Board Members
Board Members
The Co-op is driven by the help of a community of Board Members, who are St. James Town residents, community advocates and organizers, and people invested in making St. James Town a stronger, healthier, more resilient community.
Josephine Grey
Co-Founder
Kayda
Board Member
Jordan
Board Member
Darryl D'Souza
Board Member
Milan Slavkovic
Board Member
Milan Slavkovic has been an invaluable member of the St. James Town community since 2010. As a civil and mechanical engineer, Milan brings a unique perspective to our board. His dedication to serving others is evident through his extensive volunteer work with organizations such as the Red Cross, Yonge St. Mission, Sherbourne Health, Community Matters, and our very own co-op since 2012. Milan is passionate about supporting food, harm reduction, housing, and health programs, and has been a tireless advocate for the homeless and most vulnerable in our community. Not only does he lend a helping hand, but he also serves as an election central poll supervisor, ensuring fair and transparent democratic processes. Milan’s global travels have broadened his knowledge on social, economic, and cultural issues, making him a well-rounded individual who truly understands the needs of our diverse community.
Milan Slavkovic – a humble servant of Allah, passed away on January 5th, 2024, but his legacy lives on in the positive impact he made in St. James Town.
Azikee Huie
Board Member
Azikee is an Afro Jamaican immigrant, a Community Organizer, a climate change advocate, and a volunteer to various Toronto organizations. She is a Parent Ambassador for racialized parents and students and a recently elected board member to The St James Town Co-op. Azikee is also the volunteer coordinator for the Co-op’s Emergency Food Program.
Opal Sparks
Board Member
Opal Sparks is currently doing research projects with St Michael’s Hospital. She is also enjoying doing work with Asemaa Circles this year as well as helping to maintain the High Park Oak Savannah lands. Opal recently worked with Greenest City as an earthworker with Dunn Garden.
Opal Sparks has done research projects with Daily Bread Food Bank (provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy, Hungry City), Wellesley Institute (community participatory projects), Caledon Institute, Tamarack Institute, Atkinson Foundation, People’s Blueprint, Social Assistance modernization process and Social Planning Toronto.
Opal participated in a year-long Maytree Leaders for Change program. She has consulted with Access Alliance, Dr Gary Bloch’s poverty health initiative, CAMH (Empowerment Council), spoken for the United Nations and United Way GTA. Opal participated in the pilot Advocacy program at the Stop for several years..
Her favourite memories: part of the forming of the Centro de Medicina Natural, a community based health initiative, and speaking on several occasions for Take Back the Night (as shown in her picture), as well as being a Girl Scout leader for over 100 low income girls in one season (a special program designed with Mary S Kottkamp). Opal has enjoyed start up community gardening where she lives!
She worked for many years at Food+Share Toronto as a community animator, facilitating gardening workshops and providing tours for donors and inquisitives. She continues to miss her FoodShare Toronto family, and hopes to visit them soon!
Opal is the proud recipient of the Rosie McGroarty award and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.