Celebrating Black Brilliance in Social Work
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Celebrating Black Brilliance in Social Work
The ±«Óătv School of Social Work Diversity and Equity Committee (DEC) is committed to organizing thought-provoking events that amplify diverse voices. As part of our celebration of African Heritage Month, we are hosting a virtual panel discussion titled “Celebrating Black Brilliance in Social Work.”
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February 27, 5:30 -8:00 pm
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The Honourable
Wanda Thomas Bernard,
PhD, C.M., O.N.S.
Senator – Nova Scotia
(East Preston)
Biography: Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is the first African Nova Scotian woman to be appointed to the Senate of Canada, representing the province of Nova Scotia. Senator Bernard is a proud resident of East Preston, where she lives with her husband George, their daughter Candace, son-in-law David and grandsons Damon and Gavin. Senator Bernard champions issues impacting African Canadians and people living with disabilities. She is particularly invested in human rights, employment equity, and mental health. Through her involvement in community projects, her social work career, her time with ±«Óătv School of Social Work, and now her work in the Senate, Senator Bernard has maintained a deep dedication to social justice and racial justice. Senator Bernard advocates for reparations for the historical and continued anti-Black racism impacting the lives of African Canadians.Ěý
Dr. Valerie Borum
(she/her/hers)
Biography: Dr. Valerie Borum (she/her/hers) joined TMU as the Director of the School of Social Work in January 2020. Dr. Borum’s research and scholarship focus on the role of ethnoculture as a protective and promotive factor in health, mental health, and disabilities, with attention to populations of African descent. She studies the role of “whiteness” in undergirding anti-Black ideologies, incorporating Womanist and Afrocentric approaches.
She completed her post-doctoral studies (e.g., suicide and ethnoculture) at the University of Rochester, School of Medicine, NY, and her Ph.D. from Howard University (Historically Black University), MSW (taught in American Sign Language). Born/raised – in Chicago, USA.
Title of Presentation: Canada’s Intentional Erasure of its Black/African Roots: Afrocentric Implications for Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations (TRR-BC or Before Canada)
Shayla Dube
Biography: Shayla S. Dube, MSW, RSW, RCSW-S, is an interprovincially licensed Clinical Social Worker, epistemically curious social work instructor, anti-oppressive, board-approved clinical supervisor, and private practice owner committed to decolonizing mental health beyond mainstream clinical social work and western medicine. Specializing in cultural safety and workplace psychological health, she fosters inclusive, transculturally affirming and trauma-responsive spaces.
Planted in Zimbabwe, rooted in Africa, and grounded in Canada as an invited guest for 21 years, Shayla is a mother of three girls and comes from a lineage of matriarchal, strong African women. Guided by Ubuntu, she advances equity-driven healing that honors ancestral wisdom and communal solidarity.
Title of Presentation: Fostering Epistemic Freedom and Hermeneutical Justice in Social Work: Combating Eurocentric Hegemony and Cognitive Imperialism in Honour of Black History Month.
This event will be hosted on Microsoft Teams.