Racial Equity in the Workplace III
What is this moment asking of us?
To support and nurture diverse art and artist-led city building to foster not only a resilient and sustainable arts ecosystem, but also to achieve a truly equitable, inclusive and accessible city where everyone belongs.
Calgary Arts Development is committed to bettering our systems regarding equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA). As a public agency stewarding public dollars for the benefit of all Calgarians, we aspire to foster a resilient and sustainable arts sector that is safe and welcoming for all, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, language, citizenship, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical or mental abilities.
As part of our series of Commitment to Equity Virtual Town Halls, the third of three sessions focused on racial equity in the workplace will take place on September 28, 2023. All our town halls take place over Zoom and are free and open to everyone.
Racial Equity in the Workplace III
Hosted by Toyin Oladele with guests Kadra Yusuf, Artistic Director of Calgary based EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society, and CONTRA, a director, producer, musician, curator and creative strategist.
This will be a conversation with BIPOC arts leaders to explore some of the challenges they have encountered getting hired in the arts community as a leader from a minority group. We will explore their stories and the stories they’ve heard from their community.
Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023
Time: 12 – 2pm
Online via Zoom: Register here
Bios
Toyin Oladele
Toyin Oladele is a multi-disciplinary artist, curator, arts manager, creative strategist, and community builder, originally from Nigeria. She is a motivated and results-focused professional with two decades of experience, she has demonstrated excellence in organizational development, strategic planning, program development and implementation, community and arts-based event planning, production and event management, engagement, and equity & diversity.
As a consultant and in her diverse roles, Toyin has overseen the development, delivery, and evaluation of a range of programs, projects, and partnerships focused on elevating the cultural landscape and supporting arts and culture professionals from all backgrounds. Her professional strengths are firmly rooted in her passion to invigorate community spaces with arts and culture, infusing inclusivity and vibrancy into her community, through a strategic approach that is highly collaborative.
Toyin has been named as Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to watch by CIBWE in 2022, Top 25 EDIA Persons of the year by Canadian Multicultural Group in 2021 amongst other awards and nominations
In her spare time, Toyin loves to watch movies in Yoruba language, her mother tongue and engage with creative people. She also enjoys coaching, mentoring and assisting newcomers, especially women, to find their voice as professionals in the city of Calgary and across Canada and North America. Toyin is married and is a mother of three.
Kadra Yusuf
Kadra Yusuf is best known as the first Artistic Director (2021) of Calgary based EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Media Arts Alliance (AMAAS) and the Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA).
Kadra is driven by her curiosity and desire to cultivate new voices. Her passion and appreciation for the arts inform every decision she makes.
When she is not working, she loves dissecting comedy, spending time with loved ones and playing with her cat Max.
CONTRA
Director, Producer, Musician, Curator, Creative Strategist
CONTRA is a multidisciplinary artist who navigates the Canadian arts and culture landscape as a musician, director, curator and creative strategist. Her most prominent project to date is through her work in Cartel Madras, an expansive and experimental music project now signed under Sub Pop Records.
As a founding member of the FOREIGNERZ art & production house her artistic journey has also brought her into the world of art direction, filmmaking and creative strategy. Challenging cities, industries and narratives to allow new voices in is at the very centre of how Contra pursues all her creative endeavours; furthering culture and allowing art to thrive.
Her leadership in the arts has lead to her being sought out for her creative direction and artistic philosophy by various arts institutions in Calgary and Canada including Sled Island, Calgary International Film Festival, Arts Commons, Pink Flamingo, Pop Kultur Berlin, Debaser, BUMP Festival, Calgary Queer Arts Society, Beakerhead and more.
To register for this free Commitment to Equity Virtual Town Hall, visit cada.at/racial-equity-III.
