We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sylvia Hamilton as the first Educator In Residence for the Africentric Leadership Institute being developed by CACE and its partners. The Educator In Residence post is a research initiative designed to: heighten the profile of the ALI; heighten the profile and status of African Nova Scotian educators; bring higher profile to African Nova Scotian educational issues; promote research; foster a climate of policy dialogue, critical analysis and program development in the education sector. This post is a partnership initiative between CACE and the Africentric Leadership Institute (ALI) and is sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Education.

Sylvia D. Hamilton is a filmmaker and writer who is known for her award winning films as well as her publications, public presentations and extensive volunteer work with artistic, social and cultural organizations on the local and national levels. Ms. Hamilton holds a B.A. from Acadia University and an M.A. from Dalhousie University. She has been awarded honourary doctorates from Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie Universities. Best known for her groundbreaking film Black Mother Black Daughter (1989), she also completed two major documentary projects that also charted new territory: No More Secrets, a documentary about violence against women in the Black Community and Portia White: Think On Me, a documentary about the legendary Canadian contralto Portia White.

Ms. Hamilton’s writing has been published in a range of Canadian journals and anthologies. She was a contributor and co-editor of We’re Rooted Here and They Can’t Pull Us Up: Essays In African Canadian Women’s History, published by the University of Toronto Press, one of the first of its kind published in Canada. Her Masters' thesis, “African Baptist Women as Activists and Advocates in Adult Education”, also a unique work, examines the historic role of African Baptist women in the field of adult education. Professional involvements include the Women in Media Foundation of which she is the national Chair and the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia.

Her many awards include, the Portia White Prize. CBC Pioneer Award and the National Trailblazer/Expression Award. Her current film project is The Little Black Schoolhouse, a one-hour documentary about the history of segregated schools in Canada.

The Selection Committee for the Educator In Residence was comprised of local, national and internationally renowned scholars and educators. Members included: Dr. George Elliott Clarke, University of Toronto; Dr. Felicia Eghan, Mount St. Vincent University; Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard, Director, Maritime School of Social Work, Dalhousie University; David Divine, Professor and James R. Johnston Chair, Black Canadian Studies Dalhousie University; Dr. Patrick Kakembo, African Canadian Services Division, Nova Scotia Department of Education; and Charles Sheppard, Chairperson, Council on African Canadian Education.