In this video post, I discuss my experience as a U.S. expatriate living in Toronto, Canada as a Diversity Professional. Inspired by America's recent presidential election and subsequent crash of the Canadian immigration website, I've decided to answer the following questions for my audience: What has it been like to live in Canada as an expat? What's it like … [Read more...]
Ryerson University’s Soup and Substance Series: Fall 2016
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 at Podium (POD) 250 (unless otherwise noted). 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...]
“Words Are Things”: The Importance of Naming When Speaking Truth to Power
Like many, I watched Hillary Rodham Clinton accept the nomination of the Democratic National Committee, making her the first woman presidential candidate of a major political party, with a combination of hope, happiness, and pride, but what really resonated with me from her 56-minute speech were the words: “systemic racism”. It happened at about the 51-minute … [Read more...]
Honouring Black Canadian Women: A Glittering Ceremony Recognizing Accomplished Black Canadians
(Republished with permission; Some links and text style edits added by The Institutional Diversity Blog) On Thursday, June 16th, 2016, the anticipated book 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women 2016 Edition was launched at a glittering ceremony gala inside The Brighton Convention & Event Centre in Scarborough, Ontario. Over 700 guests were in attendance with special … [Read more...]
100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women GALA Event and Book Launch
When I arrived in Canada to start my new post at Ryerson University, I was very excited and looked forward to working in one of the most diversity cities in the world. Ryerson was willing to take the risk and hire an African American women from the Midwest to lead the country’s first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion division as the Assistant Vice President/Vice … [Read more...]