Yvonne Blackwood

Author / Retired Banker, Richmond Hill, ON. Born: Manchester, Jamaica.

Yvonne Blackwood has had an illustrious banking career with the Royal Bank of Canada for 35 years. During her career, she held many managerial positions including: Loans Officer, Branch Manager, Senior Account Manager Business Banking, Commercial Credit Advisor, and in 1999, she was appointed Community Banking Advisor. In that capacity, she impacted the lives of hundreds of African-Canadians, encouraging financial empowerment throughone-on-one-consultation, speaking engagements, workshops, authoring newspaper articles and radio show engagements until her retirement in 2007.

Besides being a highly qualified banker, Yvonne is also an author, columnist, speaker and world traveller. She has published 3 books: Into Africa, A Personal Journey, Will That Be Cash or Cuffs?, and the newly released, Into Africa: The Return. She has written columns for Pride Newspaper, the Toronto Star, and The African Connection; published several short stories; and delivers dynamic speeches on topics such as “Economic Power,” “The Key to Our Success,” and “Pursue Your Dreams With Gusto and Determination.”

Community: President Tropicana Community Services Organization; Board Director Ontario Development Corporation; Board Director The Trillium Foundation; Board Director and Secretary of the Metropolitan Toronto Children’s Aid Society; Member of the Canadian Multicultural Advisory Committee to the Federal Minister of Multiculturalism & Citizenship; Member of the Metro Police & the Black Community Race Relations Committee; Mentor with the YMCA Black Achievers Program; Marketing Director for The Canadian Authors Association, Central Ontario Branch; Secretary of Richvale Writers.

Honours: Including, certificate awarded by Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship & Culture for volunteerism; Community Volunteer Recognition Certificate by the Heritage Skills Development Centre; Community Service Award from the City of Markham.
Favourite book? I have many favourite books, but Heart of a Woman stands out. It is part of Maya Angelou’s biography and is full of heart.
Favourite quotes? 1) “Perseverance is a great element of success.”  2) “If you knock long enough and hard enough, the door will open.”
Given the chance, what would you love to do that you haven’t done yet? Publish some children’s books.

Who inspires you? People who have achieved much by overcoming great obstacles inspires me. I love it, it takes me to a new high.

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