​​​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

BRAMPTON, ON (June 19, 2020) – Today, Gwyneth Chapman was appointed as a Senior Advisor to the City of Brampton’s recently announced Black African and Caribbean Social, Cultural and Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism Unit, which was approved by City Council on June 10, 2020.
 
Reporting to the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Ms. Chapman will support and lead the establishment of the unit and develop its action plan on eradicating systemic anti-Black racism in Brampton. Guided by local community stakeholders, work will be centered on uplifting the social, cultural, and economic position of Brampton’s black community.

With an extensive background in community engagement, advocacy, and communications, Ms. Chapman’s experience will serve the City and community well as she acts as the key liaison with staff, and local businesses and stakeholders. Most recently, Ms. Chapman served as President of the Canadian Black Caucus, Inspiring and Empowering Youth Network, and Inspiring You Media Productions. A compassionate community leader, Ms. Chapman has also worked extensively in television including CTV and CityTV, producing quality empowering programs that highlight the black community. 

Ms. Chapman has a long history of work with youth through acting as both a mentor and community liaison for Toronto’s African Canadian community. Ms. Chapman was a recipient of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women Award, Black Business and Professional Association's Women of Honour Award for her contribution to community, and was nominated by her peers for a Harry Jerome Award in the area of Community Service and Media in 2008. In 2013, Ms. Chapman was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service.

To learn more or to express an interest in being involved as the City develops its Black African and Caribbean Social, Cultural and Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism Unit, please contact the City at AntiBlackRacismUnit@brampton.ca. This important initiative will be overseen by the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer in collaboration with the Mayor, Councillors and community stakeholders.
 
Opportunities for the community to engage and share their voice in this process will be shared publicly in the near future.
 
Quotes
 
“We are experiencing an important moment in history where we see our communities coming together to collectively confront systemic anti-Black racism. As public office holders, we recognize it is incumbent on us to take meaningful action that leads to real change. We look forward to working with Ms. Chapman and Brampton’s first-ever Black African and Caribbean Social, Cultural and Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism Unit to continue creating true equity within our city.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
  
“As a City, we know that we have the immense responsibility of ensuring that our work supports and is reflective of Brampton’s diverse community. Ms. Chapman will play an invaluable role in leading the creation of our action plan against systemic anti-Black racism helping create a culture and a community that is inclusive, compassionate and equitable.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
 
“I am pleased to join the City of Brampton which is taking an active approach to addressing racism in the community. I’m looking forward to this leadership opportunity to work closely with the City’s employees, Council and the local community, and bringing my experience to bear as we collaborate to effectively respond to and eradicate racism in Brampton.  We must create a sense of belonging. We must recognize the untapped potential of our citizens, their desire to contribute to meaningful change, and the opportunity to contribute to exponential economic growth of the city. For too long the brilliant, innovative, hard-working black Canadians with so much to offer, have been overlooked and excluded just because of the skin they are in. This has to stop now! In order to be a great city we must commit to empowering all citizens. No more, will we settle for leaving any groups behind.”
- Gwyneth Chapman, Senior Advisor, Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism, City of Brampton

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