DAY 1 │ FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022

REGISTRATION FOR DELEGATES

Grafton Street Entrance - Halifax Convention Centre

SITE VISITS OF HISTORIC AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIAN LANDMARKS 

Delegates are invited to visit important locations that showcase the contributions of people of African descent in Nova Scotia and the untold 400-year-long history of Black Canadians in the province.

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• Africville Museum
  5795 Africville Road
  Halifax, Nova Scotia 

• Black Cultural Centre
  10 Cherry Brook Road
  Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia

Write Us Beautiful: Poetry as a vessel for the story of who we were, are, and aspire to be – Youth Focus

Prior to the Summit Youth Delegates will be invited to participate in a series of two online self-expression writing workshops led by Randell Adjei, poet laureate of Ontario, Titilope Sonuga, poet laureate of Edmonton and Moashella Shortte, writer. Delegates will have the opportunity to continue their work under their mentorship and finalize their reflection on the three pillars of the International Decade for People of African Descent – Recognition, Justice and Development.

Moderators

• Moashella Shortte, Author and Founder & CEO of Learning4youngminds

• Titilope Sonuga, Edmonton’s Poet Laureate

• Randell Adjei, Ontario’s first Poet Laureate

Interactive Arts Expression Workshop – Youth Focus

Finding ways to express ourselves in unique, creative, and healthy ways is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and our communities. Where do you find the tools, platforms and people to help bring out the passions, talents and skills that lay deep within you?

This innovative gathering addresses significant gaps in engaging young creatives with artistic, entrepreneurial and social change ambitions. It will empower young people facing financial and social barriers to build skills, confidence and knowledge related to their creative art practices.

During this youth-led multimedia experience in teaching, learning and creativity, you will create cutting-edge, culturally relevant multimedia performances and installations.

Moderators

• Landscape of Hope

• iMOVE

Human Rights Roundtable

Setting the bar on Human Rights: Key cases in African Nova Scotian Communities Nova Scotia is a historic site for the Black presence in Canada. African Nova Scotians have more than 400 years of history in the province, including experiences of unfair treatment and racism. Throughout this long-standing history, African Nova Scotians have built strong communities and resilient responses that challenge systemic racism across the province. Through this community mobilization and solidarity, African Nova Scotians continue to advocate for justice and demand fair treatment for all Black Canadians in the province.

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation present this roundtable to highlight mobilization efforts among African Nova Scotian communities that push for change on issues of racial discrimination. Videos and a panel of three individuals from Nova Scotia’s Black community will be featured to set a bar for Human Rights claims across Canada. This session will also highlight the realities and experiences of Black communities in Quebec.

Opening Remarks by Mohammed Hashim, Executive Director, Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Presenters

• Gyasi Symonds, Educator, Community Advocate, and Psychotherapist/Counsellor

• Kirk Johnson, Former Professional Boxer

• Reverend Dr. Lennett Anderson, Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church

• Joseph Fraser, CEO, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission

• Myrlande Pierre, Vice-President of the Commission on the Human Rights and the Rights of Youth in Quebec (Commission des droits de la personness et des droits de la jeunesse)

Closing Remarks by Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner, Canadian Human Rights Commission

Anti-Black Racism Toolkit Workshop

The Black Pulse toolkit is a digital package that contains academic resources, shared experiences and historical background on the lives of Black individuals across Canada. Over the past year, the Federation of Black Canadians team engaged Black Canadians, allies, and the broader community in an online anti-Black racism campaign and collected stories, resources, tips, challenges and opportunities for change.

The goal of this toolkit is to provide a digital resource (that is continually updated) to help people combat racism, learn about anti-Black racism, find support, and feel empowered to speak out, and possibly start their own local projects to effect change in their own communities.

Delegates will:

• Learn how to use and navigate the Black Pulse toolkit

• Share input and ideas for the improvement of the toolkit

Presenters

• Debra Olaniyi Anti-Racism Project Coordinator, Federation of Black Canadians

Let’s Talk Black Health – Part I – Mental Health and Wellness

This panel will include powerful discussions around broad perspectives on innovative approaches in dealing with mental health and wellness specific to Black Canadians. Our guest experts will address the social determinants of such as racial discrimination and exclusion and poverty, and their effects on mental wellness. They will also   examine the impact of COVID-19 on Black mental health

Our panelists will explore these topics in a sensitive manner and recommend possible solutions and discuss innovative actions solutions to address them.

 “There is a substantial and growing body of research linking racism to poorer health outcomes, with the greatest impacts appearing in the realm of mental health. This impact can happen directly, due to the stress of microaggressions and everyday racism, or indirectly, as a result of the legislation, policies and practices embedded in our institutions.” - Dr. Onye Nnorom

Panelists

• Robert Wright, Executive Director, Peoples’ Council Clinic and the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute

• Dr. Kwame Mckenzie, CEO of Wellesley Institute; a full   Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto

• Dr. Jude Mary Cénat, Associate Professor in the School of Psychology, Chair of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health

• Richard Sharpe, Director of the Equity, Anti-racism, Diversity and Inclusion Leading the Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Secretariat, Department of Justice Canada

Moderator

• Floydeen Charles-Fridal, Executive Director at Caribbean African Canadian Social Services

NETWORKING COCKTAIL

SUMMIT OPENING CEREMONY & DINNER

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Overture

• Omayra Issa, Guest Master of Ceremony, Senior Reporter, CBC News

• Andreas Robinson, Master of Ceremony, Founder and CEO, Infinitus Academy Inc. and Limitless Media CIC 

Honouring Indigenous Land and its Historic Relationship with People of African Descent

•  Mi'kmaq Land Acknowledgement and Indigenous welcome 

Canada National Anthem (O Canada)

• Lyris Daye, singer

National Black Anthem (Lift Every Voice and Sing)

• Zamani Millar and Amariah Bernard-Washington, singers

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Welcome to Nova Scotia

• The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

Keynote Remarks:

• Vanessa Hartley, Environmental Justice Activist 

• The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, 27th Governor-General of Canada and Third Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie

Words from Presenting Sponsor

• TD Bank Group

Jazz Performance

• Zoe Tolliver, singer

Musical Performances

• Advocates of Truth

• Jah’Mila

REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST

PLENARY SESSION​

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Words of welcome from the Summit Co-Chairs

• Vanessa Fells, Director of Operations, African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition

• DeRico Symonds, Senior Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister in the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives

Remarks

• Jean-Daniel Lafond, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Michaëlle Jean Foundation

• Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

Poetic Power Performances

Presented by the Canada Council for the Arts

Steeped in the traditions of people of African descent, the Spoken Word is a powerful art form that often uses wordplay and repetition to convey personal and political messages. Spoken Word artists strive to create a form of Edutainment (« education » and « entertainment ») that can inform their audiences and empower them to transformative actions. 

Power of Poetic Performances Inspired artists

• Randell Adjei, Ontario’s first Poet Laureate 

• Afua Cooper, 7th Poet Laureate of Halifax

• Titilope Sonuga, Edmonton’s Poet Laureate

Conversation with Canadian Changemakers

While there is no shortage of artistic talent across Canada’s Black identities, there are too few opportunities for elevating and celebrating Black Canadian talent and arts entrepreneurs. 

This pre-recorded presentation will explore the major artistic, cultural, social and socio-economic issues currently facing us, and offer advice on building the coalitions that support funding opportunities, mentorship, programming and awards to advance Black excellence. 

The BLACK Academy founded by actors and producers Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, aims to combat systemic racism while honouring, celebrating and inspiring Black talent in Canada. Fabienne Colas, known as the ‘Queen of Festivals’, is an award-winning actress, filmmaker, speaker and business owner who works tirelessly and passionately to support and promote diversity off and onscreen. Both organizations are creating the environment for changes now and into the future. 

Changemakers

Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, Co-founders and co-chairs, Black Academy

Hosted by Fabienne Colas, Founder of Montreal, Toronto, New York City, Halifax, Port-au-Prince, and Salvador International Black Film Festivals

BREAK

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

In recognition and celebration of the talent, expertise and commitment that Black communities bring to the fight against racial discrimination, the Michaëlle Jean Foundation presents these sessions to help advance change through imagination, innovation and action. 

Developed through extensive community interactions and framed around the objectives of International Decade for People of African Descent these sessions bring together activists, creatives and specialists to share ideas and discuss innovative approaches for addressing challenges and opportunities and eliminating barriers.   

From Reimagining to Reinventing Justice

People of African descent have always had a precarious relationship with Canada’s legal system. From the colonial period to the present, Black activists have reinvented what justice looks for Black people living in Canada. Focusing on our specific histories, identities and worldviews, this session will examine how Black Canadians differentiate, define and take actions that reinvent this word. 

We will explore how Black leaders are reinventing “justice” beyond the colonial “box” that has caused historic harms towards justice that brings about equity, equality and liberation. This is also an opportunity to understand how to reinvent preventative and proactive measures to eradicate unnecessary engagements with the legal system.

In this panel discussion, we will share information on the development of new initiatives, such as the Impact of Race and Cultural Assessments, the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute, the Land Titles Initiative and the Black Canadian Justice Strategy. Most importantly, we want to hear from delegates. Our panelists will answer your questions and share their thoughts on what reinvented justice looks like for Black Canadians.

Panel

• Angela Simmonds-Sparks, Nova Scotia Member of Legislature and Deputy Speaker of the House

• Daniel Kinsella, Chief of Police, Halifax Regional Municipality

• Jacqueline Edwards, President, Association of Black Law Enforcers

• Emilie Nicolas, Columinist and Human Rights Advocate

Moderator

• Michelle Williams, Assistant Professor, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

Let’s Talk Black Health – Part II - Influencing Health Systems and Structures 

Join us in engaging and powerful national conversations around the health systems and structures that impact the health of Black Canadians. 

These conversations will feature panelists who will address the social determinants of health as well as the systems, structures and beliefs that create barriers to accessing adequate care.

Our panelists will discuss existing data and implications, as well as explore new and creative ways to approaching Black health. 

“In order to address the harmful health effects of anti-Black racism in Canada, we who work in health care must acknowledge the existence of anti-Black racism in our systems and commit to meaningful, sustained change.” – Dr. Onye Nnorom

Panel

• Sharon Davis-Murdoch, Social Justice Champion and Co-President of the Health Association of African Canadians

• Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, James R. Johnston Chair, Black Canadian Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University

• Dwight Townsend, Executive Lead, Health Research Council for People of African Descent

• Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund

Moderator

• Suzanne Obiorah, Director, Gender and Race Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Relations and Social Development at City of Ottawa  

Breaking Barriers in Education – Primary to Grade 12

Presented by CCUNESCO

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This panel will address the systemic changes needed to redress the issues faced by Black learners from Primary to Grade 12. The panelists will also explore how organizations and individuals navigate and address barriers, as well as how community-based bridging programs and initiatives contribute positively to the development of the Black learner. Guest presenters will provide insight into the innovative approaches and initiatives that are breaking barriers and empowering Black students to reach their promise and potential. They will reflect on how to dismantle barriers, through reflections on their lived experience as well as with reference to the limited research available in Canada. 

Panel

• Pemberton Cyrus, President, Imhotep’s Legacy Academy Head, Department of Industrial Engineering

• Marlene Ruck-Simmons, Executive Director, African Canadian Services branch, Nova Scotia, Department of Education 

• Tana Turner, President, Turner Consulting Group

• Tya Collins, Postdoctoral Scholar - McGill University 

Moderators

• Robert Upshaw, Co-Chair of the President’s action committee on Anti racism and part-time instructor, Department of Education, St. Francis Xavier University

Activism 101 Workshop– Youth Focus

From the earliest moments of Black activism to the present day, young people have brought the imagination, energy, and vision that is crucial for social change. Youth activism today is creating campaigns rooted in intersectional identities eager to connect Indigenous rights, anti-Black racism, environmentalism, gender, criminal justice, as well as education, social and economic policies. Still, young Canadians say they need more spaces and opportunities to express themselves and to work towards innovative solutions.

This session will explore the sources of Black youth activism, and how it has changed over time. We will also discuss what it takes to be a youth activist, how to remain healthy when doing this important work, and ways to support initiatives that seek to transform society.

Moderators

• El Jones, Spoken Word poet, educator, journalist and community activist

• Sandy Hudson, Co-Founder – Black Lives Matter Canada and Black Legal Action Centre

• Damini Awoyiga, Spoken Word poet

Let’s Talk Skilled Trades - Pathways for Tomorrow’s Workforce

Presented by Dream Legacy Foundation

This presentation will explore the future of work, key trends across Canada, as well as what is required to create a strong Black Canadian construction workforce for tomorrow. Join the Dream Legacy Foundation for an interactive experience and thought-provoking dialogue about facts and myths in the industry.

Delegates will experience a virtual Skilled Trades Simulation, Heavy Equipment Operation Overview with takeaways such as: Key trends in the future of work, Gaps / Challenges, Policy and other considerations for change, next steps for Canada

Presenters

• Eldon Holder Jr, VP, Philanthropy & and Social Innovation, Dream Legacy Foundation

• Isaac Olowolafe, Isaac Olowolafe, Founder Dream Maker Developments

The second segment of the presentation will be a hands-on workshop about the Future of Convening: Social Change in a Digital Era. 

Delegates will learn the basics of how-to setup an organization and community to be a “Social Justice Juggernaut” in the digital age. We’ll explore the mechanics of structuring a sound advocacy campaign, mobilizing volunteers, raising awareness, and telling your story to influence change. These tools are designed to improve an organization’s fundraising and advocacy efforts, promising practices in digital community mobilization, next steps for social change through tech.

Presenter

• Chloë Cheyenne, Activist and Tech CEO

Environmental Racism 

In 1982, Benjamin Chavis, an American civil rights activist, first defined environmental racism as “... racial discrimination in environmental policy-making, the enforcement of regulations and laws, the deliberate targeting of communities of color for toxic waste facilities, the official sanctioning of the life-threatening presence of poisons and pollutants in our communities, and the history of excluding people of color from the leadership of the ecology movements.”

Across Canada, Indigenous and Black communities are taking stands against the disproportionate impacts that polluting industries are having on their environments. This session will discuss why the legacies of Africville, Hogan’s Ally and the Shelburne Town dump, are key to understanding how to address environmental racism and urban expansion. 

In this panel, we will also discuss how communities can build strategies for addressing the impacts of environmental racism.

Panel

• Irvine Carvery, Former resident of Africville & Board Member – Africville Genealogy 

• Cheryll Case, Principal Urban Planner

• Stephanie Allen, Associate Vice President of Strategic Business Operations and Founding board member of Hogan’s Alley Society 

• Vanessa Hartley, Environmental Justice Activist

Moderator

• Jerome Morgan, Director of Innovation and Lead Consultant, Wood Buffalo Strategy Group

Business Roundtable

Presented by Export Development Canada 

This roundtable will gather individuals from various levels of the entrepreneurship continuum to discuss challenges and successes. These discussions will include topics such funding, systemic barriers, mentorship, training and innovating ways to encourage new start-ups and business growth.

The roundtable will also feature Black business organizations to share information about their services, challenges, achievements and strategies in place to move the needle in relation to the state of business in Black communities in Canada.

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Panel

• Matthew Martel, Chief Operations Officer, Black Business Initiative

• Mona-Lisa Prosper, Director, Black Entrepreneurs, Futurpreneurs

• Cynthia Dorrington, Owner, Vale and Associates

• Tiffani Young, Founder, Natural Butter Bar

• Melisa Ellis, Founder, Nobellum

• Stéphane Georges Nana, Regional Entrepreneurship Advisor, Groupe 3737

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Moderator

• Dave D’Oyen, National Lead, Black Exporters - Export Development Canada 

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LUNCH

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KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Mr. Amanuel Melles, Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of Black Communities 

Remarks by Dwayne Provo, Associate Deputy Minister, African Nova Scotian Affairs

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

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Black Identity and Creative Expression

Presented by Fondation Michaelle Jean Foundation

Black creatives have always found ways to express themselves without constraint and to use their creative expression to inspire, mobilize and heal communities. This panel will explore how Black Canadian artists are revolutionizing the future of art. We will also discuss the importance of challenging systems of cultural and institutional erasure.

Panel

• Ricardo Lamour, Artist, Columnist, Community Activist

• Webster, Activist, Author & Lecturer  

• Bria Miller, Multidisciplinary Visual Artist, Owner of Bria Makes Things, Animator, Organizer

Moderator

• Rachel Décoste, Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, National Film       Board of Canada

Breaking Barriers in Education - post-Secondary

Educational outcomes of Black students are strongly tied to the cultural, social, economic and political welfare of Black communities. Their achievements require the strategic collaborative effort of Black leaders, parents and allies within schools and communities.  

In this session, the panelists will discuss about systemic changes needed to redress the issues faced by Black learners at the post-secondary level.

Guest presenters will also discuss data, statistics and community-based bridging programs and will reflect on how to dismantle barriers and suggest new and innovative methods as well as solutions.  

Panel

• Agassou Jones, Principal – Nova Scotia Community College, Akerley Campus in Dartmouth 

• Ashley Hill, Founder and Executive Director at the PREP Academy 

• Andrew Allen, Associate Professor at the University of Windsor 

• Wendy Mackey, Assistant Professor of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and

• Leadership within the Faculty of Education at St. Francis Xavier University

Moderator

• Carl James, Professor and Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora in the Faculty of Education at York University 

Blacks in Science and Tech 

Presented by Enbridge

Inspiring the interests and nurturing the successes of Black students within all educational areas, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is paramount. Their achievements require close collaboration between the Black community and educational institutions as well as strong role models. 

This panel will feature STEM industry professionals from the Black community who will share their personal and professional experiences. The panelists will discuss their challenges and achievements and inspire especially young people to pursue careers in STEM industries.   

Guest presenters will provide insight into the innovative approaches and initiatives that are breaking barriers and empowering Black students to reach their promise and potential. They will reflect on how to dismantle barriers, through reflections on their lived experience as well as with reference to the limited research available in Canada. 

Panel

• Shalyn Williams de Coteau, Senior Sonar System Engineer, Ultra (Maritime System)

• Leanne Lucas, Senior Research Associate

• Kevin Hewitt, Professor of Physics and Former Chair of Senate

• Alfred Burgesson, Founder & CEO – Tribe Network

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Moderator

• Edouard Staco, President, Socio-economic Summit for the development Black communities

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Black Lives Matter and Beyond Roundtable - Transformative Activism and Building Beauty

Black liberation movements are at the precipice of a resurgence, mobilizing for change across Indigenous communities. Black Lives Matter (BLM) Canada has been supporting these efforts since 2017, resourcing chapters from coast to coast to coast.

Through its network, BLM Canada works alongside Black communities, Black-centric groups, solidarity movements, and allies to dismantle all forms of state-sanctioned oppression, violence, and brutality committed against all-Black communities, including African, Caribbean, Afro-Indigenous, migrant, queer, trans and disabled Black communities.

In addition to resourcing chapters and grassroots organizing, supportive efforts have also involved the following:

• Research: disseminating abolitionist research through defundthepolice.org 

• Programming: creating independent and collaborative initiatives

• Space: establishing a community hub called Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism 

This engagement with BLM Canada will reflect on this movement, contend with our shared victories and challenges and harness this awakened energy for sustainable and progressive change. Join us, as we work toward Black liberation through a shared commitment to thrive and build beautifully.

Panel

• Jessica Kirk, Executive Director at Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism 

• El Jones, Spoken Word poet, educator, journalist and community activist

• Sandy Hudson, Co-founder – Black Lives Matter Canada and Black Legal Action Centre

• Marlihan Lopez, Black Feminist Community organizer, cofounding member of the Montreal Coalition to defund the SPVM (police)

Moderator

• Husoni Raymond, Community Organizer and Law student

Telling our Stories

Presented by Michaëlle Jean Foundation and Majda International

These are exciting times for anyone interested in Black Canadian history. With 400 years of stories to draw from, Black Canadian history is finally beginning to reflect the complex array of characters, communities and events that have helped shape Canada’s heritage and identity.

This panel will explore how Black Canadian historians are redefining how to research, write, conceptualize, and teach Black Canadian history. Their work is part of an exciting movement that looks at history in comprehensive ways that are generating seismic shifts in African Canadian knowledge mobilization.

Panel

• Afua Cooper, Poet & Professor of Black History – Dalhousie University 

• Anthony Sherwood, Executive Director at Anthony Sherwood Productions 

• Guyleigh Johnson, Author, Artist, Community, Advocate, Arts, Facilitator 

• Juanita Peters, Executive Director of Africville Museum

• Olu Seye, Visual Arts Artist

Moderator

• Sean Foyn, Africanadian Searchers  

What if…: Reimagining the future of affordable housing for Black Canadians Roundtable (Call to Action)

Presented by Michaëlle Jean Foundation and Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation

In exploring tangible next steps for improving housing outcomes among Black Canadians, delegates will engage in solution-making on the topics below and move to translate the proposed solutions into reality.

The session will delve into:  

• Incorporating lived experience to shape data and policy 

• Creating pathways to advance affordable housing projects

• Partnerships for a Black-led affordable housing network

Presenters

• John Beck, Founder and Executive Chairman of Aecon Group Inc.

• Colette Kikongi, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

• Lisa Ingraham, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

• Samantha Jones, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

• Patrick Neptune, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Summit After Dark: A Night of Black Culture and Creativity

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After-Hours Youth Led-Focus Event

The Lighthouse, 1600, Argyle Street

DAY 3 │ SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2022

REGISTRATION

INTERDENOMINATIONAL CHURCH SERVICE

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Officiants

• Reverend Dr. Lennett Anderson

• Reverend Dr. Rhonda Britton

CLOSING CEREMONY

Presented by the Regional Municipality of Halifax

Remarks

• The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, 27th Governor-General of Canada and Third Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie

• The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

• Senator Wanda Thomas-Bernard, Nova Scotia

• Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (pre-recorded)

• Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund

• Alice Nderitu, Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide

• Roda Muse, Secretary-General, Canadian Commission for UNESCO

• Mike Savage, Mayor of Regional Municipality of Halifax

HALIFAX DECLARATION

Musical Performances

• Nova Scotia Mass Choir

• Measha Brueggergosman, Canadian Soprano

DeRico Symonds

Vanessa Fells

TRH Michaëlle Jean

Vanessa Hartley

she/her/elle

Omayra Issa
Senior Reporter, CBC News

Andreas Robinson

Shamier Anderson + Stephen James

Fabienne Colas

Moashalla Shortte

Afua Cooper

Advocates of Truth (Gallyna, Rajab Ally

Titilope Sonuga

Randall Adjei

Zamani Millar and Amariah Bernard-Washington

Ja'Mila

Zoe Tolliver

Measha Bruggergosman-Lee

Nova Scotia Mass Choir