. Strength, vulnerability, and unwavering focus on service is what defines Dwania as a truly dynamic woman.