One of My Brethren Foundation (OMB)

One of My Brethren Foundation is dedicated to empowering racialized individuals aged 15 to 25 by offering a range of complimentary educational services. We provide personalized free tutorials in crucial STEM subjects, including Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry, designed to enhance understanding and academic performance. Our experienced instructors are committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages inquiry and critical thinking.

In addition to STEM support, we also recognize the challenges faced by new immigrants in adapting to their new surroundings. To assist with this transition, we offer free English language lessons tailored to various proficiency levels. These classes aim to improve communication skills and boost confidence, enabling participants to navigate daily life in Calgary and its surrounding areas more effectively. Our foundation strives to create a welcoming community where all individuals can thrive and succeed in their educational journeys.

We are pleased to offer complimentary 30-minute music instrument lessons in guitar, piano, and saxophone specifically designed for racialized children and youth. Our goal is to provide an inclusive environment that fosters musical growth and creativity among young individuals from diverse backgrounds.

For all participants under 18, a parent or guardian must provide their consent by signing a consent form before the lessons. This ensures we maintain a safe and supportive atmosphere for all our students. We encourage parents and guardians to engage in this process and look forward to nurturing the musical talents of our community’s youth.

We run a food bank specifically designed to support racialized individuals and communities. Our mission is to provide nutritious food options and essential resources to those facing systemic barriers and food insecurity. We aim to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels respected and valued. Through partnerships with local organizations and community members, we strive to address the unique needs and challenges racialized populations face, ensuring they have access to healthy food and support services.

One of My Brethren Foundation (OMB) is a Calgary-based non-profit organization focused on empowering Black and racialized youth, as well as new immigrants, who face systemic barriers and economic challenges. By providing tailored support and services, we aim to uplift these underrepresented groups, fostering their potential to create a brighter, more inclusive future.

We recognize the unique struggles that young people confront in today’s society, including academic pressures, social isolation, and the quest for spiritual identity. Therefore, we offer comprehensive programs tailored to meet their educational, social, and spiritual needs. We strive to enhance their academic performance and build essential life skills through mentorship initiatives, tutoring sessions, and workshops.

Moreover, we create safe spaces where youth can engage in social activities, promoting community building and support networks and helping them develop meaningful relationships with peers and mentors. Our spiritual empowerment programs encourage young individuals to explore their beliefs and values, fostering personal growth and resilience.

Through these efforts, OMB aims to help youth not only thrive academically but also grow into responsible and engaged community members who can contribute positively to society. We believe that by investing in our youth, we are investing in the future of our communities

Our Mission

Supporting underrepresented populations, like Black youth and new immigrants, in reaching their goals in the job market through targeted interventions.

Our Vision

To contribute to a community where everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Our Objectives

The foundation is committed to engaging and empowering under-represented populations. We recognize that new immigrants face numerous challenges when they arrive in a new country, particularly regarding language barriers. Therefore, we focus on providing resources and tailored support to help these individuals enhance their English language proficiency and communication skills. By facilitating workshops, language classes, and one-on-one mentoring, we aim to equip newcomers with the tools they need to navigate their new environment confidently.

In addition to our work with immigrants, we are mainly dedicated to fostering the growth and development of youth within the community, with a special emphasis on supporting black youth. We aim to empower these young individuals to become engaged and responsible citizens who actively contribute to their communities’ development. We offer free, structured after-school programs that provide educational enrichment, mentorship, and leadership opportunities to achieve this. These programs equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary for personal and academic success while instilling a sense of responsibility towards their peers and community.

Moreover, our initiatives center on creating a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere where personal growth is encouraged and family ties are strengthened through shared musical experiences. Additionally, our programs strongly emphasize promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within our organization and throughout the broader community. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard. Through workshops, community events, and collaborative projects, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of diversity and actively work to dismantle barriers to inclusion.

Our People

Olayemi Olabiyi

Olayemi Olabiyi is the Executive Director and founder of the One of My Brethren Foundation. He is also an Associate Professor at St. Mary’s University.
As an Associate Professor, he has published in refereed journals, and his interest in food insecurity, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility has led to the establishment of this foundation. He desires to see Black Youth and immigrants contribute their quotas to developing local communities and Canada through active participation in the labour market.
[email protected]

Michael Olabiyi

Michael Olabiyi is a member of the Board of Directors for the One of My Brethren Foundation. He has worked as a strategy and technology consultant for several Fortune 500 companies for over 15 years. He holds a Data-Driven Consulting certificate from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds multiple information technology certifications.

Michael mentors several Black youths, encouraging them to pursue self-improvement and become the best versions of themselves through continuous learning. He also regularly teaches Sunday school at his local church and coordinates a local ministry that partners with a shelter in Atlanta, working toward the vision of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Oluwafolajuwon Olabiyi

Oluwafolajuwon Olabiyi is the Data Analyst for the One of My Brethren Foundation. He holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Middle Tennessee State University in the United States and a Data Analysis certification from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. He is also a certified Machine Learning technician from the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute. Additionally, he holds IBM and Microsoft certifications, including Azure Fundamentals, Business Intelligence Analyst, and Predictive Analytics Modeler.

Contact Us

You can reach us via

Email: info@oneofmybrethren.org

Phone: +1 (587) 893-4724