The 2021 Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education is the first-of-its-kind partnership in Canada and arguably anywhere in the world.Signed by 60 signatories from universities and colleges across Canada, the Charter is more than just an agreement on anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian higher education. It is a commitment by signatory institutions to ensure Black students, faculty and staff will thrive, flourish and succeed in their institutions and communities through targeted policies, programs, initiatives, engagement, supports and accountability for results.The Scarborough Charter Secretariat is currently hosted at the University of Toronto Scarborough and governed by an Inter-Institutional Steering Committee (IISC). Work is underway to make the Secretariat a standalone, incorporated charitable entity based in Ottawa, governed by a Board of Directors selected from leadership of universities and colleges across Canada. As the inaugural Executive Director, my core job functions are to ensure the vision, mission, guiding principles, key priorities, results, accountability, metrics, partnership engagement, sustainability, multi-year business planning, process to becoming a standalone entity in Ottawa, staffing, space leasing, and other key strategic and operational requirements of the Scarborough Charter Secretariat are determined, executed and delivered.

As the Executive Director of Equity & Engagement Division at the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW), I had the lead accountability to ensure equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility (EDIRA), employee inputs, public engagement, community voices and performance metrics were proactively embedded within provincial legislation, strategic plans and key programs within a health system workforce of 6 partners and 35,000 staff.The 6 partners that make up the Nova Scotia health system include DHW, Office of Addictions and Mental Health (OAMH), Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment (OHPR), Seniors and Long-Term Care (SLTC), Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), and IWK Health. Some of my key leadership functions were: . Developed and implemented the first legislated Health Equity Framework for Nova Scotia - first of its kind in Canada. The Framework has 35 actions improving outcomes for residents through better policies and operations, resident feedback, new programs, enhanced equity leadership, and system partnerships. . Chaired various health system tables, such the Health Equity Partnership, and the Public Health Agency of Canada's IPF Steering Committee comprising of government, health operators, community organizations and academia.. Launched the first public engagement framework, including the creation of capacity building training and engagement practices for system staff, and the engage4health.ca online hub to engage residents on priority health initiatives. . Launched new plans and initiatives, such as the Staff Equity Strategy with 25 actions, the Leadership Equity Achievement Program (LEAP) that builds mid-management equity staff to become senior leaders, the Equity Youth Experience Program internships for Grades 11, 12 and 1st year University, etc. System lead advisor for key HR equity operations such as attraction and retention of equity staff, human rights complaints, investigations, resolutions, discipline, etc

Inaugural Director of Equity and Engagement at the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW), where I built the health equity foundation and engagement infrastructure at the department. Provided leadership to staff, policies and services, established the division's staffing structure, strategic priorities, budgets and KPIs. Provided advice to the Minister, Deputy Minister and senior executives on equity issues within the department and the health system. Built a more inclusive and stronger sense of belonging for racialized and equity staff within the department. The 7 key divisional priorities accomplished included: . Assessed equity barriers within the department and recommended solutions. Activated inclusive public engagement initiatives to ensure community voices, evidence-based data and lived experiences continue to inform and shape the government’s vision for a more engaging and equitable health system for Nova Scotians. . Provided leadership to provincial race-based initiatives in health, such as the Fair Care Project, Count Yourself In, How's Work Going?, and Moving Towards Equity Report. . Provided equity advice and inclusion lenses into the department’s policies, practices and business operations. Identified and removed systemic barriers, and built a culture of strategic attraction, retention and improved the overall sense of belonging for equity and racialized staff . Directed and advised on staff inclusion and equity training, and supported related communities of practice. Built community capacity relating to equity, programs and initiatives, such as grants administration and new programs

Based at the City Manager's Office and previously at the Healthy and Safe Communities Dept., I provided leadership to various community initiatives that built a culture of public participation, embedded community EDI/ARAO lenses into City operations, and made Hamilton a more engaged and inclusive community. Some of these initiatives included:• Co-Chair of the Hamilton Anchor Institutions Leadership (HAIL) Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Task Force. HAIL is a collaborative of Hamilton's 15 largest employers and policy makers. • Staff lead for re-establishing the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) as a community-based agency that supports residents experiencing racism. hamilton.ca/anti-racism• Staff lead advisor on equity and engagement with the Public Health Service, supporting COVID-19 vaccine rollout among Black and racialized community groups and associations. • Leadership for the $6.1m City Enrichment Fund (CEF) grants provided to various community groups, programs and events. hamilton.ca/cef• Leadership for the 100-member City's Public Engagement Community of Practice. hamilton.ca/publicengagement • Leadership in establishing Hamilton's first Urban Indigenous Strategy and staffing of the Indigenous Unit. hamilton.ca/indigenous• Leadership responsibility for various community strategies such as Age-Friendly Hamilton (seniors strategy) , Youth Strategy and the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP).• Led Our Future Hamilton initiative- the City's largest public engagement which engaged with 55,000 residents and stakeholders to create a new 25-year Community Vision. hamilton.ca/ourfuturehamilton• Led the City’s coordination to resettle 1,700 Syrian refugees in Hamilton. Partnered with over 75 organizations . Oversaw the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Syrian Newcomers. • Established the annual Hamilton Public Engagement Summit attended by 500 participants. hamilton.ca/ofhsummit

I led the Cultural Research Unit. Some of my key contributions to the Mississauga community included:• As researcher, led the research components of Mississauga’s first Culture Master Plan. Work entailed extensive research, surveys, audience assessment and community engagement.• As project manager, led the Mississauga award-winning and pace-setting Cultural Resource Mapping project. Project was featured in the Globe & Mail and the Public Sector Digest. • As project manager, successfully led Mississauga’s bid to host the 2018 Creative City Network of Canada (CCNC) Summit. The CCNC serves about 150 Canadian municipalities. • As project manager or service lead, led or supported key community projects such as strategic plans for Mississauga Celebration Square, Living Art Centre, Meadowvale Theatre, Heritage & Museums, Festivals and Cultural Partnership.• As service lead, developed the first Cultural Research Framework for Mississauga. The framework advanced an effective research strategy required to meet the City's cultural vision, goals and priorities. • As service lead, produced an annual Culture Report Card to Mississauga residents. The report card highlighted the achievements of Mississauga culture, key sectoral trends and performance metrics.

Part of a project team that developed the 40-year Strategic Plan for the City of Mississauga.