PI

Dr. Nancy Ross is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work, Dalhousie University. Following her career as a clinical therapist in addiction and mental health settings she completed a PhD in Peace Studies and International Development.  Her research aims to explore ways communities can work towards ending structural, cultural and direct forms of violence while continuing to improve trauma and violence informed support for individuals and families.Research projects have included an examination of the effectiveness of pro-arrest policies as a response to domestic violence within the Criminal Justice System, the experiences of women in Domestic Violence Courts, cultural and just responses within health and social services to reduce gender-based violence in the African Nova Scotian Community and helpful responses to address childhood adversity and trauma within primary healthcare.  She works with diverse teams who explore how we move forward  together to respond culturally responsive and violence and trauma informed care and creative means of mobilizing knowledge that includes the production of films (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3q_bRrP9z9JAVWPEQmBbFw) and a podcast series: Unsettling Conversations on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fNUzFIRiMkLTvmFnASioV in addition to written publications.

(Co-PI)

Dr. Terrence O. Lewis is an Associate Professor at the Dalhousie University School of Social Work and the Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion for the Faculty of Health. He has mental health practice experience with individuals, families, and groups in community mental health and private practice settings in the U.S. He has consulted with organizations about culturally responsive care, 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming care, and creating culturally diverse, affirming, and inclusive work environments in the U.S. and Canada. In his scholarship, he has focused on the relationships between churches and marginalized populations, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ and African-descent communities. Along with Dr. Nancy Ross, Dr. Lewis is the Co-Director of the Moving Forward Together project.

Community Storyteller/Researcher

Holly Johnson is a Mi'kmaw, African Nova Scotian woman and social justice  warrior/advocate. She is a 'knowledgist' - acquiring and passing on knowledge that is centrered on multiple ways of knowing, doing, and understanding. Hence she believes in the interconnectedness/relationship of everything in the environment. As well as, the humanness of all people: I am because you are, therefore; I am (Ubuntu). She has a BA, BSW, and is a critical master social worker. She enjoys both, informal and formal learning and unlearning. In addition to neuroscience, trauma and law.

Community Storyteller

Archy was born and raised in the historical African Nova Scotian Community of North Preston in the Preston Township.

He is the third youngest of 11 siblings to Louis (deceased 2016) and Laura Beals. He was married to Caroletta Downey-Beals (deceased 2023), and they raised three daughters, Patrice, Letteisha (deceased 2021) and Kaya.  He has three grand daughters, Kehlani, Kimaya and Khliah.

He has worked in the educational sector for over 40 years.

He is actively involved in community.

He is the recipient of the Queens Platinum Jubilee Metal for his tireless service to education and community and was presented with the first, Sankofa Award for Inclusive Leadership, by the Atlantic Association of College and University Student Services (AACUSS). He was presented with a plaque and a lifetime membership the AACUSS for his legacy of courageous, and impactful leadership in creation of the Sankofa award, for leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to equity and community and for profoundly shaping student services in Atlantic Canada.

Project Consultant (ABSW)

Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard is a highly regarded social worker, educator, researcher, community activist and advocate of social change. She was the first African Nova Scotian to be hired in a tenure track position at Dalhousie University, where she also served as Director of the School of Social Work for ten years.  She is now a Professor Emeritus. Dr Bernard is a founding member of the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) and a founding member and current President of the Africadian  Empowerment Academy (AEA). Some of her areas of practice include working in mental health at the provincial level and in rural community practice at the municipal level. She is also a community engaged scholar who seeks to mentor and support the next generation of scholars. Dr. Bernard was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2016 where she serves as an Independent Senator.

Researcher

Afolake is a PhD student in Health at Dalhousie University; her research topic is on the impact of perinatal mental health disorders (PMHDs) on maternal-infant bonding and attachment in Black mothers with preterm infants, before and after NICU stays. She’s a Registered Social Worker with over ten years’ experience, currently practicing in the IWK Health Centre’s NICU and a certified Canadian Perinatal Mental Health (CC-PMH) practitioner. In addition to co-founding Generation 1 Leadership Initiative to broaden STEAM education access for youth of African descent, she serves as a co-investigator on SSHRC- and CIHR-funded projects and has developed Africentric, interprofessional health-education curricula to advance culturally responsive care.

Framed by feminist and critical-race theory, Afolake has led community-development and advocacy efforts for families of African descent, immigrant women, and other marginalized groups. For the past seven years she’s been a part-time instructor at Dalhousie’s School of Social Work, mentoring and supervising students in health and social services.

Researcher

Kofo is a dedicated advocate for social justice and is driven by a passion for research and community engagement. She has a strong connection to Nova Scotia, where she attended Dalhousie and Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), and earned two degrees from MSVU.  After several years of teaching in Nova Scotia, Kofo transitioned to the field of social work upon moving to Ontario. She spent several years as a dedicated foster care manager, making a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable children and youth. She is now in her final term of a Master of Social Work degree at Carleton University. Beyond her professional endeavours, Kofo channels her creativity into filmmaking and volunteers as a piano teacher to share her passion for music.

Community Storyteller

Devon Adams is a retired civil servant and current researcher with the Dalhousie University School of Social Work, recognized for his impactful first-person storytelling and unwavering commitment to equity. His research focuses on culturally responsive health care and gender-based violence through a racialized lens, bringing lived experience and academic rigor to urgent social issues.

In addition to his research, Devon served as a supervisor, facilitator, and instructor in Justice and Community Services. His leadership and advocacy have earned him the Minister's Award for Diversity. A powerful voice in his community, Devon is a long-time advocate for continuing education and equitable professional access, particularly for those facing systemic barriers.

Devon contributes his expertise across several boards dedicated to education, diversity, and culture, and acts as a consultant to the Department of Health and is currently employed with the Annapolis Valley Regional of Education. He is guided by the principle: “Be determined not defined.”

Project Partner (Be The Peace Institute)

Sue Bookchin has had a varied career working in nursing, public health and organizational development, as a manager, facilitator, leadership trainer and coach. Since 2015, she has been co-founder and Executive Director of Be the Peace Institute, a community non-profit focused on the systemic and social change needed to end gender-based violence in all forms as the most egregious affront in the continued marginalization of women, girls and gender diverse people. Through an intersectional lens, Be the Peace Institute joins partners in the quest for social justice, equity, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices for communities of Indigenous, Black and African Nova Scotian, and 2SLGBTQ+ identities, as well as newcomers/immigrants, and those living with disabilities. Given their higher risks of GBV and the many barriers to culturally adept services and supports, solidarity for change is part of our mission. We are constantly learning, unlearning, practicing and evolving with patient and generous colleagues on a path of authentic allyship. 

Sue has served on Boards, presented at conferences, authored articles and collaborated on projects with many partners over Be the Peace Institute’s 10 year tenure. She is humbled to be able to do this social justice work, to be entrusted with tender stories of survival and resilience, and to continue to instigate critical change for a more just, equitable and peaceful world for all.

Researcher

Ash Hariharan is a researcher currently supporting the Moving Forward Together (MFT) project. With a background in public health and medical entomology, Ash brings an equity-focused lens to research and engagement. Her work with MFT is grounded in a commitment to amplifying African Nova Scotian voices and supporting Africentric approaches to health and social systems transformation.

Researcher

Amber Malik is a Research Assistant with the Moving Forward Together project at Dalhousie University. Her work focuses on addressing systemic racism, silence, and violence in health and social services through Africentric and community-engaged research approaches. Driven by a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, she brings experience in equity-focused research and policy analysis, having contributed to projects on labour market equity, housing, and education reform. Amber holds a Master’s degree in Applied Economics and is dedicated to advancing social justice and fostering meaningful, community-centered change through collaborative research. 

Project Research Coordinator

Shirley Hodder serves as the Research Coordinator for Moving Forward Together, a research initiative housed within Dalhousie University’s School of Social Work that aims to challenge and unsettle racism, silence, and violence in health and social services impacting African Nova Scotian communities.

In addition to her role with the research team, Shirley is the full-time Provincial African Nova Scotian Health Services Consultant at Nova Scotia Health. In this role, she works collaboratively across health system programs, as well as with government, academic, and community partners to improve health outcomes and address systemic barriers experienced by African Nova Scotian, African descent, and Black communities across the province.

A proud member of the historic Black Loyalist community of Gibson Woods, Shirley holds a BSc in Health Promotion, a Master’s in Health Administration, and a Certificate in Healthcare Law for Non-Lawyers from Dalhousie University. Her work is grounded in a strong foundation of research, advocacy, and lived experience as a Child of Deaf Adults (CoDA), and she is deeply committed to advancing accessibility, inclusivity, and accountability—particularly for the ANS and disability communities.