For 20 years, the staff and volunteer board of the Valley African Nova Scotia Development Association (VANSDA) have delivered programs, training and a host of employment services to people belonging to racially visible minority groups, and others, living in Nova Scotia, a mission they plan to continue.
Their motto, headlining VANSDA.com, conveys a simple idea: “Joining Hands to build better partnerships.”
One of many efforts is a packed, two-day conference called Bridging the Gap, The Road to Employment Equity, to be held at the Halifax Convention Centre (1650 Argyle Street) Nov. 4-5. Space is limited.
Conference
This is the second time VANSDA is bringing thinkers and doers from across the province - working in the realms of governments, service providers and business – together to discuss ways to bridge job opportunities with workers in minority communities. From the conference invitation: “Minority communities in particular continue to account for disproportionate shares of unemployed or underemployed Nova Scotians. In human capital management terms, this underutilization narrows unnecessarily the province’s pool of high-performing talent.”
The slate of speakers at the conference will share their experience and expertise on subjects ranging from double standards in hiring (Ann Divine, Ashanti Leadership & Professional Development Services, founder and CEO), how to build inclusive leadership (Crystal Taylor, Ebony Consulting, founder), and unconscious bias (Crystal Taylor). Presenters will speak about the hiring process and building a welcoming workspace (Neasa Martin, founder Neasa Martin & Associates) and legislated equity employers (Kesa Munroe Anderson, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission director of race relations, equity & inclusion, and Mahogany O’Keiffe, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission education officer).
The Conference goes from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Monday and Tuesday, the first week of November.
Legacy series coffee
VANSDA’s long list of partnerships includes one with Just Us! Coffee, operating in Grand Pré and Wolfville. Just Us! Coffee boasts a worker-owned co-op. They roast and market fair trade, organic coffee beans and offer a unique fundraising opportunity for non-profits. Currently partnered with VANSDA, they produce a special “Legacy Series Coffee” primarily to raise awareness about great African Canadians and African Nova Scotians in history.
Each of four labels on the bags of signature beans, features a hero and a bit about their story. For example, William Edward Hall VC is on the label called “VictoriUS,” remembered as the first “first Black person, first Nova Scotian and third Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross” for action during the Indian Rebellion. Other labels include IndustriUS! (Rose Fortune), AmbitioUS! (Marcus Garvey) and MomentoUS! (Portia White.)
Visit VANSDA.com for more information about VANSDA, to purchase tickets to attend the Bridging the Gap Conference or to purchase coffee.
Visit JustUsCoffee.com to discuss fundraising opportunities, learn about their business or to purchase coffee.
