• 7^th Generation Black Canadian enslaved descendent from ancestors in Kentucky, North & South Carolina
• Multicultural - Canadian, British, French, American, Jamaican, Costa Rican, Ojibway, Mohawk, African
• Cultural Integrator - Consultant/Trainer: Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism
• Chair, Halton Black History Awareness Society (2015), Burlington, Ontario, Canada
• Former 11 year Chair, Emancipation Celebration Festival, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
• Former Chair, Grey County Black History Education Conference
• Co-founder/  former Chair, International Emancipation Children's Fund
• Business Owner, Scott & Associates Consulting - Organization Development
• Former Executive Director/Board Member, Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce
• Former Board Member: Hamilton Media Advisory Committee
• Former Board Member: John Holland Awards, Hamilton
• 2022 Recipient of the Platinum Jubilee Community Hero Award
• 2012 Recipient of the John Holland Community Service Award
• 2011 Recipient of the Ontario Heritage Trust “Certificate of Achievement” Award
• 2011 Recipient of the City of Owen Sound Certificate of Community Recognition
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Judy Gibson our Board Secretary has worked mainly as a Financial Consultant assisting people with their retirement goals and investments. She has now moved into the role of managing their homes and entire life as a Private Household Manager. She also has a Pet-Care business that keeps her quite busy Ms. Gibson enjoys being involved in her community by volunteering at the Humane Society and working alongside her HBHAS members for such a wonderful cause.

Sandy O’Reilly has 21 years of experience as an employee by the City of Burlington. Her current position is as Controller and Manager of Financial Services. She is a chartered professional accountant (CPA). Currently, she serves proudly as the Treasurer of the Halton Black History Awareness Society. She enjoys being involved in her community through volunteering, and serving as treasurer for other community organizations.

Rob Green is a retired drama teacher and  is currently an actor, singer/songwriter and producer of his own original music. He has served as a teacher for the Hamilton-Wentworth School Board in Hamilton, Ontario for 37 years. He initiated the Drama program at his high school and became the Assistant Head of the English department. teaching Drama and English in Canadian schools.

Rob Green has an avid interest in the development of Black Canadian culture and grew up in the Owen Sound BME church where his great grandfather was once an elder deacon.

Rob Green has won the Excellence in Education Award and in the past been nominated for the Reverend John C. Holland Award, and participated in presentation for the Ontario Black History Society and The Speakers Corner for Emancipation Celebration Picnic 2014. civic groups dedicated to the advancement of Black Canadians.

Rob Green's first CD... "Soul Dancing" was nominated for best Indie Album in 2013 and was Highlighted In CBC's talent search out performing numerous other contestants.

Rob Green is a graduate of University of Guelph with a Specialized Honours in Drama, The University of London  (Allthouse Teachers College) with a Bachelor of Education and The University of Toronto (Faculty of Education) Honours Specialist in Drama.

Lisa S.J. Scott – Life Coach, Corporate & Institutional Strategy Consultant, Master Trainer & Change Facilitator

• Director Public Relations/Board of Directors, Halton Black History Awareness Society
• Former Director Public Relations/Board of Directors Emancipation Festival
• Director & Co-Founder: International Emancipation Children’s Fund;
• Black History Educator: Emancipation Festival World Vision Relations Director
• Forte in Executive and Leadership Development, Employee Coaching, and Employee Relations Consulting
• Business degree and certification in the Harvard School of Business Strategic Planning Process
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Dejehan Hamilton, better known by his artist name Luckystickz is a dynamic Award Winning Motivational Speaker, and the founder of The Tune In Foundation. Recording Artist, Songwriter, Musician, Entrepreneur and International Award Winning Speaker: Luckystickz, went from a poverty stricken environment to being the first Canadian steel pan graduate on scholarship at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Luckystickz now shares the message to his audience that they are NOT a product of their environment. They ARE a product of a Mindset!

Luckystickz empowers his audience to become strong leaders by instilling self confidence and positivity through his messages. He also uses the power of music and his personal story to communicate his message to the audience.

Dejehan Hamilton is one of the premier Steelpan/percussionists in Canada, having performed with Harry Belafonte, Brian Mcknight and Chili of TLC.  Dejehan is the first steel pan percussionist Berkeley graduate.  Music has given Luckystickz the opportunity to perform internationally in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Singapore, the United States, and throughout Canada.

Richelle Papin is a Board Director/Education Advisor with the Halton Black History Awareness Society, a retired trustee for the Halton District School Board, and represented the HDSB at many Black History Month events in and around Halton and Burlington.  Richelle completed a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus, and a graduate certificate from Sheridan College, Oakville Campus, and a bilingual certificate from Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec. Richelle contributed her expertise on the HDSB Special Education Advisory and French Advisory Committees and was a Student Trustee Mentor.

 Richelle believes that education is a life-long adventure that starts at birth and continues after high school by pursuing many pathways including university, college, apprentice, work and community

Richelle who was predominantly raised in Burlington also lived 5 years in Ghana, West Africa as a child and has a sound knowledge of Canadian Black History, race relations, and the necessity of cultural education within society.

Carlton Darby is currently a Board member of the Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) as the Director of Education Engagement. He first served on the committee as a volunteer in 2015 when he met the Society’s Chair, Dennis Scott, assisting with the team’s social media accounts and events held throughout the year. Carlton’s past experience includes volunteering in his school and greater community in a variety of different capacities, some of which involved mentorship and visionary programs at his alma mater, Corpus Christi C.S.S. He is currently in his third year of studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo (UW), where he has participated in and supported multiple student-run clubs. Some of these include the Black Association for Student Expression (UWBASE), the African Student Association (UWASA), the Association of Caribbean Students (ACS) and the National Society of Black Engineers (UW NSBE). Carlton is working to liaise long-term relationships with groups such as these to further serve the black community.

Chadwick Fisher is Board Director of Security with the Halton Black History Awareness Society. Since the age of 20, Chadwick has worked security for various clubs and events. Born and raised in Burlington, Chadwick has deep roots within Halton’s farming community. Fisher farms was established in Burlington in 1920, serving the community with fresh pears!

Chadwick keeps busy by supporting the family farm, running his renovation company (Fortius Building Services) and working full time as a Foreman for the fiber optic industry. Chadwick has been a long-time supporter of Black history, volunteering his time in Owen Sound for one of the longest running Emancipation celebrations and one of the first volunteers for the launch of the Halton Freedom Festival with the HBHAS.

Vanessa Scott Fisher is a Senior Recruitment Consultant for the food and beverage manufacturing industry, specializing in senior level hiring. Prior to joining the recruitment industry, Vanessa started her career in sales and event management. Vanessa has supported the Halton Black History Awareness Society from day one and is now a Board Director of Vendor Management.

Vanessa has been involved in several Black History events over the years, with one of the longest running Emancipation celebrations in Owen Sound and now with the HBHAS. She has worked in partnership with organizations, such as World Vision, to raise money and sponsor children in Africa. Predominantly raised in Burlington, Vanessa is proud to support her community and educate on the importance of Diversity and Inclusion.

Former HBHAS Vice Chair, Francesca Durham is a self-improvement and personal development Life Coach and mentor. After 20 years in corporate HR and recruitment an opportunity to expand independently presented itself. Today Francesca helps clients transition through major life crisis opening a pathway for re-discovering their potential. MUSIC and MARI expressive art workshops facilitated by Francesca are uniquely created for such self-discovery. Each workshop provides an experience to uplift and improves well-being. 

Francesca’s therapeutic harp practice helps long term health care facilities provide life-enriching experiences to dementia and Alzheimer sufferers. In her practice, she also serves palliative care and hospice, those suffering from chronic pain, MS, Cancer and Strokes. She is a certified therapeutic harp practitioner and clinical musician. Francesca also enjoys mentoring students from the Harp For Healing program while balancing her day to day activities. 

Francesca has self-published two books is a certified Colour Life Coach, Colortime® Image Consultant and when not blogging or writing she enjoys spoiling her 4lb Yorkie with lots of play time and nature walks. 

Francesca volunteered in friendly visiting and hospice for over a decade. Today, she regularly volunteers at The Darling Home For Kids in Milton and most recent, Tansley Woods long term care facility in Burlington. To learn more about Francesca please visit:
Francescadurham.com