Tracy Folorunsho-Barry is renowned across North America for empowering women to discover their purpose in life. A Nigerian-born trailblazer, Tracy faced significant challenges upon arriving in Canada but overcame them through determination. Recognizing that her struggles were shared by many immigrant women in Canada, she took the initiative to help others unlock their potential and find career opportunities. Since then, Tracy has inspired and supported thousands of women. More on edmontonka.com.
Projects Rooted in Personal Experience
From a young age, Tracy loved helping others. Her mother owned a grocery store, and Tracy often visited her at work, distributing food to those in need.
At 17, in search of a better life, Tracy moved from Nigeria to Edmonton, Canada. Upon arrival, she encountered numerous difficulties and had no one to turn to for advice or assistance. Integration into a new country was fraught with obstacles, including the need to accept any available job and endure discrimination.
For nearly a decade, Tracy struggled to find her footing. To occupy her time, she focused on raising a family and caring for her five young children, spending most of her time at home. The isolation began to take a toll on her mental well-being. Ultimately, Tracy drew inspiration from the successes of her peers, deciding to turn her experiences into a positive model to help other immigrant women achieve professional success.
In 2017, she launched “Project150: Accomplished Immigrant Women in Canada.” Through this initiative, Tracy collected over 200 stories of immigrant women who overcame challenges and succeeded in their lives and careers. These stories later formed the basis of her book, “Untold Stories of Immigrant Women in Canada.”
In 2018, Tracy founded GROW Women Leaders, a platform dedicated to fostering career leadership and helping women secure jobs and excel professionally. She emphasized that women integrating into society must recognize their worth. Confidence, knowing one’s life goals, and embracing opportunities are vital steps for success. According to Tracy, following one’s passions and stepping out of comfort zones are crucial for discovering one’s path.
In 2021, she established GROW space, a 7,000-square-foot social hub featuring a café, coworking areas, and more. This welcoming space provides women with opportunities to relax, gain support, work, and learn new skills.
Secrets to Success
Tracy’s journey was challenging, marked by her need to constantly prove herself. Her primary mission is to create a better world for Black women, advocating for fair employment opportunities. Despite progress, much remains to be done to achieve gender parity.
Tracy’s success stems from her ability to see the positives in every situation. She draws inspiration from women who balance building families, strong communities, and successful careers. Her significant contributions to society have earned her numerous awards and accolades.