Sankofa K–3 Black Heritage Collection

Cicely Belle Blain is a community speaker, activist, author, and consultant. They are dedicated to combatting oppression and opening up dialogue about the importance of shared community. Cicely Belle has a Bachelor of Arts in Russian, Central European, East European, and Eurasian Studies from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Certificate in New Media Journalism from Simon Fraser University. They have received literary accolades for their poetry collection, Burning Sugar, and have made notable contributions to the community through developing an Intersectionality Toolkit for the city of Vancouver. Cicely Belle is the founder of the Vancouver chapter of Black Lives Matter and the founder and CEO of Bakau Consulting Inc., an organization that specializes in intersectional, anti-racist, and liberation-oriented consulting. In addition to running Bakau Consulting, Cicely Belle is an instructor in Executive Leadership at Simon Fraser University, a board member with the Tegan and Sara Foundation, and the Editorial Director at Ripple of Change magazine.

Coleen Birkett is an established teacher, writer, and consultant. She is dedicated to bringing the Black Canadian experience to the classroom. Coleen has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Environmental Health from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), and a Bachelor of Education from OISE at the University of Toronto. She has uplifted education through her work writing curriculum for the Ontario Black History Society, teaching and developing workshops all around the world from Central America to West Africa, and co-authoring the textbook Black History: Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Coleen is the co-creator and presenter of the See Us, Learn Us: Teaching the Black Canadian Experience webinar and is also currently a teacher with the Toronto District School Board.

Greg Birkett is a writer, educator, and speaker. Greg has a Bachelor of Arts in History from York University, and a Bachelor of Education from OISE at the University of Toronto. He is the playwright of two Toronto Fringe Festival plays, Do You Remember Me, and Pieces of a Black Women’s Soul. Greg is the founder and executive producer of God Is Awesome (G.I.A.) Productions, an organization that engages youth to communicate positive and educational messages through artistic means. He has written and consulted on curriculum for the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Ontario Black History Society. Greg is the co-author of the books Black History: Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas and The Great Black North poetry anthology. He is also the co-creator/presenter of See Us, Learn Us: Teaching the Black Canadian Experience, a nationwide webinar on education. Greg is currently a teacher with the Toronto District School Board, and a senior writer with CBC Kids Digital.

She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from Niagara University. Marsha is currently a teacher with the Peel District School Board.

Christian Mbanza is an educator and community organizer. He is passionate about increasing representation for the Black community in the Canadian Prairies, especially in Saskatchewan, and combatting institutional racism. Christian has a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education from the University of Regina. He works in community outreach through Black in Saskatchewan, an organization dedicated to addressing issues of social inequality and anti-Blackness. Christian is currently a teacher with the Regina Catholic School Board.

Tisha Nelson is an experienced educator, principal, and author. She is an advocate for inclusion, community engagement, breaking barriers, and motivating students to lead and learn. Tisha has a Bachelor of Arts in History from York University, a Master of Teaching from OISE at the University of Toronto, and a Doctorate in Philosophy in Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development from OISE. Tisha was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award at York Region District School Board in 2017 and is the author of Rights and Equality, a book addressing social justice advocation. She has co-hosted a voicED Radio reading and discussion of The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole, a book addressing modern racism in Canada, and was a course instructor and blogger with the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario. Tisha is currently an elementary school principal with the York Region District School Board and a curriculum developer for Lakehead University.

He was dedicated to addressing issues of Black masculinity, the importance of accessible education, and using culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy (CRRP) as a framework of analysis. Jay was a Coordinator of Equity with the Toronto District School Board and worked with the Black Student Success and Excellence initiative at the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement and Model Schools for Inner Cities. Jay Williams passed away in February 2024.

Rajean Willis is a social worker, writer, social justice advocate, and speaker. She is passionate about community outreach and representing Indigenous and African Nova Scotian culture. Rajean has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University and is currently a PhD candidate at Mount Saint Vincent University. She presented the keynote speech for Halifax Municipality’s International Women’s Day Conference in 2021 and gave a TEDx Talk entitled “Tuning Into Your Resiliency” on the resiliency of African Nova Scotians and the importance of community in 2020. Rajean is the co-author of children’s book Water Love and is the founder and host of “The Rajean Willis Show” on YouTube, a show that discusses difficult real-world issues. Rajean is currently a social worker, runs counselling services, and is an instructor at Dalhousie University.

Wendie Wilson is Executive Staff Officer – BIPOC Engagement and Advocacy with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union. She is a mother, educator, artist, writer, and community advocate with a Master of Education, specializing in Africentric Leadership, from Mount Saint Vincent University. Wendie is a member of the African Nova Scotian and Black Food Sovereignty working group for the Halifax region’s JustFOOD Action Plan, an initiative working to effect positive food system change. An active visual artist, she designed the African Nova Scotian flag to represent the culture and heritage of her community.