Hello Hope Logo

STAY
SENSITIZED
CONFERENCE

12-13 MAY 2026

AJAX, ON

"Not Racist" Is Not Enough

A gathering of educators and service professionals to address
Racism & The Empathy Emergency.

About

Connection.
Courage.
Community.

This isn't your typical conference. Real community building, practical tools & strategies, and no performative workshops. Built by leaders, for leaders who refuse to accept racism in our schools, places of work and communities.

Speakers

Learn from those
doing the work

Featuring keynote speakers and specialized sessions from leaders across multiple regions and disciplines in North America.

Aubrey Noronha

Aubrey Noronha

Safe Schools & Mental Health Speaker

Speaker Name

Ernest Crim III

Emmy-nominated producer, educator, social media thought-leader and author

Speaker Name

Dr. Jacqueline Battalora

Attorney and Professor of Sociology

Speaker Name

Sean McCormack

Anti-Oppression System Lead with the Durham District School Board

Speaker Name

Selam Debs

Antiracism Educator & Coach/Speaker/Antiracism Community Collective

Speaker Name

Eleanor McIntosh

Halton District School Board Superintendant of Education

Speaker Name

Rachel Weinstock

Best-selling author, Anti-Bullying Speaker, and Mental Health Coach

Speaker Name

Patrice Hall

Educator, Professor and Therapist

Speaker Name

Dr. Shameen Sandhu

System Leader for Mental Health and Professional Support Services at the Toronto District School Board

Speaker Name

Dwayne Morgan

Writer/Speaker

Speaker Name

Orin T. McRey & Alyssa Amarshi

Movement Facilitators

Speaker Name

The Detroit Youth Choir

Performance Artists

Outcomes

Leave with tools you can use the next day

1.  

NETWORK

Building community with 400 educators, administrators, and service professionals committed to actively engaging in anti-racist leadership.

2.  

INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

Frameworks for interrupting racism in real time at work and in the community.

3.  

DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

How to facilitate honest discussions about race and identity across diverse communities without shutting down or causing harm.

Who & When

Schedule

One night & One day. Dozens of insights.

Day 1
(Tuesday Evening)
Day 2
(Wednesday Full Day)
18:00
19:30

Doors Open

Conference registration, networking, vendor booths.

Food vendors in the lobby. Get your conference package and connect.

19:30
19:45

Welcome

Setting the stage to Stay Sensitized. A brief intro to what lies ahead.

19:45
21:00

SSC 2026 Kick Off

An Evening of Hope

Performances by the Detroit Youth Choir. Poetry by Dwayne Morgan and an address from Aubrey Noronha connecting empathy to anti-racist action.

Aubrey Noronha Aubrey Noronha
Detroit Youth Choir Detroit Youth Choir
Dwayne Morgan Dwayne Morgan
21:00
22:00

End of Evening

Closing & Transition

Continuation of registration, networking, vendor booths and local cuisine for sale.

08:30
09:00

Doors Open

Morning Connection

Coffee from local partners, final networking, vendor booths open.

09:00
09:15

Introduction

Welcome & Land Acknowledgment

09:15
10:30

Keynote Talk #1

10:30
10:45

Morning Wellness Break

11:00
11:20

Plenary A

11:20
11:40

Plenary B

11:40
12:00

Plenary C

12:00
12:20

Plenary D

12:20
13:20

lunch Break

Catering & Networking

Meal provided, vendor booths open for continued connection

13:30
13:50

Plenary E

13:50
14:10

Plenary F

14:10
14:20

Plenary G

14:30
14:40

Afternoon Wellness Break

14:40
15:10

Panel Discussion

15:10
15:15

Stretch Break

15:20
16:35

Keynote Talk #2

16:35
16:40

Closing Remarks

16:40
17:00

Farewell / End Of Conference

Questions?

We've got answers

From logistics to what's included, here's what you need to know.

Educators, administrators, youth workers, and education professionals (18+) committed to building student empathy and authentic connection.

No. The idea is to create a safe space for unencumbered sharing and learning. We'll get into the hard topics and address things head on and together.

Conference tickets include both the May 12th evening kick-off event/concert and the May 13th full-day programming, catered lunch, conference materials, vendor access, networking opportunities, and digital resource package.

There are no group rates for the conference this year.

Venue

Audley Recreation Centre Community Hall

Location

925 Audley Road South
Ajax, Ontario
L1Z 0L9

Why Ajax?

Community partnership in action. Supported by the Town of Ajax and local organizations committed to equity work

Conference venue decoration
273 : 54 : 12 : 34

Get your seat
for $240

Early bird pricing ends December 31. Limited to 400 attendees. Secure your professional development investment now.

Note: 18+ event. Valid ID required at registration.