Canadian Club of London: Black History Month

1.  Charles Innis- a multifaceted community developer and entrepreneur with a rich mixed heritage. His father, Douglas Innis, was a Black musician, actor, and playwright from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, known for authoring "Satchmo Suite" and working as a sought-after session musician in Toronto. His mother, a White photographer, hails from London, Ontario, as a third-generation Londoner. Charles's Nova Scotian roots trace back to United Empire Loyalists. 

A graduate of St. Michael's Choir School in Toronto, Charles began his career in music, serving as a public relations artist for the Cabbagetown Arts Center during its early years. He later transitioned to clinical massage therapy, practicing from 2004 to 2014. After completing the Campus for Communities community development course, Charles has been working as a community developer in London, Ontario since 2014. 

Currently, Charles manages the Mystic Wisdom Tea and Bookshop alongside his daughter Adina. His diverse background, encompassing music, therapy, retail management, and camp curriculum coordination, contributed to his and his wife Carolyn's selection for the Mayor's Honors list in London, Ontario in 2016. 

Charles's unique perspective, shaped by his mixed heritage and varied professional experiences, makes him a valuable contributor to discussions on Black History in Canada.

2. Christina Lord MaAdEd (she/her)- a long-time member of the London Black community and has served in a volunteer capacity with several organizations over the years. She currently serves on the London Black History Coordinating Committee of which she was a founding member and is on the Board of Directors of the London and Middlesex Heritage Museum (Fanshawe Pioneer Village). She is a long-standing member of The Congress of Black Women, London Chapter.

3.  Tarik Kifle - a passionate advocate for Black student success and a dedicated Graduation Coach at the Thames Valley District School Board. With a Master’s Degree in Sociology specializing in African Studies from Carleton University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminology from King’s University College, Tarik combines her academic background with a deep commitment to anti-racism, equity, and community empowerment.

A proud member of the London Black History Coordinating Committee, Tarik has been instrumental in organizing initiatives such as the Black Business and Career Opportunities Conference and has worked to create a collective of Black Student Associations across the TVDSB through the Black Student Union. These efforts reflect her longstanding passion for fostering spaces where Black youth can connect with their heritage and one another.

Tarik’s work is deeply informed by her dedication to social justice, identifying and addressing social inequities, and empowering others through Afrocentric knowledge. Her Master’s degree in African Studies sparked her desire to continue empowering Black communities through education, while her experience in community outreach has allowed her to work in settings that reflect her passion for both Afrocentric education and community development. In her current role as a Graduation Coach for Black students, Tarik is committed to helping students navigate the educational system with the support and mentorship they need to succeed.

With over 12 years of experience in community outreach and advocacy, Tarik is excited to share her insights on Black heritage, the importance of community, and how we can continue to pave the way for future generations of Black leaders.

Our Modewrator: Carl Cadogan - a long history of community involvement and volunteering.

He has served on numerous boards, committees, and task forces, including the Premier’s Council on the Voluntary Sector , and the Provincial Work Group on Gaming (that redesigned the Ontario Trillium Foundation). He was a founding member of Pillar, and Eva’s Place, and is the Chair of the London Black History Coordinating Committee, the Treasurer of the Aya Afrika Foundation, and is on the Boards of the Vanier Institute of the Family, the Grand Theatre, Urban Roots London and Fanshawe Pioneer Village.. Carl is the Senior Regional Manager, Southwestern Ontario for the Kidney Foundation of Canada. He lives in London with his wife Cynthia and in his spare time, loves to travel, and has been to every province and one territory and to thirty US states, and sixteen African countries. He is an avid cyclist, reader, and kite flyer.
 

Doors open at 5pm

Event starts at 5:30pm

Post Reception 6:30pm to 7:15pm

Great Hall at Huron University

1349 Western Rd, London, ON