Diverse Voices, Same Message: Youth Empowerment Symposium
💡 What to Expect
✅ Engaging Workshops – Interactive sessions on cultural sensitivity, storytelling, and leadership. 🎤 Dynamic Keynote & Guest Speakers – Hear from experts and community leaders on inclusivity and empowerment. 🤝 Meaningful Discussions – Thought-provoking conversations on addressing societal challenges and fostering unity. 🍽️ Food & Drinks Provided – Enjoy a welcoming and nourishing space to connect with peers.
Who Can Participate?
Open to Niagara’s youth, including students, young leaders, and allies passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Workshops
Ekphrasis Workshop facilitated by Komi Olfa
The aim is to explore the connection between words, music, and images and introduce the exercise of ekphrasis (i.e., creating a poem out of a painting), which involves relating a work of art in one medium to a different medium.
Indigenous Knowledges: Anishinaabe Gikendaasowin
In this workshop, Rin Simon and Mary Ellen Simon will explore Indigenous knowledge systems, focusing on Anishinaabe Gikendaasowin (Knowledge, Science, and Methodologies). They will share their personal experiences in academia and discuss the importance of bridging gaps between Indigenous knowledges and Western knowledge. The session will highlight the need for more balanced methodologies to enhance access to, and value of, Indigenous knowledges in educational settings
Healing Circle facilitated by Watetu Mercy Lilian Gichuki
Helping youth explore traditional healing methods, cultural wellness practices, and holistic approaches to well-being within African traditions.
Watetu Mercy Lilian Gichuki is a PhD candidate in Global Health at McMaster University, researching IPV among African, Caribbean, and Black women in Canada. As a Program Manager at the Salvation Army, she bridges research and practice, advocating for Afrocentric, feminist, and community-driven approaches to healing, resilience, and justice.
Let's Welcome Our Keynote Speaker!
Adeline Bird
Adeline Bird, an Afro-Anishinabe creative from Rolling River First Nation, is a storyteller, activist, and entrepreneur. She’s worked in Indigenous film, podcasting, and radio, advocating for marginalized communities. A writer and artist, she’s won multiple awards for her contributions. Bird continues to inspire through media, advocacy, and community impact.
Meet our Panelists
Komi Olaf -is a Visual Artist and Poet born in Kaduna, Nigeria. He works in painting, digital illustration, and mural Art. His paintings utilize metaphor, symbolism, and cultural commentary to address ideas of decolonization through the lens of Afrofuturism. He operates Studio-Olaf, a creative design studio in Toronto.
Amber Vanwyck -is 27 years old. She is a proud Metis mother whom continues to explore my roots and enjoys different opportunities to help enriching my knowledge. Amber is an advocate for many youth in Niagara Region and also very passionate in helping support her community.
Elzhraa Akasha –Is a passionate advocate for social justice, DEI, and mental health.
She’s a Future Black Female Champion and a member of the Diverse Voices, Same
Message Youth Council. Through spoken word and poetry, she uses her voice to spark change and inspire others. She’s also deeply involved in community initiatives that promote equity and inclusion
Rin Simon – Rin is a Queer and Nish advocate promoting Indigenous and Anishinaabe
wellbeing. They champion Indigenous and Human Rights and push for transformative
reconciliation. Rin educates communities on Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer inclusion.
They also co-host the local radio show One Dish One Mic
Musical Guest ♫
"Alpha Rhythm Roots" P.K
Originally from Guinea, West Africa, Alpha, the founder and artistic director of Alpha Rhythm Roots, has been spreading the joyfully infectious sounds of Mandé percussion from his base in Toronto for over twenty years. Along the way he has given lessons to countless students of all ages, and provided traditional instruments for students and other clients near and far. Alpha will be performing alongside his fellow drummers, offering a rich banquet of interlocking grooves that are the hallmarks of West African percussion traditions.
Register Now!
https://forms.office.com/r/f3cby5TsbM
📢 Save the Date!
Stay tuned for more details and registration information.
📣 #YouthEmpowerment #DiverseVoices #FutureLeaders
Our Partners
This event is proudly hosted by the Welland Heritage Council & Multicultural Centre in partnership with Future Black Female and funded by the Government of Canada.
