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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vanessa Fells
Advisor Equity and Access
Vanessa previously worked for the African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition as their Director of Operations. Before that, Vanessa worked in several other roles for organizations serving equity-deserving communities.
Vanessa holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in Sociology and Legal Studies, the other in Criminology, and a Master of Education in Leadership, Lifelong Learning and Policy Development. Vanessa also completed the United Nations Human Rights Fellowship Program for People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland.
Louise Delisle
Louise Delisle, the eldest of a family of seven children, was born and raised in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. She attended Shelburne Regional High, where she made some of her lifelong friends, and later pursued a nursing career.
Growing up in Shelburne, she became involved in theatre when she joined a small acting group called the Dancing Beggars. She is the founder and president of the Black Pioneers Acting Troupe. Louise has been writing plays for the Black Pioneers for a number of years.
Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu
Executive Director Nova Scotia Works - CANSA a Careers Nova Scotia Centre
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Jude Clyke
Life Coach | Consultant | Project Officer with Correctional Services Canada | Committed to helping others Break Free and Be Better
I am Jude. I am a 51 year old African Nova Scotian from Truro, NS and I identify with the pronouns him/he. I was born and raised in a small Black community called ‘The Island’ and I have lived here most of my life. I am a husband, a father, a Papa and more.
I have been actively volunteering all of my adult life as a coach, mentor and advocate for equity and social change.
Folami Jones
Lawyer- Community Activist - Wombanist
Folami (she/her) is an indigenous African-Nova Scotian whose community dates back over 400 years in Nova Scotia. Folami has a practice focused on wills and estate planning, estate litigation, general litigation and Environment, Social, Governance (ESG).
With extensive experience in restorative practices, Folami is able to apply reparative approaches to dispute resolutions.
Her previous studies fostered an awareness of environmental and social impacts. She continues to remain up to date on current Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) practices. Additionally, Folami has provided families with estate planning through our People of African Descent Legal Services Initiative, which offers pro-bono legal services to those in need.
Sylvia Parris-Drummond
2022 NSCC Honorary Diploma 2022 Queens Jubilee Recipient (Education and Community) 2022 Top 50 CEO Atlantic Business Magazine 2020 RBC Social Change Award Recipient - CEO Delmore "Buddy" Daye Learning Institute
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.
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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.
Carolann Wright
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Director, Capacity Building and Strategic Initiatives, African Nova Scotian Communities and Executive Director of the Road to Economic Prosperity
