Leticia Mizon is the president and founder of a peer based, harm reduction outreach team called The Nameless. Leticia revels in advocacy, often dreaming up large ideas and putting words into direct action. Leticia has first-hand experience and daily observation   of systemic oppression, which created space for recognition of the need for supports in her hometown. Focusing on community engagement and amplifying voices from the margins, she created The Nameless, an organisation that meets vulnerable populations where they are at and without bias and judgement.

 

Anthea Williams is a gender pirate that challenges the gender binary while breathing and living in the sea of privilege that is London Ontario. An Aquarius - fluid by nature and ready to explore anything, with context, conversation and of course, consent. Anthea is a long time lover of constant learning and exploring, as well as pushing boundaries - agitating comfort levels consensually and reciprocally. Raised by lesbians, mentored by radicals, Anthea is biracial and straddles the margins of many spaces while working in the social service field for over 10 years. Anthea is skilled at navigating and shaking up systems to support vulnerable populations. Floating between the domestic violence sector, Indigenous-lead movements for change and reducing harm for individuals impacted by substance use and generational poverty, Anthea is a force as a QTIPOC activist seeking accountablet change in the world.

(Gender Pirate/he/she/they/them) @sociallubricator for insta.

 

Julie B, is a co-founder and the Community Coordinator of SafeSpace London. SafeSpace is a drop in centre & community for, by and with sex workers and accomplices. She has been a community activist for over 20 years. In 2001 she co- founded ‘Unity Project - For Relief of Homelessness in London, Ontario’ with fellow youth activists and homeless individuals creating a tent city in a downtown park that led to the initiation of the Unity Project – a shelter service with a peer-supported community model. Since 2015, Julie has been a peer researcher in community-based projects, most recently an exploration of sex workers' use of digital technology. She has been instrumental in activities related to raising awareness about the harmful impacts of policing, criminalization and stigma in the lives of sex workers.

 

Susan Macphail: In over four decades of engagement in and with many diverse communities, Susan Macphail has been committed to social justice and fundamental human rights. Working alongside and being informed by individuals and communities who experience social and economic disenfranchisement because of systemic and structural violence has led her to help develop innovative programs and services that promote equity, inclusivity, safety, and resiliency. Susan currently works independently providing consultation, education and training on Trauma and Violence Informed (TVIC) and Cultural Humility approaches and practices across regions in Ontario and beyond.

 

Moderator: Shelley Yeo

Dr. Kate Graham, Director of Research at Canadian Urban Institute, Professor and past City staffer

Dr. Kate Graham is the Director of Research at the Canadian Urban Institute, and teaches in the Political Science Departments at Western University and Huron University College. She spent a decade working in local government, most recently as the Director of Community & Economic Innovation at the City of London.

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Arielle Kayabaga, Ward 13 Councillor

Balancing her roles as a single mother, City Councilor, community activist and passionate city builder, Arielle’s story is one of breaking barriers, overcoming adversity, and defying expectations.

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Dr. Jason Gilliland, Director of the Human Environments Analysis Laboratory at Western University

Dr. Jason Gilliland is a Professor of Geography, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Pediatrics, and Health Sciences at Western University, Director of the Urban Development program at Western, and a Scientist with the Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute. He is an award-winning teacher and researcher who is known internationally for his research on urban planning and public health issues. In 2020, he was named the Children’s Health Foundation 2019 Scientist of the Year for his work identifying and overcoming barriers to children’s physical activity.

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Dean Sheppard, Executive Director of ReForest London

As Executive Director of ReForest London advocating for planting and saving more trees, and a former member of the City's Ecological Planning Advisory Committee and Trees and Forests Advisory Committee, Dean has gained some first hand experience in influencing City actions.

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Moderated by John Fleming

John Fleming served as the Chief Planner for the City of London, Canada for 10 years. He is currently a member of the Human Environments Analysis Lab and Centre for Urban Policy and Local Governance at Western University and is Vice President of the Council for Canadian Urbanism.

Sâkihitowin Awâsis is a Métis Anishinaabe two-spirit writer and spoken word artist from the pine marten clan. She is a Phd candidate at Western University who studies Indigenous geographies and is continually inspired by acts of decolonization, resurgence, and community healing.

 

Amanda L. Kennedy is Haudenosaunee and a Indigenous Woman Innovator, a Advocate for Indigenous Youth and Women, a Innovative Consultant, Educator, Strategic Planner, and Founder of two Social Enterprises and two Digital Hubs; Kuwahs^nahawi Social Enterprise, a Indigenous Youth-Led Social Enterprise - Yotuni, T.E.N Youth Digital Hub and Yeyatase Indigenous Women and Girls Digital Hub.

 

Alicia Samuel is a Queer, Trinidadian, woman of colour living in Deshkan Ziibing. In the past 15 years she has worked as an advocate in the VAW sector, organized grassroots movements for Immigrant and Refugee rights and created inclusive spaces in the LGBT2Q+ community. She is an educator, queer historian and co-founder of Queer Events who works towards a stronger, more inclusive, accessible LGBT2Q+ community

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Anthea Williams is a gender pirate that challenges the gender binary while breathing and living in the sea of privilege that is London Ontario.  An Aquarius - fluid by nature and ready to explore anything, with context, conversation and of course, consent. Anthea is a long time lover of constant learning and exploring, as well as  pushing boundaries agitating comfort levels consensually and reciprocally. Raised by lesbians,  mentored by radicals, Anthea is biracial and straddles the margins of  many spaces while working in the social service field for over 10 years. Anthea is skilled at navigating and shaking up systems to support vulnerable populations. Floating between the domestic violence sector, Indigenous-lead movements for change and reducing harm for individuals impacted by substance use and generational poverty, Anthea is a force as a QTIPOC activist seeking accountable change in the world.

(Gender Pirate/he/she/they/them) @sociallubricator for insta.