Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch is from the historical African Nova Scotian communities of Beechville and Cherry Brook. She is the mother of three amazing boys. She is said to be the first historical African Nova Scotian to graduate with a PhD from Dalhousie University. Dr. Hamilton-Hinch is an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Human Performance and the Assistant Vice Provost Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Dalhousie University. Dr. Hamilton-Hinch holds several other positions at Dalhousie University. She is the co-team lead for the Improving the Health Outcomes of People of African Descent Research Flagship with the Healthy Populations Institute, she is one of the founders of Imhotep Legacy Academy, co-chair of Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians, co-chair of the Faculty of Health Diversity and Inclusion Committee and a member of the Black Health Education Collaborative Steering Committee. Her work examines the impact of structural, systemic, and institutional racism on diverse populations, particularly people of African descent.

Josh is born Canadian, raised Australian and has Guyanese roots. He is Lab Manager and Research Associate at OTS Research Collaborative. He is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Health Promotion Program at Dalhousie University. Josh’s research focuses on intersectional population health and health equity. He is also the interim Research and Knowledge Mobilization Facilitator at the Healthy Populations Institute at Dalhousie University.

Emma Stirling Cameron a Research Associate at OTS Research Collaborative. She is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Health Promotion Program at Dalhousie University. Emma’s program of research has centered on understanding access to healthcare for refugees and asylum-seekers. She is also a foster parent and member of the board of directors for the Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia.

Crystal Watson is a PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University and Academic Chair in Health and Human Services at the Nova Scotia Community College. She holds a Master’s degree in Leisure Studies from Dalhousie University and is a certified recreation therapist.

Shirley is a second-year graduate student at Dalhousie University's Master’s in Health Administration program who is from Gibson Woods, a historically Black Loyalist community in Nova Scotia. Shirley’s’ interests are working in academia to address systemic racism and dismantling barriers faced by the Black and Black Disability communities, specifically working with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community as both of her parents are Deaf. Shirley is a research assistant on the Closing the Opportunity Gap project.

Nnamdi is a first year medical student at Dalhousie University who has research and professional experience in programming and capacity building within the Black and African Nova Scotian communities. Having completed an honours project; Retrospect: Supports for Criminal Record Holders, Incarcerated Individuals and Community Reintegration – within the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University, and working with the Nova Scotia Brotherhood and Sisterhood in Primary Healthcare, Nova Scotia Health, he has valuable understanding and knowledge within this area of research.

Project Co-manager

Lisa Dennis joined the MPP team as a co manager and provides health navigation in the northern region. She received her BSc from McGill University and her MSc from Dalhousie. She is pursuing Doctoral Studies at Boston University with a focus on the school to prison pipeline. She is a rehabilitation professional since 1999 and has offered services to a varied clientele such as community home-care for older adults; offering mental health and addictions services, school pediatric interventions, and programming in a correctional facility with aboriginal youth in northern Labrador; as well as working with active military members suffering from PTSD, mild traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, and musculoskeletal injuries. She is an award-winning entrepreneur and owns her own rehabilitation company offering brain rehab. She is also a public speaker on Black health issues including trauma, racism in health care and social determinants of health. Lisa is also a fitness instructor and certified to teach Zumba and Urban Poling. She is dedicated to providing a holistic, culturally-safe, client-centered service. She offers a service in both English and French. She is well known for her "out of the box" thinking. She is the mother of 2 teens and in her spare time, she enjoys djembe drumming, weight training, and aquafit

Project Co-manager

Warren Kelsey joined the MPP Team in late July 2023. He is passionate about dedicating the rest of his career in doing anti-Black racism work.

His professional education includes a Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie University, a Registered Nurse from Victoria General Hospital, Correctional Services Officer training from CSC Community College, and a Diploma in Human Services Counselling & Addictions from NSCC (Annapolis Campus). He also intends to complete a master’s degree in counseling.

He has extensive experience in mental health & well-being and is dedicated to working with clients, their families, and the community. He is very pleased to have this opportunity to do this meaningful work and make a difference in people’s lives

Community Health Navigator

I obtained my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry in 2007 from the University of Buea, Cameroon. After that, I taught high school Biology and Chemistry for 5 years before I immigrated to Canada in 2012 via the Quebec Skilled Workers Program. From 2012 – 2013, I did some odd jobs in order to acclimatize to the new country and environment. In September 2013, I enrolled into Ryerson University, Toronto to do a Certificate Program in Food Security and completed this program in December 2014. In 2015, I was offered admission into the University of Guelph, Ontario, to do a Master’s in Public Health with a major in Health Promotion and minor in Epidemiology. I graduated in in 2017. After that, I did some volunteer work in mass immunization against Poliomyelitis in Cameroon. I returned to Canada in 2018 where I worked part time as a health promoter in a Smoking Cessation Clinic.

In June 2019, I accepted the position of a Health Promotion Specialist with Mental Health & Addictions with Nova Scotia Health Authority, where I currently work in Tri-County of Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne to promote positive mental health and reduce harms from substance use and gambling

Community Health Navigator

Gloria has just graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University, where she studied Master of Science in the Department of Applied Human Nutrition. Gloria is a Community Based HIV counsellor from Nigeria with nine years of experience in research, population-based survey, nutrition, health education and HIV. Gloria has developed a passion for community development and the advancement of humanity through health, communication, and participation in result-based programming with local and international organizations. She is also committed to achieving program objectives and targets primarily focused on providing exceptional standards of practice and services. She possesses the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to develop positive internal and external relationships.

Community Health Navigator

Noémie is a Québecer of Afro-Caribbean descent who has been living in Nova Scotia for almost a decade. During her time here, she has gained experience in neuroscience and cognitive psychology research, and she is currently training as a clinical psychologist. Through her work, she aims to make quality evidence-based mental healthcare accessible to everyone who needs it and to advocate for mental health inequities. Noémie is excited to join the MPP team as a Community Health Navigator. She is committed to offering every participant a space that is safe, inclusive, and judgment-free as well as to providing support in navigating the health and legal systems in a participant-centered manner.

Peer Supporter

I am a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Dalhousie University, with aspirations to become a clinical psychologist. My boundless curiosity and passion for mental health and well-being advocacy and awareness, define my professional life. Beyond my academic pursuits, I enjoy poetry, cooking and trying out new restaurants. I am excited to be a part of the Mobilizing Partnerships Project, and to contribute to the work being done to aid the reintegration of formerly-incarcerated members of society.

Peer Supporter

My name is Maurice Downey, I have been hired on to work with the MPP (Mobilizing Partnership Project) as a Peer Support Worker. All my life I’ve felt the profound and jarring effects of the justice system, which I term the criminal system of injustice. In growing up in downtown Toronto I’ve witnessed a lot of youths from my community lives being altered thru their interactions with the justice system at a young age. This, I believe, has criminalized and alienated an otherwise vulnerable population that would have been receptive to restorative justice measures that are implemented on other dominant groups. I always felt I could play a part and in fact had a role no matter how small, in changing that outcome in my demographic. In 2016 I was lead on the Black August Prisoner protest in Burnside Correctional Facility, which brought awareness and advocacy to an otherwise voiceless and vulnerable population and reinvigorated their quest for human rights. Being part of MPP gives me an opportunity to carry out my life’s work, as being an advocate for the oppressed.

Administrative Assistant

Francoise Uwamahoro came to Canada 6 years ago and studied at MSVU where she obtained a BBA degree with a major in accounting. Francoise intends to pursue a CPA and master's degree in business administration.

Francoise joined the Mobilizing Partnership Project Team as an Administrative Assistant in August 2023; she is very excited to join MPP and contribute to providing support to formerly incarcerated individuals based on their needs and helping them integrate back into the community.