Join this candid discussion in a safe space that is open and receptive to all those willing to listen and learn. Guest panelists include: Sehkahnee Reynolds ('18), Fikayo Kayode ('22), and Ruvimbo Chipazi ('21). Moderated by Oonagh Proudfoot (’93, ’06), Executive Director, Alumni Affairs, the conversation will offer first voice experiences of what it is like to live, work and go to school in Wolfville.

Register HERE.

Panelist bios:

Sehkahnee Reynolds (’18)

Sehkahnee Reynolds ('18) graduated from Acadia University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. During his time at Acadia, he played football for the Axemen, ran track, DJ’ed, co-founded the Black Student Association with Dena Williams, and led the Step-Up movement at Acadia (a sexual assault awareness program). He was also part of a Black panel to help create a more diverse and inclusionary community on campus. Born in Toronto and raised in Brampton, ON, Sehkahnee is a proud Jamaican Canadian. Upon graduation, Sehkahnee has called Wolfville home and is the proprietor of a local business.

Fikayo Kayode (’22)

My name is Fikayo Kayode ('22). I am a fourth-year politics student with a minor in philosophy looking forward to graduation in May. I was born in the capital city of Abuja, Nigeria and lived there until I was 14 years old, when I moved to the Philippines with my mother and younger brother. When I was 16, I came to Canada to start my university education at Acadia and became the first in my family to commence (and soon finish) post-secondary education abroad.

My life experiences have been shaped by so much, but most notably my identities, cultural background, family orientation and motivations as a Black woman living in a society that is awed by my persistence. I continue to search for avenues to voice my experiences and place them in relevant contexts for those who can make change. This is why I am here today with students like myself – to move my experiences beyond labels of “tales” and shed light on the perhaps seen but unacknowledged realities that shape but do not define my existence.

Ruvimbo Chipazi ('21)

Ruvimbo Chipazi ('21) is a former international student from Zimbabwe and the Campus Tours and Events Coordinator at Acadia University. While pursuing a BSc in Applied Psychology, Ruvimbo worked as Student Assistant and later Development Assistant in the Office of Advancement, igniting her pride for Acadia University and wanting to make it a more inclusive and safe space for students. This fueled her interests in student government, where she volunteered as Associate Director to the President’s Office.

Ruvimbo took up journalism to vocalize the many diverse student stories she had the privilege of hearing at Acadia. She became the Arts and Culture Editor and later Editor-in-Chief for The Athenaeum, Acadia’s student newspaper since 1874, becoming the first black editor-in chief in the newspaper’s 144-year history. Ruvimbo also served as student assistant and Ambassador Program Coordinator for the Wong International Centre, where she further understood the importance of multiculturalism, support, and community. Ruvimbo volunteered with many on and off campus organizations such as the Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.) program and the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation, serving as Board member and President and Chair of the Young Leaders Council.

In 2019, Ruvimbo received the Future 100 Leaders of Nova Scotia distinction and was honoured with the Student of the Year Award for her recognition of outstanding qualities of character, leadership, scholarship, and significant contributions to Acadia University life. Ruvimbo finds joy in being a learner, an advocate, and a lover of the arts.