Celebrating Black History and Futures Month

Steel Pan with Suzette Vidale
February 6, 12 – 1 p.m. |  Peter Gilgan Atrium
Join us for music and treats as Suzette Vidale will present an interactive performance on the steel pan in the Peter Gilgan Atrium, playing your steel pan favourites and giving you the chance to try steel pan out for yourself. T-shirts will be available for purchase.

Book Signing with Gayle Gonsalves
February 12, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Peter Gilgan Atrium/the Labyrinth
Gayle Gonsalves, a celebrated storyteller, will give a reading from one of her books as well as signing and selling copies of her works.

11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. –  Book selling and signing, treats and T-shirt sales in the Peter Gilgan Atrium
1:40 – 2:00 p.m. – Book reading in the Labyrinth

Drumming with Drums Etal
February 19, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | The Labyrinth
Babarinde Williams from Drums Etal will be leading an interactive drum circle in the Labyrinth, offering two 30-minute sessions starting at 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. Space is first come, first served.

BHFM Marketplace
February 19, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Peter Gilgan Atrium
The BHFM marketplace will offer a chance to find skin care products, baskets, jewelry, décor, clothing and accessories, made with care by local Black vendors.

Dance Performance & Workshop
February 26, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Peter Gilgan Atrium/the Labyrinth
Kemora Manning will be performing a dance solo in the atrium, followed by a dance workshop in the Labyrinth, all skills and abilities welcome! Treat giveaways, T-shirt sales and a raffle will be taking place in the Peter Gilgan Atrium. RSVP here for the dance workshop.

Book Signing with Aretha Wilson
February 26, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Peter Gilgan Atrium
Aretha Wilson, author of the book Thursdays, will be selling and signing copies of her books in the Peter Gilgan Atrium.

T-Shirts for Sale!

The limited-edition ‘Black Joy T-Shirt’ will be available at our atrium booth events for $20 (cash only, while quantities last). Proceeds will be donated to the Black Health Alliance.

To purchase a t-shirt anytime, please email equity@wchospital.ca.

At Women’s, we are committed to dismantling anti-Black racism (ABR) and creating a safe, welcoming space for our Black staff, physicians, volunteers, patients and community members. We are working to enhance the voices of Black community members and equity-deserving groups through initiatives like our Community Voices Survey, so that we can continue to build programs and services that respond to the specific needs of the Black community. This will allow us to build upon the already incredible work taking place, such as the Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening for Black Women, Best Health for Black Women, and Take Action, Take Control; an upcoming genetic cancer testing initiative for Black women.

Taking Action – Our Journey to Dismantle Anti-Black Racism

Women’s College Hospital is committed to dismantling systemic racism and oppression. Last year, we shared a report with an update on our journey to dismantle anti-Black racism (ABR).

The goals of our ABR corporate commitments include:

• Improved experience for Black staff, physicians and volunteers
• Increased opportunity for engagement in decision making
• Evolved partnerships with Black communities and the organizations that serve them
• Measuring and working to increase diversity and representation across the organization
• Measuring What Matters

See the full update: www.womenscollegehospital.ca/antiblackracismreport

African, Black and Caribbean Employee Resource Group (ABC ERG)

In fulfillment of our Anti-Black Racism (ABR) Corporate Commitment to creating psychologically safe spaces through the establishment of engagement processes, the first Employee Resource Group was created through the Corporate Equity Committee in November 2022.

What is it for?

Established for persons who identify as African, Black and Caribbean, the group is intentionally designed to:

1. Build psychological safety and sense of belonging.
2. Empower employees and support staff retention
3. Act as a resource, which can be leveraged by leadership in strategic decision-making

More specially, the ABC ERG Conceptual working group has agreed on a mandate to serve as:

1. A safe, welcoming and surveillance-free space for all Black staff at WCH
2. An accountability framework, for our WCH ABR Corporate Commitments, which monitors and addresses concerns of:
   • How Blackness is perceived and welcomed at the hospital
   • Persistent systemic issues that exist for Black staff, which impact their tenure at WCH
   • How our recruitment and promotion policies support members of the Black community
   • How WCH relationships with our community partners support Black health equity (and it’s intersections)
3. A forum for education around issues of Black culture and Black Health Equity, including the planning of special events

Members of the African, Black and Caribbean Employee Resource Group

Name	Designation
Janelle Noel	Service Coordinator, Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre; Coordinator, Infant CPR Program
Angella Lakhan	Surgical Services Secretary
Leonie Wizzard	Administrative Patient Flow Supervisor, Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute (TAPMI)/Crossroads Refugee Clinic
Allan Smart	Addiction Outreach Worker, Substance Use Services / Addictions Medicine
Sandra Tahal	Medical Secretary, Surgical Clinics
Judy Redhead	Environmental Services Partner, Environmental Services
Sandra Robinson	Director, Peri-operative Services
Rochelle Simmons
Victoria Ennis
Sharon Senior
Vanessa Lashley
Tsige Yimer

Member Testimonials

 

 

To help introduce members of the African, Black and Caribbean Employee Resource Group (ABC ERG), we asked them why they chose to participate. Here’s what they had to say:

Allan Smart, Addiction Outreach Worker, Substance Use Services/Addictions Medicine

First, let me quickly introduce myself for those who do not know me. My name is Allan Smart and I have worked at WCH in the Substance Use Department for over four years- working and helping people with mental health and addictions is something I have a very strong passion for.  I really love and enjoy my job. This is the same passion that I have for safety, equity and inclusion for all, regardless of colour, social status in the organization, sexual orientation, culture, political or religious beliefs.

That is why I joined the CEC (Corporate Equity Committee) and, when given the opportunity to be a part of the African, Black and Caribbean Employee Resource Group (ABC ERG), I jumped at it. This was, in my mind, an extension of a platform that is aimed to create safe spaces. I joined also because this was fully endorsed by upper Management, which I think is serious in their efforts to achieve parity here at Women’s. I know this statement might be met with some cynicism, and maybe rightly so. I do strongly believe though, that the ERG could be a platform to help address or alleviate some of this cynicism. This I think, can be done through information sharing, gathering and actions taken. I make this statement because as a CEC member, I am privy to relevant updates through our meetings, that I believe are communicated to all staff through various mediums, but might need innovative ways to bring more awareness to staff that might not have access.

This idea to create an ERG, specific to Black Employees, here at Women’s, was from the innovative mind of our Director of Anti Racism, Equity and Social Accountability, Suzanne Charles Watson.

The idea was to create a safe space for Black Employees to come together, get to know each other, bring ideas and innovation, bring forth and discuss issues or concerns they might be facing in their respective departments where they otherwise do not feel like they have a platform to share and get support safely. In my assessment it was not meant to be a space for negative conversation/actions or plotting or even bad talking peers, supervisors or managers or to put down the organization. This also encouraged and strengthened my immediate interest in becoming a member.

This is a new initiative for this organization and I am fully aware that this could be met with some skepticism and resistance. I have come to learn that you don’t “tear down walls and build bridges out of fear.” My hope is that the creation of the ERG will be a part of an effort to eradicate fears, eliminate barriers, address biases and build bridges through communication, education, collaboration and allyship.

Sandra Tahal, Medical Secretary, Surgical Clinics

I am truly honored for the opportunity to become a member of the first ever African, Black and Caribbean Employee Resource Group (ABC ERG) at Women’s College Hospital. This is amazing!

I joined this group because, as a person of color, it is somewhat difficult to navigate through the healthcare system as an employee or as a patient. The organization has provided us with the opportunity to push forward in making impactful changes to facilitate an even more diverse place to work. I am looking forward to making positive change here at WCH as a member of the ABC ERG!

Angella Lakhan, Surgical Services Secretary

I was asked to join the ABC ERG to help support my peers who identify as Black. However I can with whatever resources we have available here at WCH, we are all excited by this opportunity and I think it will be rewarding for all of us that are involved. I’m looking forward to this exciting new chapter at WCH!

Leonie Wizzard, Administrative Patient Flow Supervisor, Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute (TAPMI)/Crossroads Refugee Clinic

I joined the African Black Caribbean Employee Resource Group (ABC ERG) to support, create, and implement cultural change within the organization. As a member of the inaugural ABC ERG at Women’s College Hospital it is significant for me to be one of the voices for those individuals who identify as Black and who consider themselves to be unheard – I want to give them the opportunity to be heard. This platform provides an opportunity for black individuals throughout the organization to feel free and open to discuss any challenges, barriers, suggestions, or recommendations they might face or have on an ongoing basis. Having the knowledge, awareness, and lens to visibly identify with the ABC ERG enables empowerment and transparency for Black employees to connect confidently while securing and building indelible relationships.

I am elated, humbled, and honored to be a part of this wonderful journey, removing barriers, and fostering the importance of valuable and essential connectedness, collaboration, partnership, trust, fulfillment, and a sense of immediate purpose ensuring there is a place and a space for all Black employees to articulate freely, respectfully and without feeling judged or dismissed.

This direction has been a long-time awaited and is welcome as a clear indicator that the organization is fully onboard to support ongoing growth, allyship and advancement for the ABC ERG and Black individuals within the organization going forward presently and futuristically.

Janelle Noel, Service Coordinator, Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre (SA/DVCC), Coordinator, Infant CPR Program

I joined the ERG because I realized that the Black employees at WCH need a voice. After 25 years at WCH, I see the changes happening for Black employees and Black healthcare provision.  I wanted to be the liaison for the employees that have something to say but do not know where to start.

 

We are Women’s: Black History and Futures Edition Spotlights

For Black History and Futures Month, we are spotlighting and celebrating our Black team and community members from across the organization as part of our We are Women’s series. Stay tuned for updates to this section throughout the month of February!

Read More

BHFM: Meet Angella!

Angella is a Surgical Services Secretary/Medical Administrative Assistant with Perioperative Services at WCH. Angella shares how her Black heritage influences her work in healthcare, how she gets to be a familiar face to comfort Black patients coming in for their appointments. She thinks cultural differences are a primary concern for Black patients seeking healthcare, and emphasizes the responsibility of care providers to understand the community that they serve.

BHFM: Meet Pricilla!

Priscilla Adu-Poku is a Rotating Charge Registered Nurse in the Peri-Anesthesia Unit who shares how through the Ghanian traditions instilled by her parents, she has learned an enriched perspective on life and health practices and why representation matters in healthcare. For Priscilla, Black History & Futures Month offers an opportunity to celebrate how Black individuals have prevailed through unimaginable treatments and suffering to not only survive but also thrive.

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BHFM: Meet Anderson

Anderson Bemian is a Registered Practical Nurse and has been on the WCH team for seven years! Anderson shares why Black History and Futures Month is significant to him, and how he feels engaged to share this significance with future generations.

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BHFM: Meet Stacey

Stacey Callendar is a Facilities and Operations Specialist and has been on the WCH team for over five years! Stacey shares why she feels historical representation is important – read more about what this month means to her and what type of role models she looks for throughout her life.

Read more

Featured Artists & Speakers

Suzette Vidale – Steelpan Artist

With roots from St. Lucia and Trinidad, the home of the steelpan, Suzette has incorporated the rich and vibrant cultures of Toronto into her diverse repertoire. As an ambassador of steelpan, she has introduced this instrument, its history, and its unique sound to local schools, corporations, and attendees of countless diverse events. Her love of working with the community has allowed her to merge her craft with education and teach with a focus on cooperation and team building through the use of the steelpan. 

“Aside from seeing the steel pan being incorporated into educational institutions at all levels, my most favourite shift is the inclusion of the instrument as a wellness tool. I have had some of the greatest moments connecting with our city’s most vulnerable citizens. I am always learning from others while doing steel pan workshops for the homeless, at-risk youth as well as marginalized women who have experienced trauma.” — Suzette Vidale

Gayle Gonsalves – Author

Gayle Gonsalves is an established storyteller. Her first novel, My Stories Have No Endings, received 6 Indie awards – 2021 NIEA Finalist, 2021 CIPA EVVY Award – 2nd Place Women’s Fiction; 2021 NYC Big Book Award – Distinguished Favorite; 2022 Independent Press Award – Distinguished Favorite;  2022 The Next Generation Indie Book Awards – Winner Multicultural Fiction; 2022 Global Book Awards – Gold Prize Winner (Worldwide Fiction). 

Her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, such as The Bluelight Corner, In The Black, Tongues of the Ocean, and So The Nailhead Bend, So the Story Ends. Her first book, Painting Pictures and Other Stories, published in 2013, is a collection of lyrical stories of love and betrayal, reflection and reconciliation in Canada and Antigua. 

Gonsalves enriches her narrative by evoking colours, textures and shapes with words. She’s lived in Antigua and Canada. Gayle is a graduate of York Universityin Toronto, the city where she currently lives and writes.

Babarinde Williams – Drummer

Babarinde Williams, an award winning, ethnomusicologist, multi-instrumentalist, master drummer, Griot (storyteller) and motivational speaker has traveled throughout his native West Africa studying traditional percussion, dance and storytelling techniques. He has also been featured on TEDtalks (university of Windsor) and other academic forums. He was born in Nigeria and had been playing drums as soon as he could walk. His most unforgettable experience was playing for Nelson Mandela when he paid a visit to the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Babarinde Williams has a BA (Honors) in English and an Education Diploma from George Brown College.

Tisa Knight – Asili Living Co.

At Asili Living Co., we envision a world where beauty and wellness coexist harmoniously, empowering individuals to embrace their natural beauty without compromising their health. Founded by Tisa Knight, who has personally navigated the challenges of hormone-disrupting conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, our mission is to provide clean, effective skincare solutions that honor the body’s natural processes. We believe that aging is a privilege, and our products are designed to celebrate this journey with grace and authenticity.

Drawing inspiration from Tisa’s own struggles and her relentless quest for clean beauty alternatives, Asili Living Co. is committed to transparency and quality. We meticulously curate our skincare line using potent plant extracts sourced from various corners of the globe, ensuring that each product is not only effective but also safe for your body and the environment. Our dedication to affordable luxury means that self-care and the pursuit of beauty are accessible to all, without the hidden costs of harmful chemicals.

Asili Living Co. stands as a beacon for women over 40, and indeed for anyone, seeking to find their place in society while indulging in the simple pleasures of self-care. We are here to remind you that your desire to feel beautiful should never come at the expense of your health. With a commitment to integrity and the power of nature, Asili Living Co. invites you to join us in redefining beauty standards and embracing a life of holistic wellness.

Fanny Ngantcheu – Kwesiya

Kwesiya is a Toronto based lifestyle brand renowned for its original use of prints and colors. The company’s product portfolio includes high-quality Clothing, versatile Accessories as well as Home Décor items. They specialize in the use of block print textiles, vibrant fabrics characteristic of West Africa, fusing them with textiles from different part of the world, to create pieces that would appeal to consumers globally. When Kwesiya was founded in 2013, its unparalleled mix of textures, patterns and styles gave it a strong and unique identity.

Kwesiya [kwé-see-ya] which means “Mix It” in a Cameroonian dialect, defines the brand and its essence of inclusion. Their primary mission is to captivate audiences from all cultures, while promoting the use of African fabrics. From business attire, fresh and casual outfits to special event wear, they create pieces that can be worn by anybody, anywhere, and for any occasion.

Cameroonian born, raised in Paris (France), Fanny Ngantcheu lived in several international cities which allowed her to witness a great variety of cosmopolitan fashion trends. A global fashion experience is one of the essences of the brand. Fanny works with the most distinct textiles from Cotton, handwoven fabrics, silk, linen, sourced from small artisanal communities around the world; that are then paired with African textiles sources in West Africa. Their Designs are not just a juxtaposition of bold lines, and vibrant colors and textures. It’s a juxtaposition of cultures.

Marieme Seck – Dryanke

Dryanke aims to provide an immersive experience into the West African lifestyle and esthetics. Dryanke sells beautiful and unique handmade baskets, home decor, and handmade accessories from Senegal. Baskets are made from sweet grass and recycled plastics. They can be used for organizations, home decor, and wall hanging.

Kemora Manning – Dancer

Kemora has been dancing since she was 4 years of age. She is trained in the styles of tap, ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, Afro-Caribbean, and West African dance. Kemora received her formal dance training at the Children and Youth Dance Theatre of Toronto, where she performed with the Elite team at competitions including Starcatchers, On the Floor, Inspire Dance Challenge and Jump Dance. She attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts as a dance major and now attends York University where she is pursuing a double major, with Dance as one of her majors. Dancing has allowed her to grow her skills professionally, to travel and represent Canada in Barbados for the 13th annual Carifesta, Trinidad for the 14th annual Carifesta, Scotland for the first annual Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival, and Jamaica for the 2016 Marcus Garvey celebration. Kemora has also had the opportunity to transfer her skill to work behind the scenes and has directed 3 productions, “Owning Our Roots, Telling Our Truths” and “Black as Bright as the Sun”. Her philosophy in life is “Be versatile”.

BLACK HISTORY. BLACK FUTURES. IT’S MORE THAN A MONTH.

Depending on where you are in your journey, how confident you feel to engage with the material, and your current time commitments, the following lists of books, online articles, online lectures, documentaries, films and social media provide you with opportunities to explore the pertinent issues in different ways and at your leisure. Have time? Why not read a book or stream a movie? Less time? How about an online article, an online lecture or a documentary? Want current information? A podcast, maybe? Interested in offering financial support to Black-owned businesses and causes? Donate to any of the many organizations doing good work. Just looking for some inspiration? Visit the Listening corner. And because learning about the history of racism and systemic discrimination faced by Black communities can trigger difficult emotions, consider one of the meditations in Self-care.

2024 Gallery

2023 Gallery Archive