I am an associate professor in the School of Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University. I hold a PhD in Sociology and Equity Studies in Education (OISE/University of Toronto), a Masters in Counselling Psychology (University of Toronto), and a Bachelor of Arts - Honours (York Univers...
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I am an associate professor in the School of Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University. I hold a PhD in Sociology and Equity Studies in Education (OISE/University of Toronto), a Masters in Counselling Psychology (University of Toronto), and a Bachelor of Arts - Honours (York University). In addition to these, I have also obtained a Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Toronto.
I have over 25 years of experience in a range of sectors including education, justice, community based and not-for profit organizations. I have worked as a front line therapist with youth and families who have experienced a range of personal challenges, and experienced varying forms of violence. I have also provided individual and group-based supports for survivors of sexual and domestic abuse and continue to provide integration and settlement supports for immigrant and refugee mothers in Etobicoke. My direct service work has also included being a youth counsellor with youth identified as being at risk in Toronto area schools and a counsellor on the adolescent ward of a mental health hospital in Maryland, U.S.A.
In addition to my academic and field based experiences, I have conducted worked in the areas of diversity training and developing cultural competence programming for over 15 years. I have provided supports to school boards, organizational leaders, front-line staff and for-profit organizations, to strategically enhance the organizational environment and enhance knowledge and application of diversity related policies. Additionally, I have developed the anti-Black racism curriculum and training material for the City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) Unit, and continue to provide training and consultation for the City.
In 2010, I developed a strengths-based student support program called The Bridge which is the first of its kind in any Canadian college or university. The program develops and implements a range or personal, academic and career related programming aimed at fostering and enhancing academic success in post-secondary institutions amongst students who self-identify as African, Black and Caribbean. The program, which has a significant research component, has supported students in transitioning from college to university, increase program completion rates and enhanced their preparation for graduate studies.
My program of research and scholarship focuses on the factors that foster healthy racial identity development amongst Black children and youth; the role of anti-oppressive praxis for child and youth care practitioners working with marginalized children and their families; and exploring resilience amongst Black girls in care and those who have aged out of care. I also conduct research on Black student engagement and retention in the post-secondary and the experiences of high achieving Black students (HABS).
I have published widely in the areas of race, racism and equity in the education and justice systems in the Canadian context and have completed an edited collection titled: Diversity, Justice and Community: The Canadian Context.
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