Black on the Ballot, an event hosted by Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication in collaboration with the Department of Political Science, featured not only a celebration of Black History Month, but an in-depth discussion about the experiences of Black Canadians in public life.
By Karen Kelly
“The stories you hear tonight reflect a broader narrative about Black experiences in professional spaces and public life,” said Journalism Professor Nana aba Duncan, the evening’s moderator and director of the Mary Ann Shadd Centre for Journalism and Belonging. “What’s important is that this work moves us from being subjects of others’ stories to being the authors of our own narratives.”
The event, which took place Tuesday February 11, featured a panel discussion with Balarama Holness, the founder of Montreal in Action and Mouvement Montréal; Angela Simmonds, a former MLA and Nova Scotia’s first Black Deputy Speaker; and Garvia Bailey, co-founder of Media Girlfriends and producer of the Black on the Ballot podcast.
The event also included welcoming remarks from Carleton President Wisdom Tettey and Political Science Professor Erin Tolley, the Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race & Inclusive Politics.
Event Details
February 11, 2025
Live Event, Carleton University
Photos by Jaime Sadgrove
Prior to the panel discussion, Tolley shared highlights from her Black Canadians in Electoral Politics research report, which was drawn from “archival research, a national survey, and in-depth interviews with Black candidates and legislators.”
“The research report provides the most comprehensive account of Black Canadians’ experiences in politics that has ever been produced. It provides recommendations for increasing the number of Black Canadians who run for office and improving their experiences once they get there,” she said.
The findings of the report resonated with both Simmonds and Holness, who shared their experiences as politicians in Nova Scotia and Montreal, respectively.
Simmons shared the challenges she faced as a Black woman canvassing door-to-door, where she encountered racism from prospective voters. She also described the lack of support she received from her political party as the Deputy Speaker. Simmonds now heads a private firm that specializes in equity and inclusion in the workplace.
Holness described his efforts to bring Montreal’s disparate Black communities together as a candidate while also sharing a vision that extended beyond becoming Montreal’s “first Black mayor.” He recalled how, while his candidacy was focused squarely on reforming Montreal tax policy, major media outlets often ignored the issues he was campaigning on to highlight his race.
Both share their story on the Black on the Ballot podcast, which was produced by Garvia Bailey. She described her guiding principle to create a safe space for Black interviewees to share their stories honestly.
To learn more, listen to Black on the Ballot podcast here.
Read the Black Canadians in Electoral Politics research report here.
Story courtesy of Carleton University
Related reading
Black on the Ballot: Centring Black Narratives in Public Life – A Black History Month Event
Black and African-descended people have been present in Canada for hundreds of years, and yet their voices and stories are often excluded from public life. What new perspectives are gained when Black narratives are included in politics, journalism, and research, and what work is needed to get there?
Politicking While Black
On February 28, 2023, the Samara Centre for Democracy and Operation Black Vote organized a webinar on the experiences of Black Canadians in politics.
