Expertise & Community Mobilization

Shannon's commitment to supporting Black and equity deserving individuals and communities, especially those with identities and orientations that are not socially sanctioned, is evident in her community advocacy and navigation. Currently, Shannon is the Director of Mental Health and Counselling at Britannia Woods Community services. She has been in this in this role for the past seven years, where she has founded, developed and implemented some of the first culturally responsive placed based mental health programs and care models for Black and other equity deserving individuals and communities in the city. She has since developed and lead over seven city wide programs with a team of over 13 practioners-the largest racialized clinical team in the city. These programs are rooted in community accessibility and responsiveness which informs community development and challenge social policy.

Shannon's innovative spirit has led her to be a key figure in envisioning and developing the first emotional support line, focusing on Black and racialized individuals' unique wellness needs in Ottawa (BRISC-Black Racialized Individuals Support Channel). In addition, she was instrumental in securing, developing, and implementing the first provincially funded culturally adapted 'SNAP Program' in Ottawa, which is a clinical program for racialized families. Shannon was also fundamental in the development and implementation of the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) counselling portal on the City's Counselling Connect portal-where she also serves as a clinical supervisor/advisor. Her unwavering commitment is also evident in her volunteer work. She currently serves as a director on the Canadian Mental Health Association (Ottawa branch) and a director on the Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition board. Shannon is committed to continue getting into 'good trouble', once it allows her to foster safe spaces and facilitate healing for Black and other equity deserving individuals and communities!

Shannon is also a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer. She also actively serves as a consultant/expert to facilitate discussions and trainings in the community around topics related to trauma, mental and emotional health, health equity, racism, discrimination, diversity, inclusion, equity, safety, and social justice, etc.

She has also contributed to various research city-wide and present on the aforementioned topics at workshops and conferences. Some examples below:

Video Contribution Links
Written Contribution Links
Recognition & Accolades