Percy Paris (Chair) Percy Paris is the former NDP MLA of the district of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank. Originally from Windsor, Percy is a former city employee and held the positions of Black Student Advisor and Director of the Diversity Initiative at Dalhousie University. He is an active community volunteer and a recipient of the human rights award from the Human Rights Commission of Nova Scotia. Other organizations he has been involved in include the Riverlake Residents’ Association, the Black Business Initiative, the Halifax Black Community Workshop, the Dartmouth East Black Learning Centre, and the Metro Committee for Persons with Disabilities. |
Loretta Simmons (Vice Chair) Loretta Simmons is a descendant of Africville, both parents born and raised in Africville. Director of Women in the Word at Word in Action Ministries. A women group to help and encourage women to be the best they are no matter what their situation or surrounding are saying. Involve with her work union (NSGEU) and was part of the Women group within the union. Senior Customer Service Representative at Service Nova Scotia & Internal Services, Register of Motor Vehicles. |
Jerry Blackwood (Finance Chair)  Jerry Blackwood is the Director of Corporate and Customer Services with Halifax Regional Municipality. Jerry has been an employee with the municipality for 15 years, and prior to his current role was the Municipal Treasurer. Jerry is a native Newfoundlander and a graduate of Memorial University. He holds a Professional Accounting Designation (CPA, CGA) and has 25 years of senior management experience in both the private and public sectors. Jerry has experience serving on other community boards and committees. Currently he serves on the HRM Pension Committee, Chairs the Pension Plan’s Audit & Finance Committee, as well as serving as a member of the CPA Nova Scotia Complaints Commit |
Sheila Fougere (Planning Chair) Sheila Fougere is most well known for her ten years as an HRM Councillor. A lifelong Haligonian, she has a background in event coordination, and management spanning 30 years. She has worked for Dalhousie University, the Province of Nova Scotia, as well as many private companies and public entities. Ms. Fougere is a graduate of Dalhousie University and also has a Certificate in Municipal Governance from Henson College of Public Affairs. She has served in a variety of capacities on the Boards and Executives of more than 40 local, provincial and national organizations in business, sports and community affairs and has a vast public speaking resume. Sheila Fougere has been recognized with awards for both her work and her volunteer activities. In her retirement, Fougere has taken up trumpet playing, played soccer at the World Masters Games in Italy and travelled extensively on four continents. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Halifax Foundation, and the Africville Heritage Trust and is a member of the Task Force on the Commemoration of Edward Cornwallis and the Recognition and Commemoration of Indigenous History. |
Nadine Loppie (Scholarship Chair) Nadine Loppie is currently employed with IWK Health as the Credentialing Officer and Administrator for the Medical Staff Association. She has worked in health care for the past 22 years and holds a diploma in Health Services Administration from Dalhousie University. Nadine is the mother of three boys and a descendant of Africville. She volunteers with a number of community outreach programs and serves as a member of Black Lives Matters and BIPOC committees. Nadine is also one of the founding members of the Northern Kings Atlantic Society; a basketball program designated for youth. Nadine has a deep passion for the ongoing work that is being done through the AHT and is committed in keeping the mandate moving forward. |
Tamar Pryor-Brown (Halifax Regional Municipality Representative) Tamar came into this world on Bilby street in the north end of Halifax. Tamar began her career with HRM in 2004 working as a Compliance Officer that continued for 16 years. Tamar also worked as a HRM Corporate Safety Consultant and a Project Manager for HRM. Tamar has a Bachelor of Arts and a Certificate of Criminology from Saint Mary’s University, and is a graduate of the first cohort of the HRM Aspiring Leaders program. Tamar had been on leave from HRM from 2019-2021, working as a Community Navigator for the Land Titles Initiative, under the provincial government, first with African Nova Scotian Affairs, & then with the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives. Tamar continues to move forward the work in the African Nova Scotian communities in HRM, as well as the overall management of ANSAIO projects and initiatives, as the Senior Advisor of African Nova Scotian Affairs. Tamar resides with her husband Cameron and together they have a blended family of 5 children (4 adults and 1 child still at home)…which means there is never a dull moment  |
Beatrice J. Wilkins (née West) (Liaison for Africville Genealogy Society)  I am a former resident of the former community of Africville. I am a co-founding director of the Africville Genealogy Society (AGS) and I am presently serving on the Africville Heritage Trust-Museum (AHT) board of directors representing the AGS Board. My 2 sisters and I were known as the “West Sisters” and grew up singing in the Seaview Baptist Church in Africville until its demise in the 60’s. My sisters were Shirley Allen and Mary Gangoo, who are both now deceased. I carry on the singing tradition, very reluctantly at times. On the AHT I’ve served on the Scholarship Jury for 2020, and presently I am a member of the Finance Committee bringing 42 years of compensation and training experience from the Federal Government. Blessings! |
Hon. Darlene M. Lamey (Governance & HR Chair) Darlene Lamey, LLB, HSC, MaED (thesis stage), is a Presiding Justice of the Peace in the Province of Nova Scotia and a practicing Lawyer at Atlantica Law Group, Windsor, NS. She graduated from the Schulich School of Law in 2002, attended Mount Saint Vincent University, Masters of Administration & Education specific to Education and Lifelong Learning and Africentric Policy Analysis from 2012-2015, and the New Brunswick Community College to complete certification as a Human Service Counsellor in 1986, studying family dynamics, child development, trauma and behavioural interventions. Darlene is a trained and capable Mediator and experienced in Mental Health, Cultural and Restorative Justice processes. Darlene is an accomplished lawyer, educator and community volunteer. She practices in personal injury, civil litigation, mediation, employment law, wills and estates. She is experienced in family law and child protection. As a Presiding Justice, Darlene presides as the decision maker involving Judicial Interim Release, Peace Bonds, Emergency Protection Orders, and regulatory and summary offenses. She is the Mother of 4, Grandmother of 8, defined by lived and professional experiences. Born in Sydney, NS, Darlene has roots in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and across the African Diaspora. Her experiences connect across professional sectors, culture, class and diverse communities. She makes an earnest effort to give back and pay it forward. She is committed to human dignity, equity, access to justice, lifelong learning and personal and professional mentorship. |
Lois Yorke  Lois Yorke is the former Provincial Archivist and Director of the Nova Scotia Archives. She has spent nearly forty years as an archivist, editor, researcher and consultant in cultural heritage, and has also been active in developing and promoting Canada’s archival profession. Now retired, she is giving back to the community at board and committee levels, as well as pursuing her own research interests. |
Carrie Hill As a direct decedent of a former Africville resident. I have always had a deep desire to learn more about my heritage. This has lead me to membership and holding several offices with the Africville Genealogy Society. During my membership, I had the opportunity to work with Mount Saint Vincent University and BBC Canada in the creation of the first Africville Exhibit and book Africville: A Spirit that Lives On. My professional background is in Human Resource Management. I divide my time between Canada and US. I enjoy spending time with my family and son Logan. |
Treno Morton Treno Morton is a graduate of Queen’s University, with a degree in Geography and Planning, with a certificate in planning and a minor in Global Development Studies. His goal is to use his lived experience, as well as education to be a community-builder in the face of gentrification impacting his community. Treno is currently working as a Community Engagement Specialist for the non-profit organization Inspiring Communities. He also has experience working with and advising local community groups, non-profit organizations, and the municipal government. In his free time, Treno is the Co-Owner and Director of Operations for Fumes Rolling Papers Inc. A Black-owned and operated rolling paper company, founded by his brother and himself to help re-establish Black ownership in the cannabis industry. |
Amanda Carvery Amanda Carvery is a proud Africville descendent, who carries forth her history through many actions. She is most well known for her book ‘A Love Letter To Africville’ which showcases her photography through portraits of former residents accompanied by stories of life in Africville, as well as reunion photos and restorations of photos taken in Africville. Amanda is also a Birth Doula, keeping the tradition of Africville birth workers close to her heart. She is currently developing a Symphony based on her book, and is always involved with creative projects to keep her community alive. When she’s not working as a photographer or doula, she is usually having adventures with her group “The Melanated Aces”, chasing waterfalls around Nova Scotia, home baking, or spending time with her two sons. |
