Walk with our Children with Ginelle Skerritt
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 | 7 to 9 p.m.
Newmarket Public Library (438 Park Avenue) | Free Admission
Join us for a live and interactive speaker presentation and Interview, hosted by the Newmarket Public Library and moderated by Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association’s Jerisha Grant-Hall and featuring Ginelle Skerritt, celebrated community builder and first Black CEO in the history of children’s aid societies in Ontario. Her previous roles include Regional Director of UNICEF Ontario, and leadership roles at The Neighbourhood Group, Warden Woods, United Way of Greater Toronto and Tropicana Community Services.
Ginelle Skerritt
Ginelle Skerritt, an executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector is the Chief Executive Officer of York Region Children's Aid Society. Her previous roles include Regional Director of UNICEF Ontario, and leadership roles at The Neighbourhood Group, Warden Woods, United Way of Greater Toronto and Tropicana Community Services.
Ms. Skerritt's passion for equity, advocacy and justice guides her leadership approach, which is focused on creating an environment for children's success founded on mutual respect and engagement with the families and communities. She combines a community-centred approach that considers the social determinants of health with a strong grounding in equity practice.
She is an initiate and teacher in the Akan Rites of Passage tradition and a published author on the topic of traditional savings and credit associations, ROSCA's, collective economic development solutions, and a member of the Charity Report's Literary Review Panel.
Her leadership experience extends to several Boards and Committees including, United Way/BMO Inclusive Economic Leadership Table, TDSB Equity Planning Task Force, CAMH Constituency Council, Black Health Coalition, Toronto Black Food Sovereignty Initiative, Social Planning Toronto, Toronto Neighbourhood Centres and Rosalie Hall.
Ms. Skerritt has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Ontario Black History Society 2022 Daniel Hill Award for Community Service, Canadian Forces Chaplaincy School medal, 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women of 2018, featured on the 25th Anniversary Official Black History Month Poster, Yensomou Community Leadership Award, Nigerian Canadian News Community Leadership Award, Phenomenal Woman Award and Tropicana Community Services Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Jerisha Grant-Hall,
NACCA Chairperson
Jerisha is an innovative and strategic thinker, equity professional and consultant who is committed to moving our communities forward through partnerships and cooperation. She holds a Masters degree from York University with a focus in postcolonial, anti-colonial, cultural and feminist theory, and has developed specialized knowledge in the principles of race relations, equity and inclusion. She is the founder and chair of the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA), which is a registered non-profit organization that is focused on building and connecting communities, supporting and strengthening Black families and businesses, and empowering Black youth.
Jerisha is Chair of the Town of Newmarket Anti-Black Racism Task Force and was a member of the Steering Committee as well as the Working Group to work closely to develop the Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy for the York Region District School Board. In her role as NACCA’ Chairperson, Jerisha created a strategy to build the capacity of institutions, businesses and municipal government to address and dismantle anti-Black racism through an annual training and workshop that she produces and delivers entitled, “Towards Racial Equity: Examining Anti-Black Racism in Canada”. She also developed and supported the delivery of culturally-responsive programs and services to individuals and families that are adversely impacted by anti-Black racism; she continues to drive systemic change through advocacy across various institutions, including education and policing.
Jerisha is deeply committed to building community and building relationships. She is a dedicated leader who is driven by the desire to eradicate racial discrimination by cultivating and promoting an inclusive environment where social harmony, mutual respect and human dignity are realized for all. Jerisha is the recipient of the Canada International Black Women Excellence’s award for Canada’s top 100 Black Women to watch 2022.
