TAMLA MATTHEWS

CONSULTANT . ARTIST . EDUCATOR . ENTREPRENEUR

 

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Tamla Matthews is a lover of fine chocolates and belly laughs. She has an extensive layered portfolio of entrepreneurship, art, education, child welfare, youth and children advocacy in community enhancement and public service work.

 

She founded her legacy project Rootz and Branches in 2011 as a dance vehicle specializing in Afro-cultural performance, education and professional training for children, youth and their families.   

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As an Ontario certified Teacher and professional dance artist, Tamla's has a vast portfolio of artistic career highlights. She represented Canada in Hong Kong in 2006 and most recently in a contingent that participated in the 2019 Carifesta Festival in Trinidad and Tobago.

Tamla has been commissioned by the Caribana Cultural Committee, Dusk Dances, Dance Immersion and TAIBU. She has also created numerous wellness programs for organizations such as the TDSB, the Davenport Perth Neighbourhood centre, Women's Heath in Women's Hands, and the Black Health Secretariat. Tamla's life long contribution to the Canadian Black dance community was recognized by Robert Small on his 2015 Black History Legacy poster. In 2016, she was recognized and awarded by the Trinidadian Community for promoting dance to the youth. Her12-hour performance with Anandam Theatre in the 2019 Nuit Blanche festival is also a highlight close to her heart.

Tamla has consistently advocated for and created access to quality of arts programming for children. Her leadership roles have included Executive Directory of Drums Artz Canada, Executive Director of the Scarborough Caribbean Youth Dance Ensemble, the Operations Manager at Nia Centre for the Arts and the first Children's Programs Manager at Scarborough Arts. One of her most significant accomplishments has been the ability to create quality sustainable Afro-Diasporic art-based curriculums and programming that engage youth meaningfully and create communities around their commitment.

 

She created a 5-year Urban Moves program at Davenport Perth Community Centre and the flagship Kaleidoscope program for Scarborough Arts where she delivered 250+ workships to over 500 children in 5 model Scarbough schools.

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Tamla currently runs the CHEERS mentorship program and is a Training and Development Consultant in the public service sector.  

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Tamla is excited by the transformational power of awkward conversations and welcomes opportunities to connect, stretch and grow.