Changing lives beyond the ballroom
July 9, 2026
Justice Matherson spent six months stacking boxes on the shelves of a retail store.
It was supposed to be a school work-placement assignment, yet the experience left him discouraged rather than inspired. He dreamed of becoming a social worker but couldn’t understand how packing boxes without pay was preparing him for that future.
Withdrawn, lacking confidence and battling depression, Matherson’s grandmother searched for someone who could help.
She found Pat Gloudon.
A few months later, the transformation was remarkable.
The once-quiet teenager had become confident, engaged and thriving at school. His grandmother could hardly believe the change.
Gloudon, who has spent three decades mentoring Black youth, said it was one of the most remarkable transformations she has witnessed.
“I’ve seen young people change before,” she recalled. “But this was different. This young man is now confident, has a sense of purpose and is doing well in school. His whole demeanour blossomed.”
Stories like his explain why generations of families continue to support the EDGE (Empower. Develop. Grow. Engage.) program and its signature Cotillion Ball, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.
It was conceived and launched by the Applause Institute under the vision of Ettie Dawkins, providing Black youth with an opportunity to develop confidence, etiquette and leadership skills while celebrating their achievements through a formal presentation.
Then Ontario Provincial Police Chief Superintendent Jay Hope & Barbados’ Consul General in Toronto Kay McConney with 2002 Beau & Debutante winners Nathaniel Gushway & Janelle Bookal (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
As the initiative evolved, stewardship passed to Gloudon and her team, who expanded it into the EDGE program. While the Cotillion Ball remains the organization's signature event, EDGE has grown into a year-round leadership initiative offering mentoring, career exploration, financial literacy, university retreats, life-skills workshops and community engagement.
The program now operates through EDGE East and EDGE West, making its opportunities more accessible to young people across the Greater Toronto Area.
The greatest measure of the program's success for Gloudon has never been the elegance of the annual ball but the lasting transformation it inspires in young people.
“The greatest contribution, I would say, is helping young people achieve their goals with confidence,” she said. “Many of our children are brilliant, but they lack confidence. They come into the program unsure of themselves, but they leave believing in who they are.”
Wayne Dennis & Sara Ramos were the 2003 Beau & Debutante of the Year (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
That philosophy is reflected in every aspect of the program.
Career mentoring pairs each participant with a Black professional working in the student's chosen field. Weekend university retreats introduce participants to campus life, while workshops address financial literacy, leadership, mental health awareness and the dangers of substance abuse.
“We listened to the young people and gave them what they wanted,” Gloudon said.
Andrau Black (l), Haley Prescod, Whitney DeLyon & D'Antae Hylton took part in the October 2012 Cotillion Ball (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
That commitment to meeting young people where they are has also resonated with parents.
For Tracy Grant, one of the program's greatest strengths was its focus on helping participants pursue meaningful careers.
The EDGE program did far more than prepare her daughter, Jasmine Grant-Campbell, for a formal presentation. It transformed an ambitious dream into a realistic plan through mentorship, networking and exposure to accomplished Black professionals.
“As a parent, I would say the strongest element of the program is the career panel,” Grant said.
Knowing her daughter hoped to study dance at Howard University, the program connected her with Howard alumni living in Canada, who guided her through the admissions process, scholarship opportunities and the realities of studying abroad.
EDGE also introduced Grant-Campbell to faculty members and students already enrolled in Howard's dance program.
“They connected the dots from Toronto all the way to Washington, D.C.,” Grant said.
The experience gave Grant-Campbell the confidence to pursue her dream. The St. Francis Xavier Secondary School graduate is preparing to begin studies in Howard University's Fine Arts dance program.
Inspired by her daughter's journey from Junior Debutante in 2014 to Debutante of the Year in 2023, Grant became a volunteer and later helped establish the EDGE West branch in 2022.
Troy Harryman and Heron Amanuel took part in the 2015 event (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
The program's impact is equally evident among former participants whose lives continue to reflect lessons learned years after leaving the program.
Brothers Dwayne and Devon John were among the early entrants.
Looking back, Dwayne said the experience equipped him with life skills that continue to shape both his personal and professional life.
“One of the biggest things I gained was learning how to interact with people from all walks of life,” he said. “You can put me at a high-society function or volunteering at a food bank, and I'll know how to conduct myself in either environment.”
Beyond building self-assurance in different social settings, the property appraiser credits the program with teaching practical skills that have stayed with him throughout his career.
“We learned proper dress and deportment, like how to tie a tie, iron your clothes, wear a pocket square and present yourself as a gentleman,” he said. “We also learned dining etiquette and the importance of carrying yourself professionally. Those are skills I've used throughout my life.”
The older sibling said the experience sparked such an interest in etiquette that he later pursued additional training and is now qualified to teach the subject himself.
Devon John said the program also prepared him for professional life.
“I think one of the biggest things I gained from the program was self-confidence, especially in professional settings,” said the sales director. “They teach you how to interview, how to interact with people and how to handle formal dining. I would say it definitely gave me more confidence in those spaces.”
2005 Beau & Debutante of the Year Devon John and Leslie-Ann Carrabun (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
The experience also became an unexpected advantage as John entered the workforce.
“It was a good conversation starter,” he recalled. “When I put it on my résumé growing up, people would ask about it and I could say, ‘Yeah, I actually went to etiquette school.’ It was definitely a great thing that I did.”
For Delorean Klein, one of the program's greatest benefits was the network it created.
“What I got from the program was it helped me to network,” he said. “I networked with a few individuals, including soon-to-be MPP Margarett Best. It gave me some real connections.”
Those relationships eventually opened doors he never expected, including opportunities to photograph for Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Just as importantly, Klein said the program taught him to communicate with purpose.
“The confidence was very much me being able to go into a room and speak my mind,” he noted. “The program allowed my thoughts not to be as scattered and to be very direct and very purposeful.”
Then Toronto Police Superintendent Peter Sloly & Ontario Minister Mary Anne Chambers with 2004 Beau & Debutante winners Delorean Klein & Mishkah Henry (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Now working in the film and television industry, Klein has spent more than a decade giving back as a board member, supporting community outreach and teaching ethics classes. This year, he returns as co-host of the anniversary gala, completing a full-circle journey with the organization that helped shape his future.
The program continues to have a similar impact on today's participants.
Gloudon recalls sending two young men, who entered the program shy and reserved, to represent EDGE at the 100 Strong Foundation gala. Rather than shrinking from the unfamiliar environment, they confidently engaged with guests, networked throughout the evening and left a lasting impression.
The same participants later volunteered with the Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education (PACE), where organizers again praised their professionalism, punctuality, maturity and willingness to serve.
Their experiences illustrate how the program equips young people with the communication skills, professionalism and sense of responsibility needed to thrive well beyond the classroom or ballroom.
Manuel Esmie and Anyonam Tutu-Brenpong were crowned Beau and Debutante of the Year in 2010 (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
That impact was further recognized at the Onyx Ball in February, where 2024 EDGE West Debutante and Beau winners Jasmine Grant-Campbell and Akheenu Shelley accepted a Community Award on behalf of the EDGE program. The honour recognized not only the organization itself but also its ongoing contribution to developing future community leaders.
EDGE West 2024 Beau and Debutante winners Akheenu Shelley & Jasmine Grant Campbell with her mother Tracy Grant who is the co-ordinator of the West program (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Despite its success, funding remains the program’s greatest challenge.
Gloudon credits the corporate relationships she built during her 40-year career at Scotiabank with helping sustain EDGE. Drawing on that network, she has secured sponsorships, leadership retreats and opportunities that many participants might not otherwise experience.
The junior debutantes and lone Beau Rhys McNeil at the 2015 Cotillion Ball (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
For Gloudon, one of the clearest signs of the program's success is seeing former participants return years later as parents, enrolling their own children in the initiative that helped shape their lives.
Three decades after the first Cotillion Ball, the celebration remains a showcase of elegance and achievement.
More importantly, it reflects a long-standing investment in young people whose leadership, professionalism and aspirations continue to grow long after the final dance.
The 30th anniversary Cotillion Ball takes place July 25 at the Durham Convention Centre beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is $150.
