2024 Agenda
Bus Tour
Day 1
Day 2
Bus Tour
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Departure:
7:30 AM: Depart from DoubleTree Hilton Toronto Downtown Address: 108 Chestnut St, Toronto, ON M5G 1R3, Canada Ensure everyone is on board by 7:15 AM for a prompt departure. -
Travel to Buxton, Dresden:
7:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Travel to Buxton, Dresden Estimated travel time: 3 hours Activities on the bus: Brief introduction to the day’s events, distribution of itineraries, and a short documentary or presentation about Buxton and its historical significance. -
Arrival and Program Start:
10:30 AM: Arrive in Buxton, Dresden Location: Buxton National Historic Site & Museum Guests have a short break to stretch their legs and use the restroom. -
Program:
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Start of the Program Welcome speech by Mayor Darrin Canniff Presentation by Guided tour of the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, focusing on the history and significance of the site. -
Lunch:
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch Location: On-site at the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum (arrangements made for catering or nearby restaurant) Menu: Assorted sandwiches, salads, fruit, beverages, and dessert. -
Museum Tour:
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Continuation of the Museum Tour Detailed exploration of museum exhibits, interactive sessions, and Q&A with the guide. Special focus on key artifacts and stories from the history of Buxton. -
Free Time and Wrap-Up:
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Free time to explore the site, visit the gift shop, and take photos. Attendees can revisit areas of interest or relax before departure. -
Departure from Buxton, Dresden:
3:30 PM: Board the bus for departure Ensure everyone is on board by 3:15 PM for a timely departure. -
Travel Back to Toronto:
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Travel back to DoubleTree Hilton Toronto Downtown Estimated travel time: 3 hours Activities on the bus: Reflective discussion about the visit, feedback collection, and light entertainment. -
Return:
6:30 PM: Arrive at DoubleTree Hilton Toronto Downtown End of the bus tour.
Day 1
- 8:00 AMBreakfast & Registration
- 8:30 AM Land Rights Acknowledgments
- 8:35 AM Welcome & Opening Remarks – Mayor Olivia Chow, Toronto, Ontario
- 8:45 AM – 9:05 AM Mayor Johnny Ford, Tuskegee, Alabama, Founder of The World Conference of Mayors.
- 9:05 AM – 9:10 AM Recognition
- 9:10 AM – 9:30 AM Barry Thomas, Director at The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People in Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC)
- 9:30 AM – 9:35 AM Recognition
- 9:35 AM – 10:55 AM “Global Perspectives on Community Development with a Focus on the Underground Railroad” Ms. Juanita Peters, Executive Director, Africville Museum
- 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM Fireside Chat of What Juneteenth Mean To You with Mayor Jimmie Gardner – President, The World Conference of Mayors
- 11:20 AM – 11:25 AM Recognition: Notable Attendees
- 11:25 AM – 11:45 AM Reverend Dr. Al Sampson, Chicago, Illinois.
- 11:45 AM – 1:05 PM Lunch Break
- 1:05 PM – 1:25 PM Panel Discussion: “Advancing Social Equity and Economic Empowerment along the Underground Railroad Routes” Ambassador Mahmoud T. Komo, Zanzibar & Mariam Adam, Zara Tanzania Adventures
- 1:25 PM – 1:30 PM Recognition
- 1:30 PM – 1:50 PM Ms. Denise Tyler, Executive Director, National Policy Alliance, Washington, DC (Virtual)
- 1:50 PM – 2:10 PM Historical Trail with Mayor Darryl Johnson, Mound Bayou, Mississippi.
- 2:10 PM – 2:30 PM Roundtable Discussion: Tourism and African Canadian History, with Denise Herrera Jackson, Mariam Adam, Corin Smith (Virtual), Dr. Mary McCarthy (Virtual) and Christian Mbanza (Virtual)
- 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM Closing Keynote Address: His Excellency Shariff Baldeh, The Gambia
- 2:50 PM – 3:00 PMClosing Remarks
- 3:00 PM onwards Networking Reception 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Day 2
- 8:00 AM Breakfast & Registration
- 8:30 AM Recap & Opening Remarks
- 8:45 AM – 9:05 AM Panel Discussion: “Leadership, Economic Development in Historic Towns & Settlements & Communities for the Future” Lessons from the Underground Railroad Era” Mayor Johnny Ford, His Excellency Shariff Baldeh, the Gambia, Mayor Jimmie Gardner, and Mayor McCory
- 9:05 AM – 9:10 AM Recognition
- 9:10 AM – 9:25 AM Building Sustainable Communities and Economic Hubs along the Underground Railroad Routes – Dr. Edmond, Yaounde, Cameroun
- 9:30 AM – 9:35 AM Recognition
- 9:35 AM – 9:50 AM Ambassador Dr. E. Faye Williams. Washington, DC
- 9:55 AM – 10:10 AM Dr. Abdoulaye Mbenque, Ann Arbour, Michigan, United States & Senegal, Africa.
- 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Dr. Alvin Simpson, Atlanta, Georgia.
- 10:35 AM – 10:50 AM Roundtable Discussion: “Exploring New Opportunities for Trade and Economic Growth” Hosted by Yeatbark Aschagria
- 10:55 AM – 11:00 AM Recognition
- 11:05 AM – 11:20 AM Building A Better Community: Dr. De’Keither A. Stamps, Jackson, Mississippi.
- 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Networking Lunch
- 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM Ms. Betty Thomas, Thomas & Associates Consulting, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Community Development through Political Engagement for Underground Railroad, Towns and Settlements
- 1:15 PM – 1:20 PM Recognition
- 1:25 PM – 1:40 PM Ms. Kendra Fipps, President of Achieving Higher Results, Empowering Communities through Strategic Marketing: Lessons from the Underground Railroad
- 1:45 PM – 2:00 PM Mayor Alberta McCrory – (HBTSA), Hobson City, Alabama.
- 2:05 PM – 2:10 PM Recognition
- 2:15 PM – 2:30 PM Dr. Linda Taylor (Virtual) Educational Justice Washington, DC
- 2:35 PM – 2:50 PM Closing Keynote Address: Allister Coward. Executive Director, National Policy Alliance Canada, Toronto, Ontario
- 2:55 PM – 3:00 PM Conference Adjournment
- 3:00 PM onwards Networking Reception 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM