.png)
Happy Black History Month!
This February, the Black Inclusion Association is celebrating excellence in the Black community. This project is entitled the "BIAmazing" series. On this page, you can view our interviews of Black Canadian professionals and youth who are making exceptional impacts across the nation.
BIAmazing Feature: Dieulita Datus
.jpg)
Born in Haiti, raised in The Bahamas and currently calling Turtle Island home Dieulita Datus is a womanish, unapologetic, proud Black Haitian woman. Dieulita is a self proclaimed forever immigrant and always finds a way to connect with the land on which she finds herself as she is a descendent of generations of Haitian rice farmers. Dieulita is also the co-founder of Ubuntu – Mobilizing Central Alberta, a grassroot community organization in central Alberta.
Her favorite quote is by Shirley Chisholm, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair” which reminds her that she can demand a space at the table and can also fold her chair and leave when the space no longer serves her or her community. As a grassroots community organizer Dieulita is always optimistic about the future and enjoys hiking, sharing smiles and spending time with her family.
Our Head of Committees Ornela interviewed Dieulita about her work with Alberta's Black community. Read their article down below!
Week 3 Highlight: Adetola Adedipe
Adetola Adedipe aka aloT of Poetry, is a Nigerian poet born and raised in South Africa. Her recent immigration to Canada motivated her to use poetry to speak her truth about the world around her. She is a Black youth artist mentor, performer, Black Feminist, mental health advocate, event curator and brand designer. She is a spoken word featured artist and has performed at The Arts Commons Cabarets, Multiple Calgary events and is the November 2019 Calgary Slam Champion. Her poetry has been published in the YYC POP Anthology by Poet Laureate Sheri-D Wilson & Bi- Pan and F-Word Magazine and exhibited at Gallery@501.
A featured Poet in the Dogwood Reading Series, Stage to Page Workshop & The 2021 Afro Indie Book Fair and the Emancipation day celebration by the Official BLM Calgary. She is currently a teaching artist and facilitator for the Werklund School of Education's Decolonizing Literacy Webinar and workshop as she tries to use her work to spread communication and empathy. As a believer of self- truth she aims to build a community that encourages loving yourself and being unapologetic about it.
Our Treasurer Lloyd spoke to Tola about a few of her achievements Watch the interview down below!
Week 2 Highlight: Habon Ali
Habon Ali is a systems thinker who has been recognized as Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women (2021). She holds an MSc in Global Health from McMaster University and graduated as valedictorian from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelors of Science. Currently, she is an intern with the Ontario Legislature Internship Programme where she is learning more about health policy while expanding her understanding of provincial politics. She was recently named a Schwarzman Scholar and will be attending Tsinghua University in Beijing to study Global Affairs.
Habon advised PM Justin Trudeau for over two years while creating Canada's first National Youth Policy. She furthered social innovation projects at MaRS Discovery District and Grand Challenges Canada. Currently, Habon is the chair of the Board of Directors at Apathy is Boring. She also works with the Future of Canada project, which provides seed funding to catalyze research that explores the possibilities for Canada in the next decade. She is passionate about removing systemic barriers for youth, especially youth from communities who were made to be marginalized and vulnerable.
Our President Ganiyat spoke to Habon about some of her outstanding accomplishments. Watch the interview below!
Week 1 Highlight: Maame De-Heer
Maame De-Heer is an adept Public Health Professional with 9 years academic and professional expertise. Maame acquired a Masters of Public Health in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences from the University of Toronto, alongside a Collaborative Specialization in Global Health, Health Services & Policy Research. She serves as a Policy Analyst with the Government of Canada in the Public Health Agency division. She works with the Mental Health for Black Canadians Initiative, where she contributes to building evidence and enhancing community-led, culturally focused mental health interventions that target Black communities across Canada. Recently, Maame was appointed Associate Editor for the Canadian Review Editorial Law Proposal, where she assesses and examines Canada’s National Undergraduate Law Journal. Maame is also the Founder of a grassroots initiative called the Power of Love Foundation Canada. This organization provides services and resources to Black women and girls in low-income settings, with the aim of improving their overall wellbeing. She is the Founder of a Public speaking group called Silver Tongue Academy which helps people to effectively and confidently communicate their ideas. Maame’s lifelong goal is to impact members of the society through community engagement, mentorship, and service. Her life is guided by a famous quote from Muhammed Ali, which reads, "if your mind can conceive it and your heart can believe it, then you can achieve it."
