Diverse & Converse
As we start to adjust to a new normal, there is much work to be done ahead in relation to race and racism, and discrimination, especially in Canada. While this work might be uncomfortable, this discomfort will actually help us to learn and grow. What we really want to do is continue the conversation because it is vital. The goal of this discussion is to provide some tools to help you affect positive change within the community and yourself.
Panelists
Pilot Episode
JOY SAMMY
Workplace Equity and Diversity Manager, Apart of the Guelph Black Heritage Society and President's Advisory Committee
TYRONE DOWLING
Superintendent of Education, Wellington Catholic District School Board (Aug, 20 - Present)
BRIANA GREEN-INCE
Facilitator, Artist, and Social Justice Advocate
Episode 1 - BLM Protests
KYRA NANKIVELL
Helped organize the BLM Protest in Centre Wellington
SELAM DEBS
Antiracism Educator, An Anti-Oppression Coach
ALYSHA PASCHAL
Co-founder of Halton Hills Alliance for Social Change
ERICK BAPTISTE
Helped organize the BLM Protest in Centre Wellington.
Episode 2 - Cannabis
NATALIE SOPHIA
Owner/Operator for NA Skincare, VP of Sales for Mrs. Fudgemaker
JUSTIN REID
Certified in Cannabis culinary, also as a Cannabis Sommelier, Community Advocate
REENA RAMPERSAD
Cannabis Advocate, and Owner of The Limin Restaurant and The High Society Supper Club
Episode 3 - DIVERSE HOLIDAYS
XICOTENCATL MAHER LOPEZ
Advocate for Indigenous Society
NICOLAS MOSOS
Owner of "You Move Me" A Moving Company based out of Guelph
BRIAN KWOK
Philanthropist, Owner and Founder of Guelph Market
Episode 4 - Mental Health
SHARA ALLY
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Company NEUROorganics Inc., PhD
SIYOBIN BLANCO
Activist, Multidisciplinary Dancer, Entrepreneur
Episode 5 - Black Heritage Month
AISHA BARROW
Upcoming R&B Singer-Songwriter based out of Guelph
VERESE VASSELL BROWN
Gospel Singer-Songwriter based out of Guelph
Episode 6 - BIPOC Community Groups
NADIA HUSSEIN
Executive Member of Laurier’s
Association of Black Students from 2018 to 2020
LANNOIS
President of CCAWR since 2019
BONITA
Founder of Halton Hills Alliance for Social Change
CARLA BEHARRY
Antiracism Consultant, Writer, Speaker, and Mental Health Advocate
Episode 7 - ANCESTORIES
RYAN ANTOOA
Designer, Photographer, Poetry Author
STACY SAVARY
Leader In The Community, She Provides Mentoring Programs, Camps For Children, as well as Social Support And Outreach. Author.
DENISE LOPES
Author of Children's Literature Specifically Created to Inspire BIPOC Children
VALENE CAMPBELL
Author of Children's literature, Poetry Author.
Episode 8 - Sports
DONOVAN BENNET
Feature Host, Producer and Radio Host
TAMIKA DRYSDALE
Assistant, Marketing Partnerships at the Canadian Olympic Committee
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KAFUI
National Champion in the Men’s Open 83kg Weight Class.
Episode 9 - LGBTQ2+
MONA LISA
TPOC Member, 519 Community Member
JARRED
(they/them) is a Filipino, Genderqueer, and Non-Binary Educator
ODESIA
(she/her) is a Black, Queer, Cis Alumna of the University of Guelph, 2019-20 Chair of Guelph Pride, Hosting the First Virtual
Pride Festival.
BRITTANY
Queer, Non-Binary Femme, Settler, Caregiver and Farmer on the lands of Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Attiwonderonk (Netural) peoples.
BELLA
Anti-oppression Educator, Fat Activist, Fiber Artist, Vegan Baker, Member of Multiple Committees.
Episode 10 - D&C Anniversary
JUSTIN
Local Spoken Word Artist and Activist, Educator and Certified Level 2 Cannabis Sommelier.
NATALIE
Owner/Operator of NAskincare, VP Sales for Ms. Fudgemaker
ALY
Co-Founder of Halton Hills Alliance for Social Change
JOY SAMMY
Workplace Equity and Diversity Manager, Apart of the Guelph Black Heritage Society and President's Advisory Committee
CARLA
Antiracism Consultant, Writer, Speaker, and Mental Health Advocate for Change
REENA RAMPERSAD
Cannabis Advocate, and Owner of The Limin Restaurant and The High Society Supper Club
SELAM DEBS
Episode 11 - Authors
DENISE
Author of Children's Literature Specifically Created to Inspire BIPOC Children
ADAM
Award-winning poet, writer, performer, songwriter and traditional storyteller of West African folklore
VALENE
Author of Children's literature, Poetry Author.
JAY
Antiracism Consultant, Writer, Speaker, and Mental Health Advocate for Change
STACY
Author, Leader In The Community, She Provides Mentoring Programs, Camps For Children, as well as Social Support And Outreach.
Episode 12 - Educators
DREW
Drew is a teacher, community leader, and advocate who has a passion for youth and social justice. He leads neighbourhood youth groups, music lessons, camping programs, and community service opportunities for youth
TESS
A Upper Grand District School Board teacher with an Indigenous background
TENEILE
They are the co-founder of insideWaterloo, an independent media outline, a member of the Textile Magazine editorial team and has been published in various outlets. They are the Equity and Inclusion Officer at the WRDSB and Co-Founder of the digital publication insideWaterloo.
Episode 13 - Indigenous Peoples
ASHLEY
Blue Lightning Woman is a reconnecting Indigenous warrior in the name of her Grandmother Irene. She is an activist and member of Rise Up BWG. She raises awarness in racial issues in her community, educating in Indigenous culture and fighting for the rights of those who need to be heard.
LAYLA BLACK
Mohawk, Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River, A generation survivor of residential school, an independent filmmaker, successfully released her first film “Blood a Water: A Reclamation Story” about her journey finding her way back to her Mohawk identity through the intergenerational trauma of residential schools.
SKYLER WILLIAMS
Mohawk of the Six Nations,
A spokesperson for 1492 Landback Lane
SHY-ANNE
A Disabled Afro-Indigenous-Irish Land Defender
Episode 14 - Health and Wealth
Episode 14 - Health and Wealth
NONI AYEOLA
Co-founded a few organizations including OrGanja Cannabis Society and one of the owners of N’Duru Herbal, Wondrous Works and Melanin Majik Global. She is also director of Indigenous Spiritual Affairs for Carifika Canada, member of the Ethiopian World Federation(EWF) and has recently been appointed Roving Ambassador for the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD). Her love for spirituality and spiritual growth has led her to create healing workshops and a meditation program called ‘Groundation Healing & Meditation Circle’, a spiritual program for women of color
TRISHA SMITH
seasoned Nutritionist, Herbalist and Author with over 14 years’ experience in the Holistic Health industry. She is the owner and operator of Sakred Synergi which provides customized wellness programs and herbal remedies that counteract stress, heals the body and feeds the soul. Her mission is to inspire and educate people about the importance of healing and expansion in all its facets so they can live healthier, evolved and more emotionally fulfilling lives.
OMAR RODNEY
Founded and Co-founded many entities such as, 'Taste of Life', 'Fine Kind', 'Wondrous Works', 'I.F.A.R.I.' and 'OrGanja Society' to name a few. I currently reside as President of Carifika, a current member of the E.W.F. and Member and an Ambassador of the State of the African Diaspora.
JODI ANN CAMPBELL
Founder of Malcolm’s Choice, a local marketing and advertising company and social enterprise dedicated to connecting consumers with trusted Black-owned businesses across Canada.
Episode 15 - Community Building
SHARA ALLY
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Company NEUROorganics Inc., PhD
DENISE FRANCIS
Treaseurer of the Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS). Denise is a founding member and has also served as Secretary of Chair Programming Committee and on the Building Committee.
ELAINE ROBINSON
Entrepreneur, Change agent, Community worker, and she has over 30 years experience in community development.
Episode 16 - "Blue Monday"
ODESIA
(she/her) is a Black, Queer, Cis Alumna of the University of Guelph, 2019-20 Chair of Guelph Pride, Social media content and community creator. Working in the non-profit music and arts sector with @SilenceGuelph and @CFRU93.3
SHARA ALLY
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Company NEUROorganics Inc., PhD
DEBI FACEY
Debi is a Toronto, Ontario-based freelance writer who’s been involved within the cannabis industry for the last 10 years. Debi has appeared, conducted, and hosted a variety of cannabis-related media for several outlets across Canada and hopes to continue riding high educating, creating to presenting potent cannabis education.
GEER HARVEY
Geer Harvey (he/him) is a Registered Social Worker and Attendance counselor with the Upper Grand District School Board, and has a private practice with Support & Growth. He is currently one of the staff supervisors of Black Chapter (Black student focused group), and Jack Chapter (mental health student advocates) at a high school in Dufferin County.Geer currently holds the role of acting anti-racim officer with District 18 OSSTF. He is one of the founding members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation anti-racism writing team to address anti-Black racism within the union. Geer is an active member of Ontario Association School social worker advisory committee,
ALYNA WALJI
Alyna Walji (she/her) is a Master of Social Work student at the University of Toronto’s Factor-
Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, where she is also assisting with a research project investigating the social service needs of Muslims in Ontario. She has over five years of experience working in mental health and addictions research with Homewood Research Institute and the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research.
Episode 17 - Art and Activism
RAECHELE LOVELL
Raechele is a vibrant Arts Leader and Grassroots Activist with a passion for social justice, diversity & inclusion, equity and access to arts education. Known as an alumni of Dance Adventure Inc, Eastwood Collegiate's Integrated Arts Program & Randolph College for the Performing Arts; with a background in retail, merchandising, sales & marketing and a successful career as a professional Performing Artist, sought after Dance Educator, award winning Choreographer and respected International Dance Competition Adjudicator,
JOELLA CRICHTON
Joella Crichton is an actor for stage and screen. She
holds a BFA in Acting from York University. Joella is
passionate about her Caribbean heritage and is the nine
time Queen of Carnival here in Toronto
ANDREW CRAIG
Andrew Craig creates and performs original music for the stage and screen, writes plays, directs
music, theatre and festivals, produces content, hosts live and broadcast events, and teaches.
RUFUS JOHN
Rufus John is a black Caribbean-Canadian singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, certified Child & Youth Worker, award-winning youth mentor, the founder of Music Is My Weapon and The Freedom Marching Project, writer, performer, director, and editor.
Episode 18 - Nature and The Outdoors
BANGISHIMO
Bangishimo (They/Them) is an IndigiQueer Anishinaabe originally from Couchiching First Nation located on Treaty #3 territory. They currently reside in so-called Kitchener located along the Grand River. Bangishimo is a community organizer, educator, and advocate. Their focus is creating space for communities to come together allowing for Black, Indigenous and racialized voices to be heard. They are currently one of the co-founders of O:se Kenhionhata:tie also known as Land Back Camp.
AMY SMOKE
Amy Smoke (they/ them) is Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River. They are a Two Spirit, IndigiQueer parent, land defender/water protector, community organizer, and public speaker
DIONNE DALEY
Dionne Daley is currently Vice President of Innovation Research at Ipsos; a Global Market Research and Public Opinion company. Dionne is an undergraduate of University of Guelph where she completed a BA Honours Degree in Psychology, followed by a Post-Graduate diploma from Georgian College in the Research Analyst Program. Outside of work, Dionne is an active Outdoors Woman and advocates for diversity in the Outdoor Community. She is a board member for Guelph Outdoor School and Yorklands Green Hub in Guelph and recently launched a new initiative called the BIPOC Outdoor Gear Library - Guelph which aims to reduce barriers in accessing nature.
ALEXIS CHARLES
Alexis Charles currently serves as the Coordinator of Cultural Diversity Programs at the University of Guelph. In this role, she leads programs and initiatives that support the holistic development of BIPOC students at the school. She has a Master of Education in Anti-Oppression Education and Community Development, and is passionate about addressing educational equities and supporting those traditionally underserved in academia.
CIANA HAMILTON
Ciana (she/her) is a person of Caribbean and African descent currently living in so called Guelph. Ciana is the Director of The Village Hearth Community School, a small non-profit school that emphasizes nature connection and community building. Ciana is constantly looking at ways to connect herself and kids with land - she is a strong advocate for traditional land stewardship and caretaking.