Racial Equity Facilitator Training Program
The Racial Equity Consultant Training program is a special project designed by BIPOC TV & Film to advance justice and anti-racism and anti-oppression practices in the screen sector. Participants are equipped to support productions on the development and implementation of decent work practices (including recruitment strategies, script consulting, and on-set conflict management support) and deliver relevant on-demand workshops or seminars.
CrewUp with the 2023 Racial Equity Facilitators
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Yazmeen Kanji
REFT Program Manager & Coordinator
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
Location: Toronto, ON
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Amy Wong
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
Title: International Program Coordinator
Location: Guelph and Toronto, ON
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Christopher Bautista
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
Title: Producer/Consultant/Performer
Location: Montreal, QC and Vancouver, BC
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Koumbie
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
Title: Actor/Director/Writer/Producer
Location: Halifax, NS/Kjipuktuk, Mi'kma'ki
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Souha Usman
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
Title: Asst Director - Life Coach - Breathwork Teacher - Racial Equity Facilitator
Location: Toronto, ON
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Shalyn Ferdinand
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
Title: EDI Consultant
Location: Vancouver, BC
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Shivani Saini
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
Title: Strategic Consultant & Impact Producer
Location: Edmonton, AB
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Coral Santana
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
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Graysen Sangster
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
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Jay Carolyn Wu
Trained for: Facilitation, Consultation
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Yazmeen Kanji is a Muslim Indo-Caribbean filmmaker, the former Advocacy and Outreach Lead at BIPOC TV & Film and the CEO of Films With A Cause, a consulting firm for authentic storytelling practices. Yazmeen is a Dean’s Scholar graduate from the University of Toronto, where she double majored in Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies, at the Munk School of Global Affairs, and Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity with a minor in Cinema Studies. Her first documentary, From Syria To Hope (2019), about the resettlement journey of three Syrian families, was awarded Best Short Doc at the 2019 Toronto Short Film Festival. Yazmeen directed With Love From Munera (2020), about a young Somali Muslim storyteller's healing process, which premiered at the 2020 Inside Out Film Festival and was an official selection at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Next Wave 2021, the 2021 Toronto International Reel Asian Film Festival and the 2021 Breakthroughs Film Festival, winning their Audience Choice Award. Yazmeen spent five years as the Project Manager at Charles Officer’s production company, Canesugar Filmworks. She has Associate Producer credits on a number of documentary projects directed by the Oscar-nominated Sami Khan. Yazmeen was the Social Media Manager on the CBC and BET+ series The Porter. Yazmeen was a cohort member of Inspirit’s 2022 Narrative Change Lab alongside other Muslim creatives. She is currently working on a narrative short, funded by the Ontario Arts Council, about an Indo-Caribbean Muslim teen who daydreams to seek inner confidence. Yazmeen’s first feature film is a documentary about Sickle Cell Disease, supported by the Hot Docs Cross Currents Fund, workshopped through Berlinale’s EFM Doc Toolbox Programme and the Hot Docs Accelerator Lab. Telling stories that matter, through a lens of joy and hope, is a top priority in Yazmeen’s creative work.
Links:
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Amy Wong (she/they) is a first-generation-Canadian-born descendant of indentured Chinese labourers. She is an artist and educator from Toronto (Dish With One Spoon Territory) and is currently based out of Guelph, Ontario (Treaty 3 Territory). In addition to working for social justice nonprofits with a racial justice focus for over a decade, she has also worked for several years in tv and film as both a principal and background actor. She has consulted with over a dozen film teams to create anti-oppressive narratives within film festivals for underrepresented stories, and has facilitated and co-created over a dozen educational workshops related to the intersections of race, social justice, and mental health, including most recently, a workshop on generational trauma in animated films. Her soul feeds on stories, play (through music, improv, pure imagination), creating/laughing/healing/crying in community, and convincing stray cats to love her.
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Christopher Bautista is a respected entertainment industry figure known for his diverse roles as a Consultant, Producer, and Performer. His career combines artistic ingenuity and effective leadership in theatre, television, and film.
Multifaceted Consultant: Christopher provides invaluable insights into the creative industry, uniquely formed by his military and experience as a performer. His ability to envision the big picture and lead projects from conception to the screen or stage makes him an essential strategist. Christopher's Racial Equity Consultancy specialization is rooted in his training from BIPOC TV and Film as well as his time served as an integral part of the Independent Media Producer’s Association of Creative Talent, leading research initiatives and growing the organization’s membership. He ensures that sets are equitable in their policies, content, and how difficult situations are mitigated and dealt with. Recently, Chris was selected as a member of Netflix's Diversity of Voices Initiative and co-founded the Union of Black Artists Society.
Drawing on a decade of Military and Marine leadership, Christopher also provides expert military consultancy, bringing authenticity and depth to projects requiring lived experiences, insight, and reintegration understanding.
Performer/Producer: Christopher is a passionate artist who feels alive when performing on stage or working behind the camera. His decade-long experience as a performer showcases his versatility and depth in various mediums, such as theatre artist, spoken word performer, producer and film/tv actor. His primary goal is to tell compelling stories and evoke powerful emotions that leave a lasting impact on his audience increasing empathy and our ability to share our collective humanity through his projects.
Christopher Bautista's dynamic career is a testament to his creativity, leadership, and dedication to diversity in the arts. His combination of artistic talent, strategic acumen, and advocacy for inclusivity makes him an invaluable asset in the entertainment industry, poised to continue making significant contributions.
Links: @christopherbautistaa
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Koumbie (she/they) is an award winning actor, director, writer and producer based in Kjipuktuk/ Halifax, Nova Scotia. Named “One to Watch” by Sea and Be Scene, a Five in Focus – Atlantic Director and Wave Award winner for their dedication to the industry, Koumbie was also named by Atlantic Business as one of their top 30 under 30 in 2022. As an advocate and community member, she serves as Vice President on ACTRA Maritimes Council, is Chair of WIFT-Atlantic and sits on numerous other boards and committees. Their passion for equity, safety and inclusion has also led them to become one of the first Intimacy Coordinators in Atlantic Canada. Most recently, her feature film bystanders premiered at the 2022 Atlantic International Film Festival where it took home Best Atlantic Script Award and continued on to have a successful cross-country theatrical release. Koumbie is drawn to stories that feature new voices and perspectives.
Links: @koumbie
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Souha Usman is a Life Coach, Breathwork Teacher and Racial Equity Facilitator. She has been an Assistant Director with the Director's Guild of Canada - Ontario, now serving as an active member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and internal Instructor with the guild. Inspired by her own journey, Souha aims to create a culture shift to how the industry approaches, harassment, diversity and mental health, ultimately leading the charge to better and safe sets.
Links:
https://www.thegreyeyedsoul.com @thegreyeyedsoul
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Shalyn Ferdinand, or Shay for short, is a versatile Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Consultant, Instructor, Speaker, Actor, and Writer. Shay is an experienced and passionate educator who facilitates EDI workshops to implement authentic representation and safe work environments for the Film and TV Industry. She uses her love for people, storytelling, and positive social change to inspire and motivate action. Shay teaches a variety of acting classes and offers private coaching for actors of all ages. She loves character development, exploring the human condition, and connecting people from on and off the stage or screen. Born and raised in a small Canadian town with a Caribbean immigrant father (her Trini-dad, if you will) and French-Italian mother, Shay was immersed in competitive sports, public speaking tournaments, and theatre camps at an early age. She studied Linguistics at Carleton University, holds certificates in Leadership and Community Studies, a diploma in Public Relations, a degree in Professional Communication, and too many theatre courses to list. In 2017, Shay began pursuing her childhood dream of working in the Film and TV Industry and has been thriving in multiple roles ever since. When she’s not consulting, teaching, or on set, you can find Shay at the beach.
Links: @Shalyn.Ferdinand
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Shivani is an award-winning producer, consultant, strategist and skillful communicator with over 30 years of professional film, television, media and arts experience. She is a dedicated advocate for equity within the public sphere. A Radio & Television Arts graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), her career spans all genres of production, from the creative to the business side. Her portfolio includes critically acclaimed film and television, groundbreaking museum content, cutting edge theatre, international visual arts affairs, social media initiatives and festivals that cultivate new works. Select producing credits include the award-winning dramatic tv series Blackstone.
Her company Atelier Culturati, EMPOWERS INCLUSION in arts + culture through strategic consulting, communications and impact producing, and specializes in strategy, social innovation and new systems creation. Shivani’s passion and mandate is to create and support works that positively transform the human condition.
Shivani is also a 2021 Reelworld Trailblazer Award Recipient, and the Founder of Creatives Empowered; the first non-profit organization in Alberta for film + tv, media and arts professionals who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/AtelierCulturati
https://www.instagram.com/AtelierCulturati/
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About REFT
The BIPOC TV & FILM anti-oppression training and decent work initiative is a project designed to standardize equity training, guide industry leaders in the development of anti-racist decent work practices and increase industry awareness of the human impact of racism and other forms of discrimination on racialized individuals within the film and TV production sector.
The first phase of our project took place in Spring of 2023 and consisted of three modules led by qualified and leading experts in anti-oppression training, specific to our industry. This phase of training was reserved for BIPOC TV & FILM staff and select leading industry professionals from across Canada, over the course of four full day sessions throughout March and April 2023.
Industry Need
It starts at the top.
A focus on leadership is crucial as we advance in the necessary work of decolonizing, redressing historical injustices, and making our industry more equitable. A demonstrated commitment from key stakeholders is mandatory to implement the systemic change that’s needed to transform our industry into one that prioritizes reconciliation, racial equity and justice, inclusion and belonging.
Current DEI training is often conducted by non-industry companies and consultants who apply corporate strategies to our sector. These trainings usually fall short as they centre the comfort of white audiences and are often an unsafe and re-traumatizing space for BIPOC audiences. Our programs employ a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive lens, centering the lived experiences of BIPOC in our sector.
Each production company, broadcaster and union/guild/association should have and encourage a decent work policy, demonstrating their commitment to cultivating an environment (on set, in studio, in office) where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
While we welcome a visible increase in BIPOC in various roles across the industry, we want to ensure that our community members are safe and protected at work. Employers have a duty to care and ensure that their employees (crew, cast, creative talent) are free from bullying, harassment, racism, and other forms of discrimination.
It is also necessary for companies to have processes in place to fairly investigate and resolve complaints of harassment and discrimination, without fear of reprimand by the injured party. Too often, BIPOC and other marginalized individuals are silenced by fear of reprisal or by a lack of clear reporting protocols in the workplace. This silencing further exacerbates feelings of marginalization and erodes the individual’s self-worth, making for a demotivating and disempowering workplace experience.
Through this project, we aim to equip leaders at production companies, broadcasters, and unions/guilds/associations, with the tools and practices that are necessary to improve working conditions for racialized cast, crew, and creative talent.
This project is intended for film and television sector workers who are in the following categories:
Producers and production companies
Leaders/decision-makers at Broadcasters and funders
Staff and leaders at unions, guilds, and associations
Heads of production departments
REFT Facilitators
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The first workshop was led by Rania El Mugammar, an anti-oppression consultant, liberation educator and artist. This workshop laid a foundation, providing a nuanced understanding of the oppressive systems behind the equity issues currently plaguing our industry. Rania pulled from her existing workshop on social justice and liberation, where power dynamics of racial and colonial oppression were situated in a Canadian and global context. Participants developed a critical lens and a heightened awareness of the interconnectedness of various forms of institutional discrimination. Narratives that perpetuate existing forms of oppression within our industry were dissected, with an examination of interventions and strategies that can break such patterns.
Learn more about Rania.
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Title: Actor, Writer, DEI-B and Mental Health Expert
Location: Toronto
Adolyn HD is a multidisciplinary artist who blends the science and art of DEI and mental health. He has facilitated anti-oppression, DEI, wellbeing, self-care, unconscious bias workshops and more for 5 years. His workshops and presentations have directly impacted organizations like Microsoft, Westjet, the CRA and 200+ other organizations globally. He's comfortable working with executives and individuals at all levels. His style is collegial and open, where he builds a safe space to have difficult conversations while also ensuring to give space to those who need it the most. Alongside his work he's passionate about his acting and writing career and endeavors to lead every production by example: with an emphasis on kindness, humor and true belonging. Which is really kind of what all this is about, no?
Adolyn built on Module 1 by first narrowing down the unique circumstances and challenges of our industry’s power dynamics, followed by a comprehensive discussion of unconscious bias and its many consequences. Bystander mechanisms and strategies to approach difficult conversations in the workplace or while working as an anti-oppression facilitator/consultant were practiced. The end of the workshop emphasized the importance of self-preservation in this line of work along with ways to take care of oneself when expelling emotional labour.
Follow Adolyn on Instagram.
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The third and final workshop took place over the course of two days and was led by seasoned industry professionals P.J. Marcellino and Sedina Fiati.
P.J. and Sedina unpacked the juxtaposition between producer interests and necessary DEI consultant or facilitator priorities on any given project. They tabled case studies from their on-set experiences, and highlighted damaging or otherwise noteworthy moments in pop culture that have either harmed our communities or moved the conversation, exploring how such incidents have or could have been prevented or used as learning opportunities. Their joint expertise and perspective were used to explore tangible ways to implement anti-oppression measures on productions, and to identify practical tools that they have used in their positions.
P.J. Marcellino
Title: Producer, Cultural Programmer
Location: Toronto, Ontario
P.J. is a former journalist and political analyst, an award-winning filmmaker, a cultural programmer, and a DEI consultant. P.J. Marcellino (he/him) is a Capeverdean-Canadian producer, political scientist, curator, and cultural programmer. His production company Anatomy of Restlessness Films develops film/tv projects across the four corners of the Atlantic – from Toronto to the Cabo Verde Islands and from Lisbon to São Paulo – reclaiming untold stories and dismantling historic fallacies, and reestablishing narrative equity and independence for insular communities like his own. He is the ED at Cinema Pano Terra, a West African film advocacy organization and an itinerant festival showcase.
Follow J.P. on Instagram and on LinkedIn or email at pedro@anatomyofrestlessness.film
Sedina Fiati
Title: Consultant - Social Justice & The Arts
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Sedina FIati is Toronto based social justice consultant and award winning artist for stage and screen. Proudly Black and queer, Sedina holds a BFA in Music Theatre from the University of Windsor. Sedina was the co chair of ACTRA Toronto's Diversity Committee where she co-led the committee in several initiatives including a partnership with Working The Scene In Colour and The Sandi Ross Awards and was the 2nd VP of Membership Engagement for Canadian Actors’ Equity Association’s member council. Recent projects: Strategic Planning with Nightwood Theatre and Confluence Concerts, Industry Consultant with Oya Black Arts Coalition Associate Producer - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion for Pretty Hard Cases Season 3. Recent projects: CAFTCAD (Canadian Alliance of Film and Television Costume Arts and Design), Toronto Fringe - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Audit, various workshops in anti oppression, anti Black racism and social justice (Volcano Theatre, Clarice Season 1, Tall Boyz Season 2, York Regional Arts Council, Firecracker Department).
Give Sedina a follow or email at sfiati@gmail.com
Next Steps:
BIPOC TV & FILM will publish a vetted online database of experts and companies who are equipped to conduct workplace audits and advise on the development and implementation of anti-racism and anti-discrimination policies and practices.
Roles to be included are, but not limited to:
BIPOC TV & FILM Racial Equity Coordinators
EDI consultants and coaches
Legal professionals
Labour and human rights specialists
Community and non-profit organizations
Mental health professionals and agencies
Our goal is to launch a training program in winter 2024 for those who want to build their facilitation/coaching skills and specialize in a particular stage of production, for example script consulting, on-set conflict resolution support, cast consulting, production preparation, et cetera. Evaluation is an important part of our process - each module will require a check-in to determine the effectiveness of the training at every stage.