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Complexities of Blackness: Stories Told, Strategies Shared

February 6, 2020 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Black History 365 logo

 

The University of Toronto’s Black History Month Committee and the Division of Human Resources & Equity invites you to:

Complexities of Blackness: Stories Told, Strategies Shared
Black History Symposium 2020

Watch the recording:

Objective

To increase dialogue on the intersectionality of the Black identity and the tools needed to navigate spaces in the postsecondary environment.

Date

Thursday February 6, 2020

Time

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location

Vivian and David Campbell Conference Facility
Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy
1 Devonshire Place
Toronto, ON  M5S 3K7

 

Opening Remarks: 

Dr. Njoki Wane, Professor & Chair, Department of Social Justice Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

 

 

 

Portrait Photo of Aina-Nia Ayo’dele Grant

Keynote presentation will highlight:

  1. Initiatives of the Anti-Black Racism (ABR) Unit with the City of Toronto;
  2. Successes of the ABR Unit and existing challenges facing Black communities in Toronto; and
  3. Responsibility of post-secondary institutions in combatting anti-Black Racism (with a focus on tools and opportunities to advance the work).

Keynote Speaker

Aina-Nia Ayo’dele Grant
Director, Community Resources Section
Social Development, Finance and Administration
City of Toronto

Aina-Nia Ayo’dele Grant is the Director, Community Resources Section of the City of Toronto. Prior to this, she served as the Manager of the City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit. She was the lead project consultant for the Confronting Anti-Black Racism initiative that began in 2016 to address anti-Black racism in Toronto. Aina-Nia was integral to the creation of the five-year Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, which was approved by Toronto Council in December 2017.

Before joining the City, Aina-Nia was a leadership development trainer and life coach, and consultant for issues within racialized communities, particularly issues of gender and racial equity and African indigenous practices. As a public speaker, she has addressed academic, corporate, faith and civil society audiences across Canada, USA, the Caribbean and Ghana. Aina-Nia is the founder of Sacred Women International and was named one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women for 2018. In 2016, she was named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada. She has been recognized by the Ontario government for her contributions to community in 2015 and in 2008 was nominated as one of Toronto’s Most Inspiring Women. She has received recognitions by both the Canadian and USA media. Her documentary film, Remembering Her Power, premiered at the 2018 Parliament of World Religion in Toronto. Aina-Nia is featured in the web series, Souls of Women.

 

Portrait Photo of Martina Douglas

Emcee

Martina Douglas
Program Coordinator, Equity & Diversity Office
University of Toronto Mississauga

Portrait Photo of Maydianne Andrade

Moderator

Dr. Maydianne Andrade
Professor and Vice-Dean Faculty Affairs & Equity
University of Toronto Scarborough

 

Portrait Photo of Dr. Andrew Campbell

Panelist

Dr. Andrew Campbell
Adjunct Lecturer
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Portrait photo of Michael Junior Samakayi

Panelist

Michael Junior Samakayi
Vice President Equity
University of Toronto Students’ Union

Portrait Photo of Mairi McKenna Edwards

Panelist

Mairi McKenna Edwards
Coordinator, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Training
Student Life

Details

Date:
February 6, 2020
Time:
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Venue

Campbell Conference Facility, Munk School of Global Affairs
1 Devonshire Place
Toronto, On M5S 3K7 Canada
Website:
munkschool.utoronto.ca

Organizer

Black History 365 Committee; Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office
Phone:
(416) 978-1259
Email:
antiracism@utoronto.ca
Website:
antiracism.utoronto.ca