Dr. Chizoba Imoka is an award-winning advocate, educator, researcher, and an equity, diversity and inclusion consultant. She was a Junior Massey Fellow from 2013 to 2015 and 2017 to 2018, and is the Founder and Director of Unveiling Africa. Dr. Imoka is a two-time alumna of the University of Toronto and holds a doctorate in Education Policy & Leadership, and Master of Education in Educational Administration & Comparative International Development Education from the Ontario Institute for the Studies in Education and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from the University of Alberta.
As a Junior Fellow, Dr. Imoka led numerous equity, diversity and inclusion efforts at the College and addressed issues of Anti-Black racism. In her first year, she noticed the absence and invisibility of Blackness and a deficit lens towards the discussion of African/Black issues within the college community. These experiences motivated her to begin to reflect and think of ways to bring awareness to the diversity issue and enable a more inclusive environment that is welcoming to non-eurocentric perspectives.
One of her first initiatives in 2014 was co-organizing (with Emilie Nicolas) a critical international development symposium titled: Principled Leadership: When Canada Stood Up Against Apartheid. The symposium was organized to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela and to explore the role of Canada in the struggle against apartheid. In attendance were prominent guests such as The Right Honourable Martin Brian Mulroney, the former Prime Minister of Canada, and Stephen Lewis. In 2015, alongside Emilie Nicolas, she co-organized the first Black History month event at the college. The event was a documentary screening on the lives of Black settlers in Priceville, Ontario. Motivated by the poor turn out at the documentary screening, Dr. Chizoba began advocacy efforts to bring awareness to systemic issues of representation, anti-blackness and social justice at the College. Amongst other things, the advocacy efforts resulted in the annual commemoration of Black History Month at the college as well as the status elevation of the diversity committee from ‘enrichment’ to core committee status. Later in the year, Dr. Chizoba became the Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee and the committee developed an action plan to identify programs, policies, and practices to transform Massey and create inclusive spaces for prospective racialized fellows. The Committee initiated engagement with First Nations House at the University of Toronto to establish a process of attracting Indigenous students to the college. The Committee also hosted an event for Indigenous Education Week and organized a panel discussion on Institutionalized Colonialism. Under her co-leadership (with Swathi Swaminathan), the college constitution was amended to allow for the emergence of the Equity Secretariat comprising of the Accessibility, Diversity and Gender Relations committees. Through the secretariat, Massey’s first equity statement was drafted and under leadership, the Equity Secretariat started organizing anti-oppression and equity training for the Massey College community.
Within the community, Dr. Imoka is an international consultant with experience working to advance the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 related education reforms in Nigeria through USAID and Management Systems International. The non-profit she founded, Unveiling Africa, provides a platform for young Africans to acquire the skills and experiences they need to lead their communities while being grounded in their history and cultures. In this role, she recently created the Re-Rooting in African History Program which responds to the absence of Black/African centered perspectives in global education systems through workshops and training programs.
Dr. Chizoba Imoka has been recognized for her public leadership in equity, diversity, inclusion and public education reform through numerous award and accolades. Amongst others, she was awarded the Adrienne Clarkson Public Service Laureateship at Massey and beyond, the Illuminessence Human Rights and Social Justice Honouree award for her exceptional advocacy for human rights, social justice and legal rights for women, the Ernest D. Morrel African Diaspora Emerging Scholar Award and most recently, OISE’s Alumni Global Citizenship Award.
Currently, Dr. Imoka consults with Mastercard Foundation’s Research Unit while advancing the work of Unveiling Africa in Nigeria.
Can you share a memorable event or experience as a Junior Fellow?
The inaugural Black history month opened Massey to dealing with questions of diversity and equity. This event led to other initiatives and conversations including the collection of equity-based data of Junior Fellows, hosting open houses to recruit diverse Fellows, and the development of the Equity Action Plan. I collaborated with other Junior Fellows to centre social justice, diversity, and equity at Massey, and the College became more intentional in the Senior Fellows that were invited. I helped to break the silence on race and ask, “are we doing enough?”. For Massey to be the beacon of intellectual thought and demonstrate the future of what is possible in Canada, our conversations, planning and community must centre social justice.
What would be your advice to young Massey Fellows or a student considering applying to the Fellowship?
For students considering applying to Massey, I encourage you to do so. Based on my experience, Massey is a unique place with endless learning, leadership and mentoring opportunities to learn, to take your ideas/dreams to another level. It is also a great place to network, make life-long friends (fellow students and mentors) and open your mind to new possibilities. Advice to young Massey Fellows: you get as much from Massey as you put in. Have an open mind, engage with the administrators. As much you can, get involved and identify ways to give back to the community while also advancing your academic objectives. If something doesn’t feel right, isn’t fair or just, please speak up.
