Otni Chinenere is known for commanding rooms, captivating audiences, and bringing events to life across Atlantic Canada. Chinenere is turning her spotlight onto others, with one-on-one communications sessions designed specifically for women in the community.
Set to launch from Sept. 3 onwards, the initiative marks a full-circle moment for Chinenere, who immigrated to Halifax from Zimbabwe in 2011. She says the session is more than a professional development opportunity—it’s her way of giving back to a city that helped her grow her voice into a business.
Chinenere has hosted a wide range of events, from conferences and award shows to galas, fundraisers and other community gatherings. After a career spanning more than a decade, she is now considered Atlantic Canada’s top event host by Toastmasters International, a U.S.-based non-profit that helps people develop communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
“As a Black woman and an immigrant, I carry with me the importance of representation, and I take pride in bringing a voice and presence that resonates with so many communities here in Atlantic Canada.”
For Chinenere, hosting is more than introducing speakers or keeping a program on time. “It’s about reading the room, weaving energy through every moment and making sure people walk away feeling like they were part of something special,” she said.
That understanding started early in life.
“My mother has always inspired me. I come from a family of people who have worked in diplomatic roles, so I’ve always been around powerful voices. I loved to talk, and I knew early on that communication was more than just speaking — it was how you showed up,” she said. “That’s what I want to pass on to other women.”
Chinenere is the founder of Taura Communications—named after the Shona word taura, meaning “to speak”—a company she launched five years ago to help others discover and refine their authentic voices. Over time, the business has grown into a multi-tiered platform that includes event hosting, communication coaching, and leadership training.
“When I started advising entrepreneurs, I noticed many had great ideas but struggled to articulate them,” she said. “So I thought, let’s figure out a way to help people communicate clearly—and confidently.”
The upcoming communication sessions will offer individualized coaching sessions throughout the month of September, targeting areas like confidence building, leadership presence, storytelling, and strategic communication. Chinenere has worked with major organizations like the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW), Digital Nova Scotia and the youth at Phoenix. She says that partnerships like these are particularly close to her heart.
“I’ve seen how powerful it is when, particularly, a woman finds her voice,” said Chinenere. “Especially in male-dominated spaces like tech or business—it changes everything. That shift in presence and confidence can open doors.”
Chinenere credits much of her inspiration to the women in her life—from her mother, who modelled strength and eloquence growing up, to her twin daughters, who motivate her to lead by example.
Among those inspired by her work is Miracle Mbuyu, a communications student at Dalhousie and a frequent attendee at Chinenere’s events. “Being in the same space as Atlantic Canada’s Top Event Host is always a great experience. It fuels me.”
“Otni doesn’t just host events—she transforms spaces,” Mbuyu said. “She’s a Black woman leading in a field where people don’t always expect us to lead. She’s training TEDx speakers—how many people can say that? She’s in a league of her own.”
Chinenere has used her experience to formulate tools like the V.I.B.E. Framework—which stands for vibrant, intentional, bold, empathetic—to help clients unlock their unique communication style. Through her workshops, Chinenere explores storytelling, vulnerability, pacing, and clarity, all while coaching to speak with purpose.
“There’s a story in every voice,” Chinenere said. “And in telling it—especially the awkward, vulnerable ones—we build community. That’s what Taura is all about: confidence, clarity, and connection”
Chinenere hopes women across Halifax, especially emerging leaders and entrepreneurs, will sign up for the sessions. The one-on-one format allows her to go “deep into the nitty-gritty,” tailoring the work to each individual’s goals.
To join a session, participants can connect with Chinenere through her social media or website.
As for her support system, Chinenere credits her family, her fiancé Kwasi Asare-Adjei, her daughters, and the community of women around her. “Women inspire me, every woman I have ever met has inspired me, their strength, reliability, patience, compassion, drive and zest for life keep me going.”
Chinenere feels especially blessed when she has the opportunity to host events in the presence of her daughters.
“It’s the most rewarding feeling when they get to see mummy do such a cool thing, hosting,” she said with a smile. “They remind me why I do what I do.”
This article appears in Aug 1-31, 2025.