NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN: Wakai Glasgow Social Justice Award 2025

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Wakai Glasgow Social Justice Award to be presented June 13th, 2025 at ANSJI's 2nd annual Justice Symposium.

About Wakai:

The Wakai Glasgow Social Justice Award honours the life and memory of Wakai Glasgow, a former Lawyer at the African Nova Scotia Justice Institute, and dedicated father, son, brother and friend. As a member of the Justice Advocates Program, Wakai worked in human rights, addressing policing and employment law issues, and was instrumental in leading the Know Your Rights campaign and delivering public, legal education to students across the province.

As an integral part of the larger legal community, Wakai also held the role of Staff Lawyer and Duty Counsel with Nova Scotia Legal Aid for 13 years where he navigated complex cases and fought through an often racially discriminatory legal system. He earned aBachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Waterloo and a Juris Doctor degree from Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law.

Wakai had a captivating presence with an exceptional legal mind, and a spirit of social justice. He made an impact through advocacy, noteworthy human rights efforts, and unwavering dedication to his community. This award will be presented annually at theANSJI Justice Symposium to honor an individual in Nova Scotia who reflects and upholds these values.

About ANSJI:

The African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI) exists to address systemic racism in the justice system that disproportionately impacts African Nova Scotians and Black people of African descent while advocating for their fair, legal, and constitutional treatment.

ANSJI is a justice-focused organization that takes both proactive and responsive measures to combat the institutional racism Black people face in policing, the courts, prisons, and related systems.

Award Application Criteria:

Identity:

Applicants must identify as a Black person of African descent/African Nova Scotian living and working in Nova Scotia.

Age Requirement:

Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to be nominated.

Nomination or Application:

Applicants must be nominated by someone else (no self-nomination).

Alignment with Wakai Glasgow’s Legacy:

The submission must have a clear connection to the values Wakai Glasgow championed:

Resilience
Advocacy
Uplifting marginalized/underrepresented voices and communities.

Applicants must reside and work in Nova Scotia and be employed or actively volunteering in the justice or social justice sector (e.g., community work, youth services, legal profession, etc.).

If selected as the winner, you must be able to attend ANSJI’s Justice Symposium on June 13th, 2025 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Submission must be emailed to derico.symonds@ansji.ca in PDF format to be considered.

Deadline: Completed nominations will be accepted until April 26th, 2025 at 5:00 pm

Please submit no more than 1 page PDF document with the following requirements:

a. Submission is suggested to be in 12-point times new roman font, no more than 1 page in length.

b. Completed nominations will be accepted until April 26th 5:00pm, 2025

c. Nomination should speak to the nominees: Demonstrated dedication to social justice, advocacy, or community empowerment within the Black/African Nova Scotian communities in Nova Scotia.

d. Nomination should speak to: How the nominee has demonstrated Resilience, Advocacy, and Uplifting marginalized/underrepresented voices and communities through their work.

e. Email all submissions to: derico.symonds@ansji.ca If you have questions or concerns, please contact DeRico Symonds, 902-293-8996.

Selection

Your application will be reviewed by a panel consisting of ANSJI staff and members of Wakai Glasgow family/friends.
The recipient will be awarded in person at the ANSJI Justice Symposium taking place on June 13th, 2025.

Accessing The Application

You have a variety of options to access the application.