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Open Paths. Real Impact.

Where Research
Meets Community

Opening doors for Black youth and underserved communities through data literacy, mentorship, and innovation.

100%Would recommend
15K+Community reach
Confidence increase
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Data to Power Youth Innovation Challenge Data Literacy Career Panels Bridge Mentorship Docuseries Coming Soon Data to Power Youth Innovation Challenge Data Literacy Career Panels Bridge Mentorship Docuseries Coming Soon
100%
Would Recommend to a Friend
15,446
Community Reach Through Partners
88%
Met Someone Inspiring or Relatable
2x
Increase in Data Literacy Confidence
What We Do

Four pillars of open innovation

Our work is grounded in community, evidence, and the belief that knowledge should be accessible to everyone — opening doors for emerging professionals and youth.

01
Research for Impact
Studies and data projects that uncover insights to inform better decisions and equitable outcomes across communities.
02
Education & Mentorship
Guiding youth and emerging professionals through data literacy programming and the Bridge Mentorship Program.
03
Community Collaboration
Partnering with grassroots organizations, schools, and local leaders to co-create real-world solutions.
04
Innovation & Strategy
Turning evidence into action — tools, frameworks, and strategies that help communities and organisations thrive.
Data to Power — May 2026

One event.
Real change.

Our inaugural Data to Power: Youth Innovation Challenge brought together students aged 13–18 for a day of career panels, hands-on data literacy, a $500 scholarship pitch competition, and professional networking — all in a space designed to look and feel like them.

The data speaks for itself: confidence went up, clarity went up, and 100% of students said they would recommend the event to a friend.

"I am very excited to learn how to be a better speaker in front of the audience."
— Student participant, Data to Power 2026
37%→62%
Technology confidence: Very Confident (before → after event)
25%→50%
Data literacy confidence: Very Confident (before → after event)
$500
Scholarship awarded to Benjamin — Youth Innovation Challenge winner
5
Community partner organizations with a combined reach of 15,446 people
Event Highlights

Data to Power in action

See All Events
Youth Innovation Challenge
Data to Power
Pitch Competition
Student Speakers
Career Panel
Voices from the Community

Hear it from them.

Event Participant
Data to Power — May 2026
"This event opened my eyes to what I could actually do with data."
Event Participant
Data to Power — May 2026
"Meeting professionals who looked like me was everything."
Event Participant
Data to Power — May 2026
"I learned that data is literally everywhere — and I can use it."
Event Participant
Data to Power — May 2026
"The scholarship opportunity made me realize I could win."
Coming Soon to YouTube
Open Path Docuseries — Season 1
Documentary Series

Stories of possibility.

A video documentary series featuring professionals in data, technology, and research — showing Black youth the people who look like them and have walked similar paths.

Season 1 launches on YouTube soon. Students will learn directly from real careers, real journeys, and real representation.

Stay Connected
Open the Dialogue.
Every open path begins with a conversation. Join our community.
Get In Touch

Start a conversation

Whether you're a researcher, community partner, sponsor, or someone with a bold idea — we'd love to hear from you.

About Us

Grounded in Research.
Driven by Community.

We believe research and innovation should be accessible, inclusive, and impactful — opening doors for emerging professionals and communities alike.

Our Story

How the path began

The Open Path Centre began with a simple belief: that research and innovation should be accessible, inclusive, and impactful. Founded out of a desire to open doors for emerging professionals and communities, the Centre was created to bridge the gap between data and real-world change.

Today, we continue to create open avenues for growth and discovery through mentorship, research, and innovation. Our programs help emerging researchers, youth, and communities harness the power of data and technology to build brighter, more equitable futures.

In partnership with Watson & Company Research Inc., we advance mentorship pathways and career exploration opportunities for youth — connecting research, technology, and future workforce development.

Our Values
Openness
Knowledge shared freely benefits everyone.
Equity
Every community deserves access to tools for change.
Collaboration
The best solutions emerge when we work together.
Evidence-Driven
Data and rigour underpin every project we undertake.
Who We Serve

Built for those who need it most

Black Youth & Young Adults
High school and early post-secondary students building their path into STEM, AI, research, and professional careers.
Students Facing Digital Barriers
Youth with limited access to digital tools and data education who deserve structured programming that meets them where they are.
First-Generation Learners
Underserved students navigating post-secondary and career pathways for the first time, with no prerequisites required.
Community Organizations
Grassroots partners, schools, and local leaders who co-create solutions and extend our reach to the communities who need us most.
Partner With Us
Let's build together.
Sponsors, funders, and community partners welcome.
Our Team

The People Behind the Work.

Expertise across clinical research, education, business, communications, and community-engaged practice — united by a common purpose.

Leadership
Chelsia Watson
Founder & President
Leading the Open Path Centre with a vision grounded in clinical research, data-informed practice, and deep commitment to community empowerment and equitable innovation. Chelsia founded Open Path to close the gap between data-driven opportunity and the communities who need it most.
Operations & Partnerships
Aliyah Burey
Administrative & Program Support Coordinator
Ensuring smooth operations across programmes and supporting the Centre's day-to-day functions with care and precision.
Kera Hinds-James, BEd
Partnerships & Sponsorships Coordinator
Building and nurturing strategic relationships with sponsors and partners to sustain and grow the Centre's community impact.
Join the Team
Open Positions
Interested in contributing to Open Path's mission? Reach out to learn about volunteer, contractor, and partnership opportunities.
Board of Directors
TW
Taylor Watson
Board Member
Board
JH
Jessica Ha
Board Member
Board
VW
Victoria Watson
Board Member
Board
Research Collaborators
NW
Dr. Njoki Wane
Research Collaborator
Research
LI
Dr. Linda Iwenofu
Research Collaborator
Research
Work With Us
Join the Open Path community.
Interested in collaborating, mentoring, or joining? Reach out.
Events & Programmes

Where Learning
Meets Action.

From data literacy workshops to the Youth Innovation Challenge — every event is designed to open a new door for the next generation.

Our Programmes

Five pillars of the Data to Power experience

Data Literacy
Career Panels
Networking
Innovation Challenge
Docuseries
Programme 01

Data Literacy Learning

Hands-on, accessible data education designed to meet students where they are — no prerequisites, no jargon. Students learn how data shapes their world and how to use it to shape their future.

Interactive workshops and real-world datasets
AI awareness and emerging technology introduction
Confidence in data doubles after one event
Programme 02

Career Panels & Mentorship

Professionals in data, technology, and research who look like our students and share their journeys. The Bridge Mentorship Program extends this connection year-round.

88% of students met someone inspiring or relatable
100% gained a better understanding of careers in data
Year-round Bridge Mentorship Program
Programme 03

Student Networking

Intentional space for students to connect with each other, with professionals, and with the wider Open Path community. Building the peer networks that fuel long-term persistence in STEM.

Youth aged 13–18 from across the GTA
Community partner organizations in attendance
Culturally affirming, identity-centred environment
Programme 04

Youth Innovation Challenge

Students pitch their ideas, build confidence in public speaking, and compete for a $500 scholarship. The Innovation Challenge is the centrepiece of the Data to Power event.

$500 scholarship awarded to Benjamin, May 2026
Public speaking and confidence building
Technology confidence up from 37% to 62%
Programme 05

Open Path Docuseries

A video documentary series featuring professionals in data, tech, and research. Students learn from people who look like them and have walked similar paths. Coming soon to YouTube.

Season 1 launching on YouTube soon
Free, open access — no barriers to viewing
Sign up to be notified at launch
Get Notified
Event Gallery

Data to Power — May 2, 2026

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Resources

Research, Reports
& Insights.

Open access to our research outputs, community reports, and educational resources — because knowledge shared is impact multiplied.

Publications & Reports

Open access knowledge

Impact Report
May 2026
Data to Power: Youth Innovation Challenge — Impact Report
Full impact data, survey results, student voices, and community partnership outcomes from our inaugural event.
Request Report
Programme
2024–2026
Bridge Mentorship Program Overview
An overview of mentorship outcomes, participant stories, and programme structure for the Bridge Mentorship Program.
Request Brief
Research
Ongoing — National Study
National AI Children's Literacy Study
National data collection exploring AI and data literacy among children and youth across Canada to inform education policy.
Request Info
Featured Report
Data to Power Impact Report — May 2026
Our first comprehensive impact report documenting the outcomes of the Youth Innovation Challenge.
100%
Would Recommend
15,446
Community Reach
$500
Scholarship Awarded
Request the Full Report Subscribe to Newsletter
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