In honour of Black History Month, the ncLibraries and Learning Commons, in partnership with Niagara College’s Indigenous Education department, is hosting a virtual living library event with guest speaker Sherri Darlene, the Niagara-based anti-racism activist and founder of Justice4BlackLives who organized a peaceful demonstration in Niagara Falls in June 2020 to challenge racial injustice.
The event, Living Library #2: Justice4BlackLives Niagara – A conversation with Sherri Darlene, will be held on Tuesday, February 23 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. via Zoom and is open to all NC students, alumni, staff and faculty, as well as community members.
During her discussion, Sherri Darlene will pose questions about systemic racism, anti-racism and allyship, drawing from her own lived experiences and the themes found within the books Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race and White Fragility.
The living library concept, where books are people and reading consists of a conversation, has been adopted by organizations across the globe to challenge stereotypes, stigma, prejudice and discrimination. The ncLibraries and Learning Commons team embraced the concept last Fall, hosting their first living library event to educate the community about the historical and cultural significance of treaties on the heels of Treaties Recognition Week.
The upcoming event with Sherri Darlene provides an opportunity for the college community to recognize Black History Month, while fostering education and meaningful dialogue around important issues including racism and injustice. Those interested in attending the Feb. 23 event can register here.
This isn’t the first time Sherri Darlene has partnered with Niagara College. Recently, she worked with ncLibraries staff to review the college’s resources on Black history and anti-racism. An Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism Information Library Guide is available on the ncLibraries website here to encourage students, staff and faculty to learn, participate, and continue important conversations around anti-racism and anti-oppression.
NC will continue to mark Black History Month through February with additional opportunities promoting education and dialogue on the topic. Stay tuned for more information, which will be shared via InsideNC and on NC’s and NCSAC’s social media channels.
About Sherri Darlene – Justice4BlackLives.com
On June 6, 2020, Sherri Darlene (founder) organized and facilitated the Justice4BlackLives peaceful demonstration in which thousands marched in solidarity. Justice4BlackLives, is now Niagara’s first grassroots organization with both temporary and permanent exhibits at The Niagara Falls History Museum.
Sherri Darlene is an authentic speaker, who is impeccably intentional in her approach to break the barriers of systemic racism. She has unapologetically lifted the veil and exposed the hard truth of racism in Canada. Using methods that focus directly on dismantling ignorance, her “Let’s Stop Pretending We Don’t See The Elephant In The Room” approach is refreshing.
Sherri Darlene commissioned and worked with local City Officials in developing Niagara’s first Anti Racism Committee. She actively works within her community providing mediation to resolve racial tension and was recently named one of Niagara’s 2020 Hometown Heroes.
She has partnered with both The Niagara College Library to upgrade resources and The Niagara Falls History Museum hosting The Justice4BlackLives Book Club. She has been a guest speaker and panel guest on such platforms as; Niagara’s Women’s Leadership Summit, Brock University Women In Business and Niagara Folk Arts Centre.
Sherri Darlene and the Justice4BlackLives organization have become an important resource to Niagara’s Black community.
(Source: Inside NC)
