Item - 2023.CA6.4

Candidates' biographies:

George Amoh

George Amoh is a Green Career Specialist with niche sustainability consulting experience. As a Black Male, he has several systemic barriers. He noticed a lack of representation, active inclusion, and leadership within sustainability from BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). His focus has been and will always be championing Climate Justice based initiatives that not only inspire Black folks but also empower them to act. Collaboration is key; "If not now...Then When?"

Beverly-Jean Daniel

Dr. Beverly-Jean Daniel holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, a Masters in Counselling Psychology (University of Toronto), and a Bachelor of Arts - Honours (York University). For more than 35 years her academic work has investigated and conceptualized the entanglements of race and racialization as connected to urban education.

Halimo Hashi

My name is Halimo Hashi. I am a black critical social worker living in one of Canada's most diverse communities, Scarborough. I work in many fields including forensics, mental health, settlement and academia. In my positions of hospital and community worker, as well as university lecturer, I champion a critical and intersectional lens that honors the lived experience of my clients and students. I am a firm believer of bottom-up solutions that place the power of change in the hands of the people.

Walied Khogali Ali

Walied has lived in Regent Park with his family since 2005, known for working with residents from all backgrounds to create safe, inclusive, sustainable communities that are free from discrimination and hate. As a Canadian Muslim who immigrated from Sudan, he has experienced firsthand what it’s like to be a newcomer youth growing up in Toronto. He has worked to champion issues such as affordable housing, transit, environmental stewardship, equity, and human rights across the City of Toronto.

Queen Kukoyi

Queen Kukoyi [They/She] Black, Gender-Queer, Nerodivergent, Creative Technology Artist, and award winning scholar whose practice encompasses Queer theory, Afrofuturism, and Noetic sciences. Queen is also the Founding co-lead of Oddside Arts and has been serving the community for 20+ years, combating structural violence against Black and Indigenous youth through youth service resources, arts education programs in schools, community centres and justice advocacy.

Shannon Lawrence

Shannon Lawrence is an urban designer and community development planner; she holds a MSc in Building and Urban Design from University College London and a BA in Development Studies and Economics from McGill University. Shannon has extensive experience working with citizen groups, local governments and NGO's in North America, West Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia. Shannon was a Toronto Urban Fellow and previously worked for the United Nations. Currently she works at 8 80 Cities.

Salma Malin

Salma Malin is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, having previously obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto. She is passionate about policymaking that addresses systemic issues and advances the interests of marginalized communities, working towards a more equitable and just future for all. Salma is deeply committed to creating an inclusive society that values every member and recognizes their contributions.

May Mohamed

Maymuna (May) Mohamed is a writer, illustrator and arts-educator based out of Tkaronto. In her role as an arts-educator, she facilitates & manages programs that use narrative based art approaches to reclaim power and spark meaningful conversations. She has opened for The Roots and Shane Koyczan with her poems. She manages the IMARA Generation Project, an Afrocentric mental health literacy training program that serves Black youth, parents, faith based leaders & service providers in the GTA.

Kathy Moscou

Dr. Kathy Moscou is Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Faculty of Design, OCAD University and Fellow at WHO Collaborating Centre for Governance, Accountability and Transparency in the Pharmaceutical Sector, Univ. of Toronto. She has a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences-Global Health and Masters Public Health. She uses decolonized frameworks to examine governance and policy to foster wholistic health, inclusive neighbourhoods and equity. As a member of the Solid Black Collective she mentors Black youth.

Charis Newton-Thompson

As a retiree, Charis Newton-Thompson graduated from Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto with a PhD (2020) her focus was the mentorship experiences of Black female administrators in Southern Ontario Public Secondary Schools. She was employed as an educator in Guyana, Jamaica and Canada for over 30 years. Charis began volunteering in Toronto with the Black Education Project as a tutor/mentor over 45 years ago. Currently she continues her advocacy work with organizations such as Canadian Alliance of Black Educators.

Lucina Rakotovao

Lucina possesses experience in health equity, anti-racism, and social policy across public service contexts and academia. She is a recent Master of Public Health graduate whose advocacy work lies at the intersections of racial justice and health geography, urban placemaking and sustainability, and housing access and gentrification. She is interested in the creation of healthy cities using community action and policy informed by decolonial, intersectional Black feminist praxes.

Rosemary Sadlier

Rosemary Sadlier OOnt (Order of Ontario) is a social justice advocate, researcher, writer, author, consultant and international speaker on Black History, anti-racism and women's issues. She is the past President, serving for 22 years as the unpaid leader of the Ontario Black History Society. She was the driving force of all secured commemorations of Feb as Black History Month, she initiated and championed August 1st as Emancipation Day since 1995. Sadlier is dedicated to social justice through education and action.

Efia Tekyi-Annan

Efia is a community member mother of three, entrepreneur, advocate, agent of social of change and public speaker. Efia is the co-founder of Black Lives For Change and organization set on bettering the lives of Black people in our community. The owner of African Royalty started in 2014 that focuses on bringing the culture of Ghana West Africa to the Western world. Educating others on the beauty and history of our culture with a modern twist.

Amanyire William

Dr. Amanyire William has worked in the Canadian Health Care sector with different Organizations like Carelinks, Canadian Red Cross and African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario, addressing barriers and inequities in service delivery experienced by African, Caribbean, and Black communities. A physician by training, Amanyire holds an Executive certification in Advanced Health care Leadership, masters of Public Health, a Doctor of Medicine, a PGD in Health Administration and a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, at the pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 14, 2026, continuing to serve until successors are appointed:

George Amoh

Beverly-Jean Daniel

Halimo Hashi

Walied Khogali Ali

Queen Kukoyi

Shannon Lawrence

Salma Malin

May Mohamed

Kathy Moscou

Charis Newton-Thompson

Lucina Rakotovao

Rosemary Sadlier

Efia Tekyi-Annan

Amanyire William

2. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (May 16, 2023) from the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration remain confidential as it relates to personal matters about identifiable individuals who are being considered for appointment to the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee.

Candidates' biographies:

George Amoh

George Amoh is a Green Career Specialist with niche sustainability consulting experience. As a Black Male, he has several systemic barriers. He noticed a lack of representation, active inclusion, and leadership within sustainability from BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). His focus has been and will always be championing Climate Justice based initiatives that not only inspire Black folks but also empower them to act. Collaboration is key; "If not now...Then When?"

Beverly-Jean Daniel

Dr. Beverly-Jean Daniel holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, a Masters in Counselling Psychology (University of Toronto), and a Bachelor of Arts - Honours (York University). For more than 35 years her academic work has investigated and conceptualized the entanglements of race and racialization as connected to urban education.

Halimo Hashi

My name is Halimo Hashi. I am a black critical social worker living in one of Canada's most diverse communities, Scarborough. I work in many fields including forensics, mental health, settlement and academia. In my positions of hospital and community worker, as well as university lecturer, I champion a critical and intersectional lens that honors the lived experience of my clients and students. I am a firm believer of bottom-up solutions that place the power of change in the hands of the people.

Walied Khogali Ali

Walied has lived in Regent Park with his family since 2005, known for working with residents from all backgrounds to create safe, inclusive, sustainable communities that are free from discrimination and hate. As a Canadian Muslim who immigrated from Sudan, he has experienced firsthand what it’s like to be a newcomer youth growing up in Toronto. He has worked to champion issues such as affordable housing, transit, environmental stewardship, equity, and human rights across the City of Toronto.

Queen Kukoyi

Queen Kukoyi [They/She] Black, Gender-Queer, Nerodivergent, Creative Technology Artist, and award winning scholar whose practice encompasses Queer theory, Afrofuturism, and Noetic sciences. Queen is also the Founding co-lead of Oddside Arts and has been serving the community for 20+ years, combating structural violence against Black and Indigenous youth through youth service resources, arts education programs in schools, community centres and justice advocacy.

Shannon Lawrence

Shannon Lawrence is an urban designer and community development planner; she holds a MSc in Building and Urban Design from University College London and a BA in Development Studies and Economics from McGill University. Shannon has extensive experience working with citizen groups, local governments and NGO's in North America, West Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia. Shannon was a Toronto Urban Fellow and previously worked for the United Nations. Currently she works at 8 80 Cities.

Salma Malin

Salma Malin is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, having previously obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto. She is passionate about policymaking that addresses systemic issues and advances the interests of marginalized communities, working towards a more equitable and just future for all. Salma is deeply committed to creating an inclusive society that values every member and recognizes their contributions.

May Mohamed

Maymuna (May) Mohamed is a writer, illustrator and arts-educator based out of Tkaronto. In her role as an arts-educator, she facilitates & manages programs that use narrative based art approaches to reclaim power and spark meaningful conversations. She has opened for The Roots and Shane Koyczan with her poems. She manages the IMARA Generation Project, an Afrocentric mental health literacy training program that serves Black youth, parents, faith based leaders & service providers in the GTA.

Kathy Moscou

Dr. Kathy Moscou is Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Faculty of Design, OCAD University and Fellow at WHO Collaborating Centre for Governance, Accountability and Transparency in the Pharmaceutical Sector, Univ. of Toronto. She has a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences-Global Health & Masters Public Health. She uses decolonized frameworks to examine governance and policy to foster wholistic health, inclusive neighbourhoods and equity. As a member of the Solid Black Collective she mentors Black youth.

Charis Newton-Thompson

As a retiree, Charis Newton-Thompson graduated from OISE/UT with a PhD (2020) her focus was the mentorship experiences of Black female administrators in Southern Ontario Public Secondary Schools. She was employed as an educator in Guyana, Jamaica and Canada for over 30 years. Charis began volunteering in Toronto with the Black Education Project as a tutor/mentor over 45 years ago. Currently she continues her advocacy work with organizations such as Canadian Alliance of Black Educators (CABE).

Lucina Rakotovao

Lucina possesses experience in health equity, anti-racism, and social policy across public service contexts and academia. She is a recent Master of Public Health graduate whose advocacy work lies at the intersections of racial justice and health geography, urban placemaking and sustainability, and housing access and gentrification. She is interested in the creation of healthy cities using community action and policy informed by decolonial, intersectional Black feminist praxes.

Rosemary Sadlier

Rosemary Sadlier OOnt (Order of Ontario) is a social justice advocate, researcher, writer, author, consultant & international speaker on Black History, anti-racism & women's issues. She is the past President, serving for 22 years as the unpaid leader of the OBHS. She was the driving force of all secured commemorations of Feb as Black History Month, she initiated & championed August 1st as Emancipation Day since 1995. Sadlier is dedicated to social justice through education & action.

Efia Tekyi-Annan

Efia is a community member mother of three, entrepreneur, advocate, agent of social of change and public speaker. Efia is the co-founder of Black Lives For Change and organization set on bettering the lives of Black people in our community. The owner of African Royalty started in 2014 that focuses on bringing the culture of Ghana West Africa to the Western world. Educating others on thebeauty and history of our culture with a modern twist.

Amanyire William

Dr. Amanyire William has worked in the Canadian Health Care sector with different Organizations like Carelinks, Canadian Red Cross and ACCHO, addressing barriers and inequities in service delivery experienced by African, Caribbean, and Black communities. A physician by training, Amanyire holds an Executive certification in Advanced Health care Leadership, masters of Public Health, a Doctor of Medicine, a PGD in Health Administration and a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health.

The report recommends the appointment of 14 community members to the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Council Advisory Committee.