About Bernice
Presenter/Storyteller
Bernice Carnegie is an Educational and Life Enrichment Speaker. She engages audiences by helping them rethink and discover the best of who they can be through her unique storytelling presentation style. She provides an interesting perspective on navigating through racial, mental health and other challenges, based on her experiences as a descendent of two Black, blended, and interracial families who settled in Canada in the early 1900s.
Bernice is the co-founder of the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation established in 1987 and was its former Executive Director for seventeen years. She is the daughter of Herbert Carnegie, the creator of the Future ACES Philosophy. Under her leadership, this character-building credo was adopted by hundreds of schools as a tool to support safe school environments.
Bernice continues to promote the family legacy of advocating for equity and racial equality. She is currently the co-founder and president of the international organization The Carnegie Initiative for inclusion and acceptance in hockey (carnegieinitiave.com).
Bernice is the recipient of numerous educational, leadership, and community service awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and an inaugural honoree of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women. She is co-author of the latest release of “A Fly in a Pail of Milk, The Herb Carnegie Story” which reveals in Part II “lessons passed on from father to daughter” also available in audio format. A Fly in a Pail of Milk: The Herb Carnegie Story
“More than ever, I was following in his (my father) footsteps, and unexpectedly many awards followed. My family room now displays a few of these as a reminder that I should not rest on the track but keep moving forward to make a difference wherever I can, when I can and in the best way I can. That is what life is about. It is not what you get out of it, but what you put into it that counts.”
— Bernice Carnegie
Quote from A Fly in a Pail of Milk, The Herb Carnegie Story – Pg 286
Community Awards & Recognition
Make giving back a part of your story.
2016: Honouree 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Woman
2015: Lifetime Leadership Award from the Multiethnic Sports Hall of Fame
2015: Pioneer Recognition for leadership, community service from the Canadian International Black Women Event
2015: Mathieu Da Costa Award for exceptional facilitation and communication from the Ontario Black History Society
2013: Humanities/Community Service Award from the National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada
2013: Community Award for leadership and outstanding service to the community from the United Achiever’s Club of Brampton
2013: Prude Inc & N.B.B.H.S. Award for outstanding community spirit from PRUDE (Pride Race Unity Dignity Education)
2013: Woman of Honour Award from the Black Business and Professional Association
2012: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service, youth and education
2011: Urban Hero Award for contributions to education in Scarborough communities
2010: Planet Africa Development Award for contributions to expanding character development for youth
2007: Black History Month Award for outstanding contribution and service to the community from The Town of Markham
2007: Who’s Who in Black Canada for contributions to the community and youth development
2007: Character Advocate Award in recognition of outstanding character and contribution in making a positive difference in the lives of others from York Region
2001: Public Hero Award for the vision, grace, hope, and humanity shared with youth in Toronto from the Toronto District School Board
1997: Volunteer Award of Distinction in recognition of outstanding contribution to the success of the North York Board of Education