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The DEI Action Coalition meets eight times per year to work with municipalities to ensure Oxford’s communities are welcoming and inclusive for all. Please check back for more news and updates.

 

Every February, people across Canada celebrate Black History Month to honour the enormous contributions Black people have made and continue to make in all sectors of our society. This year’s theme is: “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow's Visionaries.” This theme celebrates 30 years of Black History Month in Canada and recognizes the enduring legacy of Black Canadians, whose leadership, creativity, innovation, and resilience have shaped our past and continue to inspire the present and future.

The Black History Month Organizing Committee is hosting flag-raising ceremonies in the following communities every Tuesday during the month of February for Black History Month 2026.

  • February 3: Join the Black History Month Organizing Committee to raise the Pan-African flag in the Town of Ingersoll at 10:00 a.m. at Dewan Park, 90 Thames Street South. The event will feature poetry, music and reflections on Black history. Reception to follow at the Oxford County Library, Ingersoll branch. All are welcome to attend. More.
  • February 10: Join the Black History Month Organizing Committee at 10:00 a.m. to raise the Pan-African flag at the Oxford County Administration Building in Woodstock, 21 Reeve Street. Then the flag will be raised at the City of Woodstock flagpole in Museum Square. A reception featuring a historical display and a spoken word presentation will follow at the Woodstock Museum, located at 466 Dundas Street. All are welcome to attend. More.
  • February 17: Join the Black History Month Organizing Committee at 10:00 a.m. to raise the Pan-African flag at the Norwich Community Centre, 53 Stove Street South. Reception and cultural program featuring a community gathering and spoken word presentation to follow inside the community centre. More.
  • February 24: Join the Black History Month Organizing Committee for a Pan-African flag-raising and reception, featuring a historical display and spoken word presentation in the Town of Tillsonburg on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The flag-raising will take place at South Broadway Park at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow at the Oxford County Library Tillsonburg branch, 2 Library Lane. All are welcome. More

The month of February gives us a chance to celebrate the resilience, innovation and determination of Black people as we listen, learn and foster greater understanding and compassion in our everyday interactions.

Several events are happening in Oxford County in February that will offer opportunities to come together, learn, reflect and celebrate:

 

  • February 4: The Woodstock Art Gallery presents “Resilience on Screen: Harriety + Spoken Word,” 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Market Centre Theatre, 22 Reeve Street. Celebrate Black History Month with a free showing of “Harriet” (2019, PG-13) and spoken word by Duane Kumala-Thomas. Registration required. More.
  • February 7: Oxford County Archives joins the Black History Month opening at Museum London, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Empowered Voices, Endless Possibilities: 200 Years of Living History,” featuring speakers including Dr. Nicole Kaniki. Learn more.
  • February 17: The Oxford County Library Tillsonburg branch invites residents to “Discover Your Past: Searching for Canada’s Early Black Settlers.” The February 17 session starts at 1:30 p.m. and explores effective strategies and tools for researching the history of Black settlers in what is known today as Oxford County, Ontario, and Eastern Canada. This session is available in person or online via Zoom. Registration is not required, but space is limited. More.  
  • February 18: The “Black History Tour” at the Otterville Station Museum, 225 Main Street West, Otterville, is happening on Wednesday, February 18, at 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Each tour is expected to last about 15-20 minutes. The South Norwich Historical Society’s regular coffee morning will be taking place at this time, so stop in for a mug and a treat before or after the tour. All are welcome. More
  • All month: Oxford County Archives and Oxford County Library are hosting a Black History Month exhibit in the front lobby of the Oxford County Administration Building.
  • All month: Oxford County Library staff have prepared a list of recommendations to help you celebrate Black History Month and explore books about Black history in Canada. This list contains books for children and adults. Check out the “Discover Diverse Perspectives” page for a book list and to learn more about other people, experiences, and communities. Check the Oxford County Library calendar in February for more events related to Black History Month.
  • All month: Oxford County Archives is sharing weekly posts related to Black History in Oxford County on the Oxford County Facebook page throughout the month of February.

 

Follow @oxfordroots on Instagram or visit revelateddotme.wixstudio.com/oxfordroots online to discover more events and learning opportunities for Black History Month in Oxford County.

Oxford County’s DEI Office has released a new resource, “Conscious inclusion: Why it matters and how to practice it.” This brief handout explains how to use language consciously so that everyone you interact with feels included, heard and respected as a part of our community. 

Download the handout

 

Featured Article of the month

Let's keep the conversation going! Each month the DEI Action Coalition will feature an article, story or tool that offers a perspective on diversity, equity and inclusion. Articles are selected by members of the Coalition. If you have a suggested article, please e-mail Ayesha Sajid

Reflecting on Anti-Bias Education in Action: The Early Years

A Film by Debbie LeeKeenan • John Nimmo • Filiz Efe McKinney

As a Registered Early Childhood Educator, Amy demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusive practices across all learning environments. Amy’s professional practice is guided by the College of Early Childhood Educators’ Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, which emphasize caring, responsive relationships and the safety, health, and well-being of children in learning environments. By consistently focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging across all interactions, decisions, and planning, Amy fosters meaningful relationships, delivers high-quality care, and creates environments that support the safety, health, and well-being of the children and families they serve.

Anti-bias education places diversity and equity goals at the core of early childhood practice. This approach begins by affirming each child’s and family’s social identities and cultural ways of being. By building on the strengths and knowledge that children bring to educational settings, anti-bias educators actively engage families and communities as essential partners in the learning process.

This resource provides free viewing of the film, along with intentional resources to reflect on practice and put the following goals into action: 

  • Goal 1: Identity: Demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social identities.
  • Goal 2: Diversity: Express comfort and joy with human diversity; accurate language for human differences; and deep, caring human connections.
  • Goal 3: Justice: Recognize unfairness, have language to describe unfairness, and understand that unfairness hurts.
  • Goal 4: Action: Demonstrate empowerment and the skills to act, with others or alone, against prejudice and/or discrimination.

This film helps anyone working with young children consider concrete, actionable ways to bring an anti-bias approach to supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion in their interactions. 

https://www.antibiasleadersece.com/the-film-reflecting-on-anti-bias-education-in-action/

Rethinking fetal alcohol spectrum disorder for an equitable diagnosis and support to patients

From the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute

Joanna is raising an adopted child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a lifelong condition caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that leads to diverse physical, cognitive, and behavioural challenges. Although her child is outgoing, funny and nature-lover, they encounter significant, ongoing difficulties.

Regardless of the fact that FASD affects about 4% of Canadians—more than Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Down syndrome combined. Joanna discovered that public awareness, professional training, and access to proper supports remain limited. People with FASD are also overrepresented in child welfare and justice systems. These issues point to the need for a coordinated national strategy that includes informed care, specialized assessments, judicial education, alternative sentencing, and strong community supports to ensure individuals with FASD receive appropriate understanding and assistance.

Read it here

Violence and Mental Health: Unpacking a Complex Issue

From the Canadian Mental Health Association

With over a decade of experience in the criminal justice field, Tajay brings a unique perspective and background to the DEI Coalition of Oxford County.

Working the front lines at various justice-based agencies, coupled with her lived experience and academic training, has profoundly shaped her understanding of the justice system and the communities it serves. 

For her, frontline work has deepened the understanding of the intersection between trauma, mental health, and criminal behaviour. It has also made clear the urgent need for accessible and competent mental health support for justice-involved individuals. Tajay chose this Article because it challenges the myth that mental illness is strongly linked to violence, instead showing how social and systemic factors play a bigger role. It connects to DEI by addressing stigma, reducing bias, and promoting fair, inclusive treatment for people living with mental health challenges, especially those facing overlapping forms of marginalization.

Read it here

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

by Peggy McIntosh

As a woman of Afro-Caribbean ancestry, born and raised in England, Pauline possesses a deep understanding of racism and the racial hierarchies that exist both within Canada and around the world, and the direct impact of anti-Blackness or Afrophobia.

As part of her work with the DEI Coalition of Oxford County, Pauline has chosen this particular article because it articulates the unearned benefits or privileges that individuals of 'White' heritage enjoy at the expense of those who do not have access to these advantages. Recognizing that 'white bodies' are often viewed as more valuable than others—especially Black bodies, which are relegated to the bottom of the Eurocentric racial hierarchy—is fundamental for all of us who are committed to pursuing human rights for everyone.

Pauline urges readers to approach the article with an open mind, acknowledging perspectives that may not be typically considered, while being prepared to process any discomfort that may arise.

Read it here

Why Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Are More Important Than Ever

nicole3898 from The Diversity Blog

Creativity,  employee retention, ethical leadership and resilience: EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion) initiatives offer a range of benefits, some of which organizations may not even be aware. This article outlines specific benefits that create long-term value for businesses, employees, and communities. 

Read it here

 

     

What is DEI?

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or “DEI,” is a term used to describe the values, policies and approach of organizations and communities in respecting and embracing all members, and taking action when there is unfair, inequitable or harmful treatment of some.

DEI draws on policies, practices, knowledge sharing and culture to:

  • Show respect for diverse backgrounds and perspectives, spanning ethnicity, gender identity or expression, language, physical and mental health, ability, race, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, age, and sexual orientation (diversity);
  • Ensure everyone has fair opportunity to participate, contribute and succeed (equity); and,
  • Create an environment in which everyone feels welcomed, supported, valued, like they belong, and that their voice is heard (inclusion).

Oxford County and Area Municipalities have a responsibility to create a culture within their organizations that counters racism and discriminatory behaviors and practices, and to establish a community that is safe, welcoming, and accessible for all citizens and that respects their dignity and independence.

Download the DEI Action Coalition Terms of Reference

   

What we are doing

A key responsibility of the DEI Action Coalition is to develop a robust Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy, including an Inclusion Charter, for all communities across Oxford County.

Download the Oxford County Inclusion Charter

Minutes

2025 DEI Action Coalition Meetings

Date Agendas Minutes
Jan. 20   Minutes
Feb. 24   Minutes
Mar. 24   Minutes
Apr. 28   Minutes
May 26   Minutes
Jun. 23   Minutes
Sept. 22   Minutes
Nov. 17   Minutes

Minutes

2024 DEI Action Coalition Meetings

Date Agendas Minutes
Feb. 5   Minutes
Mar. 11   Minutes
Apr. 29   Minutes
May 27   Minutes
Aug. 12   Minutes
Sept. 23   Minutes
Oct. 28   Minutes
Nov. 21   Minutes

 

2023 DEI Action Coalition Meetings

    

Community resources

An inclusive community is established by different people and groups working together. In Oxford County, there are many groups working together to support our shared DEI goals.

  

Contact

Ayesha Sajid
Chair, DEI Action Coalition
Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer, Oxford County
1-800-755-0394, ext. 3002
Email Ayesha Sajid