Black on the Ballot: Centring Black Narratives in Public Life

A Black History Month Event

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (Reception 6-7 p.m. | Panel Discussion 7-8:30 p.m.)
Richcraft Atrium, Carleton University

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:
Garvia Bailey, co-founder of Media Girlfriends and producer of Black on the Ballot

Balarama Holness, founder of Montreal in Action & Mouvement Montréal

Angela Simmonds, former MLA and first Black Deputy Speaker in Nova Scotia’s history

Erin Tolley, project lead and Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race and Inclusive Politics at Carleton University

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

Wisdom Tettey (opening remarks), President and Vice Chancellor, Carleton University