Meet the Council
Lisa Bland of the Municipality of the District of West Hants (Three Mile Plains)
Valley Regional Representative
Appointment: 28 March 2023
Term Expiry: 27 March 2026
Lisa is a Registered Nurse and a Research Coordinator for the Multidisciplinary Black Research and Advocacy Centre (M-BRACe), Dalhousie.
She completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Dalhousie University in 2008; is a Student Advisory Council Chair at Three Mile Plains District School; past mentor and camp counselor at the Black Educators Association tutoring program, math and nursing camps and is a recipient of the Volunteer Service Award 2023, West Hants Regional Municipality.
Jennifer Desmond of Antigonish, Antigonish County
Antigonish Guysborough Regional Representative
Appointment: 6 February 2024
Term Expiry: 5 February 2027
Jennifer Desmond has been a public-school educator in the Antigonish and Guysborough areas for more than two decades supporting African Nova Scotian learners, parents, and communities. She has gained valuable experience participating on several committees and education task forces. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Saint Francis Xavier University. Additional training includes completion of Education is a Civil Rights Module with the Black Educators Association and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy training through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Randy Headley of Halifax Regional Municipality (Halifax)
Member-at-Large
Appointment: 3 July 2025
Term Expiry: 2 July 2028
Randy has over fifteen years experience working in post-secondary education. His research interests include Africentricity, Critical Race Theory, Anti-Black racism, and adult education. Randy has been involved in Africentric program development to address the educational gap for African Nova Scotian learners and is the creator of the Baobab Project (podcast) and Elder’s Circle at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU).
He is the Black Student Advisor at MSVU and is the current Chair of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI).
Nevin Jackson of Truro, Colchester County
Northern Regional Representative
Appointment: 6 February 2024
Term Expiry: 5 February 2027
Nevin Jackson was an educator for more than three decades in the Chignecto Region as a teacher, guidance counselor, work-experience coordinator, department head, vice principal, principal, and a coordinator of diversity. Since his retirement he has worked as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist for the Educational Leadership Consortium of Nova Scotia, and is currently a board member of FutureWorx, the Truro Curling Club, and the Town of Truro’s African NS Community Strategy Committee. He has an Associate in Education diploma and a Learning Disabilities Specialization from the Nova Scotia Teachers College. He has a Bachelor and Master of Education from Saint Mary’s University and has completed the Administration Leadership Program with the Chignetco Central Regional Centre for Education. He also completed Culturally Responsive Pedagogy training with Saint Francis Xavier University.
Twila MacDonald of Halifax Regional Municipality (Bedford)
Member-at-Large
Appointment: 6 February 2024
Term Expiry: 5 February 2027
Twila MacDonald is a Social Worker with DOSD and a women’s counsellor at Third Place Transition House. She is currently a volunteer board member with The Lotus Center A Resource for Women.
Twila’s prior experience includes ESIA caseworker, child and youth care worker with Akoma Family Center and various small option homes. She has also been involved with the Minister’s Engagement table for early learning and childcare transformation as a parent representative.
Twila has a Youth Care Diploma from Jane Norman College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Women’s Studies from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Dalhousie University and is currently studying her Master of Social Work at Dalhousie University.
Martin Morrison of Bear River, Digby County
Southwest Nova Regional Representative
Appointment: 6 February 2024
Term Expiry: 5 February 2027
Martin Morrison has been an educator for almost two decades throughout the province with a focus on African Nova Scotian Education. He is currently an Associate Professor at Acadia University’s School of Education and was an Assistant Professor in Mount Saint Vincent University’s Faculty of Education. He is a design team member commissioned by the Province to re-image policing and public safety and was an inaugural board member of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute. Martin has a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University, a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education, and a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning (Africentric Leadership) from Mount Saint Vincent University and is a Doctoral Candidate through Mount Saint Vincent University.
Lindell Smith of Halifax Regional Municipality (Halifax)
Member-at-Large
Appointment: 6 February 2024
Term Expiry: 5 February 2027
Lindell Smith has been the Councillor for District 8 – Halifax Peninsula North since 2016 and previously worked in the Halifax North Memorial Library in roles focusing on community outreach and creating and implementing programs for children and youth. He has volunteered with the NSCC Hope and Inspiration Campaign and Centreline Studio/iMove, and been a board member for Hope Blooms, the Halifax Community Investment Fund, the North End Business Commission, and the Donald R. Sobey Bursary Advisory Council.
Shaniqwa Thomas of Halifax Regional Municipality (Halifax)
Member-at-Large
Appointment: 6 February 2024
Term Expiry: 5 February 2027
Shaniqwa Thomas is a Crown Attorney with the Halifax Regional Municipality. She previously worked at Stewart McKelvey, the Access to Justice & Law Reform Institution and was a restorative justice caseworker. She sits on the Community Justice Society Board of Directors and has volunteered as a tutor with the Black Educators Association of Nova Scotia. Shaniqwa was a former student representative of the Canadian Black Lawyers Association (Nova Scotia Branch), past president of the Dalhousie Black Law Student Association.
She has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a Master of Education in Social Justice Education from the University of Toronto and a Juris Doctorate from the Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie University).
Nayo Upshaw of Chignecto Central Regional Municipality (Amherst)
Member-at-Large
Appointment: 25 October 2022
Term Expiry: 24 October 2025
Nayo Upshaw, from Chignecto Central Regional Municipality (Amherst), obtained an undergraduate degree in English and Sociology from Saint Francis Xavier University (StFX), as well as a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education in the Inclusive Education cohort, both from StFX.
During her time at StFX, she volunteered for and piloted various programs and continues to do so. Nayo has had the privilege of facilitating and speaking at numerous events and working with young adults and students.
Currently, she serves as the Vice-Principal at Springhill Junior-Senior High School.
Darlene Upshaw-Tynes of Halifax Regional Municipality (Halifax)
Halifax Regional Representative
Appointment: 6 February 2024
Term Expiry: 5 February 2027
Darlene Upshaw-Tynes is the Administrative Assistant for the Black Educators Association with more than 10 years experience working with diverse groups and youth at risk and more than 15 years working in the education system. She is the Vice-Chair of the Mulgrave Park Education Committee, the Chair of the Northend Single Parents Education Committee Society, a member of the Black Educators Association, and has run the Cultural Academic Enrichment Program for the last 15 years. Darlene has a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University and has completed training in financial literacy, and facilitation, and has participated in the NSGEU Bully-Free Workplaces Workshop and Tatamagouche’s Dialogue for Peaceful Change.
Charmaine Willis of Halifax Regional Municipality (Lake Loon)
Black Educators Association Representative
Appointment: 6 February 2024
Term Expiry: 5 February 2027
Charmaine worked in the financial banking field for over 20 years and currently works as an educator in the role of African Nova Scotian Student Support Worker with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education for the past 10 years.
She is passionate about education and the overall wellbeing, academic and cultural lens experiences of our African Nova Scotian/African Descent students. She is an active member of the Black Educators Association and serves on the Student Advisory Council at three schools within the surrounding communities.
Charmaine is also the Vice-President of the Rev. Dr. Donald & Evelina Skeir Memorial Scholarship where numerous recipients received funds to further their education. In 2023, she was acknowledged and awarded by Halifax Regional Centre for Education during Education Week for the exceptional contributions in a support role.
Charmaine is currently attending Mount Saint Vincent University working on a Bachelor of Arts Degree (General Studies) part-time online and will graduate in 2026. Also, she is currently enrolled at Acadia University with the first ever Africentric Bachelor of Education cohort and will graduate Fall 2027.
Darren Desmond of Cape Breton Regional Municipality (Whitney Pier)
Cape Breton Regional Representative
Appointment: 3 July 2025
Term Expiry: 2 July 2025
Darren Desmond is a lifelong resident of Whitney Pier. From 1998 to 2006, he served with the Black Educators Association as the Regional Educator for Cape Breton, working closely with students, families, and communities to promote educational access and cultural empowerment.
In 2006, Darren joined the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), where he became the Coordinator of African Canadian Supports for the Cape Breton region. His work focused on strengthening student success, enhancing community partnerships, and advancing equity within the post-secondary environment. His leadership and commitment to student well being later led him to his current role as Manager of Student Services at NSCC’s Sydney Waterfront Campus.
Darren is a proud graduate of Cape Breton University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies in 2002. He furthered his education at Mount Saint Vincent University, where he was a member of the first graduating class of the Master of Education program with a concentration in Africentric Leadership in 2006.