WHO AM I?

Calissa Ngozi is a mental health expert, Child & Youth Care Professor, and professional keynote speaker with more than 20 years of experience helping people build resilience and navigate life’s toughest challenges. She’s a Professor at Mohawk College, where she teaches the next generation of child and youth care professionals, and she works in private practice alongside Bartimaeus Inc., providing mental health and behavior support to individuals and families.

A passionate advocate for inclusive and accessible mental health care, Calissa has served on multiple boards, including the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care and the Pathstone Mental Health Foundation. She is also a certified trainer in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and holds certifications in suicide prevention and intervention.

She created the Oxygen Mask Mindset™, a practical approach that reminds people to take care of themselves first—because you can’t pour from an empty cup. Her honest, uplifting talks on burnout, resilience, and mental health have made her a sought-after speaker, and she proudly placed as a finalist at Speaker Slam, North America’s largest inspirational speaking competition.

Her dedication was recognized with:

  • 2024 - RBC Black Diamond Ball Award

  • 2024 - Niagara 40 Under 40 Business Award

  • 2024 - Remarkable Mothers Empowerment Award

  • 2024 -  RBC Black Diamond Award

  • 2025 - The Peak’s 40 Under 40 Emerging Leader for Social Impact

Calissa regularly shares her expertise through media like SiriusXM, CTV Your Morning, The Social, Breakfast Television, CHCH, The Morning Show, and many more.

Her mission is deeply personal: as a Black woman adopted into a white family, and as a mom of twins, Calissa brings lived experience and empathy to everything she does. She’s working to build a future where mental health care is truly for everyone.

@CalissaNgozi | www.calissangozi.com

A woman and two boys standing outdoors on a leaf-covered path in a forest during autumn. They are holding hands and smiling, wearing casual fall clothing in neutral tones.
Pink pegboard with white letters spelling "DON'T PANIC."
Three people sitting on stools on a stage during a panel discussion, holding microphones, facing an audience in a dimly lit room.

Here’s how Calissa can help you…

Calissa offers a variety of options, that can be tailored to each individual request. Calissa is also available to travel internationally. Click the services tab on the drop-down menu, to find out what is available!

Person smiling in a formal dress indoors with decorative floral arrangements.

FEATURED

Logo with text 'ByBlacks' inside a circle.
Logo of 'Niagara This Week' with a large green dot and small green 'metro' text with dots above.
Welland Tribune Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 logo with a stylized blue star.
"Bold Journey" logo featuring bold red and black text on a transparent background.
Silhouette of a man playing guitar
Amazon Music logo with blue and orange elements
Logo of GIANT FM 91.7 Classic Rock radio station with text in red and white on a black background.
Niagara's New Country 89.1 logo with a star symbol
CanvasRebel logo in black text.

Let's reconnect with our community and understand that we are all interconnected!

ABOUT MY LIFE

Wake up every morning with excitement and enthusiasm for life!

Begin Your Journey With Calissa



Maintaining good mental health is crucial for overall well-being. Just as we prioritize our physical health through exercise and nutritious food, it is equally important to take care of our mental and emotional needs. Mental health impacts how we think, feel, and act on a daily basis, affecting how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. By paying attention to our mental health, we can better cope with life's challenges, build resilience, and improve our quality of life. Seeking support when needed and engaging in self-care practices are vital steps in nurturing our mental health and promoting a more balanced and fulfilling life.