​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​HeART Changers is an annual virtual program featuring a prominent artist who uses their platform to make a positive change in the world. Moderated by Heartbeats in Performing Arts co-op students, this presentation features an opening act by a local youth performer and additional opportunities for student engagement.

Join us for a presentation by Trey Anthony, award-winning writer, of Da Kink in My Hair, TV show and play, who is thrilled to join us to discuss the powerful theme of using your voice for social change through the arts. In a world where creativity can spark conversations and inspire action, Trey will share insights on how students can harness their unique talents—whether it's writing, acting, or visual arts—to address important social issues.

Together, we'll explore how art can not only reflect the world around us but also challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change. Get ready to discover how your passion for the arts can become a catalyst for transformation and inspire others to join you on this impactful journey!

This event features:

• Opening act by youth performers
• Heartbeats co-op student MCs
  
• Trey Anthony's presentation:
  • The intersection of art and social change
  • Your Voice - Encouragement for students to identify their unique talents in the arts
  • Activities or prompts to help students discover their creative voice
  • How to deal with reje​ction and people not supporting your vision
  • From small changes to big changes
    
  • Why art is important and always improving?
• Closing
• Question and Answer​
  

Meet the Artist

Trey Anthony is an award-winning Jamaican-British-Canadian writer, wellness expert, and trailblazer in the entertainment industry. As the first Black woman in Canada to helm her own prime-time series, she has earned the nickname "Oprah of Canada." Trey has graced major networks like NBC, ABC, CBS, and CBC, and her work has been featured in prestigious outlets such as Forbes and The Huffington Post.

A former writer for OWN and Lionsgate, she is also a contributing writer for the Huffington Post and Toronto Star. Her bestselling book, Black Girl in Love (with Herself), published by Hay House, has resonated deeply with readers around the world.

Trey's play Da Kink in My Hair won four NAACP awards and shattered box office records in Canada, the UK, and the US, solidifying her place as a pioneering storyteller. She adapted her play How Black Mothers Say I Love You into a film that was shortlisted at Sundance, a testament to her creative range and impactful voice.

In her role as a Television Development Producer at CTV Television and Bell Media, Trey is a leading Black TV executive in Canada, working tirelessly to push boundaries for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.

Passionate about wellness and empowerment, Trey is a sought-after speaker who has delivered powerful talks at institutions such as Harvard and NYU. Her dedication to promoting mental and emotional well-being has earned her the Eve Ensler Vagina Warrior Award, along with a Walk of Fame Star in Brampton. Trey's popular Black Girl in Love (with Herself) wellness show has sold out multiple times, solidifying her status as a wellness rockstar.

Beyond her professional achievements, Trey is a devoted solo mom to her son Kai, finding joy in life's simple pleasures—like indulging in cupcakes while binge-watching This Is Us. Her ability to blend creativity, activism, and personal fulfillment continues to inspire and uplift those around her.

Meet the Hosts

Heartbeats in Performing Arts is a co-op and intern program for Black and Indigenous youth, providing an opportunity for students interested in careers in performing arts to gain work experience related to leadership, project planning, production, artistic creation, and administration. Part of their work each term is to host our annual HeART Changers presentation.

History of HeART Changers

HeART Changers launched in 2022 as a virtual offering within Brampton On Stage's Arts Adventures Education Series, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program was inspired by t​he Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls To Action, and conceived of as a way to highlight passionate artists who are using their platforms to make a change – to bring people together, overcome differences, celebrate culture, and lead from the heart.

One of the key developers of this program was Cameron Grant, a Brampton born and raised actor, playwright, and director.