Author: Stephanie Gomez

This workshop is an opportunity for participants to impact and shape the work of equity within their place of work. This session will help participants:

• To have an opportunity to get interactive and real about experiences of anti- Black racism, in the workplace and in everyday life.
• Address daily interactions in workplace environments and how anti-racist theories can be put into practice.
• Share examples or solicit advise on how to ensure anti-racist principles are alive within the workforce.
• Learn about emerging themes and impacts which will be shared at the end of this workshop.

SHEQUITA THOMPSON-REID

Shequita Thompson-Reid has been working at the intersections of community development and equity for over 15 years. Currently, she brings with her expertise within the fields of Program Development, Youth Engagement, Capacity Building, Housing, Violence Prevention, Conflict Mediation and Equity. She is well versed in working from practices rooted in decolonization and anti-oppression frameworks. Shequita has worked successfully across various organizations to lead and support a range of broad band and high impact outcomes to achieve the desired goals at multi-level and multi-sectoral non-profit and government spaces. Shequita has developed, led and facilitated training and education on Conflict Mediation, Violence Prevention, Equity and Anti-Oppression to name a few. She also excels in coaching and professional development for individuals, executives and organizations looking to engage in change management processes. Shequita also co-founded a grassroots program, Words of Wisdom. This program used books as a catalyst towards having deeper conversations into inter- generational trauma, identity, equity and healthy relationships. In 2015, she traveled to Ghana to participate in a knowledge exchange with young women and girls globally, and developed collaborative strategies to end gender-based violence. She holds an Honors BA from the University of Toronto with a specialization in -Sociology and Gender Studies.

This workshop will help participants:

• To explore the ways in which social activism has shaped our society and the specific impacts that Black activism has had in Ontario in particular. For example, the creation of the Human Rights Commission.
• To reframe the way in which they look at activism and consider the benefits and challenges demonstrated through different activism approaches.
• To provide participants with concrete advise and tips on how to stand in their power and be social justice activists in their daily lives.

CHARLINE GRANT

Charline is a trailblazer in the diversity, equity and inclusion field, and a fierce advocate for racialized children. In 2016, she led a human rights challenge against one of Ontario’s largest school boards, the York Region District School Board (YRDSB). Determined to change the racism and discrimination her own children faced from the YRDSB, Grant and other diverse community leaders fought against anti-Black racism & anti-Muslim discrimination with resounding success. Charline currently sits on the York Children’s Aid Society Board, representing the needs of Black parents and children. She is also the first person to occupy the position of Provincial Education System Navigator for Parents of Black Children, helping parents navigate the oppressive education system. Charline was the chief advocate in the fight to include hate- related incidents in the professional misconduct criteria for the Ontario College of Teachers, and successfully secured this change. She is leading the charge for education reform, and a new partnership with the Toronto Raptors will ensure change happens for all. In addition to her advocacy, Charline is a business-owner, board member and advisor for a number of organizations & non-profits. She is dedicated, resilient and passionate about standing up against racism and hate in all forms. Charline is also a wife and the proud mother to three amazing children Ziphion, Kezia and Eleazar.

• An engaging discussion examining the Black/African Canadian context. In this workshop you will talk about the current day lived experience of Black/African Canadian people.
• This workshop will ask you to examine your social context. This means your position in society.
• It will help you discover how to be critical actors in your own story by sharing some ideas around how to respond to oppression and anti-Black racism.

CLAUDETTE HOWELL RUTHERFORD

Claudette Howell Rutherford is a teacher and Department Head of Social Science and Humanities in the YRDSB. She currently sits on the Equity Steering Action Advisory Committee and the Anti-Black Racism Steering Committee. Claudette is a mother of three children attending school in York Region. Claudette previously served as Director of Youth & Education for the Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association and is now Vice President. Claudette is Chair of MACCA’S Annual Black Youth Empowerment Conference now funded by the Government of Canada, and Summer Camp Administrator. Claudette is the Program Director for the Ministry (MCCSS) funded KinnectYouth Mentoring Program. She is a member of ONABSE under the Parent Commission. Claudette continues to represent MACCA as a contributing member of the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities, a collective impact project with 70 other Black community organizations across the province of Ontario.

In this workshop you will learn about the history that has shaped Black/African Canadian people, including Black heroes of then and now.

• This is a chance to explore Africentricity: What does it mean? Why is it important? What are the positives and some of the challenges it gives us?
• This workshop will also explore the history of colonialism and the role it plays in the creation of systems and legacies that still impact us today.
• This workshop will focus on how societal constructs have created inequities that social justice movements strive to dismantle.
• The outcome of this workshop is to provide tips to living your life as more than just an ally and offer practical ways to build an anti-racist life.

Shernett Martin

Award-winning, experienced Equity & Inclusion Consultant, speaker, workshop developer and facilitator. Awarded multiple awards for work in equity, diversity, education and philanthropy. Incredible speaker and mentor. Committed to community and capacity building. Skilled in governing and leading non-profit organizations. Extensive experience in Corporate Coaching, Conflict Resolution, and Volunteer Management.

Professional Educator with a demonstrated history of working with students from elementary to College. Extensive experience as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (B.A.) with a focus on Race Relations, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and is completing a Masters in Education from York University.