Beyond the ordinary
This is where our journey begins. We have all our confirmed speakers for the event on October 15, 2025. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in speaking at this event, and we hope you will be available to participate next year! This is the inaugural Reclaiming our Health event, which we hope will become an annual town hall for the Black communities across Canada.
For now, these are our stellar speakers for Reclaiming Our Health 2025. We look forward to empowering community health with you on October 15, 2025.
Perinatal Mental Health: Coping with Grief and loss from a Cultural Perspective
Nanna Yaa (Bernadette Poku) Yeboaa
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Black Men and Mental Health
Benjamin Baah Nketia is a recent valedictorian and nominee for the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work, a second degree in Social Work, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work (Clinical) at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan (UBC-O).
As a member of the British Columbia Association of Social Workers (Thompson Nicola Branch), Benjamin brings strong trauma-informed leadership, professionalism, and a people-centred approach to every environment he works in.
His practice is grounded in empathy, cultural humility, and a deep commitment to equity, anti-racism, and decolonized practice. Whether supporting individuals through personal transitions or collaborating with organizations on systemic solutions, Benjamin helps people identify strengths, overcome barriers, and move forward with clarity and confidence.
He was recently invited to share his undergraduate research experience with students at McMaster University, where he explored positionality and reflexivity in community research. This presentation sparked deeper dialogue around power and voice—what we pay attention to, what we value, and the questions we choose to ask (or avoid).
The Impacts of Racism on Mental Health
Rubin "Rocky" Coward
With over 35 years of experience as a dedicated Community Advocate, Rubin "Rocky" Coward has made a lasting impact through unwavering commitment to social justice and human rights. On January 31, 2024, he was honored with the prestigious Tom Miller Human Rights Award at the Black History Month Gala in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The award recognized his outstanding service and dedication to the community, particularly to those disadvantaged by discrimination or poverty.
Throughout his career, Rubin Coward has represented a wide range of individuals, including RCMP officers, military personnel, federal and provincial government employees, correctional officers, and staff at the Nova Institution for Women in Truro, Nova Scotia.
He has advocated before the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (NSHRC), the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal (HRTO), and the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. His representation has extended to mediations, conciliations, tribunals, Boards of Inquiry, and more. In addition, he supports seniors who have been exploited by unethical contractors.
A skilled legal brief writer, Rubin Coward connects injured individuals with Black psychologists and psychiatrists to secure expert clinical counseling diagnoses. This work helps to clearly identify the causes and effects of systemic racism, anti-Black racism, institutional discrimination, and workplace cronyism. He also brings specialized expertise in Trauma-Informed Care and Cultural Competency, further supporting marginalized communities with compassion and insight.
Minority Health and Health Disparities
Dr. Audrey Durrant, MD, FACS, FAAP, is a double board-certified pediatric and general surgeon with over 15 years of experience—and one of the first 10 women of color in North America to achieve board certification in pediatric surgery. She has trained and practiced at top academic institutions, and remains committed to surgical excellence, cultural humility, and patient-centered care.
A solo parent and advocate for healthcare equity, Dr. Durrant is the founder of WhiteCoatGreenRoom, a platform and newsletter dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented individuals in the medical field. She also hosts a podcast of the same name, which explores the real stories behind the white coat.
Her latest venture, Inclusive Health Match, is an AI-powered app designed to help patients connect with culturally competent providers based on their unique lived experiences and preferences. The app recently launched on TestFlight and is preparing for general release.
The Prevalence of Chronic Disease in the Black Community
Nneka Ezurike Pharm D, Bsc.Pharm, CDE, RPh, HCA-RHC™ is a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and equity advocate with over 15 years of experience in pharmacy practice and leadership. A graduate of Dalhousie University and the University of Florida, she owns and operates four Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies in Toronto, where she is dedicated to delivering innovative, holistic care.
She is the Co-Founder of Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada, a national non-profit advancing equity and excellence among Black pharmacy professionals and patients. A passionate mentor and leader, Nneka plays a key role in professional development through initiatives like Women in Leadership for Associates (WILA) and her signature EMPOWER seminar series, which has raised nearly $30,000 for charity.
Nneka serves on the Ontario College of Pharmacists and the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, and she is a preceptor for pharmacy and technician students across Ontario. Her work is driven by a commitment to breaking barriers, empowering marginalized communities, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Her leadership has helped transform not only the pharmacy spaces she manages but also the broader professional landscape.
"I can't say enough about the depth of excellence in our communities. From home care entrepreneurs to clinical researchers, from psychiatry to wellness experts, our communities are a wealth of knowledge and the foundation of our healing."
Nyasha Katedza