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Kemba Byam – Manager, Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit, City of Toronto.

“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter” – Chinue Achebe

Delivering his welcome address, the President of The African Canadian Social Development Council (ACSDC) Kabu Asante highlighted the acute challenges faced in the mission to combat racism and discrimination and their corrosive effects on individuals’ access to equitable opportunities, notably within the areas of employment, the workplace and affordable housing.

“I am confident that, united in purpose, we will make strides in our mission to establish a fairer and more inclusive world.”

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Keynote Speaker – Dr. Andrew Allen.

Dr. Andrew Allen of the University of Windsor defined Anti-Black Racism as policies and practices that are embedded in Canadian institutions, such as education, beliefs, attitudes, stereotyping and/or discrimination that are directed at people of African descent and are rooted in their unique history and experience of enslavement and colonization here in Canada.

He told the story of his visit to the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana and emphasized the importance of knowledge of history as a tool in fighting the cancer of racism. According to the professor, Black men aged 25 to 59, for example, saw both their employment rates fall and their unemployment rates rise over time between 2001 and 2016.

“We have an obligation to right that wrong and to listen to those who were most affected and shed light on the truth,” he said. The 8-hour-long event had two panels and comprised various experts in the areas of employment, workplace equity and affordable housing.

While many on the panel focused on working to change policies, Alex lhama, Executive Director Canadian Congress on Inclusive Diversity & Workplace Equity, emphasized adding another approach. “Racism will not end.” We have to take individual responsibility and be creative in our personal approach”. He recounted several instances where he was at the receiving end of discrimination based on the colour of his skin.

He quoted Marcus Garvey, saying, “Without confidence, you are defeated in the race of life”. In a passionate plea, he advised that people should develop a strategy to navigate the system and confront racism by investing in themselves by increasing their knowledge, thereby increasing their awareness. “When you are well equipped and your confidence is high, you can ask questions to expose the ignorance of racist people,” Alex lhama reiterated.

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Ombudsman – Kwame Addo, City of Toronto.

Kwame Addo, Ombudsman for the city, also took the audience through measures to explore to navigate and access the resources made available by the city to residents. He advised Toronto residents to contact the office or visit their website for such information.

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Dr. Jamila Aman – Executive Director CBCC (Photo restoration generated using ChatGPT)

Other resource people at the event were Dara Dillon, Director of Community Programs at the Inclusivity Institute for Better Data, Roberto Haus­ man, President and Founder of Diversity Leaders Alliance, Leonie Tchatat CEO of Passerell-1.DE, Toronto and Paris, Amina Noor Program/EPIC Manager at Midaynta Community Services and Audrey Parkes Board Chair & Secretary, Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce.

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From the Left: Audrey Parkes, CBCC, James Nyarkoh; Transition Africa, Nosakhare Alex lhama; ED Canadian Congress on Inclusive Diversity & Workplace Equity, Dr. Jamila Aman, ED CBCC, Dr. Andrew Allen, University of Windsor, Dara Dillion; Director of Community Programs at the inclusivity Institute for better Data, Kemi Amusan, Advocate, Global Women Ambassador Canada, Tracy Matulu, ED Ethnocultural Doc of Youth and Kemba Byam; Manager Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit.

The session also featured a question-and-answer period where members of the audience had their questions answered by the experts.

Dr Jamila Aman, ED CBCC, Conference Moderator.