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Never intended to be a speaker-moderator-host , but sometimes your calling finds you 🎙

As a huge advocate for community and connection through experiences, meaningful conversations have become my most cherished way to connect with others and has led to so many opportunities for myself and community.

I'm blessed to be growing with people who are visionaries, trendsetters and leaders, and share lessons I've learned along the way.

Thank you to all the stages that welcomed me over the past few years, a few of which I've tagged here. Check their platforms and communities out!

And yes, I'm still speaking, moderating, and hosting (even with all the new career developments.. more on that later 😉)

Your voice and story needs to be heard!

🌱 Back to my roots 🌱

It was an absolute honour to MC @brandedto Conference 2022, the first year IRL since 2019!

Branded is an annual event, organized by a not-for-profit collective that supports Black, newcomer, and vulnerable youth entrepreneurs through networking, business consultation, and mentorship opportunities. Through their collective mandate, @brandedto is able to support young entrepreneurs who have not had access to funding, networking and business consultations to grow their businesses.

Thank you to every entrepreneur who showed up for themselves and their businesses and brought nothing but good vibes ✨

Shout out to the @brandedto and @bitsto team for ALWAYS creating valuable experiences for young entrepreneurs across the city. Proud to be an alum, and happy to support the many ways you impact youth across Toronto! 😎

#branded20222

She's backkkkk... allow me to re-introduce myself 🎙️

Heyyy everybody it's Karlena!

I'm an event host, planner and strategist based in Toronto Canada 🇨🇦 📍

My journey in events began in the Residence halls of @uwaterloolife and @sheridan_college where I was Don and Residence Life Coordinator bringing first year students together.

Events have allowed me to work in a multitude of industries: Film (TIFF), Sports Entertainment (MLSE) and Live Events (LiveNation) as well as a plethora of amazing community organizations supporting women, entrepreneurs and people of colour.

When I'm not bringing people together in person and online, I speak to community groups and post secondary institutions on the power of authentic and strategic relationships in building their brands, businesses and careers.

Outside of that I'm an avid concert fan (note multiple seasons working at @budweiserstage) and am learning to be a better cook (recipes welcome 😆)

What's exciting you right now?! Let me know below 🤗

Day 2 of the RC Show. So fun hanging out with Antoinette, Karlena @catchkarhere and Dwania @dmpeele . Check out the talking robots! So cute. They've come a long way. And then we saw Dufflets! I've had a long love affair with the cakes from @duffletpastries since I first set foot in her store on Queen Street way back in the late 80's. Uh, I'm dating myself, but who cares? I got to eat cake! Really good cake!
#RCSHOW2026 #foodserviceindustry #mississauga #foodsampling #robots

Join me this Saturday, February 28th at 10:00AM for my debut at @podcamptoronto ‼️

I'll be sharing my top tips for creating spaces that people love to be in and want to return to!

Beyond the Recording: Creating Live Podcast Events People Pay For 😎

Tix are FREE, with a VIP discount in the bio for those who want exclusive access and networking 😊

Starting the week off correct with a little black girl joy for your timeline!

This clip was taken at @gyallivant_Slow Wine event and these cuties learned this dance in like 1 minute haha!

Dancing = Joy 🙌🏾✨

You don’t need to be performing onstage, or execute moves with perfection to enjoy the benefits that dance brings.

All you gotta do is bring out that inner confidence to your moves, and shake what your ancestors gave you okay! 💅🏾

This is why I love dance fitness, you get to practice your moves, sweat, be messy an free and enjoy yourself!!

I’m ready for the next slow wine 👀 I hope to see you there my friends!!

Wishing you all the best and a lovely week

❤️✨ Leesh

#dancefitness #caribbeanfitness #fitnessmotivation #socafitness #torontofitness

are you coming to the next slow wine?

And it appears, it only gets better with time 🎂✨💕

And it appears, it only gets better with time 🎂✨💕

And it appears, it only gets better with time 🎂✨💕

I'm coming homeee shawtyyy 🥳

On Saturday, November 15th at 7:30PM, I will have the honour of not only hosting a music showcase... (if you know me well, you know I LOVE a good live show)..but hosting a show in my hometown of Mississauga 🥹

(plot twist: it's NOT Brampton, despite popular belief 😜..#TheBizMixer @thebizmixer ).

This show will be accessible to 13+, so we really want it to be a family friendly event, bring the whole fam!

Here's how you can support:

1️⃣: Share about the show on socials and tag @academypresents

2️⃣: ATTEND THE SHOW! 🙌🏾

1. Go to the link in my bio

2. Click the 'UNLOCK' button to the right of the ticket amount count and enter my artist code 'KARLENA'

3. Select your tickets and continue through the purchase process

4. THANK yourself for attending a show with crazy talent on the bill. 100% CANADIAN 🇨🇦

Here's to the past 6 months 🥂 To the Dream Team who managed 50+ partners with nothing but rave reviews, we did it ✨

A very eventful 😉 weekend: Heading back to my old stomping grounds to work with the amazing team at @afropolitan_canada for their inaugural Harmony of Cultures Festival in Kitchener, Ontario 🇨🇦 at the bright and welcoming space @the.zanga

It was a day filled with music, conversation, food and culture. There were conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion & how to navigate your career as a BIPOC women who is in, or aspiring to be in leadership positions.

After the thought-provoking panels, we indulged in some good eats by @brawta_caribbean , were blessed by the Afro sounds of @okavangoafricanorchestra and the melodic voice of @carineaumicro 🔥

To Steffy, Kelly and the whole Afropolitan Canada team: This experience was one I will never forget, thank you for inviting us in to support the amazing work you are doing to empower Black Communities across Canada 🇨🇦

In Episode 8 the Career Currency podcast Karlena (@catchkarhere) dazzles us with everything she learned throughout her professional journey, from biology to event planning and she left us with a valuable lesson:

“We are not aware of opportunities, We made decisions to create them””, which is her mantra and we just love it 😍

How do you create your own opportunities? Here are a few ideas she breaks down for us:

🧐 Exploration - don’t be afraid to learn new skills and explore new opportunities
🤝 Networking - meeting new people who can strategically guide and support you is a game changer
💡 Communicate your ideas - being able to sell your ideas and get buy is essential

Watch out for the full video on our YouTube Channel (link in bio) 🔗

#professionaljourney #careercurrency #podcastclips #thetecheffect #digitalskills #digitalmarketing #analytics #eventplanning #opportunities

Have you ever attended a TEDx event?