The Consulate General of Canada, in partnership with the Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora, presents the 2021 Black History Month virtual event, The Viola Desmond Lecture Series: "Writing Life Stories as Resistance on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. (EDT).
The Viola Desmond Lecture Series commemorates and celebrates the life and activism of Viola Desmond, an African Canadian businesswoman who resisted discrimination and inequitable treatment at a local movie theater. Desmond's case served as a catalyst to legally end segregation in Nova Scotia, and she became the first Canadian woman to be featured independently on a bank note. This Black History Month discussion aims to explore links between Black Americans and Black Canadians, to bring awareness to issues related to racism and misogynoir, and to encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and women to tell their stories. This marks the Consulate’s Third Annual Viola Desmond Lecture.
The lecture will be moderated by Rose Scott, journalist and host of WABE 90.1 FM and Panelists include author and award-winning Toronto-based journalist, Eternity Martis and Dr. Elizabeth West, Professor of Africana Literatures and English at Georgia State University and the Director of Academics for the College of Arts and Science’s Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora (CSAD).
— Shelby Birch, Graduate Administrative & Research Assistant, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Digital Communications
