Meet Our Team

Principal Investigator: Dr. Wesley Crichlow, PhD

Dr. Wesley Crichlow is a professor at Ontario Tech University and scholar activist whose work dovetails at the intersections of Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, Theories of Enslavism,
Understanding the Scourges of Anti-Blackness, Abolition & Decarceration, Decolonizing Black Freedom, Decolonizing Trans and Black Same-Gender Love. As the principal investigator for the research project: Carceral Intersections of Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Trans
Experience in Confronting Anti-Black Racism and Structural Violence in the Prisoner Re-entry Industrial Complex, Dr. Crichlow’s scholarly research and activism spearheads our work in the
Black GBTQI+ Justice Impacted Support group.

Alexis Remekie, Undergraduate Research Fellow, Criminology Major

Alexis is a research fellow and upper-year Criminology and Justice Studies student at Ontario Tech University. In addition to receiving multiple President’s List distinctions, she is also a member of the Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship program at Ontario Tech. As an
aspiring criminologist who is passionate about investigating the intersection of anti-Black racism, homophobia and transphobia, and the prison industrial complex, Alexis is excited to help transform the project’s in-depth research into constructive advocacy and social change – while
making a lasting impact in the field Black and Queer criminology.

Andrea Samaroo, Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public

Andrea is a Toronto-based lawyer who conducts client consultations, engages in strategic
negotiations between parties, manages client files, executes legal research and analysis, and
represents clients at the Sookhoo Law Professional Corporation. Andrea’s extensive
professional experience allows her to contribute valuable and crucial legal expertise to the Black
GBTQI+ Justice Impact Support group.

Arena Alamino, Sexual Wellbeing programming, Elizabeth Fry Nova Scotia

Arena provides sexual, gender, and reproductive wellness education in Mi’kma’ki. She has a
background in peer support and facilitation, and has been involved with organizations such as
the LGBT Youthline and Planned Parenthood Toronto. She is passionate about transforming the
sex education landscape by using a 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive, trauma informed, decolonial
approach.

Briana Jackson, Caseworker, Community Navigator, Roots Community Services

Briana is a caseworker and community navigator at Roots Community Services, providing
community members with housing assistance. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in
Counselling Psychology, aligning with her passion for supporting diverse communities. Briana
brings her significant knowledge of community wellbeing and psychology to the project.

Andre Cooper, Social Development, LGBTQ+ advisor for City of Toronto

Andre, a Jamaican development professional, focuses on equity, diversity, and inclusion with an
intersectional and trauma-informed approach. Based in Toronto, he promotes holistic wellness
programs for youth in community and healthcare settings, addressing physical, mental, and
emotional well-being. Originally in media and public relations, Cooper now leads social
development programs, managing diverse teams and improving social services systems. A
passionate advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, he serves as an LGBTQ+ advisor to the
city of Toronto.

Deborah Nurse, M.B.A., M.A.

Deborah is a Fellow of the Certified General Accountant of Canada and a Fellow of the
Chartered Professional Association of Ontario and British Columbia. She is also a certified
project manager and an Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada. She holds
a bachelor’s degree in accounting, an MBA and a master’s degree (Project Management and
Evaluation for Development Projects) from the University of the West Indies. Deborah’s
research project to fulfil the requirements of a PhD (Public Policy and Administration) –
Decolonializing Sodomy Laws in the English-Speaking Caribbean: A Comparative Analysis of
Barbados and The Bahamas was approved by Carleton University. Deborah has a wide range
of experience in the Not-For-Profit sector both at the governance and operational level. She
worked with Canadian and international organizations in senior leadership positions and served
on the Board of Directors of several local and international organizations. Before relocating to
Canada, Deborah was an adjunct professor with the University of The West Indies and
consulted with various organizations and governmental bodies in the Caribbean region. Such
organizations include Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination, Guyana’s Vulnerable
Communities Coalition, the Government of Barbados and the Caribbean Community and
regional intergovernmental body.

Dr. Elaine Coburn, PhD

In addition to being a professor and member of the Department of Sociology and Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies and Social and Political Thought at York University, Dr. Elaine Coburn also serves as York’s Director of the Centre for Feminist Research. Through her extensive research of social justice, neoliberal globalization, socialist feminism, and Indigenous and anti-racist perspectives, Dr. Coburn has contributed to the Centre d’analyse et d’intervention sociologiques (CADIS), the American University of Paris, the Journal of Canadian Studies and on the editorial board of the Canadian Review of Sociology, and Literary Review of Canada.

Emma Joseph

Emma Joseph (she/her) is a policy analyst and former social and labour program evaluator for Employment and Social Development Canada. She works to support the Government of Canada’s efforts to reduce systemic inequities, combat discrimination, and anti-Black racism faced by Black Canadian communities and Black intersections as part of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Ontario Tech University and a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University. Having previously worked on research projects in various capacities, Emma is most passionate about projects surrounding vulnerable populations in complex environments, such as Black youth in post-secondary education systems and prisoners’ rights during health crises. Her first co-publication, The ‘She-Cession’ and Black Womanhood During the Pandemic: What Is to Be Done?, focused on how the COVID-19 economic crisis in Canada severely and disproportionately impacted Black women. As an ally with a proven track record of collaboration and leading program policy and research, she brings a diverse skill set.

Keith Cunningham, RP, MSc, MBA, NCC

Keith is a mental health practitioner and a systems change advocate who is very passionate about the mental and physical health and wellbeing of children, youth and families particularly those from the Black community. Keith is particularly interested in creating meaningful service pathways in the areas of education, employment and housing to reduce young Black males’ potential risk and/or exposure to criminality, victimization, substance use and sexual exploitation.

Kendall Forde, Director of Project Management, Egale Canada

Kendall is the Director of Egale Canada’s Project Management Office and has been with the charity for over 10 years building organizational capacity and overseeing project execution across grant funded research, education, awareness and legal advocacy portfolios. They reside in T’karonto (Toronto) and brings their expertise in organizational transformation, operational efficiency and passion for 2SLGBTQI equity and inclusion to the nonprofit sector.

Dr. Matthew Wilmot, M.A, PhD

Matthew is a social psychologist with a specialty in understanding how perceptions of systemic oppression impact health behaviours of marginalized populations. Dr. Wilmot has experience working in the fields of education and healthcare both as an experimental and applied social psychologist; having collaborated with secondary and post-secondary institutions in both the United States and Canada in the delivery of large-scale, multi-site interventions to address racial and gender gaps in the academic performance and physical health. They currently serve as the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing Coordinator at the Durham Family Court Clinic in Oshawa.

Shain Lambert, Social Media & Marketing Officer, Egale Canada

Shain is the Social Media and Marketing Officer at Egale Canada. With an educational background in applied sciences and social services, Shain has always wanted his work to be impactful and part of a greater cause. Throughout his work with various nonprofits supporting youth to older adults and his 2-year entrepreneurial endeavor as a co-founder of The No Label Brand – an accessories brand that brought together and gave back to the community – Shain is thrilled to bring his values, mindset, and skillset to the Black GBTQI+ Justice Impacted Support Group.