About
Dwayne Holness
Dwayne Holness is a filmmaker and the founder of Corex Creative, a legacy storytelling agency for purpose-driven leaders.
Born in Jamaica, Dwayne came to Canada at five and grew up in Jane and Finch. He registered his first business at 20, graduated with honours from Humber College in 2010 and made his first hire in 2013.
Corex Creative has since served more than 150 clients, including CSA Group, Canadian Tire, the LCBO, TD Bank and Rogers. Clients stay: CSA Group for seven years, Canadian Tire for five. Corex has paid or employed more than 380 creatives, crew and young professionals, including 51 young Black professionals through a partnership with the LCBO and the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals.
Dwayne directed Hodan's Story for CBC Docs. In October 2026 he received the 2026 Jamaican Diaspora Impact Award from the Consulate General of Jamaica in Toronto and the CIBC Entrepreneurship Award from the BlackNorth Initiative.
At a glance
- Known for
- Founder and Creative Director, Corex Creative Inc.
- Education
- Humber College, Multimedia Design and Production Technician, 2010 (honours)
- Film
- Director, Hodan's Story, CBC Docs (2022)
- Advisory
- Black Screen Office, Symposium Advisory Board (since 2023)
Honours
- 20262026 Jamaican Diaspora Impact Award, Consulate General of Jamaica, Toronto
- 2026CIBC Entrepreneurship Award, BlackNorth Initiative
- 2026Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship grant (mentor), Toronto Arts Council
- 2016Distinguished Men of Honour, Black Business and Professional Association
- 2014Youth Arts Pitch Contest, runner-up, ArtReach Toronto
- 2012Youth Arts Award, ArtReach Toronto
- 2012Certificate of Appreciation, Hon. Judy Sgro, M.P.
- 2011Identify 'N' Impact Award, City of Toronto
In the press
- Dwayne Holness honours the mother whose sacrifice gave him a second chance
Ron Fanfair · 27 October 2026
- Six to be honoured at Jamaican Diaspora Impact Awards
Jamaica Gleaner · 10 October 2026
- Six Honoured for Jamaican Diaspora Impact
The Caribbean Camera · October 2026
- Unsung heroes honoured for changing lives in Canada and Jamaica
Ron Fanfair · 25 October 2026
- Jamaican Diaspora honours six leaders
TCN Now · October 2026
- Symposium Advisory Board
Black Screen Office · January 2025
- Absolutely Canadian showcases independent documentaries and short films from Ontario
CBC News · August 2023
- "Don't dim your light": Life lessons I learned from the late Somali-Canadian journalist Hodan Nalayeh
CBC Docs · 4 October 2022
- Hodan's Story
CBC Gem · 4 October 2022
- Hodan's Story
CBC Short Docs · 2022
- Dwayne Winston Holness aka "Dukey Dukez", setting the example and being that example
TCN Now · 18 January 2021
- The "E" Project: Dwayne Holness, Film Director
SHIFTER Magazine · January 2018