Conferences & Outreach
“Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize.”
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Author)
Presentations
March 01, 2024
The Frantz Fanon Symposium
This symposium seeks to bring together diverse perspectives and interpretations of Frantz Fanon’s writing and theory. Multidisciplinary forms of Fanonian thought will be addressed, including theories of race, gender, and other forms of sociocultural identities; as well as decolonization and contemporary liberation.
The talk will be followed by a reception and a play reading of “A Wretched Mourning”, a play about the story of Josie and Frantz Fanon (hosted by the UofT, Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies (CDTPS) at Luella Massey Studio Theatre. Written by Dr. Roy Moodley. Director/ Dramaturgist, Dr. Jill Carter.
Role: Individual Presentation & Parallel Paper Session Chair
Individual Presentation Title: “Legacy and Liberation: Unpacking the Influence of Fanon’s Life on the Art of Psychotherapy.”
Novermber 09 - 11, 2023
12th Annual Decolonizing Conference
The Centre for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies (CIARS), in collaboration with Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity, New College, University of Toronto; the Centre for Leadership and Diversity (CLD), OISE, University of Toronto; the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement; and the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute, issues a world-wide invitation to scholars, researchers, Elders, community leaders, artists, activists, and educators to participate in an in-person dialogue that critically analyzes fascism resurgence, the politics and logics of dehumanization, and the possibilities of anti-colonial praxis in ‘fugitive spaces’.
Role: Workshop & Individual Presentations
Workshop Title: “How does Canada’s child welfare system address the needs and challenges of immigrant and refugee children and families?”
Individual Presentation Title: “If we build it, will they come?: Exploring attitudes towards culturally integrative therapy among Canada’s African community.”
August 02 - 05, 2023
APA 2023 Convention
APA 2023 is the annual convention of the American Psychological Association is the largest gathering of psychologists in the world. Each year it attracts thousands of practitioners, researchers, educators, applied psychologists, and policymakers from all areas of specialization in the discipline. It’s where psychologists come together for three days of learning, inspiration, and connection.
Role: Poster Presentation
Poster Title: “(Re)Rooted Pathways: African Descendants’ Recommendations for Integrating African Healing Traditions”
June 23 - 25, 2023
CPA's 84th Annual National Convention
The CPA’s 2023 Annual General Meeting and National Convention is scheduled to take place from June 23rd – 25th, 2023, at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto, ON. This year’s CPA Convention is being held in conjunction with the 5th North American Correctional and Criminal Justice Psychology Conference (NACCJPC). Numerous pre-convention events, including the CPA’s Pre-Convention Professional Development Workshops, will take place on June 22nd.
Role: 12-Minute Presentation & Poster
Presentation & Poster Title: “Where Healing Happens: African Descendants’ Recommendations for Culturally Integrating African Healing Traditions And Western Psychotherapy”
Program Stream: Black Psychology
June 20 - 23, 2023
10th Critical Multicultural & Diversity Counselling and Psychotherapy Conference
The Centre for Diversity in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education is hosting the 10th annual Critical Multicultural Counselling and Psychotherapy Conference.
The OISE conference is open to everybody – students, community members, academics, practitioners, beyond.
It welcomes any topics that move diversity forward in counselling & mental health practice/research, and that decolonize Eurocentric psychology.
Roles: Presenter & Co-Organizer
Presentation Title: “If We Build It, Will They Come?: Exploring Perspectives Towards Culturally Integrative Therapeutic Treatment Among Canada’s African Community”
May 30 - June 2, 2023
Canadian Association of Social Work Educators Annual Conference
This 2023 CASWE-ACFTS conference was a four-day in-person experience held in conjunction with York University’s School of Social Work. Following the theme of “Reckonings and Re-Imaginings: Indigenous and Black Offerings to Social Work and Beyond”, scholars, students, practitioners, activists, and abolitionists were invited to gather on the land known as Tkaronto to build on the gifts and knowledges held out to us by those who came before. This conference will centred Indigenous and Black offerings while also welcoming other intersectional discussions, whether in contexts that are majority anglophone or francophone.
Role: Group Presentation
Presentation Title: “Immigrant Families, Child Welfare and Social Work: Research at the Intersection”
February 22, 2023
CDCBT Monthly Education: Multicultural Considerations for Psychotherapy
Presented by Sandra Osazuwa, M.A., Psychology Practicum Student from the Young Adult Substance Use Program and the University of Toronto – OISE
In recognition of Black History Month, this presentation will critically explore the use of multicultural concepts and frameworks in and within the context of psychotherapy. In addition to a brief theoretical overview and practical recommendations, the importance of reflexive self-awareness and humility as foundations for competency building will be emphasized. This presentation simplifies big ideas in order to introduce clinicians and researchers to a client-centered approach that can be applied to a wide range of populations.
Encore Presentation: May 31, 2023
October 26-28, 2022
Black Mental Health in Canada: Overcoming Obstacles, Bridging Gaps
uoVTRaC and their collaborators are organizing a conference on the mental health of people from Black communities in Canada on October 26-28, 2022, to provide an opportunity for researchers, practitioners, community organizations and leaders, health care managers and people with lived experience to come together to share knowledge, experiences, innovations in assessment and intervention approaches, and expertise to address barriers and gaps in mental health care for Black people in Canada.
The main three themes of the conference are:
- Social Determinants and Racial Issues Affecting the Mental Health and Well-Being of Black Individuals in Canada and Elsewhere in the West.
- Mental Health Promotion and Mental Illness Prevention in Black and Racialized Communities in Canada.
- Culturally and Racially Appropriate Mental Health Innovations and Interventions for Black People in Canada.
Role: Presenter
Presentation Title: “If We Build It, Will They Come: Exploring Attitudes Towards Culturally Integrative Therapy Among Canada’s African Community”