Alicia Wright | Land Acknowledgement & Intention Setting

Alicia is dedicated to advocating for equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression practices in the workplace and learning environment. She currently serves as DFM’s Manager, EDI & Anti-Racism Initiatives and is a central resource for leaders, faculty, staff and learners across DFM’s domains. In her role, she actively collaborates with FHS, McMaster and Hamilton-based partners on programs and initiatives to foster greater equity. Alicia is actively involved in the Hamilton community contributing to the mission of several non-profit/charitable organizations. 

Cathy Risdon | Greetings & Remarks

Cathy Risdon is Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster aiming to help reinvigorate a sustainable, inclusive learning and practice environment for current and future family medicine learners and providers. For Risdon, breaking down barriers and honouring different viewpoints is key to building a successful department capable of training top-quality family doctors and attracting skilled staff and faculty.

Dj’s Flying Circus | Band

Dj’s Flying Circus is a genre-bending collective of McMaster University artists led by Deyontae (Dj) Patterson. Fusing the sophisticated horn lines of Jazz and the rhythmic pulse of Reggae with the infectious groove of Funk, Rock, and Soul, the group creates an original, kinetic soundscape. Their performance is guided by a four-pillar “FUNK” philosophy:

• Flamboyant (liberating the true self),
• United (defying social and cultural boundaries),
• Never-Ending (adapting through the decades), and
• Kinetic (an absolute mandate to dance).

Composed of diverse creative collaborators, the Circus transforms the stage into a vibrant, inclusive space for cultural exchange and technical mastery.

Terri Beminster | Storytelling 

Executive Director, REFUGE Newcomer Health

Amani Omar | Hamilton You Poets, Spoken Word

Amani Omar (she/her) is a Somali-Canadian author, poet, and visual artist based in Hamilton, Ontario. Her work celebrates Black Muslim identity, Somali heritage, and self-love through storytelling that bridges poetry and visual art. Amani’s debut collectively published book, Oceans Barwaaqo, explores themes of culture, belonging, and resilience. She is also the co-creator and illustrator of Timmy and His Thought That Followed Him Everywhere, an all-ages picture book by The Story Elves that introduces families to an Internal Family Systems (IFS) perspective on healing and addiction. 

As a community leader with Hamilton You Poets, Amani facilitates writing and performance workshops for emerging artists of all ages. Her work has appeared in TRAD, PITCH, and Briarpatch magazines, and, together with her team at HYP, she received the 2022 GOG Award for Innovation in a Permanent Collection for Breaking The Vault: Art and Poetic Liberty at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. As a Story Elf, she writes, rhymes, imagines, and illustrates — always with purpose and heart. 

Hamilton You Poets

Hamilton You Poets is known locally for promoting community culture for spoken word, performance, storytelling. Over the past 10 years they have been uplifting voices through poetry, self-expression, creativity, writing performance and publication.

Afrolicious Catering

Afrolicious is a family-owned catering business operating for over 10 years now, bringing you a taste-trip across Africa. Celebrating heritage in every bite. 

If possible, please bring your own reusable cup for coffee/tea and your water bottle.