Dr. Marva Ferguson

In this episode, hosts Janine De Castro and Lexy Dame speak with Dr. Marva Ferguson, an associate professor at Mount Royal University and an advocate for diversity and inclusion. Dr. Ferguson opens up about her experience growing up in rural Jamaica and coming to Canada in 1993, where she faced many challenges adjusting to a new world of barriers.

Her personal experiences ignited a flame for education, anti-racism and decolonization. Dr. Ferguson takes us through her recent research on the challenges immigrant children face when reuniting with their parents in Canada, and the role of social workers in supporting Jamaican-Canadians. Through her work, she highlights the importance of diversity in education and all industries, as well as the need for actionable policies to create well-rounded communities. Dr. Ferguson’s story is a display that every conversation, policy and action is one step closer in the direction of creating a more equitable society.

Find out more about the Jamaican Community Association of Alberta here. 

This series was produced by journalism students at Mount Royal University in Calgary, as part of the Community Podcast Initiative.