Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosemary Sadlier.
Hi Rosemary, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a DEI professional, an award-winning author, speaker, Black Cultural Heritage tour facilitator and social justice advocate for over 25 years. I’ve dedicated my life to advocating for marginalized communities, educating and maintaining space for the underrepresented. I am passionate about diversity, inclusion, and representation. I wanted to create a society that was better than the one I experienced back then, both for myself and for my children.
I am a Member of the Order of Ontario (the highest honour in Ontario, Canada); was nominated one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women in 2017; received a national Harry Jerome Trailblazer Award and was named a Global Defender for Human Rights by the Canadian Teachers Federation and the Robert F. Kennedy Center (New York) as part of the “Speak Truth to Power”. From Atlanta, I was awarded the African Diaspora Tourism Award in 2016. I am listed in Canadian Who’s Who. I am a Kentucky Colonel and have a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award.
As President of the only Black History organization in Canada for 25 years, I extended the efforts of others, initiating the formal celebration of February as Black History Month at all levels of government in Canada. Due to my efforts, the Canada has marked BHM since December 1995 with the first ever national celebration taking place in February 1996. This is critical because I grew up in a neighbourhood where there were no other Black families and where I was the only African Canadian child in the class. Aside from my family, I never saw other Black people unless it was Sunday and I was attending church. I was always moving towards making the world a better place, but having children, and knowing about their friends in school who could benefit from equity informed efforts, made my choices easy.
Also, by 1995, I began the process of having our Canadian abolition of slavery commemorated which is August 1st, 1834. After many years, it was commemorated at every level of government again – nationally in Canada effective in March 2021!!! It took that long! The Rosemary Sadlier Freedom Award was created and presented on national tv! This is important for so very many reasons, but that historic date, 1834, prompted the first freedom movement of the Americas – the Underground Railroad and is the reason that so many Black people, Black settlements and Black churches were created in Canada. It is the reason my mother’s family entered Canada in the 1830s, the reason I am here, the reason my children are the continuation of that freedom. It adds to the reason why there is Black History in Canada and why it is so connected to the United States and the broader Diaspora. It is the reason I create curriculum, provide presentations, create exhibits and provide Black Heritage tours.
I am a DEI Consultant and Equality Lead for the Americas and the Caribbean with the Royal Commonwealth Society.
I wrote the award-winning, best-seller The Kids Book of Black Canadian History and I wrote Harriet Tubman: Freedom Seeker, Freedom Leader to help further understanding.
My work gives me purpose and clarity — I know in my heart that I am on the right path because of that.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. But I have the resilience of my ancestors and the purpose of my intention! First, I had to understand and appreciate my own identity in a place that did not reflect me. Then I had to try to learn a history, on my own, that was not part of the traditional school system. But later, as the (unpaid) volunteer head of the only organization in Canada dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of Black History, I had to find a way to keep the organization going when government cuts reduced our meagre funding by 90%. I was with this organization for over 25 years, 22 of those years as President and often acting Executive Director.
These cuts made it impossible to hire full-time staff although there were a few dedicated volunteers. My hard work and frankly, sacrifice allowed this organization to continue.
It would’ve been easy to give up. Understood, and maybe expected to. But I knew that the contributions and achievements of African Canadians represented a strength and pillar of the community. While I faced many challenges to continue, I knew I had built a sacred trust with my community. It was important across generations — from acknowledging our ancestors to educating our children.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
DEI/Black History – CORPORATE WORKSHOPS, SPEAKING & CONSULTING
I have proven experience and passion related to Black History and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This has taken me across the country, the continent, and to the Caribbean and Europe. My clients include museums, government and industry.
Author – SPEAKER & CONFERENCES
I would be delighted to be a keynote speaker or to join a conference about these books (or my other books):
Harriet Tubman lived in Canada for eight years and has descendants living there!
https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t2217/a9781459701502-harriet-tubman
– Internationally awarded, The Kids Book of Black Canadian History is great for all ages, providing easily understood details about the Black presence in Canada, from the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade to recent times – a classic.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1554535875/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_0QG29XREBHGGNK87BQZC
Black Heritage Tourism/Arts – CONSULTANT, SPEAKER & GUIDE
I have participated in a Bi-National Charette on the Underground Railroad with National Park Service (US), presented at Juneteenth and DC Emancipation Day events, and provided bus or walking tours for visitors to Toronto, Canada on Black History or conducted workshops, presented at conferences. I have nominated people, places and events for regional or national recognition such as Mary Ann Shadd, Harriet Tubman or the Colored Corps and I enjoy sharing about these icons!
Using my knowledge or lived experience, I have consulted on film scripts, written scripts and appeared in film – eg. Barry Avrich’s “Oscar Peterson: Black and White” with Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, John Baptiste and Branford Marsalis.
eg. Discovery Channel: Secrets of the Underground Railroad
Representation matters!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I love making a difference in people’s lives. We’ve all been in situations where we truly have to grapple with the best way forward — in that moment, I can step in and help someone feel empowered again. I am grateful for how this career has allowed me to connect with others. My lived experience and professional life has given me an insight + a deeper understanding of others.
I hope that people will remember me as someone who represented them well.
I am an author, educator, historian, speaker; someone who helped to secure many important touchstones for Toronto, Ontario, all Provinces and Canada: the celebration of February as Black History Month; the commemoration of August 1st as Emancipation Day; the trustee-type care of the OBHS facilitating its continuation, and the best-selling classic read – The Kids Book of Black Canadian History.
It’s the impact that we leave on others that is most important.
Recent changes to gathering and traveling due to the pandemic have made it possible to considering online formats for consulting, presenting and work in general. The future is hopeful since we will be able to have in-person conferences or speaking engagements or to have a hybrid model where some are traveling and some are online. This further opens up the entire world and makes consulting or speaking engagements possible wherever there is a stable network! I look forward to more opportunities to connect with you!
Contact Info:
- Email: rosemary.sadlier@gmail.com
- Website: about.me/rosemarysadlier
- Instagram: @rosemarysadlier
- Facebook: Rosemary Sadlier
- Twitter: RosemarySadlier
Image Credits
Elena Koroleva – headshots
