Anti-Racism Ambassadors
Anti-Racism Ambassadors are a group of dedicated young people who have been selected to act as hosts, mediators, videographers, and content creators for the Black Lives Matter & Anti-Racism Conversations Series. By offering their experience, knowledge, and support skills, the Ambassadors can ensure that youth are engaged, informed, and protected as they participate in meaningful conversations on Anti-Racism.
Bethany Bair
Hi! My name is Bethany Bair and I reside in Brampton, Ontario; which is on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. My background is Jamaican but I grew up in Canada my whole life! Currently, I am studying Linguistics and minoring in the arts, media, performance and design program at York University.
I am passionate about civil rights such as: gender equality, Indigenous rights and the African diaspora. Not only this, but I aim to receive a masters in Speech Pathology and do research on the origins of the African diaspora dialects! From teaching preschool, coaching various sports such as soccer and flag-football, and creating, then facilitating programs for the city; I have experience working with children and the youth.
On my spare time, I volunteer at churches and lend a helping hand to their programs, especially anything involving music and tech. Speaking of music; I love it! I play a few instruments and make my own compositions. Additionally, I enjoy creating, filming and editing my own videos which several of them focuses on Racism. To sum up, I’m excited to be a part of this opportunity, and look forward to the months ahead.
Bilal Timani
Bilal Timani was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Although he was born in Canada, he has a strong sense of belonging to his Lebanese culture and a great pride in his Druze religion. He recently completed his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at the University of Toronto with an honors thesis in sensorimotor controls. Being quadrilingual, he is passionate about language learning which allows him to broaden his horizons and erase barriers in the face of the unknown. He is also interested in the fields of medicine, mental health and social justice. Bilal loves to travel, discover new cultures and play volleyball with his friends, but due to the pandemic, he is instead in pursuit of a series to binge watch on Netflix.
Donneil McNab
Donneil McNab currently lives in Victoria, British Columbia and works at Royal Roads University in the Student Services department. She is originally from St. Catherine, Jamaica and relocated to Canada in 2018 to pursue her graduate studies. In June 2020, she graduated from Royal Roads University with a Master of Arts in Tourism Management. A component of her degree was a graduate research paper, and the focus of her research was ‘the relationship between cross-cultural awareness and organisational behaviour’. The research participants were from various countries which allowed for multiple cultural perspectives. This enlightening experience generated even more interest in the area, and she wishes to conduct further research but with a broader scope.
Donneil’s passion for diversity, anti-racism and cultural awareness led her to occupy several volunteer roles at Royal Roads University. These include being a member of the Diversity Action Group, the Positive Space Network, the Anti-Racism Taskforce and the President’s Steering Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Additionally, she is a co-founder of Black Speaks Victoria. This platform allows her to also do anti-racism work in her community at large by educating others, shining a light on Black excellence and amplifying Black voices.
When Donneil isn’t working or volunteering, she spends her time visiting restaurants, cooking her favourite meals and creating new recipes. Her other hobbies include reading fantasy novels, dancing and travelling to different destinations across the world to explore other cultures. She is also interested in learning other languages, food photography, creative writing and social entrepreneurship.
Isaac Grass
Hi everybody! My name is Isaac Grass and I live on CFB Borden, in Essa, Ontario. I am currently a first year undergraduate student at the University of Windsor, studying political science. I was very lucky to have participated in the Canada 150 & me initiative in 2017 and then served 3 years on the Experience Canada Youth Advisory Council (YAC), serving as Vice-President in my last year. I am a huge supporter of the organization and have a tremendous appreciation for its mission.
In this tremendous opportunity, I will bring my background as a member of the Tyendinaga Mohawk First Nation as well as the step-child of an african immigrant. I also worked closely on the Royal Victoria Hospital Inclusion Committee and the Student’s Commission of Canada’s Youth Identity Development Team.
It has always been my personal philosophy that young people have the ability to accomplish amazing things when they are supported by those around them. This initiative has the ability to do just that and I am grateful to work with such talented young people on such a creative initiative.
Maame Efua De-Heer
Maame Efua De-Heer, a Ghanaian Born, second-generation immigrant. I serve as a Policy Analyst intern with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and completing my Masters degree in Public Health at the University of Toronto. I am a Clinical Research Analyst for the A.C.T.I.O.N Project at the University Health Network. Simultaneously, I am the Founder of the Power of Love Foundation, a not-for-profit organization targeted to improving the lives of women and children. Maame’s well versed experience in working on research and work related to racism, discrimination, and stigmatization amongst BIPOC communities deems her fit for this role.
Nicole Tornquist
Tansi
My name is Nicole Tornquist, I am a 26 year old Indigenous woman from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, located on Traditional Treaty 5 Territory. I graduated high school from Margaret Barbour Collegiate. I then continued my education at University College of the north and completed my Business Administration majoring in Management. I am a National Ambassador of Hope for We Matter, Manitoba 150 Youth Ambassador, Experiences Canada Reconciliation Ambassador and Experiences Canada Exchange Champion, Indigenous 150+ Youth Ambassador and I am also a Facilitator for Awaken the Spirit. In 2019 the youth nominated me to run for Junior Onekanew (Chief), where I accepted the challenge and started my campaign journey. I was then the successful candidate for Junior Onekanew (Chief). With that being said I have the great honors to proudly represent my community of Opaskwayak Cree Nation. My passion is working with the youth of my community and helping our youth become the best people they can be, watching them bloom and overcome obstacles is the greatest feeling in the world. I believe I was meant to mentor the youth, to help them succeed and making connections with them, our youth are the reason I am always pushing myself to become a better person.
Ekosi
Selena Wong-Clayton
Born in Canada to a Chinese mother and a French-Congolese father, Selena grew up in a very diverse cultural background, which helped shape her worldview. As a result, she was lucky enough to spend her childhood traveling with her family between China, France and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She recently graduated from the French Cohort program at Simon Fraser University where she completed a bachelor’s degree in political science and French with distinction. During her studies, she also had the opportunity to study abroad, mainly in France. She is very interested in the non-profit sector, having previously worked for several non-governmental organizations in Vancouver, BC. Her interests focus on social development and environmental sustainability and rehabilitation. She is passionate about the defense and promotion of bilingualism and the Francophonie in Canada. She wishes to pursue her post-secondary studies with a master’s degree in public policy or law. Outside of work, she takes advantage of nature on Canada’s west coast by hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. She also loves to cook and uses it as a way to discover the world.
Shondra Mings
Shondra Mings grew up in Thorold, Ontario, but now calls Ottawa home. She has a passion for supporting youth, the arts, travelling and social justice. Since a young age she’s held an interest in issues of race relations and equity which she largely attributes to her experiences as a first-generation Jamaican-Bajan Canadian. She intentionally pursued an undergraduate degree that would enhance her understanding of institutionalized racism. At the University of Ottawa her classes encouraged her to critically reflect on how perceptions and discourses on identity can have negative ramifications on people’s socio-economic opportunities. She also completed a Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University. Shondra has become very interested in policies, discussions and collaboration with youth and community partners to make Ottawa and Canada as a whole more inclusive.
She currently works at the University of Ottawa as a Professional Development Specialist where she helps students work towards obtaining their career goals. She recognizes the barriers students may face on the job market due to their social location so she works to create curriculum and events that can help students thrive on the job market. For example, in March 2020 she hosted CO-OP’s first Women’s Empowerment Vision Board Party and an African, Caribbean and Black Career and Networking Event.
When she is not working she is an avid student of dance, violin and piano and enjoys being involved with local musical theater productions. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, baking as well as finding the next good book to read.
Thawany Monteiro
Thawany Monteiro is a proud mother and recent York University Master of Social Work graduate. Thawany’s work as a Reconciliation Ambassador with Experiences Canada and Youth Reconciliation Initiative Facilitator with CRE, fuelled her passion on educating and working with immigrant, racialized, African diaspora and Indigenous youth on topics centring identity, reconciliation and decolonization from an indigenous worldview. Thawany centres her life experience as a Brazilian immigrant woman with mixed ancestry and Indigenous roots in her work. Thawany currently lives and works in Treaty 13 territory. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read, hike, bead and play soccer.
