Summary:
This webinar explored the Underground Railroad, Ontario’s shining chapter in Black history. Led by Dr. Bryan E. Walls, C.M., O.Ont., and Mrs. Brittany Miles, M.Ed., of the John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum, this session focused on this first great freedom movement in the Americas – when good people of different races and faiths worked in harmony for freedom and for justice. Educators will learn new ways and gain new resources to engage their students with Ontario’s Black history through this webinar, and make it relevant to their lives throughout the year.
Speakers:
Dr. Bryan E. Walls is the founder of the John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum in Puce, Ontario. He is the author of The Road That Led to Somewhere (based on a true story of his ancestor’s journey on the Underground Railroad to Canada. Dr. Walls is a noted historian and lecturer on how the Underground Railroad history can be used to teach Math and Science, anti-bullying and little-known African Diaspora History. He lectures on diversity and mutual respect at police colleges, C.O. Bick Police College in Toronto and Aylmer Provincial Police College. He partners with the University of Windsor and Toronto District School Board and Detroit District School Board in an annual African Diaspora Student Conference. He is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario, and also a dental surgeon.
Brittany Walls Miles is a curator of the John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum, and is a graduate of the University of Windsor Jackman School of Dramatic Arts. She received her Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Niagara University, where she was invited to join the Kappa Delta Pi and Kappa Gamma Pi International Honor Society in Education. She is accredited to teach in 48 States in the United States and in Ontario. She is also, it bears mentioning today, Dr. Walls’ daughter.