On April 2, 2025, health professionals from across Toronto gathered for the Cultural Inclusion and Accountability Workshop Part II: Advancing Research Ethics with Black Communities and Participants. The event was hosted by the Department of Academics at Women’s College Hospital.
The workshop drew approximately 70 participants from a wide range of institutions beyond Women’s College Hospital (WCH), including Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital, University Health Network, Trillium Health Partners, Wellesley Institute, Black Health Alliance, and Women’s Health in Women’s Hands.
The day began with opening remarks from the event facilitator and lead organizer, Victoria Ennis, Academic Cultural Inclusion Specialist, Learning Health System and the Office of Equity. She was followed by Dr. Cindy Maxwell, Vice President, Medical Affairs and System Transformation and Lead Medical Executive and Dr. Rulan Parekh, Vice President, Academics, who welcomed attendees.
Dr. Notisha Massaquoi, assistant professor, Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, and founding director, Black Health Equity Lab, shared a pre-recorded message offering an introductory framework on the importance of cultural inclusion in research.
“Research can’t just be to find out more about Black health; it has to be a means for supporting the community.” – Dr. Notisha Massaquoi
Session 1, titled Foundations: Anti-Black Racism in Research/Ethics, was led by Dr. Lydia-Joi Marshall, project lead, Health Commons Solutions Lab. Her presentation focused on institutional barriers to research and community engagement and accountability in research practices.
Session 2 featured a panel discussion on Community Engagement and Ensuring Ethical Research Regarding Black Communities and Participants. The panel included:
- Dr. Crystal Clark, scientist, Women’s College Hospital Research and Innovation Institute and psychiatrist, WCH
- Deliah Ofosu-Barko, director, Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners
- Dr. Priscilla Boakye, assistant professor, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Dr. Ibukun Abejirinde, scientist, Learning Health Systems, Trillium Health Partners
Following the panel, participants joined a breakout session focused on community engagement and research ethics. Attendees split into smaller groups to engage in thoughtful, in-depth discussions around best practices and lived experiences.
After lunch and a networking break, the participants reconvened for a morning debrief. The session concluded with a reflection and Q&A by Chika Maduakolam, doctoral student at York University.
“Ethics must evolve with equity.” – Chika Maduakolam
Session 3, titled Engagement, Governance, Access and Protection (EGAP) & Data Governance, was presented by Dr. Kwame McKenzie, senior scientist and Director of Health Equity, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at CAMH and Jemal Demeke, researcher, Wellesley Institute. Their presentation outlined the importance of data in health research and how data can be used to create more equitable health outcomes.
To close the day, a final breakout session was held, focusing on the topic of Black heterogeneity and data. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue about the complexity and diversity within Black communities, and how research practices can more accurately reflect them.
“Thank you for the way in which this workshop was designed. It truly centered the voices, knowledge, and experience of Black identifying individuals regarding their experiences. Their knowledge to help inform how to approach culturally inclusive research focused on Black health at the institutional and individual level was so powerful. Thank you for allowing this to occur and creating a supportive environment for it.” – Attendee, Cultural Inclusion and Accountability Workshop 2025
By prioritizing cultural inclusion and centering the voices of Black communities, WCH aims to foster more ethical and equitable research practices that lead to meaningful change and improved health outcomes for all.