Watch the replay on the DalhousieU YouTube channel.

As we commemorate African Heritage Month, join us as Wes Hall and Dahabo Ahmed Omer of The BlackNorth Initiative discuss the historical context and cultural impact of systemic anti-Black racism in Canada, consider the influence of the Black Lives Matter movement, and share data showcasing evidence of anti-Black racism. Leave this virtual event with knowledge and actions you can take to become an active ally, create real change in your community, and help end anti-Black systemic racism.

Attendees are invited to participate in the discussion by posting questions and comments during the live event.

February 24, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Atlantic Time

The Shaar Shalom Lecture at Dalhousie University is a significant annual lecture made possible through the generosity of the Shaar Shalom Synagogue of Halifax. The Shaar Shalom’s unique partnership with Dalhousie University seeks to explore the broad themes of tolerance, multiculturalism, diversity, and difference in contemporary society, and demonstrates our shared interest in bringing in-depth discussion of these themes to wider civil society.

Presenters

Wes Hall is Founder and Chairman of The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism and the BlackNorth Initiative. He is an established innovator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. As Executive Chairman and Founder of Kingsdale Advisors, he has been named one of Canada’s most powerful business people. He is also the owner of QM Environmental, Titan Supply, and Harbor Club hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, one of St. Lucia’s premier resorts. In 2020, Mr. Hall was appointed to the Ontario government’s Capital Markets Modernization Task Force, and was named one of Toronto Life magazine’s “50 most influential Torontonians.”

Dahabo Ahmed Omer is the Executive Director of the BlackNorth Initiative. She has accumulated a wealth of experience and accomplishments in the performance measurement, policy development, HR planning analysis and employment equity and diversity sectors.

She is a founding member of the Justice for Abdirahman Coalition, a previous member of the Black Agenda Noir organization, and is currently the Chair of the Federation of Black Canadians, which advances the social, economic and cultural interests of Canadians of African descent.

Ms. Ahmed was recently named one of the 100 most influential people of African descent under age 40, an international award in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent.