May 24: Lo-Ellen Park School Council presents White Questions, Black Answers

White Questions, Black Answers is the focus of a virtual presentation being hosted by the Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School Council on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 7 pm.  Parents/guardians and educators are invited to learn from Author Grace Ibrahima and Professor of Social Work Dr. Rick Csiernik of King’s University College.

Join online via Google Meet: https://bit.ly/LEPParentPres

COVID-19 and the implications for diversity, equity and inclusion have been profound. During this period, there has been a rise in bias, xenophobia and racism. In life, policies affect individuals in different ways – socioeconomic status, living situation, immigration status and access to virtual platforms. This impacts students, staff, families and our community.

Grace Ibrahima and Dr. Rick Csiernik will share their experiences to build understanding. It is time to rethink how we interact with each other. Grace Ibrahima’s story will help us to challenge our biases in ourselves and others to create healthier relationships. When a person belongs and feels safe, they are ready to learn.

Author Grace Ibrahima will inspire participants to confront life’s greatest challenges and be resilient in the face of adversity. Grace Ibrahima is a former mental health professional whose early life was marked by abuse, isolation and abject poverty. She managed to transform her life through a series of remarkable events. Her story has been featured in media outlets, including the Waterloo Record, Financial Post, CTV, and CBC Sudbury and Kitchener/Waterloo. Grace Ibrahima shares her journey with audiences across Canada. She has authored three books: Mercy: One Life Many Stories, All Will be Well, and White Questions, Black Answers. She lives, works and writes in Waterloo, Ontario.

Dr. Rick Csiernik has written and edited 19 books, contributed to over 200 peer reviewed publications, made 300 public presentations and been a member of research teams receiving $4.6 million in funding. A social worker for nearly four decades, he is a recipient of the King’s University College and McMaster University Continuing Education Teacher of the Year awards and the Hugh Mellon Excellence in Research Award, Ontario Volunteer Award, and Jeff Wilbee Award for leadership in the field of addiction.

This presentation is supported by a Parents Reaching Out grant from the Ministry of Education.

-30-

Media Contact:

Pam Potvin, Principal, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-522-2320.