Bernadeth (she/her) is a multifaceted individual, a human, mother, sister, daughter, friend, partner, and an unwavering human rights activist. As a Black woman, immigrant, francophone, and artist, her identity and lived experiences deeply inform her passion for social justice and advocacy.

Academically accomplished, Bernadeth holds a Bachelor of Communication, a Master’s in Women and Gender Studies, and is completing her PhD in Philosophy Feminist and Gender Studies at the University of Ottawa. Her groundbreaking research on maternal mental health, focusing on Black mothers in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, earned her the prestigious Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Bursary.

Professionally, Bernadeth’s career spans influential roles, including positions at the Prime Minister of Canada’s Office and the Canadian Human Rights Commission. As a professor, she has shared her expertise in communications, English, human rights, social justice, and sociology.

A trailblazer in advocacy, Bernadeth is one of twelve representative plaintiffs in the Black Class Action Suit and has appeared before the Senate of Canada as an expert on anti-Black discrimination and racism at the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Her steady commitment to justice underscores her lifelong dedication to defending the rights of all humans.

In 2024, Bernadeth was the first Black woman to run for president for the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE).

She has had the opportunity to deliver key notes at the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent, at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Bernadeth is one of the co-founders of the Ottawa-Gatineau Black Breastfeeding Week, sat on the Board for Immigrant Women’s Services Ottawa and Maison d’Amitié Ottawa. Her work inspired the creation of The Village Project, a community-based group that assists parents in finding resources and addressing their specific family needs.

Bernadeth’s mission in life is to serve others with compassion and purpose, striving to be a good ancestor by paving the way for future generations through advocacy, education, and unwavering dedication to justice and equity. She is doing this work standing on the shoulders of her ancestors.