DC Social Justice Week

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.

WHAT IS SOCIAL JUSTICE?

Social justice is a concept rooted in the belief that everyone deserves equity in the distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges within a society.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Everyone. Topics related to social justice intersect with nearly every field of study, industry and community. The events scheduled for Social Justice Week 2025 will help attendees grow a better understanding of both themselves and the world around them, how they interact with their communities and where they can contribute to important social justice work in their own lives.

Join Here

Theme: How to be an Accomplice for Social Justice

Monday, January 20

How to be an ally for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals

Time: Noon to 1:15 p.m.

Today’s session is cancelled, all other sessions will go ahead.

Jake Starratt-Farr  (He/They)  MSW, RSW.

Jake's focus is on person-centred mental health support. He works as each person's advocate to help them live the life they would like to live by overcoming their barriers, lived experiences, and any other challenges that society places in front of them.

He is the current chair of the Canadian Medical Association Patient Voice team, which supports the CMA around patient care policies. He is the past President of pflag Durham Region.

Jake recently developed a community-led needs assessment for the Durham 2SLGGTQI community in collaboration with the Durham Community Health Centre. This assessment will help drive change to increase affirming access to medical and mental health care in the Durham region.

Tuesday, January 21

How to be an Accomplice for racialized women in the workplace

Time: Noon to 1:15 p.m.

Kavitha Nadarajah

Kavitha Nadarajah serves as the Director of Student Systems, Reporting, and Scheduling in the Office of the Registrar, bringing over 25 years of diverse experience as a technology professional across various sectors. Kavitha is deeply committed to fostering equitable environments and promoting diverse representation in all her endeavors. Her leadership reflects a unique blend of technical expertise and a dedication to creating positive and inclusive change. Kavitha is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees in Computer Science and Software Engineering, equipping her with a strong foundation for driving innovation and excellence in her field.

Janine Knight-Grofe

Janine Knight-Grofe has 17+ years of 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). There, she led the team that designed and built 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

Allison Hector-Alexander is an equity and inclusion specialist with over 20 years of experience 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.

Wednesday, January 22

How to be an ally for Indigenous people

Time: Noon to 1:15 p.m.


Connie Spencer

Connie is Kanien:ke:ha:ka tanon Kiorhensha:ka (Mohawk & British) who is a member of the Wahta Mohawk community and provides support and community service navigation to self-identified First Nation, Metis, and Inuit members of the community who require assistance with mental health recovery. Connie is committed to providing holistic healing through promoting the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being of Indigenous individuals and their families by fostering traditional values and beliefs that encourage healing and mental stability. She collaborates with colleagues and community services to build and promote respect, understanding, compassion, and knowledge of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit cultural perspectives. Connie is a Feather Carrier and a Master Spirit Builder, both of which have supported her own journey to re-connection.
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Thursday, January 23


How to be an Accomplice for homeless individuals

Time: Noon to 1:15 p.m.


Tom Regehr

Tom Regehr identifies as “... an addict, formerly homeless, trauma suffering, plain speaking ham with ‘mental health issues’, social challenges and a will to make a difference”. For over 20 years Regehr has been working to help social workers, medical professionals, educators, planners, and the general public understand what is going on in the minds and hearts of the suffering, the ‘marginalized’ and the critically disenfranchised.
He does this mostly by listening to the homeless, addicted, suffering folks. He gathers common truths and shares them for others.
Regehr is an Adjunct Professor at McMaster University teaching occupational therapists about the role of cumulative trauma, loss, and unresolved grief in addictions, homelessness, etc. Known to be ‘raw, real, and relevant’, he speaks from the heart.

Friday, January 24

How to Be an Accomplice for Justice: Stories That Shape Our World

Time: Noon to 1:15 p.m.

This session is a thought-provoking panel featuring three acclaimed writers whose work spans continents and disciplines, united by their commitment to social justice and storytelling.

Ukrainian poet and cultural scholar Iryna Starovoyt brings a vision of hope amid conflict, asking her compatriots to imagine a brighter future. Investigative journalist Alvin Ntibinyane from Botswana, co-founder of the INK Centre and contributor to the Pulitzer-winning Panama Papers, shares insights into journalism’s vital role in exposing corruption and advocating for transparency. Canadian writer Jess Taylor, a Lambda Literary Award finalist, highlights the power of fiction to amplify marginalized voices and expand empathy.

Together, they will discuss how storytelling shapes our understanding of justice, resilience, and the kind of world we want to build.

Events

Today

  • Special Sensory-Friendly “Music-Free” Day at the FLEX

    Oshawa Campus, Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre gymnasiums

    Join us on Thursday, May 28, for a special sensory-friendly “music-free" day at the FLEX Fitness Centre.  From open to close, we’ll be creating a calmer workout environment with reduced-volume […]

  • Anishinaabemowin series: Wiisnidaa

    Wiisnidaa moozowiiyaas: Let's eat, moose meat!  Indigenous Education and Cultural Services (Ontario Tech University) and First Peoples Indigenous Centre  (Durham College) are excited to pilot a drop-in Anishinaabemowin learning series to […]

  • Study Strategies Workshop

    Online - webinar Online

    This workshop will help you understand how you learn and how to use the science of learning to get the most from your courses. Study spaces and group studying will […]

  • Last Day to Withdraw with no Academic Record

    Last day for withdrawal from a course with no academic record; courses dropped after this date will be recorded on the academic transcript with a “W” to indicate withdrawal. You […]

  • National Indigenous History Month

    National Indigenous History Month is recognized each June to honour and celebrate the diverse histories, cultures, traditions, languages, knowledge systems, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across […]

  • Pride Month

    Happy Pride Month!   While we are proud every day to be a part of and ally to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, this month that Pride shines just a little brighter as we join the globe in celebration. Pride originates from the 1969 Stonewall Riots: an act of resistance […]

  • Course Start Dates – Online Courses (2025–2026)

    First Day of Class dates for online courses offered through Professional and Part-Time Learning. These include semester (September, January, May) and monthly intakes. Please check DC Connect and your PPL […]

  • Time Management & Organization Workshop

    Online - webinar Online

    This workshop will help you start off your semester properly. You will learn numerous strategies to help you organize your time and become a more efficient student who has more […]

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