Building an Anti-Racist University

Join our Human Rights and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office and the Diversity Action Group on Tuesday, Feb. 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. for a Black History Month panel discussion: Building an Anti-Racist University: Actions for Achieving Black Equity and Inclusion.

We'll unpack how anti-Black racism and discrimination show up in our academic communities in Canada. Our remarkable roster of panelists will also shed light on the progress post-secondary institutions have made and actions they can take to reduce systemic barriers further and make campuses more equitable and inclusive for Black students, staff and faculty.

Panelists

Moderator: Alejandro Campos-Garcia

(top left in photo)

Alejandro is the Associate Director Human Rights and EDI at Royal Roads University. Born in Havana, Alejandro identifies as a person of African descent, with Chinese and European ancestry. He is a sociologist by trade. Since 2017, Alejandro has drawn on his training as a researcher, policy analyst and educator to develop expertise in Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in post-secondary education.  He is passionate about the inclusive and transformative exchange of ideas on topics related to social justice, anti-racism and human rights.

Joachim Ge

(top right in photo)

Joachim Ge is a Nigerian, an African and a Christian! He and his wife made the brave choice to move their family of three boys (eighteen, fourteen and “twelve -teen”) to Canada when he came to study for a Masters in Global Management at Royal Roads University. He is a chartered accountant (CPA & ACCA) and has over 20 years of experience working in banks in Nigeria and in Canada at various levels. He currently offers part time tutorials in Managerial Accounting to master’s level students of the MGM program at RRU and works full time as a civil servant. 

Brian Gay

(bottom middle in photo)

Brian is a student in RRU’s Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism policy. He is also a research assistant at RRU working with Dr. Frances Jorgensen on projects related to workplace incivility and presenteeism such as the End Abuse at Work research. He sits on the Royal Roads University’s Diversity Action Group, as well as holding leadership roles within his professional associations. Brian’s 20+ years of professional experience as a Chartered Valuation Surveyor has taken him to various communities in Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico and Canada. He currently works as a Valuation and Customer Relations manager with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), Ontario. 

Brian identifies with his Caribbean Latin American roots, from his birth country of Trinidad and Tobago with parents from Grenadian and Venezuelan heritage. When not speaking about advocacy, volunteering or pursuing professional and personal development, he chills out with his cheer team - Amy, Alejandro, Dylan, Quetzalli, Atka and Pretzel.

Nifemi Taiyese 

(bottom left in photo)

Nifemi is well on her way to a Master of Arts in International and Intercultural Communication. She is a media enthusiast, who started her career in one of Nigeria’s top financial consulting firms, as a correspondent reporting verified financial news. In the execution of her job as a correspondent, she identified a gap in the financial literacy of millennials and Gen Zs, which led to the birth of the ‘Millennial Talk show’ that addresses financial management for young people. 

Nifemi earned her first degree in Media and Communication from the prestigious Afe Babalola University. Her passionate interest in the critical role media plays in addressing and advocating for equity, diversity and inclusion led to her pursuit of a master’s degree in International and Intercultural Communication at RRU. Nifemi currently volunteers for several non-governmental organization (NGO) initiatives and plays a key role in The Youth Assured Foundation, an NGO that shares the hope of a better Nigeria, where inclusivity is paramount. She also currently works in the Student Services department of Royal Roads University, where she hopes to explore impactful opportunities towards developing the Community Service Leadership Program. 

Nifemi is passionate about writing engaging content for both traditional and digital media and enjoys painting or a good Netflix binge.

Dominique Jacobs

(top middle in photo)

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Dominique’s family fled persecution from the apartheid regime to come to North America in the early ’80s. Dominique identifies as a Black, Indigenous person and is a proud member of the ancient Khoisan tribe. She has studied Humanities, Management, Digital Publishing and Graphic Design, and holds a degree in Professional Communications from Royal Roads University. 

While at RRU, Dominique volunteered with Student Engagement and was an active Diversity Action Group member from 2016 to 2019. With the support of the DAG, she spearheaded the first annual Black History Month on campus in 2018 and co-led BHM events again in 2019. Dominique also served on the Board of Directors for the Royal Roads University Afro Heritage Association (RAHA) and helped create a platform where the diverse people and cultures that constitute African heritage can be showcased and celebrated by students, staff and the wider university community. 

Dominique is now the Communications and Campaigns Manager for the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour, where she leads anti-racism campaigns, curates and publishes the monthly newsletters, and manages media relations and outgoing communications. She also consults with organizations interested in anti-racism and anti-oppression practices and recently addressed the BC Provincial Finance committee, where her recommendations were included in the Budget 2022 final report. In November 2021, Dominique also addressed the B.C. Office of the Human Rights Commissioner answering questions in the Inquiry into Hate during the Pandemic, on SNIWWOC’s behalf. Her latest campaign, Celebrate Herstories, addresses the lack of public education on Black History in K-12 schools

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