Velvet Wells
Courage Bacchus
Sedina Fiati
FREE
How do we centre access and care in our work as Black arts leaders? Let’s get intersectional. We are Black and Deaf, Black and disabled, Black and caregivers, Black and trans. Facilitators Sedina Fiati, Courage Bacchus and Velvet Wells co-facilitate a workshop, providing frameworks and tangible tools to centre access and expand our definition of inclusion. Imagine how far we can go toward our collective liberation when everyone can contribute. This workshop is for Black arts leaders. Black Pledge partners with BAND (Black Artists’ Network in Dialogue) for this special workshop.
Compassion care funds for child care, transportation or other needs are available courtesy of Balancing Act. American Sign Language interpreters will be provided. Lunch will be provided. Contact Sedina Fiati - sfiati@theblackpledge.ca to receive the code to register.
Natasha “Courage” Bacchus is a very active multidisciplinary artist, former three times gold medallist Deaf Olympian Sprinter. Her theatre /TV and Film performances include Shaw Host Talk (2014), ‘The Black Drum’ with Soulpepper Theatre (2019) in Toronto and France, ‘The Two Natasha’s’ (2020) comedy performed in art festivals, ‘21 Black Futures’ produced by Obsidian Theatre and CBC Arts, (2021), mini-TV series ‘The Coroner’ season four on Netflix (2022). She has participated in cabaret events including the 2019/2024 ASL Deaf Drag Performance, Rainbow Senior Showcase, and Criptonite at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto, Ontario.
Velvet Wells is a queer, Black, disabled, award-winning lyrical comedian, creator, playwright, and producer. Most recently, they performed-produced “I Scream, You Scream… Justice” in the 2025 Ottawa Fringe Festival. Previously, they've toured “(Re)Tired Magical Black Man", "All Request Radio", and "Personal Demon Hunter." Off stage, they are an improvisational and anti-oppression facilitator, and proud member of Black Pledge Collective.
Sedina Fiati is a Toronto based social justice consultant and multi award winning artist for stage and screen. Proudly Black and queer, Sedina holds a BFA in Music Theatre from the University of Windsor. Sedina was the co chair of ACTRA Toronto's Diversity Committee where she co-led the committee in several initiatives including a partnership with Working The Scene In Colour and The Sandi Ross Awards and was the 2nd VP of Membership Engagement for Canadian Actors’ Equity Association’s member council. Recent projects: Strategic Planning with Nightwood Theatre and Confluence Concerts, Industry Consultant with Oya Black Arts Coalition Associate Producer - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion for Pretty Hard Cases Season 3. Recent projects: CAFTCAD (Canadian Alliance of Film and Television Costume Arts and Design), Toronto Fringe - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Audit, various workshops in anti oppression, anti Black racism and social justice (Volcano Theatre, Clarice Season 1, Tall Boyz Season 2, York Regional Arts Council, Firecracker Department).