LCCMedia caught up with the convener of WODIL 2022, Mrs Hilda Fankah- Arthur. She speaks articulately about equity, inclusion and diversity in such terms that it is compelling for us all to hear.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Originally from Ghana in West Africa, I migrated to North America, specifically, California–US in 2008 to pursue my master’s program at Santa Clara University. Upon completion of the program, I moved to Canada in 2013 and started my doctoral program at the University of Alberta in 2016. During this period, I developed interest in understanding the educational structures and the experiences of marginalized students/people in North America, which guided my educational and professional pursuit.
My motivation to pursue a career in education and policy development was inspired by the need to address issues impacting the growth and advancement of marginalized people in North America. My experiences in the United States and later Canada exposed me to some of the issues that affect marginalized people at different educational levels and the challenges they face as they navigate their career trajectories.
In preparation towards my PhD program at the University of Alberta, I connected with Indigenous scholars who awakened my personal consciousness and inspired me to embrace my indigeneity as a Black African. My experience within colonized educational and socio-cultural structures has distorted my perceptions and understanding of the true intent of a good education. I realized through personal interactions and research that many people from different backgrounds were also struggling to navigate similar challenges in different spaces.
My education and other opportunities give me access to resources, which accord me the privilege to pay it forward and support others. I decided to embrace this responsibility and contribute to the growth and advancement of others with similar experiences and on related pathways.
As a Black African immigrant woman studying and working in different capacities, I believe that each situation we encounter presents unique opportunities for us to build our potential and create a better human experience in the greater society. The different challenges I have overcome, and the barriers I continue to navigate in the various aspects of my life have contributed to my resilience and fortitude to strive for greater heights. I value respect, humility, excellence, life-long learning, loyalty and hard work. Everyone is unique and has great talents, skills and abilities that can be nurtured to help them reach their greatest potential. I am a strong advocate for equitable education, and I continue to look for avenues to create awareness, build capacity and foster personal growth for the collective good of all humanity.
What is the inspiration behind the Centre for Intellectual Excellence (CeFIE)?
The Centre for Intellectual Excellence (CeFIE) is a non-profit organization that seeks to create opportunities for diverse populations, particularly marginalized people, to reach their highest potential. CeFIE was established in response to inaccessible resources, which creates inequitable opportunities for the advancement of marginalized people. There are accomplished and experienced professionals from marginalized communities who have overcome different challenges and barriers in their educational and professional journey. Unfortunately, most of these great individuals are not known or readily accessible to others who are on similar journeys. Our goal at CeFIE is to create a platform where resources and information will be made available and accessible to different people and facilitate connection between professionals. We intend to create a resource hub that will serve as a base for the growth and advancement of people from diverse backgrounds. Everybody’s experience is unique to their personal circumstances; however, we can learn from one another’s experiences. If we don’t share our stories, we deprive others of the opportunity to learn from our experiences. I believe that the next generation can advance through the existing barriers if we share the skills and strategies we have applied to successfully overcome these challenges. One main platform we have created for this purpose is the World Diversity in Leadership conference (www.wodil.ca).
Can you describe the highlights of your signature event WODIL in 2021?
The World Diversity in Leadership (WODIL) conference is an annual international event that brings together senior officials/policy makers, researchers, community members and leaders from private corporations to share ideas, skills and strategies on how to address emerging issues within the Equity, Diversity and Inclusive (EDI) framework. There have been several discussions on issues related to EDI within a very broad spectrum and WODIL creates the avenue to highlight the benefits of applying these concepts to specific issues in different fields and specializations.
The inaugural WODIL conference was held in Edmonton, Alberta in July of 2021. This was a virtual event due to COVID-19 pandemic health restrictions and the need to ensure the safety of our participants. The theme for the 2021 WODIL conference was “The importance of a diverse workforce in economic recovery”. Some of our keynote speakers were Martin Luther King III, H.E. Dr. Jewel Taylor, H.E. Lt. Hon. Salma Lakhani, Dr. Wendy Cukier, Chief Constable Mark Neufeld, and many others. We also featured several international and local speakers on different topics, such as, managing workplace diversity and inclusion, racio-ethnicity and work, women in leadership, gender pay gap, disability and identity, addressing and managing unconscious bias, religion and diversity, diversity and the criminal justice system and many more.
What can we expect in 2022 from WODIL?
This year’s WODIL will be held from June 20th to the 24th at the Edmonton Convention Centre. We have great speakers confirmed and some of our keynote speakers include Hon. Julia Gillard, Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Dr. A. Louise Bonaparte, H.E. Dr. Jewel Taylor and H.R.M. Nana Odidwour Baah Kokroko III.
In recognition of the significant contribution of technology and innovation throughout this pandemic, as well as the growing need for entrepreneurship in economic recovery, this year’s theme is titled “Leveraging diversity to advance innovation and entrepreneurship”. Some of the topics that will be covered include innovation; law and technology; Indigenous women and entrepreneurship; diversity in sports; the impact of women entrepreneurship in STEM; raising equity consciousness and many more topics.
This program is open to all people and you can find information about how to participate at www.diversityconference.ca.
The change we desire requires consistent efforts of encouraging each other to do the right thing even when it is most uncomfortable. We can change the outcome of the future by changing our attitudes and behaviours now. We all have a role to play; nothing is too small or insignificant. LET’S ALL DO OUR PART!!!
