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?

Inspired by Black on the Ballot, a new podcast and research report documenting the experiences of Black Canadians in politics, this panel will provide a critical look at the experiences of Black Canadians in politics, and the role of the journalists and researchers who chronicle their stories. Panelists will discuss how to increase the number of Black Canadians in public life and offer practical strategies for integrating Black perspectives into politics, journalism, and research.

Panelists:

  • Angela Simmonds, Former MLA & first Black Deputy Speaker in Nova Scotia
  • Balarama Holness, Founder of Montréal in Action & Mouvement Montréal
  • Garvia Bailey, Co-founder of Media Girlfriends & producer of Black on the Ballot
  • Erin Tolley, Lead researcher & Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race & Inclusive Politics at Carleton University

Moderator:

Nana aba Duncan, Director of the Mary Ann Shadd Cary Centre for Journalism and Belonging & host of Black on the Ballot

Opening Remarks:

Wisdom Tettey, President & Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University

Presented by:

The Carleton University School of Journalism and Communication and the Department of Political Science, with support from the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs, the Bell Chair in Canadian Parliamentary Democracy, the Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race and Inclusive Politics & the Mary Ann Shadd Cary Centre for Journalism and Belonging.

Event Details

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Richcraft Hall, 2nd Floor Atrium
Carleton University