TBPC 2019 Theme
The theme for TBPC 2019 was Black Inclusion and Innovation. Applying an anti-Black racism lens, this conference explored what innovation means for Toronto’s Black communities now and in the future. Conversations were guided by the following questions: Is the increasing use of technology, the city’s popularity and rising income inequalities a step-forward or a step back for Black-identifying Torontonians? Does this innovation transition present us with an opportunity or an obstacle?
TBPC 2019 Theme
The theme for TBPC 2019 was Black Inclusion and Innovation. Applying an anti-Black racism lens, this conference explored what innovation means for Toronto’s Black communities now and in the future. Conversations were guided by the following questions: Is the increasing use of technology, the city’s popularity and rising income inequalities a step-forward or a step back for Black-identifying Torontonians? Does this innovation transition present us with an opportunity or an obstacle?
Speakers
| TIME | SESSION BREAKDOWN | SPEAKER |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30am – 9:45am | Opening Remarks | |
| 9:45am – 10:00am | Opening Act | |
| 10:00am – 11:00am | Opening Keynote (In Conversation) | |
| 11:00am – 12:00pm | Morning Breakout | |
| 12:00pm – 12:55pm | LUNCH Speed Networking (Optional) | |
| 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Afternoon Breakout | |
| 2:05pm – 2:35pm | Closing Keynote |
OPENING KEYNOTE
OPENING KEYNOTE
Innovation in Black Communities
Professor Marieme Lo, PhD
Associate Director, Education, School of Cities Associate Professor, Women & Gender Studies Director & Associate Professor, African Studies University of Toronto
Moderator
Moderator
Isaac Olowolafe Jr.
Real Estate Entrepreneur Angel Investor & Philanthropist Dream Maker Inc.
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Innovations in Mental Health for Black Communities
This panel seeks to engage in dialogue on mental health stigmas in Toronto’s Black communities, explore ways it can impair youth and adult development in the areas of education and employment, and seeks to explore programming and policy levers currently in place to provide a roadmap forward.
Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best, PhD
Lecturer at York University, Department of Anthropology Project Manager, Pathways to Care Public Health Researcher
Moderator
Moderator
Joseph Smith
Senior PhD student, Educator & Co-Founder of Generation Chosen
Panelist
Panelist
Dr. Beverly Jean-Daniel, PhD
Consultant, Founder of The Bridge & Professor, Ryerson University
Panelist
Panelist
Celina Caesar-Chavannes
Former Member of Parliament Whitby
Panelist
Panelist
Black Northern Touch: Shaping Arts, Culture and Music
The goal of this panel is to explore the arts — a universal element in Black cultures — and how policy has shaped the arts scene in Toronto and for Toronto’s Black creatives. Has policy encouraged or hindered the growth and success of artists in the city? What else can be done to nurture the city’s creatives? How can creatives navigate the complexities of art policy in the city?
Dr. Cheryl Thompson, PhD
Author and Assistant Professor School of Creative Industries, Ryerson University
Moderator
Moderator
Cheryl Nembhard
Filmmaker, Playwright, Author & Social Justice Advocate
Panelist
Panelist
Kevin Ormbsy
Artistic Director of KasheDance, Cultural Advocate & Arts Strategist
Panelist
Panelist
Charles C. Smith
Lecturer, University of Toronto Scarborough
Panelist
Panelist
Enhancing Toronto’s Black Economy
This panel will explore innovative strategies to enhancing the financial success of Toronto’s Black communities and Black-owned businesses. Panelists will tackle access to financial literacy in the city’s Black communities and how to support Black-owned businesses in scaling up. This panel is timely as November is Financial Literacy Month.
Nechelle Bartley
Financial Strategist, Money Basics
Moderator
Moderator
Jillisa Brown
Director of Community Engagement, Intuit Consulting
Panelist
Panelist
Meryl Afrika
President, Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals
Panelist
Panelist
Ryan Knight
Founder, Detailing Knights & ACBN Canada
Panelist
Panelist
The Future of Work for Toronto’s Black Communities
This panel seeks to explore the future of work for Toronto’s Black communities and the challenges that may be encountered in this transition by the city’s Black professionals and youth on the verge of entering the workforce. How will technology change the way we work? What kind of work will be needed in the future? And what skills will be necessary to succeed?
Lekan Olawoye
Founder & CEO, TALENT X
Moderator
Moderator
Omo Akintan
Chief People Officer People & Equity Division, City of Toronto
Panelist
Panelist
Rosemarie Powell
Executive Director, Toronto Community Benefits Network
Panelist
Panelist
Liban Abokor
Executive Director, Youth LEAPS
Panelist
Panelist
CLOSING KEYNOTE
Political Activism: At the Table or on the Streets?
This in conversation keynote aptly closes the conference by exploring the topic of political activism and where it is most effective for Black community members. Is it on the streets with other activists, outside of the bureaucracy? Or inside the institutions, alongside politicians and policy-makers? Or both? Or neither?
Laura Mae Lindo
Member of Provincial Parliament Activist & Educator
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Marcell Wilson
Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, One By One Movement
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
GALLERY
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