Durham College is hosting its sixth annual Social Justice Week, with virtual events taking place between January 20 and 24, 2025. Join us for five days of thought-provoking discussions with engaging speakers from diverse fields who will share both their expertise and lived experience.

This year’s theme, “How to Be an Accomplice for Social Justice,” invites you to go beyond allyship and take meaningful action. Through engaging workshops and discussions, we’ll explore what it takes to actively challenge systemic inequities and amplify marginalized voices. Join us to learn actionable strategies, build meaningful connections, and empower yourself to be a catalyst for positive change in your community and beyond. Everyone has a role to play—discover yours during Social Justice Week!

Tuesday January 21st
How to be an accomplice for racialized women in the workplace
Janine Knight-Grofe has 17+ years’ experience in international education practice and research. She is currently Director, International Education at Durham College, responsible for a spectrum of internationalization initiatives, including developing and implementing programs and supports for international students. Janine spent 10 years at the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) where she led the team to design and build CBIE’s first credentialed education program, the International Students and Immigration Education Program (ISIEP) leading to the Regulated International Student Immigration Adviser (RISIA) national accreditation exam. Janine is a PhD candidate, Higher Education, at the University of Toronto, where her research centers on internationalization and equity, diversity and inclusion in Canadian colleges.

Allison Hector-Alexander is an equity and inclusion specialist with over 20 years experience of creating and leading policy, program development, education and training in anti-racism, anti-oppression, allyship and equity. Allison is the director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with the Regional Municipality of Durham where she has oversight for Accessibility, the Local Diversity and Immigration Program and Partnership, the Community Safety and Wellbeing plan and all Equity and Inclusion programs. Prior to this role, she was the director of the Office of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at Durham College. Allison completed her Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Adult Education and Digital Technologies and a Master of Education degree with a focus on anti-oppressive practices, access, and equity in Higher Education.