About
The Mary Ann Shadd Cary Centre for Journalism and Belonging was founded in 2023 by journalist and educator Nana aba Duncan with permission from the Shadd family to emphasize Shadd Cary’s contribution to journalism in Canada.
What We Do
Housed at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communications, the Centre conducts research, creates community-focused journalism and networking opportunities for equity- deserving groups, produces research-based journalism that Centers belonging, and archives all associated work, creation and activities. Through research, student training, community building and media production, and by partnering with industry organizations, community leaders and youth, the Centre will focus on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status and the intersections therein to foster a more inclusive journalism industry.
About Mary Ann Shadd Cary
Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a leader who stood for education, equality, and liberation.
Concerned for the well-being of the Black community where she lived in North Buxton, Ontario, Shadd Cary founded and edited The Provincial Freeman in 1853 in which she advocated for equality and education for Black people, and supported the rights of women. This makes Shadd Cary the first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America and the first woman to edit a newspaper in Canada. Shadd Cary also worked against discrimination and enslavement, and established a racially integrated school for Black refugees in Windsor, Ontario.
An influential figure in her time, Shadd Cary’s contributions are still not well known in Canadian journalism or journalism education. The Center seeks to change that by establishing a new institution that will advocate, support and participate in inclusive and belonging-focused journalism in Canada.
About founder Nana aba Duncan
Nana aba Duncan is an associate professor, the inaugural Carty Chair in Journalism, Diversity and Inclusion Studies, and the first Black tenured faculty member at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication.
Nana aba is also the co-founder of Media Girlfriends, a production company led by journalists of colour.
