Speakers

Below is a list of incredible members of our Black community who live in or close to Vancouver.

Please feel free to contact them personally to set up a time to come and speak to your staff and/or students. Pro D days and parent talks are also available.

Topics include Antiracism, Bias, Privilege, Colourism, Cultural Appropriation, Microaggression, the N-word and more.

We would recommend booking a minimum of 2 sessions (with the same speaker) to allow a follow up session where any thoughts, reflections or questions can be addressed.

Compensation varies. Fees can be paid to your speaker who will provide you with an invoice. Please contact them directly.

Giselle Clarke-Trenaman

Since 2017 PHT staff member Giselle Clarke-Trenaman has been educating children in Greater Vancouver classrooms about the rich Black History in British Columbia and Canada. Feedback from students and teachers is clear – her presentations are insightful and meaningful, provoking critical thinking and important conversations.

For more information and to book sessions for your school or organization, contact Giselle at: tech@phtheatre.org

Website: Black History Matters Grades K - 7

Green Thumb Theatre (Presentation House Theatre)

Charles Lartey

I created this organization to bring about everlasting change when it comes to racism in Canada and eventually the world!

When I saw the tragedies of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor unfold, without getting political, I realized that there was soo much division that reared its head amongst the people of the world. And I felt the push to do something about it.

At the end of the day, we are human beings, and although unique, with varying thoughts, cultures and upbringings. I believe that we are stronger together than apart. And I truly believe that we become unified when we can REALLY AND TRULY listen to each other, and educate the next generation in a safe and open space. Giving people of colour a space and time to share and others a chance to listen, and ask questions, where they aren’t ostracized for it.

So that’s why Hope U is here! And I’m asking all of you to share this, like it, talk about it and join me in making a change!

If you want to join me in this mission my DM’s are open, Black, white, ndigenous, Asian etc. it does not matter.

Contact Charles through his website HOPE U or via email @ charles@hopeu.ca

All sessions include an ice-breaker game, visual aids, and a small group discussion
All sessions available for teacher professional development

“I wanted to express my gratitude for your presentations/workshops yesterday. I was able to attend all of the first session and some of the second. I really appreciated how you responded to some of those challenging questions. You were conscious that you were presenting to Elementary students and your responses were thoughtful and reminded students of their ability to be critical thinkers. When I checked with a few students after it was finished they shared how much they enjoyed the session.”

North Vancouver Principal

“What an incredible gift that guy has! I’m literally in awe of how he could take 100+ strangers on a zoom call and end with us all feeling like we’d had a cozy chat on the couch”

“My kids LOVED their session with him”

“Why can’t we all be like this? He is bringing light back into what people can be with each other”

“I can’t stop thinking about it. The takeaway questions were really thought-provoking”

“Thankyou Parker. We are deeply appreciative of you and the work you are doing, as you said, on the shoulders of your ancestors.”

North Vancouver Parents

Parker Johnson

Parker Johnson is an African American adoptee from Savannah Georgia, who has grown up on the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen People.

Parker is a University of Victoria graduate with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Education. He works as a Youth Support Worker in group homes.

When not supporting youth, Parker leads, This is Table Talk, an intentional space to decolonize conversations within his local community.

Using his education and past experience, Parker has created a platform in a safe space that promotes relational acts of kindness, while utilizing trauma informed practices.

You can contact Sia at Sia.foryoh@gmail.com

“We had asked Sia to come and speak to our teenagers for 10-20 minutes. 30 minutes later not one of them had moved. She speaks the truth, is hilarious and asks deep questions. She has young peoples’ attention from the moment she arrives in their space”

Vancouver Parent

Sia Foryoh

Sia is an East Vancouver, voiceover and TV actress and creator of Mom Let’s Talk, “an inclusive space for moms of all cultures to share stories and narratives in a place of solidarity and raise our children to foster a brighter future.”

Born in Sierra Leone, her family fled during the civil war. Entrusted to a woman at a UN refugee camp in Guinea, she lived in Dakar Senegal for a year before her parents entered the country illegally to reunite with her. They were sponsored to live in Edmonton Canada in 1999, and the rest is history.

You can contact Nii at niiokwei.engmann@gmail.com

“You so masterfully guided the sessions and created such a positive & open environment for all those involved. The community you have created and are creating is so important within this time of division. Unity is so beautiful to see & experience especially with everything happening in the world.”

Prince Nii

Nii is Ghanaian born, grew up in Toronto, and now resides in Surrey. He speaks 3.5 languages, is a nursing student, but spends most of his time teaching young people to try and dance as well as he does. You may often catch glimpses of him in movies and TV shows - most recently Christmas Chronicles 2.

Nii is willing to engage in tough conversations and brings humour and energy to every relationship.