Lecture Series
Mary Ann Shadd Cary Lecture Series: Voices of Change in Canadian Journalism
In 2025, Carleton University professors Trish Audette-Longo and Nana aba Duncan launched the Mary Ann Shadd Cary Lecture Series, a new cornerstone initiative at the School of Journalism and Communication. Mary Ann Shadd Cary broke barriers by founding The Provincial Freeman in 1853, becoming the first Black woman publisher in North America and the first woman publisher in Canada. Her pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to supporting and advancing Black communities, education, and women’s rights through journalism laid the foundation for a more inclusive and just society.
The Annual Mary Ann Shadd Cary Lecture honours her legacy by featuring prominent women and non-binary speakers from historically misrepresented or underrepresented communities. They will inspire the next generation of diverse journalists and media leaders, provide critical insights on creating a more inclusive media environment, and connect students with role models who bring classroom concepts to life. The series has pedagogical purpose — journalism students receive a practical workshop from the speaker, and three students are hired and trained to co-moderate the discussion following the lecture.
2025 – INAUGURAL MARY ANN SHADD CARY LECTURE A SUCCESS
The inaugural Mary Ann Shadd Cary Lecture on Monday October 6, 2025 was a success!
The Mary Ann Shadd Cary Lecture is the first at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication to be named after a woman, celebrating the voices of women and non-binary leaders from underrepresented communities.
This first lecture featured Camille Dundas, a Carleton journalism alumna and co-founder and editor-in-chief of the award-winning online magazine ByBlacks.com, Canada’s leading Black online magazine. Dundas shared how ByBlacks.com serves Black communities in Canada, including her investigative work on missing Black boys. She also had advice for journalists in the 150-plus audience: avoid self-abandonment and embrace your uniqueness.
“Do not abandon that thing that makes you wake up in the morning,” she said. “We need your voice. Every single one of you brings something unique to this conversation.”
A key feature of this event is the student-led discussion following the lecture, offering inspiration and practical learning for the next generation of journalists. This year, Simone R. Brown, Sarah Harb, Georgia Looman joined Dundas on stage, crafted strong questions about the future of journalism, and delivered an engaging conversation.
The lecture was co-founded by Nana aba Duncan and Trish Audette-Longo, and featured a student-led discussion following the lecture, offering inspiration and practical learning for the next generation of journalists.
