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Black Futures in Social Work

February 27 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Poster for Black Futures in Social Work featuring photos of the panelists. Text is repeated on the page below.

Location: Massey College | Junior Common Room | 4 Devonshire Pl, Toronto

Register for the Black Futures in Social Work event

Join us on the evening of February 27th as the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work celebrates Black Futures in Social Work during Black History Month.

Learn how Black social work scholars at U of T are transforming the field to advance equity and justice for Black communities. Join us for a discussion — and reception to follow — to explore how we can work together to build a better, more inclusive, tomorrow.

During this event, we hope to:

  • honour the legacies and contributions of Black communities in Canada to social work today,
  • promote the innovation, creativity, and vision of Black social work leaders who are part of the FIFSW community,
  • facilitate connection, among students, alumni, prospective students, researchers, and practitioners, and
  • provide space for attendees to share stories and collectively envision Black futures.

We are looking forward to an evening of connection and celebration. All are welcome.

Registration for this event is required for this in-person event. 

Photo notice: photography and video will be taken at this event. The photos or video may be included in online or print media for educational, promotional, and other official purposes by the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and the University of Toronto. If you would prefer not to have your image taken or published, please let us know by emailing alumni.fifsw@utoronto.ca

Featured panelists

Suliat Fehintola Akinwande

Suliat Fehintola AkinwandeSuliat Fehintola Akinwande’s PhD research is focused on the contextual stressors (climate change, poverty, HIV, mental health, and social marginalization) and protective factors (social, and financial support) influencing food insecurity of adolescent mothers living in resource limited settings. Her goal is to become a community engaged scholar who uses her work to address specific social problems, including poverty and marginalization.

Fehintola has extensive experience in implementation research working on the HIV Epidemic Control projects at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) in Abuja, Nigeria. As a Program officer/Pharmacy Lead, Fehintola also liaised with the Funders and other stakeholders on public health, quality assurance, project management, research, and capacity building. Additionally, she has worked with SSHINE Lab, an interdisciplinary community-based research team, on Mobile Health–Supported Virtual Reality, and with Group Problem Management Plus on a project examining the mental health and food insecurity of adolescents living in refugees. Fehintoloa received her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Birmingham and her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Lagos.

Travonne Edwards

Travonne Edwards

Dr. Travonne Edwards is an assistant professor in the School of Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University. He currently holds a PhD in Social Work from the University of Toronto, an advanced diploma in Child and Youth Care (CYC) from Sheridan College, and a Bachelor and Master of Arts in CYC from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Dr. Edwards is an experienced critical and community-based youth worker with a demonstrated history of working in various social services related settings including child welfare and protection, education and supportive housing for youth experiencing homelessness.

Dr. Edwards has been awarded the Doctoral Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) award, a Partnership Engage Grant SSHRC award, and the Connaught for Public Impact Fellowship for his research efforts. His program of research aims to understand how state systems operate and how Black communities experience them to one day improve their realities and outcomes. His research currently partners with the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid society One Vision One Voice, which is a program led by the Black community to address the overrepresentation and disparities faced by Black Canadians.

Marci Gray

Marchi Gray headshotMarci Gray is a Clinician, Registered Social Worker, Author, Speaker, Adult Educator, Consultant, Media Guest Expert and Mental Health Advocate who has worked in the field of social services for over 20 years. She also contributes to the education of social work students as an adjunct lecturer for FIFSW.

Marci is the founder of Gray Matter Health a Counselling and Consulting firm where she provides individual, couple, and family therapy as well as consulting work on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Psychological Health & Safety. Marci is also the Author of The Empowerment Planner, a Mental Health and Wellness tool created to improve mindset, well-being, and resilience.

Marci completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology & Law at York University and her Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto. Her PhD research at FIFSW focuses on the impact of racism on mental health which includes explorations of racial trauma, the stigma of mental illness in the Black community and the psychological health of racialized employees in the workplace.

Marci continues to do specialized work in this area speaking for non-profits, collaborating with corporations and providing trainings for government organizations. In addition, she provides expert advice for media, appearing on Cityline, Breakfast Television, Global, CTV News, and Your Morning.

Elo Igor

Elo Igor

Elo Igor is a registered social worker, project coordinator for The Centre for Research and Innovation (The CRIB) and PhD student at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social work. Her research explores the impact community violence has on Black boys and understanding culturally relevant services and resources available within the education system to support them. Elo intends to use this research to inform mental health interventions. Through her experiences both professionally and personally she has witnessed the impact of the school to prison pipeline and is committed to working alongside communities to disrupt this systematic funneling.

Elo Igor currently holds a master’s in education with a focus on Social Justice Education and a Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in Human Services Leadership and Management. She is passionate about resource development and implementation and facilitating meaningful spaces for Black and racialized youth to self-actualize. Elo has experience working with youth from racialized, gender diverse, ethnoculturally, and socioeconomically marginalized communities in both the criminal legal and education system.

Vilmara Lucas

Vilmara Lucas is a registered social worker, mental health practitioner, PhD Candidate, and course instructor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. Her research centers on the mental health experiences of Black immigrant professionals in Canada’s post-pandemic job market. She is also the recipient of a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship.

Vilmara’s Social Work practice involves research, practice, and advocacy, all aimed at enhancing the well-being and opportunities of Black and immigrant communities. With extensive experience working within Toronto’s diverse communities—spanning government, non-profits, and private practice—she brings a holistic perspective to her work. In her private practice, she specializes in serving Portuguese-speaking immigrants, providing comprehensive support tailored to their unique needs.

Marvelous Muchenje

Marvelous MuchenjeWith a professional and activist background in sexual and reproductive rights, Marvelous Muchenje is passionate about seeking social justice in all its forms – not just by improving the lives of individuals, but by changing systems of oppression through collective action. An affirming HIV-positive Black woman, Marvelous has made it her mission to spread love and empowerment. She is a writer, motivational speaker and advocate for marginalized communities.

Marvelous sits on several national boards with a global reach, which she uses to uplift the narratives of those who face injustice. She believes that justice must be intersectional and inclusive in order to improve the quality of life for all.

Marvelous’ career history includes twelve years of experience specializing in health promotion, program development, case management, and outreach to women and ethnic-cultural communities in Toronto, Canada, and 19 years of international work as a gender and human rights activist. Her research interests include HIV, sexual and reproductive rights, mental illness, social policy, refugee health, and transnationalism. Service delivery interests include developing community-based interventions that reduce stigma, address poverty, and promote resilience. Marvelous is currently working as the Community Relations Manager at ViiV Healthcare Canada.

Tolulola Taiwo-Hanna

Tolulola Taiwo-Hanna

Tolulola Taiwo-Hanna is a registered social worker with clinical experience in gerontology, women’s mental health, and general psychiatry. Tolu is a course instructor, doctoral student and research coordinator at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. She is also a research coordinator for the Black Health Equity Lab (BHEL) through the University of Toronto Scarborough.

Tolu’s research interests include social work practice with diverse populations, racism in human service organizations, mental health, racial trauma, organizational development, and social work leadership. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree from the University of Toronto with a concentration in Human Service Management and Leadership and is also a graduate of the University of Windsor, where she completed an Honours Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Psychology. Currently, she is the recipient of a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarships—Doctoral Program (CGS-D) award.

Details

Date:
February 27
Time:
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Event Category:

Organizer

FIFSW