UsNow 2018
Please scroll below to learn more about the 2018 conference
Yamikani Msosa
Yamikani Msosa is a grassroots feminist anti-violence advocate and educator. She is currently the Coordinator for Diversity and Inclusion, overseeing the Black Academic Success and Engagement (BASE) Initiative at Humber College. She completed her Master’s degree in Women and Gender Studies at Carleton University and was recently the Education Specialist at the Ryerson University, Consent Comes First: Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education office.
She has given trainings all over the country on issues related to Sexual Violence, LGBTQ Communities & Anti-Black Racism including Ministry of the Attorney General, Ministry of Labour, Status of Women, UN Committee on International Decade of People of African Descent, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Yamikani has been featured in Macleans Magazine, The Walrus, Chatelaine Magazine, Now Toronto, and CBC National.She has worked for organizations such as Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, Immigrant Women Services of Ottawa, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa to name a few.
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Malikah Bader
Malikah grew up wanting to be an artist- she came from a family with a brother in Aerospace Engineering and another in Computer Science. Her mom wanted her to be a doctor, naturally. She rebelled pretty hard until university hit and she realized she actually loved Anatomy and Physiology, as well as Psychology and Social Sciences. She put those together and worked towards a career as a Nurse Practitioner (still rebelling pretty hard against the doctor thing).
The Nursing profession has allowed her to finally land her dream job working in a Family Health Team where she provides primary care to individuals in a rural community, as well as plan programs which focus on prevention and education, where her heart lies.
Iona Sky
Iona Sky identifies as a racialized lesbian who is also an immigrant, social worker and mother. She has worked and volunteered in the social work field for over 20 years in a variety of areas including the domestic violence sector, developmental services, LGBTQ2S+ services and child welfare.
She is currently a Director of Service at Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County. Iona also has a consulting practice on equity and inclusion issues and is currently completing her PhD in social work. Her research will focus on the diverse experiences and identities of LGBTQ+ youth in the care of child welfare.
Lorraine Hewitt
Lorraine Hewitt (aka CoCo La Crème) is an experienced sex educator and relationship expert who has been enhancing sex lives for over 15 years. Her wealth of knowledge, warm personality and sense of humour ensure that her classes are always as comfortable as they are informative. Lorraine focusses on teaching essential sensual skills and improving erotic communication.
Her work has been featured on numerous television shows, major print publications and blogs. She presents several workshops including Giving Great Head, Flirtation 101, Romantic Sex for Couples and Open Relationships for the Open-Hearted. Under her stage name CoCo La Creme, Lorraine is also a pioneering local burlesque artist who performs both solo and with Canada's premier burlesque troupe Skin Tight Outta Sight.