Keeping Records Panel Talk with artist Debbie Ebanks
February 28 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Guided by multidisciplinary artist Debbie Ebanks, community members featured in the exhibition, the stories we share and the light we carry, will take part in a meaningful conversation around cultural memory and the transfer of knowledge from generation to generation in Black communities.
Panelists will address the importance of the community's records, the ways people are already safekeeping their histories, and the mysteries around donating to archives and what to consider.
This is a free event, offered in partnership with Brampton Library. Registration is encouraged as space is limited.
Panelist Information:
Debbie Ebanks: Debbie Ebanks is a multidisciplinary artist exploring themes of migration, culture, and persistent colonial-post-colonial structures through community engagement, materials, and conversation. She was a founding member of the Out of a War Zone and To Lemon Hill Collectives, both addressing the Syrian refugee crisis. She is a recipient of various awards including Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council Visual Arts Grants, and an Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Fellowship. Debbie studied Visual and Critical Studies and Fine Art at the California College of the Arts, and holds degrees in Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations. She was Co-Director of the Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film from 2016 to 2020 and is currently a PhD candidate in Cinema and Media Arts at York University.
Melody Brown: Experienced Leader, Collaborative Partner, Visionary Advocate & Storyteller. Melody is a highly accomplished Community Development Professional with over 19 years of experience in the non-profit sector and 20 years in public service, dedicated to fostering inclusive and thriving communities. Her career reflects a deep passion for equity, advocacy, and collaborative community development and includes certifications in Family Mediation, Non-Profit Management & Leadership, and Policy Skills for Social and Community Development. As a family mediator, Melody also brings exceptional facilitation skills, having led meetings with more than 200 stakeholders to drive impactful change. She is currently a Community Development Officer with the City of Toronto, where she spearheads spaces and projects that strengthen neighbourhoods and fosters equity. Her work has influenced transformative initiatives such as the Keele Community Hub, the Rexdale Hub, Artscape (Weston Commons) and the development of 4 Pro-Tech Media Centres.
Gertrude King: Gertrude King was born and raised in Toronto, her parents having come from Jamaica in 1947. Her childhood was filled with seeing the efforts of Black Canadians to improve their social situation From churches, to meeting halls, to her Grandfather’s weekly poker game of retired train porters, folks gathered to talk about racial discrimination and its effect on their lives. One such meeting, in her family’s living room, saw the creation of the Jamaican Canadian Association in 1962. During her administrative work career, Gertrude was active in the Urban Alliance On Race Relations and the Organization Of Parents Of Black Children. She is currently the Board Secretary of Making Change, a Simcoe County based Black Cultural organization fostering creativity and communication, especially among young people. From her large extended family, Gertrude has accumulated an inspiring collection of photographs and memorabilia. This has been a wonderful source for connection and story-telling.
Grace Carter-Henry Lyons: Grace Carter-Henry Lyons is a native of Jamaica and Founder/Musical Director of Heritage Singers Canada. Members hail from the Caribbean, Africa, Pakistan, and Canada. Members live in the larger community and one member faithfully comes from Niagara Falls, rarely absent and ever present. The group's first performance started when some friends and Grace met to sing away the blues of the harsh winter at her home and were then invited to perform at the Harbourfront Centre. Thematic cohesion and historical cultural explanations accompanies the songs in performances. Now in its 49th year, Heritage Singers Canada has showcased the culture worldwide. Their tours have taken them to Holland, Germany, Taiwan, Mexico, Venezuela, Saskatchewan, Montreal and La Chine in Quebec, Ottawa (Ontario), Dresden (Ontario), New York and Jamaica.