“I have known Candace for many years and am confident that she will make an excellent school trustee. She has the experience and skills to be a strong voice for students, families, teachers and education staff. I know she will stand up and fight for the people she represents.”

Mayor Brad West,
City of Port Coquitlam

“Rarely have I met someone with such extensive passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to empower youth to reach their full potential through fostering diversity and inclusion values, as demonstrated by Candace in her role as the President of the Junior Black Achievement Awards Society. I have had the pleasure of working alongside Candace in the telecommunications world for over two decades. Hearing that she recently was the 2024 recipient of the King Charles 111, Coronation Medal speaks volumes about  her character and undeniable abilities to be an exceptional SD43 Trustee."

 Nancy McCurrach,
Port Coquitlam City Councillor
(TELUS Legend)
nancy.mccurrach@gmail.com

I, Neville Thomas, a retired Educator and passionate supporter of lifelong learning, and know what is required to create and foster the right Educational and Learning Environment for our Students to learn, Parent satisfaction, and Community engagement! However, this requires someone who possesses certain qualities and ability for this to be realized, that includes being committed, dedicated, resourceful and experienced - All of which are exemplifies in Candace Knoll! I am confident she will be an outstanding Trustee and invaluable asset for the Coquitlam Board of Education as a SD 43 Trustee! Therefore, I am pleased to endorse Candace Knoll as the Candidate for Coquitlam SD 43 Trustee!

Respectfully,

 Neville Thomas, BSA, MBA, CCLP,  PID.
Retired Instructor,
President BCOCCA, https://bcocca.ca/
Chair CCCF-BC,
Member City Vancouver Anti-Racism Advisory Committee

“I am honoured to write this letter of support for Candace Knoll, whom I have had the privilege of knowing and working alongside through the Jr. Black Achievement Awards (JrBAA) Society. Candace is a remarkable individual whose dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for her community set her apart as a leader who truly embodies the spirit of service.

Candace’s commitment to uplifting and empowering Black youth through JrBAA has had a significant impact on our community. She founded the JrBAA Society in 2022, creating a platform that not only celebrates and recognizes young Black achievers but also provides essential educational resources, workshops, and support for their families. Her work has been instrumental in fostering a community that values and promotes the potential of every young person.”

Jennifer Curpen,
Senior Vice President PRIMERICA
www.primerica.ca/curpen

“I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Candace Knoll for School Trustee for SD 43, a role that I believe she would excel in based on her extensive skills, achievements, and unwavering commitment to her community. Having known Candace as a friend for several years, I have witnessed firsthand her dedication and passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others. Candace is currently serving her second term as a Director for Hogan’s Alley Society, where she contributes her expertise on the Governance and Community Land Trust Committees.

As a sixth-generation Canadian of mixed heritage, predominantly Black with Indigenous ancestry, Candace embodies a rich cultural perspective that enhances her understanding of the diverse communities she serves and raises her family in. Her ability to navigate and appreciate cultural nuances makes her an asset to any environment striving for inclusivity and understanding.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly endorse Candace for School Trustee for SD 43. Her exceptional communication skills, leadership abilities, and unwavering commitment to community service make her a standout candidate. I am confident that she will bring the same dedication and passion to this role as she has in all her previous endeavors.”

Mark Williams
Founder of Pink Thursday
pink4thursdays@gmail.com

The BC Black Educational Leaders Association (BCBELA) supports Candace Knoll’s candidacy for SD 43 as she is committed to the transformation and improvement of education for all.

https://educ.ubc.ca/bcbela/

I’ve known Candace since 2020 and in every interaction, she’s shown herself to be compassionate, curious and community-minded. Candace works hard at things she believes in. The Junior Black Achievement Awards are just one example of her community-building skills and a testament to her drive to make her community a better place. I believe that she would be an excellent addition to SD43 board as she would bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the role. I wholeheartedly endorse Candace. 

Samantha Agtarap, P.Eng
Councillor, City of Port Moody

Candace is a passionate community advocate with strong experiences working to uplift the material conditions of workers and her community. Candace has been steadfast in encouraging marginalized youth to pursue their academic dreams and showcase their abilities through her leadership with reinvigorating the Junior Black Achievement Awards and more. Voters in the Coquitlam School District are fortunate to have such a thoughtful candidate in their community, and I encourage them to work hard to get Candace elected!  

Markiel Simpson.

It is with great enthusiasm and confidence that I endorse Candace Knoll for the position of school trustee. Ms. Knoll is an exceptional individual whose intelligence, trustworthiness, and unwavering dedication make her an ideal candidate for this role. Candace consistently demonstrates an extraordinary ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead with integrity. 

As a passionate advocate for education, Ms. Knoll is deeply committed to ensuring that every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Her keen understanding of the challenges facing our schools today, combined with her innovative approach to problem-solving, makes her uniquely qualified to address the complex issues within our education system. 

What truly sets Ms. Knoll apart is her ability to balance intellect with empathy. She will listen to the concerns of teachers, students, and parents alike, and approach each situation with both thoughtful analysis and a genuine desire to make a positive impact. Her collaborative nature, coupled with her commitment to transparency and accountability, ensures that she will always work in the best interest of the community. 

Candace Knoll is not only an incredible problem-solver but also a visionary who understands the long-term implications of educational decisions. Her leadership will help shape an environment where both academic excellence and personal growth are prioritized, empowering our students to reach their full potential. 

Lindi Setiloane
MA, RCC-ACS, CCS
Clinical Director
Registered Clinical Counsellor

I am pleased to recommend Candace Knoll for the School District 43 Trustee position. I have known Candace for almost 4 years since beginning our journey together with the Junior Black Achievement Awards (JRBAA). Throughout, Candace has shown an unshakable will to improve the lives of her community. She has hosted Impact panels in which the youth are given a voice to explore their experience and encourage change in their schools. This effort directly resulted in the creation of several Black Student Unions in certain Surrey schools. In addition, through the JRBAA, Candace also hosts various skill building workshops, including a speech competition where the core skills of self-expression and self-advocacy are nurtured and encouraged. Her dedication to creating these building blocks of a healthy, engaged community reflects the very essence of a school trustee's role.

As the mother of a District 43 alumnus, Candace has firsthand knowledge of needs, challenges, and values of the community. This personal insight is bolstered by her extensive experience serving on boards such as the International Training in Communication (ITC), the National Congress of Black Women, and chairing Local 1944’s National Civil and Human Rights Committee. These roles reflect Candace’s commitment to leadership, equity, and community service, all of which make her an ideal candidate for the trustee position. Additionally, her recent certifications in Community Capacity Building and Restorative Justice are a testament to her drive for progress.

In our work together, I have seen Candace’s joy and excitement about empowering the youth, engaging parents, and ensuring healthy and supportive systems were in place for the children of today, and those yet to come. The dedication and compassion with which she applies herself will be a great aid to School District 43, as it has already been with all the youth currently in her care at the JRBAA.

I am confident Candace Knoll will bring invaluable perspective, dedication, and compassion to the role of School District 43 Trustee, creating a lasting positive impact on the lives of students, families, and the community she serves.

Sincerely,
John Nweke, M.A., RCC