Happy Women’s Empowerment Month!
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s important to remember that the term “women empowerment” at times omits ACB women’s lived experiences. During March, we purposely open this space to acknowledge, appreciate, honour and recognize ACB women empowerment!
Panel Discussion: The Lived Experiences of Black Women in Canadian Society
The ACMP is hosting a panel discussion with ACB women to set the tone about how ACB women should critically think about beauty and loving self.
Discussion Topics include but not limited to:
• Contributions and Success of Black Women in society
• Code Switching
• Challenges faced by Black Women in society
• Black Women’s influence on society
When: Friday, March 26th,
Time: 7 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Zoom
Keynote Speakers
Camille Williams-Taylor
Director of Education, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
Over a thirty year career, Camille Williams-Taylor has worked in education settings from Winnipeg to Montreal, with the better part of her career spent in schools and education systems in Ontario.
A graduate of the University of Manitoba and McGill University, Camille is currently serving as the Director of Education for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board which is a district of 147 schools and over 75,000 students. Her previous experiences in education include roles at the Ministry of Education, York University’s Faculty of Education and at a number of school districts including Durham, Toronto and Peel.
While her experiences are varied, Camille’s commitment to student achievement through teaching excellence and equitable opportunities has been and continues to be the common thread. She believes that educators must ensure that each and every student has the tools to unleash their potential and author their own story.
Camille is a wife, and a mother to three daughters.
Cindy Karugia
Financial Advisor at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Cindy is a Financial Advisor at Canada’s largest financial institution, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). At RBC, she helps lead a collaborative team dedicated to serving the needs of her local community by making financial literacy accessible and affordable to all. In her work, Ms. Karugia advocates for the importance of diverse viewpoints as a branch champion of RBC’s Future Launch, co-chair of the RBC Black Professional Network steering committee and acts in the capacity of regional lead for Women Employee Resource Group
During her undergraduate years, Cindy pursued a criminology degree (B. Crim. Hons) which led to an understanding of the complex relationship between crime and socio-economic status. Imparted with this new knowledge, Cindy entered the financial world with the aim to address the ills of social stratification typically magnified by age, race, and gender.
Outside of work, Cindy lends her time and expertise to local and national projects with the likes of G(irls) 20, YWCA Canada, and Plan International Canada. Cindy’s volunteerism spans gender equality, multiculturalism, and inclusive leadership.
Within her community, Cindy sits on her Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot support committee. As well she serves on her local Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee. Cindy is very passionate about challenging the status quo and looks to develop more leadership spaces for Black women.
Panelists
Dr. Brenda Dogbey
Dr. Brenda Dogbey aka the Career Slay Mama works for the Federal Government. She is currently Acting Director of Strategic Policy at the Office of the Chief Scientist Natural Resources Canada. She has a Ph.D. in Population Health from the University of Ottawa. She runs a blog Career Slay Mama where she provides strategic career advice to early and mid-career professionals so they can slay their career goals every day.
Read more at www.careerslaymama.com or follow her @careerslaymama on FB, IG, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Agnes Appiah Apawu
Agnes Appiah Apawu is a Ghanain Canadian raised in Montreal,and now blazing her own trail in Gatineau, Quebec. A Specials Events Mc and host of Umami Conversations Podcast.
She presently works as a program support worker for Indegenious Service Canada.
Agnes aims to spread love and light in this world while continually working on her mental, spiritual and physical health.
You can find her on instagram as @amasuccess1.
Terena Baldwin
Terena was born and raised in Toronto, as her parents and grandparents. She studied at York University, Glendon campus and now works with the Toronto District School Board. Terena started by volunteering at schools and loved it so much that she decided to apply. Terena has been with the board for more than 15 years as a Severe Needs Assistant (SNA). She has worked with kindergarten to grade 12 in many inner-city schools in Toronto over the years. Currently she works with students who range with different disabilitie.
When she has free time, she enjoys watching movies with her son, going to the museum (when we could) or watching him play his video games. Her other hobbies include baking, reading and listening to music, but not necessarily in that order.
El Jones
El Jones is a spoken word poet, educator, journalist, and community activist living in African Nova Scotia. She was the fifth Poet Laureate of Halifax. In 2016, El was a recipient of the Burnley “Rocky” Jones human rights award for her community work and work in prison justice. She is a co-founder of the Black Power Hour, a live radio show with incarcerated people on CKDU that creates space for people inside to share their creative work and discuss contemporary social and political issues. El was appointed the Nancy’s Chair of Women’s Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University for the 2017-2019 term. She is a winner of two Atlantic Journalism gold awards in 2018 and 2019. Her book of spoken word poetry, Live from the Afrikan Resistance! was published by Roseway Press in 2014.
El would like to pay tribute to the many nameless and unrecognized women whose work makes it possible for her to be here today.
Dr. Veronica Adu-Bobie
Dr. Veronica has served the All Nations Full Gospel Churches International (ANFGCI) as a full-time pastor since 1992 under the leadership of her pastors Dr. Samuel and Dr. Rose Donkor.
In 1998, her ministry led her to Canada’s capital, where she planted the Ottawa branch. The church started with nine members and grew to over 300 members in attendance; undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing churches in the city at the time. In 2005, she was transferred to Hamilton, Ontario where she pastored successfully for three years before heading to Oslo, Norway, where she pastored for five years. In 2014, she came back to the National Capital Region and planted the Gatineau branch. In 2016, after several years of hard work and dedication, she became a Senior Associate Pastor and took over the Ottawa branch, where she will retire.
She ministers with the love of God and a genuine desire to help people achieve their life goals and fulfill destiny. She speaks God’s Word with power and her spiritual gifts coupled with her great sense of humour make her a pleasant minister to learn from. Dr. Veronica is endowed with a gift to lead. She is the current Superintendent of the Eastern District where she oversees 13 churches.
With God’s help, she has raised two successful children. Her son Richard is a former Canadian Olympian and is married to his lovely wife Sheena. Her daughter Roslyn, a worship leader, is happily married to her husband Yves and they have a handsome son Zachary.