Roderick Brereton is the founder and owner of the culturally specific community capacity building consultancy Urban Rez Solutions. He has worked extensively throughout marginalized and First Nations communities since 2000.

As an African-Canadian raised in culturally diverse Scarborough, Ontario, Roderick was immersed in urban culture. From an early age Rod had a passion for behavioral science and social change. Attending York University and graduating with a BA in Sociology, he thereafter completed comprehensive training in Conflict/ Change Management, Facilitation and Mental Health Recovery.

Roderick’s expertise is consulting, facilitation and designing self-empowering capacity building programs in collaboration with community stakeholders. Roderick is noted for his popular multidimensional training program; Take Back Your World Navigate Your Life. Take Back Your World Navigate Your Life is comprehensive conflict management, mental health wellness, community engagement and entrepreneurship training. Roderick works with communities, schools, groups, non-profits, corporations and individuals to bring about various aspects of change in pro social development, education and advancement. Take Back Your World Navigate Your Life inspires participants to actively engage in the process of change and generate their own ideas to solving problems using their own solutions. Emphasis is placed on the 5 A’s Assessment, Awareness, Acceptance, Action and Accountability. Take Back Your World Navigate Your Life is an innovative alternative youth and community engagement model. It focuses on becoming a leader in your own life, career identification and sustained pro-social behaviour.

To date Roderick has delivered programming to service providers including; Toronto District School Board, Toronto Police Services & The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Canadian Training Institute, JVS, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, Beausoleil First Nation Reserve, The Ministry of The Attorney General, TAIBU Community Health Centre, Frontier College, Promoting Education and Community Health, Evergreen Brickworks, Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office, Goodwill Employment Services, The United Way and various iterations at Toronto Community Housing.

In addition Roderick has trained staff at the Toronto District School Board, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, For Youth Initiative, Frontier College, Ontario Independent Police Review Director, Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services and Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto.

Urban Rez Solutions endeavours to give people the tools they need to help our communities heal, grow and flourish. In order for communities to recover, truth and the seeds of hope must be planted and nurtured thereafter.Possessing a passion for the arts, Roderick has written and produced urban music since the 1980’s. His accolades include music on ‘Cold Front’ (the first Canadian Rap Compilation distributed by a major label) and having songs on video game giant EA Sports’ Triple Play 2000 and Triple Play 2001.

Roderick is currently a partner with the Canadian Juno Award Winning Music Production Team, Kornerstone. Roderick finds music to be an amazing engagement tool especially when working with youth. It acts as a great starting point and is conducive to creating an inclusive atmosphere.

Combining formal training, music and “street smarts” in client centered, self-empowering preventative conflict management programming, Roderick emphasizes developing effective communication strategies, pro-social behavioural change and exercising well thought choices.