On behalf of the leadership and board of the Africa-Canadian Social Development Council (ACSDC), I welcome you all to our second conference, “Confronting Anti-Black Racism and Islamophobia.” This year’s theme is “Pro­moting Equity in Employment, the Workplace, and Housing”.

I extend my sincerest gratitude to each of you for gracing us with your presence, and I earnestly encourage your active participation, engagement, and the sharing of your insights throughout our proceedings. I am confident that, united in purpose, we shall make strides in our mission to establish a fairer and more inclusive world.

As President of ADSDC, I’m acutely aware of the challenges we face in our mission to combat racism and discrimination. Our conference will shine a light on how common anti-Black racism and Islamophobia are, and their corrosive effects on an individual’s access to equitable opportunities, notably within the domains of employment, the workplace, and housing.

We are honoured to host a distinguished array of speakers and participants, each contributing valuable insights and experiences. Together, we will analyze the root causes, institutional structures, and practices that uphold these injustices, and work towards actionable solutions that can bring about meaningful change.

Thank you for your presence and contributions. Let us confront racism and discrimination and promote equity, not only for our communities but for a better world.