We Host Conversations that Ignite Action
Angela Simmonds deliver bold keynote speeches that spark meaningful dialogue, challenge assumptions, and inspire action. All talks are designed to engage audiences of all levels, encourage thoughtful consideration of complex issues, and motivate action that anyone can see themselves contributing to.
Each keynote is carefully crafted to resonate with your audience and your organization’s context. We start by understanding your goals, conducting research, and exploring relevant insights to ensure the message is precise and impactful. Attendees can expect to leave with practical takeaways and a clear sense of how to apply new perspectives in their work. Follow-up resources and guidance are available to support ongoing learning and help transform insight into action.
Browse Angela's Talk
1. The Ripple Effect - Your Role in Shaping an Inclusive Culture
No matter who we are and where we come from, we all have gifts that give us the power to make a difference. Angela helps build confidence towards championing inclusion, driving position change, and fostering healthy organizational culture, with our gifts, tools, and resources available to us.
Whether you are an entry-level hire, CEO, or community volunteer, Angela equips you with mindful practices for combating bias, embracing a personal journey of cultural competency and continuous learning. Woven with stories of personal experience, Angela helps you see the importance of staying committed to the long game – knowing that real change takes all of us, and doesn’t always offer instant gratification.
You can expect to:
- Understand healthy communication practices for EDIA related teamwork
- Get an understanding of practical strategies for being a more inclusive colleague, that you can start applying today
2. Bending the Arc - Black Women in Leadership and/or Politics
Martin Luther King Jr once said ‘the “arc” of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice’. Learn from Angela about what it means to build a legacy of rights advocacy, anti-racist systems and policy, and community-led reparations while navigating within a system designed to oppress you. Angela’s integrity, perseverance, and spirit inspire others to more boldly advance an equal and just society. You’ll hear about her firsthand experiences in community advocacy, law, and politics, and as the first African Nova Scotian Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly in Nova Scotia’s history.
This session helps you uncover what it means to pave your own path in an environment you know you are meant to disrupt while staying true to your values, roots, and boundaries.
You can expect to:
- Understand moving towards ‘justice’ as something that is not only an ideal or aspirational concept but an action
- Discuss bringing your unique voice and ancestors’ knowledge into an institution that wasn’t designed for it
3. Beyond Allyship: Anti-Racism as an Action
Angela guides us in honouring those who’ve made sacrifices to dismantle systemic oppression and racism to pave a better life today. To build on this momentum, she brings people together across differences in a culturally responsive and action-oriented approach to addressing systemic racism.
Through her advocacy work, and contributions to the development of Nova Scotia’s Bill NO. 96: Dismantling Racism and Hate Act (the first of its kind in Canada), Angela knows that radical change requires trust-building, humility, a commitment to the long haul and a curiosity for imagining a just and equitable society.
You can expect to:
- Reflect on discomfort, the racial empathy gap, and what to do about it
Understand the social, cultural structural, and institutional ways in which racism is embedded in society - Uncover actions and strategies that go beyond allyship and promote consistent and lasting behaviour and systems change
4. Empowering the next generation: Seeing it to Believe It
Angela helps redefine what success and growth mean to each of us by not settling for anything less than we believe we deserve. She speaks to the importance of representation and having access to role models that look, talk and move like us. All of this – while navigating a society that challenges us to conform to something we are not.
You can expect to uncover a path towards personal development and growth that moves beyond the binary thinking of having to do it alone – a path that welcomes the vulnerability of asking for help and guidance, collective healing, and getting farther together.
You can expect to:
- Discuss the power of mentorship and connection with peers
- Reflect on what impacts our self-esteem and what we need to feel like we can set our bars higher
Meet Angela Simmonds
- Our keynote talks are delivered by Angela Simmonds, former politician and deputy speaker of the Nova Scotia legislative assembly, and current-day human rights lawyer, entrepreneur, and community mobilizer. Angela’s expertise on the historical injustice and systemic discrimination with the Land Titles Clarification Act has received national attention with support from the United Nations Working Group. Most recently, she was recognized as one of the top 100 most accomplished Black women in Canada.
- Her background ensures that every keynote is delivered with authenticity, depth, and lived experience – connecting personal insight with systemic understanding. Angela weaves together stories of leadership, legacy, and accountability to challenge audiences to think critically, feel deeply, and take meaningful action toward change.
Designed for You
- Leadership or Team Retreats seeking to spark reflection, dialogue, and renewed commitment to equity and accountability in a safe space.
- Annual General Meetings (AGMs) looking to inspire members or staff with a message of collective growth and shared purpose.
- Industry Conferences aiming to explore systemic issues and leadership through an equity lens.
- Corporate Learning Days designed to deepen understanding of inclusion, diversity, and organizational culture and advance your already existing EDIA or HR strategy.
- Community & Public Sector Gatherings focused on collaboration, advocacy, and social impact.
- Academic & Student Events engaging future leaders in conversations about justice, leadership, and change. Fireside Chats or Panel Discussions where lived experience and policy insight can spark meaningful exchange.
Need a Talk That Ignites Action?
Let us know you’re interested and we will work with you to build the talk that’s right for your organization.
After the Talk: What's Next?
EDIA Training & Workshops
Maybe you are intrigued and inspired to keep learning? We offer a suite of workshop series to equip you with the knowledge and tools to foster a more equitable culture going forward.
Conflict Resolution & Mediation
Experiencing a particularly challenging conversation or team dynamic? Our mediation services can help rebuild team cohesion.