Our People

At our core, we strive to ignite the potential of our people, and to mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Our priority will always be to put people first.

President & Co-Founder

DeRico Symonds

DeRico Symonds is a 7th generation African Nova Scotian from Halifax, Nova Scotia. DeRico is the Director of Justice Strategy with the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute. (ANSJI). Additionally, DeRico Symonds is an Impact of Race and Cultural Assessor (IRCA) with the Forensic Assessment & Treatment Unit at ANSJI.

He is a founding member of two non-profit organizations in Halifax, ACCE HFX, GameChangers902. DeRico Symonds holds an undergraduate degree in Child & Youth Study (2012) and an MEd in Counselling through Acadia University (2018). DeRico also has his Canadian Counselling Certification through the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association of Canada.

Vice - President & Co-Founder

Chanae Parsons

Chanae Parsons holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie University and a Master's in Adult Education in Women's Leadership and Community Development from St. Francis Xavier University. She is an expert in various fields and subjects including, both adult and early education, leadership, Afrocentricity, program development, research, project management, critical thinking, diversity and inclusion, and public speaking.

Chanae is particularly committed to empowering youth, focusing on ensuring that Black youth, especially young Black girls and women, have opportunities for leadership roles. Her career is devoted to advancing research, promoting women's leadership, and spearheading community development and education, with a special emphasis on marginalized groups.

Project Lead

Kate Macdonald

Kate Macdonald is an artist, educator, & activist. She is proudly African Nova Scotian. Kate brings marginalized brilliance to the forefront. Kate is a natural facilitator and has hosted many workshops is a fierce champion for youth.

Project Lead

Mapfumo Chidzonga

Mapfumo Chidzonga is the new Senior Engagement Strategist for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives (OEA) with the Government of Nova Scotia. Mapfumo helps to lead multiple online and in-person engagements to enhance efforts related to equity and anti-racism throughout government.

Previously, in his capacity as a Diversity and Inclusion Advisor for the Halifax Regional Municipality, within the Planning and Development department, he carved out a unique role as an embedded advisor working at the forefront of championing equity, diversity and inclusion as primary and core considerations in policymaking, city-building plans, service delivery and community engagement practices. Mapfumo’s life journey started in Harare, Zimbabwe and so, his values are proudly rooted in the African worldview of Hunhu (Ubuntu). He describes himself as an aspiring change-maker committed to life-long learning. He holds a master’s degree in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University.

Ignite Associate

Megan Neaves

Megan, a Junior High school teacher with the Halifax Regional Centre of Education, is an active advocate for racial equity and also teaches Advocacy and Social Justice for the Nova Scotia Community College's Social Work Program. Her educational background includes a Bachelor's in Arts and Education, and a Masters in Education focusing on Supporting Diverse Learners. Her Master's project centered on educating individuals about white privilege.

She has developed an educational unit called "Empowering Changes" and has co-created workshops on systemic racism and white privilege, and on indigenous resilience. Megan is actively involved in the Halifax community, participating in initiatives and discussions related to anti-racism, poverty, and solutions for marginalized communities.