My name is Fanis Juma. My Afro-Indigenous name is Awiti. I come from the Luo and Luhya Peoples of East Africa . My justice-oriented community practice draws from a blend of spiritual, intellectual and political liberation traditions. I’m interested in supporting groups, organizations and systems on a wayfinding journey towards Anti-Racist Anti-Colonial Practice
Land-Based Activist,
Social Work Researcher & Community Practitioner based in Ontario, Canada.
Drawing from years of experience designing, implementing and managing a number of food and environmental justice projects (see: Young City Growers) I can help your organization assess internal food practices and move towards more socially and environmentally conscious outcomes.
As a racial justice educator, I apply an Afrocentric Sharing Circle Model and other models from Afro-Indigenous Liberation traditions to facilitate system-level, agency and group training sessions geared at raising critical Anti-Racist consciousness and strengthening equity practice skills in organizational cultures. As an equity consultant I can support your organization by carrying out an organizational assessment and provide recommendations and support services towards improving institutional DEI practices.
Story-documenting and knowledge production are important tools in advancing liberatory practices for communities, groups and institutions. I have worked on projects (Gahu Research Project, CARE, Project SOIL) that have received various levels of research grants including SSHRC, Women’s College Hospital and municipal environmental funds. As an African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) scholar, I am energized about about using creative arts-based and culture-based research practices towards advancing public justice for your group, organization or research project.
For more information about past and ongoing projects please visit: www.africancommunitywellness.org
Recent Projects and Postings
Health Equity Advisor at Public Health & Emergency Services, Region of Waterloo
(2022 – )
Founder, Practitioner at African Community Wellness Initiative
(2010 – )
Adjunct Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University
(2020 – )
Executive Director at The Bridge From Prisons to Community
(2019 – 2021)
Health Equity Community Researcher at Waterloo Region Public Health
(2019 to 2020)
Racial Justice Educator & Researcher at Gahu Project
(2019 – )
Professional Designation
Registered Social Worker – OASWSSW
Education
Master’s of Social Work – Wilfrid Laurier University
Bachelors of Social Work – University of Waterloo
Bachelors of Arts (Psychology) – Redeemer University College
FANIS JUMA 