Biography

DeRico Symonds

DeRico Symonds is an 8th generation African Nova Scotian. He is the Director of Engagement & Justice Initiatives as well as an Impact of Race and Culture (IRCA) Assessor with the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI). He serves as the president/founder of Ignite Consulting & holds an undergraduate degree in Child & Youth Study, & an Africentric MEd in Counselling.

He served as Senior Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister in Nova Scotia’s Office of Equity & Anti-Racism Initiatives. He spent 11 years with Halifax’s municipal government, including 5 years managing community crime prevention programs.