We recently connected with Joelle Kabisoso and have shared our conversation below.

Joelle, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

I started Sisters in Sync in 2018 after being part of the Violence 360 campaign under Ontario’s Black Youth Action Plan, where I was advocating for better services for Black survivors of sexual assault. After that, I started getting so many messages from women and girls around the world who had been through similar experiences and were looking for a space where they could connect with others who truly understood. That’s when I knew we needed a community like Sisters in Sync—one built on support, healing, and empowerment.

Sisters in Sync is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Black girls and women to be, become, and belong. Through programs, services, and advocacy efforts, we create safe spaces, foster personal growth, and amplify the voices of Black girls and women in our community.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Joëlle Kabisoso, a 29-year-old Congolese-Canadian living in Hamilton, ON. I am the Founder and Executive Director of Sisters in Sync, an award-winning social impact entrepreneur, Forbes Africa speaker, and a passionate advocate for adolescent Black girls and gender equality. My advocacy has earned national recognition, including the 2024 Governor General’s Award for the Commemoration of the Persons Case for my work in advancing gender rights and equality, the 2023 Youth Leader Award (BlackNorth Initiative), 2022 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Award, 2021 YWCA Young Trailblazer Award, and being named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada (2021).

I was also honored with the Young Alumni Award from Brescia University College, becoming only the second woman of African descent to receive this recognition in the college’s 100+ year history. Most recently, I was awarded the 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of my contributions and impact in Canada.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I was 17, I was the victim of a racially motivated sexual assault by five perpetrators. When I sought support from the police, I was told, “Maybe next time, you shouldn’t drink so much.” This response not only blamed me but also viewed me as complicit. However, rather than silencing me, this experience became the catalyst for my current work and advocacy.

During my time under the Black Youth Action Plan, I had the opportunity to share my survivor story of gender-based violence. Although I received a range of feedback, what hit me the hardest was the overwhelming realization that so many people could relate to my experiences. I also work with grassroots organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and have started doing international work in South Africa, where these issues are so prevalent.

I didn’t initially set out to be a changemaker; I just wanted to ensure that no other Black woman had to face such trauma alone. That moment of vulnerability became a turning point in my life—a calling.

This work has made me very aware of the impact I have. I am motivated to be a deliberate changemaker, inspired by the connections I’ve formed and the community I’ve built through Sisters in Sync. After 10 years of active volunteering, I’ve learned that sharing our stories can ignite change and create a sense of solidarity among those who have faced similar struggles.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

For a long time, my work in social impact was something I did on the side—driven purely by passion, late nights, and a deep sense of responsibility to my community. But as the work grew, so did the need to sustain it.

When I started Sisters in Sync, it was never about making money—it was about filling a gap, creating a safe space, and ensuring Black women and girls had access to the resources, advocacy, and community they needed. At first, I was running programs, launching initiatives, and showing up wherever I was needed, all while balancing my professional career. But eventually, I realized that passion alone doesn’t pay for operational costs, and if I wanted this work to be sustainable, I had to find a way to generate income while still serving my community.

One of the biggest misconceptions about social impact work is that it has to be free. People assume that if you’re working for change, you shouldn’t get paid—but the reality is, sustainable impact requires resources. That realization led me to two key approaches to scaling:

– Expanding My Personal Brand – I began leveraging my expertise through speaking engagements, workshops, and consulting, not only to share knowledge but also to create revenue streams that allowed me to reinvest in my nonprofit work.

– Social Enterprise Within the Nonprofit – On the nonprofit side, sustainability meant finding ways to fund programming without relying solely on donations. We explored social enterprise models, where we could offer services that aligned with our mission while generating income.

Key milestones along this journey included receiving national recognition, securing major grants, launching new programs, and partnering with organizations that believed in our vision. But perhaps the biggest milestone was shifting my mindset—understanding that it’s possible to make an income while making an impact. Scaling isn’t always about getting bigger; sometimes, it’s about getting smarter.

Today, I continue to balance both worlds, ensuring that the work remains community-driven, sustainable, and impactful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sistersinsync.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellekabisoso/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellekabisoso/