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Black Opportunity Fund
  • Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) Presents a National Black Justice Strategy Townhall to discuss the recommendations for CANADA’S BLACK JUSTICE STRATEGY

  • October 8, 2024
  • 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm est
EVENTS DETAILS

Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) Presents a National Black Justice Strategy Townhall to discuss the recommendations for CANADA’S BLACK JUSTICE STRATEGY

The Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) invites you to attend an important National Townhall to discuss the Steering Committee’s recommendations for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, which are currently under consideration for implementation by the government (report link: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/cbjs-scjn/transformative-transformateur/pdf/CS-24-110-CBJS-GV-DA_06-25-24-EN.pdf).

Format: In-person and on-line  

In-person location: Northrop Frye Hall, University of Toronto  (73 Queen’s Park Cres E Building 515, Toronto, ON M5S 2C3)

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM EST

Through presentations by the Co-Authors of A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, as well as a panel of issues experts from across the country, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the recommendations, the rationale behind them, the potential government response, and the implications for restorative and reparatory justice.  

The event will feature a presentation by External Steering Committee Members and the Co-Authors of A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy who will share insights into the Steering Committee’s process, outline the key recommendations, the expected government response, and engage in a Q&A session. 

  •  Zilla Jones – Criminal defense lawyer, Writer, and Anti-racism educator   
  • Akwasi Owusu-Bempah – Associate Professor at University of Toronto and Director of Research for the Campaign for Cannabis Amnesty 

Followed by insights from a panel of esteemed experts, including:  

  • Dr. Myrna Lashley – CM, Associate Professor, Dept. of Medicine, Division of Trans-cultural psychiatry, McGill University and researcher at the Culture and Mental Health Research Unit of the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research
  • DeRico Symonds – Director of Community Engagement and Justice Initiatives, African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI) and President & Founder of Ignite Consulting  
  • Dunia Nur – President & CEO, African Canadian Civic Engagement Council  
  • Craig Wellington – CEO at Black Opportunity Fund  

We extend our gratitude to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) and the University of Toronto’s Criminology and Socio-Legal Departments for their generous sponsorship and support of this critical discussion on the Black Justice Strategy.  

In person registration link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/black-opportunity-fund-bof-black-justice-strategy-townhall-tickets-1013156728047?aff=oddtdtcreator

Virtual registration link: https://share.hsforms.com/1BCU9puHxRN28g7uAPISbog4xq13   

 

BOF LEADERSHIP TEAM - BIOS

 Zilla Jones

Criminal defense lawyer, Writer, and Anti-racism educator

Link to biography

 

Akwasi Owusu-Bempah

Associate Professor at University of Toronto and Sr. Fellow at Massey College

Link to biography

 

Dr. Myrna Lashley

CM, Associate Professor, Dept. of  Medicine, Division of Trans-cultural  psychiatry,  McGill University and researcher at the Culture and Mental Health Research Unit of the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research

Link to biography

 

DeRico Symonds

Director of Community Engagement and Justice Initiatives, African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI) and President & Founder of Ignite Consulting  

Link to biography

 

Dunia Nur

President & CEO, African Canadian Civic Engagement Council  

Link to biography 

 

Craig Wellington

CEO at Black Opportunity Fund  

Link to biography

 

Beatrice Jauregui

Associate Professor, Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies; Chair, Research Cluster for the Study of Racism and Inequality

Link to biography

 

Professor Kamari Clarke

Distinguished Professor of Transnational Justice and Director, Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies 

Link to biography

 

Black Opportunity Fund
AGENDA
Topic Agenda Time
Opening Remarks

Lesa Williams-George, Director of Equity, Inclusion & Transformative Practices,
Victoria University, U of T

6:00 pm - 
Indigenous Welcome & Smudging

First Nations Elder Andrew Wesley

 

6:03 pm - 
African ancestral acknowledgement and welcome from Black Opportunity Fund

Donna Walwyn, BOF Vice Chair, of the Board of Directors

6:07 pm - 
Remarks from the Minister

Video from Minister Arif Virani, Member of Parliament

 

6:10 pm - 
Remarks from University of Toronto

Beatrice Jauregui, Associate Professor, Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies; Chair, Research Cluster for the Study of Racism and Inequality

 

6:13 pm - 
Remarks from Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF)

Fatma Hassan, Director of Public Policy

6:16 pm - 
Presentation by External Steering Committee Members and Co-Authors of A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy

 

6:19 pm - 
Moderated Q & A Zilla and Akwasi

Professor Kamari Clarke, Distinguished Professor of Transnational Justice and Director, Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies 

 

6:50 pm - 
Panel Discussion

Moderated by Craig Wellington, CEO at Black Opportunity Fund

Panelists:

 

7:15 pm - 
Part 2 - Q & A

Moderated by Craig Wellington, CEO at Black Opportunity Fund . 

Zilla and Akwasi to join the panelists on stage.

 

 

7:50 pm - 
Closing remarks and thank you

by  Craig Wellington, CEO at Black Opportunity Fund

 

8:05 pm - 

  

 

 

Let's Talk About:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HFZ98X9