Presentation Title: Black women’s leadership: Stories from Nova Scotia

Presenters: Susan M Brigham & Sylvia Parris-Drummond

Susan M. Brigham

Susan M. Brigham, Ph.D. is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Education at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU). She is of African descent from an immigrant family. Susan’s research interests include adult education, teacher education, migration, Africentricity, Critical Race Theory, and diversity issues. She has conducted research and presented her work in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and North America.

She is a board member of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI), which is committed to excellence in Africentric education and research. Her co-edited books include Adult Education and Learning in Canada: Critical Legacies (2021); Building on Critical Traditions: Adult Education and Learning in Canada (2013) and Africentricity in Action (2012).

Sylvia Parris-Drummond

Sylvia is the CEO of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute. Her work in education and the community is rooted in core Africentric Principles. She has a successful history of collaboration with the communities and stakeholders with whom she has worked.

Through her extensive public sector involvement, Ms. Parris-Drummond has gained a deep understanding and appreciation for what it takes to conduct policy analysis, oversee publishing projects, and develop and implement education, multicultural, and diversity programs.

Known for getting things done in a thoughtful, respectful, and engaging way, she has been actively involved across a broad range of community initiatives and organizations including the Akoma Family Centre, the Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia, and the Black Business Initiative Community Investment Fund. She has worked with the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia Department of Education, Nova Scotia Department of Justice, the Nova Scotia Community College, and the Guysborough District School Board.

Ms. Parris-Drummond holds a Masters of Arts in Life Long Learning – Africentricity, a Masters of Education – Curriculum, and a Bachelor of Science, Home Economics / Education

 

Valentine Nkengbeza

Valentine Nkengbeza is a multi-media journalist and Television producer by training, currently working with CTV Atlantic – BellMedia in multiple production roles.

Born and raised in Cameroon, he began his career in broadcasting as a state journalist with Cameroon’s communication ministry in 2010. Valentine moved to Halifax from Calgary and joined CTV Atlantic in 2014 while studying at NSCC at the time. Valentine also works part-time, at the Nova Scotia Legislative Television as a broadcast technician and equally teaches a course on “Diversity and the Media” to 2nd-year journalism students at NSCC.

Valentine is a community leader within the Cameroonian diaspora in particular and the African diaspora at large. Within the last 7 years, he has served on quite a few organizations as a board member and executive. He is currently the president of the Association of Cameroonians in Nova Scotia (ACANS).

On other fronts, Valentine is the multi-media lead and C.E.O. of VallyCom Media Productions, a multi-media creation center he founded in 2015. From video productions, graphics designs to websites and communication consultancy, VallyCom has served a variety of very satisfied clientele.

hen he’s not at work, Valentine enjoys traveling, music mixing, and sports, especially football. Besides being paid to entertain at weddings and other special events, Valentine’s passion for djing spurs him to often play sets and live stream for fun at his home studio.
Valentine fluently speaks English, French, Pidgin & Nweh.