February is Black History Month (BHM, Ontario) and African Heritage Month (Nova Scotia). The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Anti-Black Racism working group committee invites you to join in this year’s Black History Month events. Black History Month is a time to celebrate, acknowledge, and recognize the contributions of Black Canadians.  This includes and is not limited to excellence in science, education, public policy, music, arts, culture, and sports. The occasion offers us the opportunity to celebrate Black excellence,  resilience, and joy, and raise awareness of the resistance, struggles, and injustices experienced by Black people throughout history. The University’s commitment to the Scarborough Charter is an important highlight of Black History Month as we continue the work of undoing anti-Black racism and creating a conducive environment for Black inclusion to thrive on our campuses.  During the final year of the International Decade of People of African Descent (2015-2024) declared by the United Nations, let us reflect on lessons learned on what the future holds for Black people around the globe. 

Our 2024 theme for Black History Month is Black Futures & Afro-Futurism. This theme highlights the past and present allowing us to reimagine together the future and create a new empowering narrative of our history. It is an opportunity to dream, meditate, and celebrate who we are now and will be for generations to come.  Here, we can reimagine new forms of optimism for Black communities to thrive. We encourage you to commit to learning and engaging more with diverse Black histories and communities. 

Black History Month Virtual Anti-Black Racism Seminar with Dr. Evelyn Kissi 

• Date: February 29, 2024
• Time: 11:30 am-1:00 pm
• Zoom Link –  Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fAPjYGwrSimyndmrnMswdQ#/registration

Dr. Evelyn Folake Kissi is a distinguished African scholar with citizenship in Ghana, Nigeria, and Canada. Her expertise lies in the intersection of Black Critical Disability, Black Global Health, and Early Childhood Development Studies and Education. Over her 25-year career, she has collaborated with various organizations globally, spanning Africa, North America, and Europe.

Dr. Kissi earned her doctorate in Critical Disability Studies from York University, Toronto, and holds an MA in the same field, focusing on Early Childhood Education and Policy. Her undergraduate degree in Health Policy emphasizes Early Interventions, policies, and access for children with disabilities.

Professionally, Dr. Kissi has conducted training on confronting Anti-Black Racism in curriculum, early interventions, and policies for institutions such as the City of Toronto. She has worked with grassroots community organizations, education institutions, and government bodies. Her roles include Consultant to Youth Shelters, managing intervention and mental health programs, and serving as a Community/Program Facilitator for underserved communities.

Dr. Kissi contributed to the Black Health Matters COVID-19 research project at the University of Toronto and served as a Professor in the Child Development program at Seneca College and Humber College, Toronto. She managed the University of Ghana Satellite Campus in the Bono Region and is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Teacher Education and the West African Genetics Medicine Centre.

Dr. Kissi is a Lecturer at the University of Ghana, where she recently organized a successful Global Disability in Education conference, addressing challenges and solutions for disabled communities in education, supported by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) connection grants. The conference attracted over 500 participants globally.