I’m Valene

Living Life Passionately…

I was born and raised in Mississauga, a vibrant suburb just outside of Toronto. While I’m proud of my career in healthcare, my journey has been filled with many creative twists and turns that continue to inspire me every day. I attended two incredible Historically Black Colleges—Oakwood University in Alabama for my undergraduate degree in Health Sciences, and Howard University in Washington, D.C., where I earned my Master of Physical Therapy with honours.

I’m the founder of both a home health care agency and Zou Zou Media House, a publishing company that brings powerful, diverse stories to life. I’m a children's book author, a literature and dementia advocate, and I’ve had the honour of serving on the Harvard Medical School Advisory Council for the Dementia Solutions Project as well as the Alzheimer’s Society Canada – NDG Black Community Working Group. In 2022, I was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch—a recognition I hold with deep gratitude.

But outside of work, I’m a curious adventurer at heart. I love trying new restaurants and recreating recipes at home (even if I never make them the same way twice!). I’m always game for a new experience—whether it’s water sports, catching a live concert or play, or connecting with someone whose story I can learn from. Creativity is my joy—I’ve written and arranged skits, played with arts & crafts, and in recent years, rediscovered my love of storytelling.

My Inspiration

The birth of my daughter in 2019 was a pivotal moment that sharpened my focus on children's literature. A thorough examination of her book collection revealed a significant lack of diverse stories, inspiring me to drive change in this genre.

Since 2020, I’ve penned three bestselling books in The Amazing Zoe children’s series. These stories are fun, engaging, and deeply relatable—for children, students, and parents alike. They explore real-life moments that spark meaningful conversations and help kids see themselves in the pages. My publishing journey led to creating Zou Zou Media House, an imprint dedicated to lifting aspiring authors and promoting inclusive storytelling. My goal is to dismantle the invisibility of marginalized authors and bring their unique stories and perspectives to the forefront of Canadian literature. I firmly believe in the power of literature as a tool for teaching young minds empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

As an advocate for diverse children’s literature, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every child sees themselves reflected in the stories they read. My experiences as a member of an underrepresented community fuel my determination to break racial barriers and create a more inclusive literary world.