Black History Month 2026 marks 30 years of national recognition in Canada, and Trent University experts are available to offer perspectives on how Black histories, experiences, and ways of knowing are understood or overlooked in everyday life. 

The following experts are available for interviews and expert commentary: 

Dr. Donna Richards, Social Work – Understanding Erasure and Disparities Through Social Work
A social work scholar, Professor Donna Richards examines how historical erasure and systemic inequities continue to shape Black experiences in Canada, particularly across systems such as health and mental health care, housing, and the criminal justice and child welfare systems. Her work emphasizes the role of education in confronting these realities and preparing students to engage critically with the communities they will serve. 

“Black history in Canada has been absent in a myriad of settings, whereby the Black experience has not been acknowledged, understood, or widely taught. It is important to acknowledge and celebrate both the past and the present, as they are uniquely intertwined. Progress is also the result of our collective efforts which includes the support of allies who have stood, and continue to stand, alongside Black communities,” says Prof. Richards. 

Dr. Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven, director, Equity and Human Rights – Institutional Responsibility and Meaningful Allyship
As a sociologist and researcher, Dr. Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven’s work centres lived experience, and the role institutions play in advancing equity beyond symbolic gestures. In her role at Trent, she works to advance equity across policies, practices, and academic spaces, helping ensure BIPOC and Black experiences are recognized as integral to learning and scholarship year-round. 

“Equity is not achieved through individual action alone. It requires institutions and communities to actively support and amplify Black narratives, and to commit to allyship that is grounded in respect and sustained responsibility,” says Director van Oudenhoven. 

Dr. Daniel Amoak, School of the Environment – Role of Food Security and Culture in Shaping Black Experiences
Professor Daniel Amoak draws on his research in agrifood systems to explore how structural inequality shapes everyday Black experiences, particularly in relation to food security in connection with health. His work highlights what he describes as “a persistent contradiction that Black communities contribute labour and knowledge to food systems that do not always nourish them in return.”  

“Access to productive land is about an ability to provide for family and community, more than simply farming. Yet for many Black Canadians, secure access to land remains out of reach. This connects closely to food insecurity, where Black households are more likely to face uncertainty about whether food will be healthy, affordable, or culturally meaningful,” says Prof. Amoak.