Vibya Natana, CNSLI, BSW
Moderator
Vibya Natana (she/her) is a non-profit professional with a social work background from Regina, SK on Treaty 4 Territory. Vibya is passionate about building the capacity of communities to thrive. Currently, her advocacy spans three primary domains: interpersonal connections (amplifying voices + building meaningful relationships), consciousness-raising (supporting efforts to bring awareness to social issues) and developing inclusive systems (lobbying and more). She currently works in the community development sector, advancing the missions of several organizations both professionally and as a volunteer.
Florence Kurai Mudzongo
Founder of SABSW
Saskatchewan Association of Black Social Workers
Florence Kurai Mudzongo is the founder and president of the Saskatchewan Association of Black Social Workers She is a culturally responsive Registered Social Worker. She has a Law degree from University of Zimbabwe, a BA major in Human relations from Concordia University and Masters of Social work from McGill University. Florence has been a counsellor for 10 years and she has studied many modalities to bring healing to her clients. She is a life, long learner inspired by the abundance of opportunities available to broaden and enrich the lives of the clients. She is currently working as counsellor at University of Saskatchewan and she is a member of the Black faculty and staff caucus.
The Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard, PhD, C.M., O.N.S.
Senator – Nova Scotia (East Preston)
Founding Member of NSABSW
Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is the first African Nova Scotian woman to be appointed to the Senate of Canada, representing the province of Nova Scotia and her hometown of East Preston. Senator Bernard champions issues impacting African Canadians and people living with disabilities. She is particularly invested in human rights, employment equity, and mental health. Through her involvement in community projects, her social work career, her time with Dalhousie School of Social Work, and now her work in the Senate, Senator Bernard has maintained a deep dedication to social justice and racial justice. Senator Bernard advocates for reparations for the historic and continued anti-Black racism impacting the lives of African Canadians in her work.
Dr. Cindy Blackstock
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Land Acknowledgement
Welley Balogun, BA MA BSW
Abuna Nathaniel Deng, BSW, RSW, MPA, MTS
Basi Kgobisa
Artist and BSW candidate
Black in Saskatchewan
Carol LaFayette-Boyd
Mayor Charlie Clark
Mayor of Saskatoon
Anthony Olusola
Executive Director
Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation Inc
Chief Troy Cooper
Saskatoon's Chief of Police
Fred Phelps
Executive Director
Canadian Association of Social Workers
Rachelle Sweeting
Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers
Kehinde Ekpudu
President
Alberta Association of Black Social Workers
Bren Schock
President
Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers
Dr. Marvin Ankrah
Saskatchewan Association of Black Social Workers