Rising 2025: Black Excellence and Canadian Policy

Land Acknowledgement

Introductory Remarks

The masters of ceremonies open the conference.

Masters of ceremonies:

• Farahldine Boisclair, Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
• Sebastien N'Singi, Legal Counsel, Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Secretariat, Justice Canada

Opening remarks on behalf of the Canada School of Public Service

Speaker:

Nathalie Laviades Jodouin, Vice-President, Public Sector Operations and Inclusion Branch, Canada School of Public Service

Keynote #1: Setting the Stage

Keynote addressing Canada's commitments and ways to promote transparency and support for Black communities.

Speaker:

Bill Matthews, Secretary of the Treasury Board

Panel #1: Government Progress for Black Communities in Canada

A discussion with senior officials on government activities to support Black communities.

Panellists:

• Development Pillar: Karen Hall, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of Income Security and Social Development, Employment and Social Development Canada (Current Ministerial Lead on the UNDPAD)
• Recognition Pillar: Isabelle Mondou, Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage
• Justice Pillar: Shalene Curtis-Micallef, Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada (Current Ministerial Lead on Canada's Black Justice Strategy)

Moderator:

• Trudy Samuel, Director General, Equity Strategy Branch, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Panel #2: External Review of Anti-Black Racism in Canada

Research experts discuss systemic anti-Black racism in Canada and offer actionable policy insights.

Panellists:

• Hodan Ahmed Mohamed, Senior UN Human Rights Fellow for UNDPAD
• Rachel Zellars, Associate Professor, Department of Social Justice and Community Studies, Saint Mary's University
• Brittan Hudson, Director of Programs, Enchanté Network
• Liz Arnason, Founder and Chair of Board, Director of Education, Ase Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities

Moderator:

• Paula Folkes-Dallaire, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Presentation: The Impact and Achievements of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative

This presentation provides a high-level overview of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI), highlighting its mission, key accomplishments, and impact on Black-led organizations across Canada. It showcases how SBCCI has strengthened capacity, fostered partnerships, and advanced equity through targeted investments and community-driven initiatives.

Speaker:

• Muna Idris, Director General, Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, Employment and Social Development Canada

Panel #3: Dialogue with Members of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Members of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent share expert insights on Canada's role in advancing the UNDPAD and engaging the Black community.

Panellists:

• June Soomer, President (Saint Lucia)
• Gaynel Curry, Member (Bahamas)
• Justin Hansford, Member (U.S.)

Moderator:

• Ronald Sharpe, Senior Strategic Advisor, Federal Black Employee Caucus, and Senior Project Coordinator for Human Capital Management, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Day 1 Closing Remarks

The masters of ceremonies conclude Day 1 with reflections.

Black Policy Networking Event (in person only)

Introductory Remarks

Keynote #2: Celebrating Black Excellence

The keynote speaker talks about empowering Black Canadians to lead in policy and program design impacting their communities.

Speaker:

• Dr. Andrew B. Campbell, Assistant Professor, Leadership for Racial Justice, University of Toronto

Panel #4: Emerging Digital Technologies and Impacts on Black Communities in Canada

A session on the digital environment and ways in which Black communities should be tapping into emerging technologies to advance government operations.

Panellists:

• Ima Okonny, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Data Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada
• Tamar Huggins, Founder and CEO, Tech Spark
• Kori St-Cyr, Director, Policy and Government, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Moderator:

• Irwin Bess, Senior Executive Faculty Member, Canada School of Public Service

Workshop: Foresight Presentation and Interactive Session

Facilitator:

• Zan Chandler, Foresight Analyst and Innovation Facilitator, Policy Horizons Canada
• Jeff Brevil, Policy analyst, Policy Horizons Canada

In Practice: Integrating Black Perspectives in Policy-Making

The Canadian Black Policy Network shares its vision for advancing Black voices in shaping Canada's public policy issues by fostering collaboration among government, communities, businesses, and civil society.

Presenters:

• Derek Lett, Board Chair, Canadian Black Policy Network
• Lerato Chondoma, Board Secretary, Canadian Black Policy Network
• Nancy Wanye, Co-Executive Director, Canadian Black Policy Network

Moderator:

• Eunice K. Yeboah, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Canadian Black Policy Network

Panel: Reimagining Policy-Making

A discussion on the key principles and considerations of adaptive policy-making, including its ties to inclusivity and empowerment.

Panellists:

• Catherine Charbonneau, Director, Policy Community Partnerships Office
• Jean-Hugues Perreault, Manager, Policy Community Partnerships Office
• Brenda Dogbey, Chief Diversity Officer, Privy Council Office

Moderator:

• Leila Butoyi, Policy Analyst, Policy Community Partnerships Office

Day 2 Closing Remarks

The masters of ceremonies conclude Day 2 with reflections.

FBEC General Meeting (side event)

A side event exclusively for Federal Black Employee Caucus (FBEC) members to discuss updates, initiatives and member engagement.

Introductory Remarks

Fireside Chat on Black Leadership: Building an Inclusive and Equitable Future in Canada

A discussion on Black leadership and how to drive meaningful change and progress for future generations.

Panellists:

• Caroline Xavier, Chief, Communications Security Establishment
• Rob Meikle, Keynote Speaker, Executive Counsellor and Board Member Meikle 360 Impact

Panel #5: Equity, Justice, and Black Self-Advocacy in Government

A panel on advocating for Black public servants and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in government.

Panellists:

• Mante Molepo, Lawyer, Founder and CEO, Mante Molepo Consulting
• Gérard Étienne, Human Resource Consultant and Diversity and Inclusion Expert, Gerard Etienne Consulting
• Helen Ofosu, Organizational Psychologist, Author, and Speaker

Moderator:

• Ray Edwards, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Workshops: Workplace Safety, Black Health and Wellness, and Black Women in the Workforce

Workshop #1: Redefining Workplace Safety – Addressing Harassment and Discrimination Through Policy Action

A deep dive into Canadian policies addressing harassment and discrimination, specifically focusing on Black workers. This session examines how current policies impact grievance procedures and offers tools to support employees facing discrimination.

Facilitator:

• Alisha Kang, President, Union of National Employees
• Bernadeth Betchi, Coordinator, Union of National Employees

Workshop #2: Advancing Mental Health and Wellness in Black Communities

This session explores the impact of current health policies on Black Canadians, focusing on mental health, healthcare equity, and policy reforms to improve health outcomes.

Facilitator:

• Jude Mary Cénat, Associate Professor, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa

Workshop #3: Our Strength, Our Voice – Black Women in the Workforce (in-person)

A focused session on the unique challenges Black women face in the workplace, reviewing policies to ensure inclusivity and equity. The workshop also explores policy changes to support Black women in leadership.

Facilitator:

• Janice Anderson, Chair, FBEC Women's Caucus

Workshops: Workplace Safety, Black Health and Wellness, and Black Women in the Workforce (continued)

Workshop #1: Redefining Workplace Safety – Addressing Harassment and Discrimination Through Policy Action

A deep dive into Canadian policies addressing harassment and discrimination, specifically focusing on Black workers. This session examines how current policies impact grievance procedures and offers tools to support employees facing discrimination.

Facilitator:

• Alisha Kang, President, Union of National Employees
• Bernadeth Betchi, Coordinator, Union of National Employees

Workshop #2: Advancing Mental Health and Wellness in Black Communities

This session explores the impact of current health policies on Black Canadians, focusing on mental health, healthcare equity, and policy reforms to improve health outcomes.

Facilitator:

• Jude Mary Cénat, Associate Professor, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa

Workshop #3: Our Strength, Our Voice – Black Women in the Workforce (in-person)

A focused session on the unique challenges Black women face in the workplace, reviewing policies to ensure inclusivity and equity. The workshop also explores policy changes to support Black women in leadership.

Facilitator:

• Janice Anderson, Chair, FBEC Women's Caucus

Day 3 Closing Remarks and Next Steps

The masters of ceremonies wrap up the conference, highlight key takeaways, and provide closing acknowledgements.