As we know, February is Black History Month, however, I didn’t realize that Canada also celebrated Black History Month. To celebrate the occasion, the Toronto Intercultural Dialogue Institute invited me to speak on the topic of "Canadian or U.S.Diversity in Post Secondary Education: Which is more inclusive?". Since arriving in Canada, I am often asked to compare the two … [Read more...]
Life at the Intersection of Race, Gender and Class
I am a middle-aged African-American woman, single mother of two, raised as the youngest of eight children by a mother with a 10th-grade education. I grew up on the East Coast in an impoverished and crime-ridden former industrial town where the illegal drug trade is now the mainstay of the economy. From the description of me above, some might have me currently pegged as … [Read more...]
Ryerson University’s Soup and Substance Series: Winter 2014
The Division of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at Ryerson University presents the Soup & Substance Series, a series of noon hour moderated panel discussions held on the 7th Floor of Heaslip House at 297 Victoria Street. While enjoying a warm bowl of soup and refreshments, participants will engage panelists in an open conversation on a range of diversity related … [Read more...]
Chief Diversity Officers and Dr. Martin Luther King Day: Giving Voice to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
I've been living in Canada for over a year, and while things are beginning to feel normal for me, today feels somewhat strange. It's Martin Luther King Day and typically back home, in the States, my institution would have a day, week or even month long line up of activities and events to acknowledge Dr. Martin Luther King’s contributions to the nation, … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Day Canadian or American Style
Thanksgiving Day in the United States is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November. I have very fond childhood memories of Thanksgiving. Like most school kids, we learned about the Pilgrims and “Indians” coming together, giving thanks and celebrating the harvest. We would make little turkey cut outs, with paper feathers and pilgrims type … [Read more...]