By: Cheryl Lu, Social Media Coordinator
Every year at our Annual General Meeting, MCIS has a keynote speaker to present experiences and knowledge for the theme of the year, as a means of encouraging discussion over social justice issues and inspiring thoughts among our staff and members. In the past two years, we have had Shelley Gilbert present on human trafficking in Canada, and Lindsay Borrows present on her experience as a Canadian with Indigenous background.
This year, MCIS is honoured to have Niambi Martin-John, a social change champion, community developer, advocate and empowering partner who has dedicated her career to increasing capacity for marginalized, racialized and at-risk communities. Coming from Dominica, Martin-John will be talking about her hometown, its colonial history, how it was impacted by the slave trade, and Black movements in the last century. She will also discuss her experiences in North America, explore what it means and feels to be Black in completely different historical and social settings, and explore how she perceives her Black identity through race and culture. Tying in what has happened in the world this year, we are looking forward to hearing her thoughts and views of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The keynote speech of AGM 2020 can be viewed here.
More about Niambi Martin-John:
With a career spanning over 20 years, Martin-John has committed her talents to fund development, strategic planning, grant writing, executive training and teaching to grow revenue and mentor emerging leaders in the arts, social service and health charity sectors.
She currently teaches in the Non-Profit Leadership Management Post Graduate Diploma Program at Seneca College and provides mentorship and coaching services to non-profit boards, volunteers, and staff. Martin-John has held senior roles in the social sector including national director roles in major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, and stewardship. She is a highly sought-after speaker and storyteller who provides important anti-racism and cultural competency perspectives to cross-sector partners and collaborators.
She is a 2020 nominee for a volunteer director role on AFP Canada’s Board of Directors, Frontlines Toronto and an advocacy volunteer for Malton Moms.
Previous keynote addresses from MCIS AGMs can be found here:
MCIS AGM 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLEzcnYgwTo)