On May 3, Leadership Niagara welcomed this year’s Community Leadership Development cohort for a learning day at the Niagara Folks Arts Multicultural Center. The day was centred on exploring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to promote a healthier, more productive, and unified community.
The day kicked off with curated content from Zainab Awad, Manager of Health Equity at Niagara Health. Discussions about privilege, unconscious bias, intersectionality, and cultural humility prompted learning to better equip our leaders in navigating relationships with care, and thoughtfully dismantling biases to create more equitable opportunities.
Participants also had the opportunity to learn from Whit Ross, 2SLGBTQIA+ Advocate and Associate Director of Educational Development at Niagara College. Whit spoke about supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Individuals and Communities. Participants explored concepts related to understanding sexual orientation and gender diversity to promote inclusivity and foster a community where every individual feels seen, valued, and free to express their authentic selves.
Marcella Blanchard, FASD Service Planner and Program Coordinator at De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre spoke about understanding indigeneity and allyship. Marcella shared powerful stories that reinforced the importance of acknowledging past injustices and the active inclusion and support of Indigenous voices.
The day additionally included a guided tour of the Niagara Folks Arts Multicultural Center to learn about the newcomer and immigrant settlement programs and services offered. Participants also received an uplifting visit from Therapy Tails, providing an opportunity for emotional release to help participants process their experiences in a therapeutic way.
After an immersive day of dynamic learning, participants left with proactive strategies to establish safe spaces and embody effective allyship. Empowering our leaders to enact policies and practices that foster a deeper understanding, empathy, and respect for equity deserving individuals and groups.
Creating safe and inclusive spaces where all individuals are valued and their unique identities are celebrated is a critical skill requirement for today’s leaders. The richness of diverse viewpoints contributes tremendously to the quality of collective decision-making. It's the key to unlocking growth and our shared future in Niagara.
Leadership Niagara would like to thank Zainab Awad, Whit Ross, Marcella Blanchard, the team at the Niagara Folks Arts Multicultural Center and Therapy Tails for their contributions to the learning day.
