Join us at the Social Innovation Hub to deep dive into Fostering Systems Change with Irvine Carvery & Liza Arnason.
Together we’ll delve into the journeys of Irvine Carvery, President of the Africville Genealogy Society, and Liza Arnason, CEO of Arnason Consulting.
In partnership with the UCalgary Alumni and the Black Alumni Network, and moderated by Jerome Morgan, Associate Director of the Social Innovation Hub, the discussion will focus on their impactful contributions to systems innovation. Irvine’s role in reclaiming Africville’s land and Liza’s dedication to equity in education and disability promise an enlightening conversation.
Gain insights into community-driven innovation from these distinguished speakers:
Irvine Carvery, descendant of Africville and community leader, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Irvine Carvery President Africville Genealogy Society (AGS) Irvine has been active in his community for over 50 years fostering social change. He led the AGS to a successful negotiation with the city resulting in land being returned to the people of Africville. He oversaw the rebuilding of the church in Africville that serves as a museum telling the story of his community. He also serves as Co-Chair of the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity. An organization dedicated to the economic and social wellbeing of the African Communities within Halifax Regional Municipality.
Liza Arnason; Principal, Chief Education Arnason Consulting Inc., Sessional Lecturer, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Founder and Chair ASE Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities
Liza Arnason’s academic journey began at the University of Calgary, later augmented with the cornerstone of her work as an educator, administrator, and community advocate. Her depth of knowledge and expertise is informed by her lived experiences, research and policy initiatives, and work experience over 30 years. Liza draws on critical pedagogy, including Black Feminism, disability justice, and the Critical Black Feminist Disability framework, to inform community-based research and impact policy change. Liza is a social entrepreneur championing equity and inclusion.
She unapologetically brings the lived experiences of those intersectional experiences of race, gender, and disability to the “table,” identifying nuances, gaps, and disparities within systems, structures, and research. Through collective leadership and mentorship across Canada, Liz continues to design and advocate for new models and systems that will affect real change.
Master of Arts in Sociology and Equity Studies in Education from the University of Toronto at the OISE. Liz is the Owner and Principal of Arnason Consulting, Chair of the UCalgary Black Alumni Network, the founder and Chair of the Ase Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities, and above all, a mom, grandma, and mentor.
Liza’s commitment to the principles of “nothing without us” and “for us, by us” has always been central to her work.