Advisory Board | The Harriet Tubman Institute

Rosemary Sadlier, OOnt

rebsl — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 15:57:10 +0000

Rosemary Sadlier OOnt [Order of Ontario] is a renowned diversity, inclusion, and equity consultant, social justice advocate, researcher, best selling author, and international speaker specializing in Black History, anti-racism, and women's issues. With a remarkable 22-year tenure as President of the Ontario Black History Society, she spearheaded the establishment of February as Black History Month nationwide and with over 20 years of advocacy, secured the recognition of August 1st as Emancipation Day at all levels of government. Sadlier played a pivotal role in the creation of the national day for the Hon. Lincoln Alexander as well as a bust of him at Queen’s Park. She has provided expert input to various organizations, including the UN Rapporteur on Race Relations, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Historica and the Bi-National Study of the Underground Railroad. She has been honoured with Hon. Doctorates from University of Toronto, OCAD and TMU (pending). As an educator, she has contributed to African Canadian curriculum development, national exhibits, and publications, authoring eight books on African Canadian history. Committed to social justice, Sadlier uses the lens of Black History to educate and empower others.

She is the sole proprietor of Sadlier Communications and provides speaking engagements, keynote speeches, consulting, and other services.

Keywords: BLACK HISTORY, BLACK CANADIAN HISTORY, WOMEN'S HISTORY

Henry Gomez

rebsl — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 05:29:45 +0000

Henry Gomez is an educator, who was formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) as a high school teacher; and was nominated for a Teacher- of-The-Year award. He specialized in English Literature, Media Studies and Drama. He holds an MFA in Theatre and a BA in English from 91��ɫ and obtained his B. Ed from the University of Toronto. He believes in lifelong learning. After retirement from active teaching, he returned to 91��ɫ, where he recently defended his master’s thesis in Interdisciplinary Studies.

He was born and grew up in Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago, where he began his career in education. As an actor, composer, recording artiste and radio host, he has an extensive background in various aspects of the performing arts in Canada and internationally.

He has worked in radio, television, film and theatre; and has hosted shows on CFRB 1010 and CIUT 89.5 FM. He has also worked as a theatre director and Master of Ceremonies. Under his sobriquet, King Cosmos, he became a Canadian Calypso Monarch, the winner of a Canadian Urban Music Award and a Canadian Reggae Music Award. He is also a Sunshine Award nominee. His community service includes helping to develop the Caribbean cultural arts in Toronto. He is a founding member and first Chair/Secretary of the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) and a past Chair of the Caribana Arts Group. For the period 2012 to 2014, he led the team that produced the Flags and Colours children’s carnival for residents of the Jane and Finch community in Toronto. Henry looks forward to working for the betterment of the Harriet Tubman Institute.

Keywords: carnival, calypso, music, culture, Caribbean, Toronto, Africa, Canada, Trinidad, Tobago, Trinbago

Gertrude Mianda

rebsl — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:14:28 +0000

Gertude Mianda is the former Director of the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas at 91��ɫ. She is a Professor in the Gender and Women’s Studies program at Glendon College and was the Chair of the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at 91��ɫ (2011–15). Her research focuses on gender and post-colonialism in Africa—particularly on Congolese women—gender development and globalization as well as on immigration. Her immigration research focuses primarily on francophone Africans in the minority francophone community in Canada, particularly their economic and social integration.