2024 Summit Schedule

Check-in and breakfast buffet available for delegates.

Treaty 6 Land Acknowledgement.

DJ Bangerz live on stage.

Welcome speech by ACCEC Co-Founder, President and CEO, Dunia Nur.

Overview of the summit objectives, agenda, and expectations by ACCEC Program Manager Teresa Omina.

Dr. Mohamed Camara, Professor of History, Philosophy, and Mass Communication and the current Chair of the Department of African Studies at Howard University, will provide an overview of the historical and contemporary dynamics of African Descent cultures and identities and highlight the contributions and achievements of African Descent people in various fields and sectors.

Panel will feature three speakers who are experts or practitioners in the respective topic and will be moderated by an ACCEC staff or volunteer. The panels will also include a Q&A session for the participants to interact with the speakers.

Panel Speaker 1: “African History: From Ancient Civilizations to Modern Nations”

Panel Speaker 2: “African Diaspora: Experiences and Challenges of Migration and Integration”

Panel Speaker 3: “African Identity: Negotiating and Expressing Multiple and Hybrid Identities”

The participants will have a lunch break, where they will be served a variety of African Descent cuisines, with consideration for dietary restrictions. The participants will also have the opportunity to mingle and network with each other and the speakers, facilitators, and organizers of the summit.

The participants will choose one of the following workshops to attend, based on their interest and preference. Each workshop will be facilitated by a local youth or national cultural organization or artist who has expertise and experience in delivering cultural programs and activities for African Descent youth. The workshops will also provide the participants with the opportunity to learn and practice a new skill or craft, and to create and share their own work.

Workshop 1: “Traditional Crafts: Learning and Making African Descent Artifacts.” This workshop will introduce the participants to the various types and styles of African Descent artifacts, such as masks, sculptures, textiles, and jewelry. The participants will also learn how to make their own artifact using traditional materials and techniques.

Workshop 3: “Culinary Arts: Learning and Cooking African Descent Cuisines.” This workshop will introduce the participants to the variety and flavour of African Descent cuisines, such as Ethiopian, Nigerian, Jamaican, and Haitian. The participants will also learn how to prepare and cook a simple and delicious dish from one of the cuisines and enjoy their meal together.

Sophie Jama Malindi, TruVoice Solutions Inc. Woman Empowerment Leader, will provide insight into the root causes and effects of systemic racism and discrimination on the physical, mental, and emotional health of African Descent youth, and offer some practical and holistic solutions for coping and healing.

The participants will choose one of the following roundtable discussions to attend, based on their interest and preference. Each roundtable will feature a facilitator who is an expert or practitioner in the respective topic, and will be composed of 10 to 15 participants. The roundtables will provide a space for the participants to share their personal experiences and perspectives, and to brainstorm ideas and strategies for addressing the issues and challenges they face.

Roundtable 1: “Education: Accessing and Excelling in Academic and Vocational Education.” This roundtable will explore the barriers and opportunities that African Descent youth encounter in their educational journey, and the ways to improve their academic and vocational performance and outcomes.

Roundtable 2: “Healthcare: Ensuring and Enhancing the Physical and Mental Well-being of African Descent Youth.” This roundtable will examine the disparities and inequities that African Descent youth face in accessing and receiving quality healthcare services, and the ways to promote and protect their physical and mental well-being.

Roundtable 3: “Social Justice: Advocating and Mobilizing for the Rights and Dignity of African Descent Youth.” This roundtable will discuss the issues and challenges that African Descent youth face in their social and civic engagement, and the ways to advocate and mobilize for their rights and dignity.