UsNow 2025

Black Women & Femmes Health Conference

October 25, 2025

10am to 4pm

In Person - Bayview Yards, Ottawa Virtual - Zoom

Tickets

A space rooted in Black comfort, care, and connection.

Theme - Rising Together: Collective Care and Healing in Black spaces

Together, we’ll examine how systemic racism affects Black women & femmes health across workplaces and community and explore a way forward through mutual aid and collective care.

Naïka Thomas - QueensConnected Owner

Tickets

SPEAKERS

Dr. Helen Ofosu

Rania El Mugammar

Dr. Helen Ofosu has been practicing Industrial / Organizational Psychology in the public and private sectors for over 20 years. In addition to Career and Executive Coaching, her specialties include assessing and developing leadership skills and navigating the complex issues of workplace bullying, harassment, equity, diversity and inclusion.
In 2012, she founded I/O Advisory Services Inc., a practice where she offers Executive Coaching, HR Consulting, and some speaking and training.
She’s pleased to be one of the founding officers of the Section on Black Psychology, Canadian Psychological Association and the current Chair.
Dr. Ofosu is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa. In 2023, her first book, “How to Be Resilient in Your Career: Facing Up to Barriers at Work,” was published by Routledge. Her book was nominated for a 2024 Trillium Book Award! With past winners like Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje, author, “The English Patient,” this nomination is a significant honour.
In June 2024, she received the first-ever Canadian Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (CSIOP) Outstanding Practitioner Award.
Rania El Mugammar is a Sudanese Artist, Liberation Educator, Abolitionist, Anti-oppression Consultant , multidisciplinary performer, speaker and published writer. Her work explores reproductive justice, transformative justice & abolition, art as liberation and digital justice.
As a writer, Rania's work explores themes of identity, womanhood, Blackness, flight, exile, migration, belonging, gender, sexuality and beyond. Rania's primary mediums are poetry, spoken word and oral storytelling. She is a published poet, storyteller and playwright. Rania is deeply interested in poetic form and the auditory texture of words as well as the visual/aesthetic impact of language and form.
Rania is an experienced anti-oppression, abolition and liberation educator and consultant who is unflinchingly committed to decolonization and freedom as the ultimate goals of her work. She has worked extensively with contemporary arts institutions, STEM based enterprises, media organizations, educational institutions and community/grassroots spaces.

DANCE FACILITOR & CATERER

Suzan Richards

Chef Resa Solomon - St. Lewis

Suzan Richards is the founder and artistic director of The Cultural Arts Studio, School of Afro-Caribbean Dance- a space where folk dances from Africa & The Caribbean can be shared and celebrated.
Formally trained in Ballet Jazz at The Montreal Jazz Dance Academy and the West Can Folk Performing Company in Montreal, she is an inspired performing artist, seasoned teacher and choreographer with cultural roots from Dominica.
Suzan is a Professional Artist & Arts Educator with the Arts Alive program at the National Arts Centre and sits on the Board of Directors of Multicultural Arts In Schools and Communities (MASC) a local non profit organization that offers schools and communities arts experiences led by professional artists that awaken the creative process, deepen cultural awareness, encourage engagement, and give vivid demonstration of Canada’s diversity.

Known as “Teacher Suzan”, she has touched the lives of thousands of youth through her studio of 33 years by her philanthropy and her dedication towards the community.
She is committed to the preserving and sharing of Afro-Caribbean culture through dance and believes that everyone should have the opportunity to dance regardless of age, fitness level, or ability.
Suzan is the proud recipient of many awards her most recent being a 2022 -100 Most Accomplished Black Canadian Women Award by the Honourable Dr Jean Augustine.
Chef Resa Solomon-St. Lewis is a mom, wife, and award-winning chef and entrepreneur known for her expertise in Caribbean cuisine. As the founder of Baccanalle, she brings the vibrant flavours and rich heritage of the Caribbean to life through catering, artisan products, and prepared meal offerings.
In 2025, Chef Resa was appointed to the prestigious National Arts Centre Resident Chef Program, showcasing Caribbean food at one of Canada’s most celebrated venues. She has been featured by Food Network Canada and Baccanalle enjoys wonderful reviews from their clients and accolades from Foodie critics and influencers. She represented the High Commission for Trinidad & Tobago at Ottawa’s Embassy Chef Challenge, where she won both the Championship and People’s Choice awards. Through Baccanalle, she expertly blends traditional Caribbean flavours with contemporary techniques, creating dishes that are as innovative as they are flavourful.
Chef Resa is a dedicated community leader and mentor. She has played a key role in offering employment opportunities to African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) youth and young adults, and serves as a guest lecturer at Algonquin College and the Ottawa Mission. She also co-founded Afrotechture, an initiative designed to promote economic opportunities for Black artisans across Canada.
Chef Resa Solomon-St. Lewis invites you to cook with her — catch her culinary show “In the Kitchen with Resa” on RogersTV or on YouTube!

VENUE

In person

Bayview Yards - 7 Bayview St, Ottawa

The venue is physically accessible and has an elevator. Accessible parking spaces and restrooms are available. The conference will take place on the building's second floor.

Virtual

Zoom: A professional audio/visual team and a skilled moderator will be on site to ensure that virtual attendees remain engaged and actively participate throughout the conference.

AGENDA

Arrive early and ease into the start of the conference. Morning snacks will be available.
Take time to explore the artisan expo and connect with Black entrepreneurs and women leaders.
Enjoy music and spoken word performances.
Participate in a movement practice while connecting with fellow attendees and sharing your intentions for the day.
Facilitated by Suzan from The Cultural Arts Studio
Speaker: Dr. Helen Ofosu
Enjoy a flavorful Caribbean meal prepared by award winning Chef Resa Solomon-St. Lewis’ Baccanalle restaurant.
Engage in dance that celebrates our shared Black history.
Facilitated by Suzan from The Cultural Arts Studio
Speaker: Rania El Mugammar