Addressing Anti-Black Racism conference to foster dialogue and empowerment

By Lexus Rae, February 25 2025—

The Faculty of Social Work’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force and the Mobilizing for Change transdisciplinary scholarship team are hosting the Mobilizing for Change: Addressing Anti-Black Racism conference on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. and Feb. 28 from 12–6 p.m. at the MacEwan Conference and Event Centre.

In an interview with the Gauntlet, Dr. Patrina Duhaney — associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work, Anti-Black Racism Task Force Chair and Academic Co-Lead for Democracy, Justice and Sustainability in the Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship — talked about what to expect at the event.

Duhaney shared that the Anti-Black Racism Task Force was founded in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. The task force was established in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and to challenge systemic anti-black racism.

“The mission of the task force is to ensure that we make the university community an equitable space for black individuals,” said Duhaney.

The conference is an extension of the work that is done by the Anti-Black Racism Task-Force and a way to culminate all of the events and activities done during the year. The conference brings scholars, activists and community members together from across Canada to learn how to address anti-black racism.

“We really want participants to have a space where they can talk about some of the struggles that they experience and receive tools on how they can advocate for change in their own communities,” said Duhaney.

The first day of the Convention, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., will be looking at anti-black racism in historical and contemporary issues as well as black people’s presence in Canada. Day one will also focus on how anti-black racism shows up in various disciplines such as education, the criminal justice system, the child welfare system and law.

“[We will] discuss how people can advocate for change in their respective areas,” said Duhaney.

From 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m., there will be a networking session after the presentations and panel discussions. This will give attendees the chance to connect with scholars, activists, scholars and allies.

The second day of the event is titled “A Day of Healing, Empowerment and Growth,” and will engage with the attendees through workshops. These workshops will showcase spoken word, dance as a form of resistance, healing through storytelling, hands-on drumming session, the importance of spirituality in black communities, financial wellness, stress management, art and activism and intergenerational insights. Many notable speakers will be attending the convention to share their knowledge in their respective areas.

“By bringing scholars across Canada who are experts and activists in their own fields, I am hoping that this will be a push for the University to be more intentional in the activities that it engages with,” Duhaney said.

Duhaney highlighted that this is a transdisciplinary conference that has supporters from the School of Medicine, the Faculty of Social Work, Innovate Canada, the U of C Bookstore and more.

“The fact that we have people involved and invested in it is quite encouraging. People care about this work and they actually want to make some changes,” said Duhaney.

This event is not intended to be the end of the conversation — it is the beginning of the sustained effort to address and confront anti-black racism on multiple levels.

“I want to invite folks to participate in the conference, come with open minds and come prepared to be inspired and to learn to know how to be a part of the change,” said Duhaney.