Equity, Inclusion, and Innovation in Municipalities

This workshop will focus on the importance and opportunities in embedding equity, inclusion and innovation within municipal decision-making processes, policies, and innovations. Through presentations, discussions, and interactive activities, elected officials will explore practical strategies to create more inclusive and equitable local governance and service delivery.

Delivered by award-winning equity and inclusion consultant and municipally elected official in Ontario, Colleen James understands how equity, inclusion and innovation is applied in the municipal context. Through presentations, discussions, and activities, her workshop will explore:

  • the role of equity, inclusion and innovation in municipal governance;
  • fostering innovation through inclusive municipal leadership;
  • policy development for equitable municipalities;
  • strategies, tools, and frameworks for embedding equity in innovative practices, and navigating resistance to these initiatives

Workshop Goals:
• Understand the significant role of equity, inclusion and innovation in municipal governance.
• Explore innovative approaches to fostering more inclusive communities.
• Engage in collaborative problem-solving to address systemic barriers.
• Create action plans for implementing equity, inclusion and innovation initiatives within their municipalities.

Participants will leave with greater awareness of what it means to lead with an equity and antiracism lens. They’ll identify ways to create a culture of belonging while being provided with tools to make meaningful changes within their municipalities.

Session Facilitator

Colleen James

Headshot of Colleen James

Colleen James, Divonify Incorporated; Regional Councillor, Region of Waterloo-Elected Official; Former Municipal Staffer.

Colleen James, an award-winning equity and inclusion consultant and founder of Divonify, believes in challenging the status quo of racial equity and social justice. James has over 15 years of experience working with organizations to question racial inequities and embrace the differences that exist within their workforce. 

Growing up as a first generation Canadian, Colleen was empowered with the understanding that being Black was something to be celebrated. Her parents taught her she belongs in all spaces, especially the ones history excluded her from. Despite their support, growing up James was no stranger to racism, with stereotypical assumptions made about her appearance and level of education. Knowing systemic change is needed to create true spaces of belonging, Colleen has made it her mission to generate innovative solutions addressing equity, diversity, inclusion in the workplace and beyond.

Named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada in 2020 and one of the top DEI persons of the year in 2021, James has worked with many organizations leading thought-provoking discussions that challenge assumptions. Enabling leaders to deepen their understanding of power and privilege, she empowers her clients to rethink their outdated business models and create more equitable outcomes for everyone within their organization.

As a former Professor and Program Coordinator in the School of Business at Conestoga College, James challenged her students to better understand and own the possibilities of their diversity.

Colleen sits on several committees and is involved in many collaborative projects, one being the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, with whom she has established the James STEM scholarship award. She holds an Honours B.A. degree in history political science and Caribbean studies from the University of Toronto and has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy.

Colleen was born, raised and currently resides in Kitchener, Ontario with her husband and daughter.

 Dates:

March 25, 12:00pm - 3:00pm

  • $500 +HST per session (Individual registration only. For group rates, contact events@amo.on.ca)
  • $75 +HST cancellation fee

Register here

AMO requires a certain threshold of attendance for the viability of workshops. If we are unable to meet this threshold 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled workshop, the workshop will be cancelled with AMO making all efforts for the workshop to be rescheduled. All registered attendees will be notified in a timely way.