Freedom Realized and Delayed

Guest speaker Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon—renowned historian, educator, and advocate for Black history in Canada will speak to the historical significance of Emancipation Day, illuminating stories of Black resistance, resilience, and community-building in Canadian history, celebrating the richness of Black Canadian culture and contributions. An open Q&A session will allow participants to engage directly with Dr. Henry-Dixon.

Dr. Natasha L. Henry-Dixon

Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon is an assistant professor of African Canadian History at York University. She is an award-winning author and an award-winning curriculum developer. Dr. Henry-Dixon is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her leadership and ongoing work to advance understanding of Black history in Ontario. As a long-time educator and community leader, Dr. Henry-Dixon’s continues to advance our collective understanding of Canada’s rich and complicated Black history. Dr. Henry-Dixon’s research and publications deal with the enslavement of Black people in Ontario, their quest for freedom, the commemoration of Emancipation Day, and Black communities in the province.

Her publications include the chapters ” ‘Sold as a Slave for Life’: Black Enslavement in Colonial Canada” (2024), “Where, Oh Where, is Bet? Locating Enslaved Africans on the Ontario Landscape” (2022), “Chloe Cooley: A Black Woman Enslaved in Niagara” (2021); the books Emancipation Day: Celebrating Freedom in Canada (June 2010), Talking about Freedom: Celebrating Freedom in Canada (2012), a number of youth-focused titles, and several entries for the Canadian Encyclopaedia on African Canadian history. Recently, her special biographical series with the Dictionary of Canadian Biography on the lives of a select number of Black people enslaved in colonial Ontario was released. Dr. Henry-Dixon’s most recent public history projects include the self-guided walking tour, Tracing Mary Ann Shadd Cary’s Footsteps in Mid‑19th Century Black Toronto, curated and launched in Fall 2024. Her multifaceted work reflects her unwavering commitment to researching, preserving, and sharing the histories of Black Canadians.