Ajax Anti-Racism Task Force
Purpose of the Anti-Racism Task Force
The Ajax Anti-Racism Task Force (AARTF) aims to address systemic racism and hate experienced by various groups in the Town through a hub-and-spoke model, with identified working groups addressing disparities in racialized and underrepresented communities. This model will reflect a similar one to the Durham Region Anti-Racism Task Force, which will allow for some flexibility in work plan initiatives to support the community and provide resources during various social justice uprisings. Through the hub-and-spoke model, the AARTF can focus on anti-racism through various lenses, such as anti-Black racism and Indigenous truth and reconciliation building simultaneously in accordance with the work plan.
The official work plan will be developed by the Task Force and presented to Council periodically with updates on work plan goals, budget, etc.; please check back to this page regularly for updates or subscribe to this page to receive notifications for updates.
Black History Month Flag Raising
To commemorate Black History Month on the last day of February, TOA residents are invited to join Ajax Council and Town staff for a special flag raising, presented by the Ajax Anti-Racism Task Force, of the Pan-African flag for the first time at Pat Bayly Square on Thursday, February 29 at 11 a.m.
The Town of Ajax continues to embrace and value the opportunity to celebrate and promote Black History Month, as well as inspire the next generation to continue to listen, learn and better understand the personal experiences of the Black community.
Task Force Meetings
The Task Force is set to begin monthly meetings in January 2024.
Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Finalized meeting agendas will be added here before each monthly meeting. After each meeting concludes, the minutes will also be added.
Agendas and minutes can be found under ‘Documents’. Continue to check back often for the latest updates, information and news about the AARTF Task Force.
Members of the Anti-Racism Task Force
A total of nine successful, enthusiastic individuals with lived and professional experience with anti-oppression, racism and discrimination were selected for this term’s Anti-Racism Task Force.
Representatives on the Task Force this term include Regional Councillor, Sterling Lee and Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, Natasha Sharma.
Members:
- Adrienne Glasgow Harte
- Alexia (Lexi) Brewing
- Ayzha MacLean
- Chantelle Vernon
- Luke Nguyen (Youth Member)
- Malcolm Barrington
- Naseer Khalid
- Rabia Bhatti
- Sabah Rahmath
Member Bios
Residents who identify as Black, a Person of Colour, Muslim, Indigenous, a part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or any other underrepresented community were encouraged to apply through the online application portal.
To learn more about the members of this term’s Task Force, their bios can be found in the PDF linked here.
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The Task Force works to create a more inclusive and equitable community, while actively addressing systemic racism and discrimination and ensuring that all community members have equal opportunities and access to resources. This section is dedicated to generating conversations, ideas or concerns around dismantling structural racism within the Town. Leave a suggestion or idea about eliminating racism in the community.
Documents
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Pan African Flag Raising - Flyer.pdf (218 KB) (pdf)
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Ajax Anti-Black Racism Taskforce update - Council March 27, 2023.pdf (788 KB) (pdf)
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Ajax Anti-Racism Task Force - Terms of Reference 2024.pdf (466 KB) (pdf)
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Ajax Anti-Racism Task Force – Introduction of New Members – Presentation to Council December 11, 2023
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AARTF Member Biographies.pdf (212 KB) (pdf)
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AARTF Agenda and Minutes
