Strengthening the delivery of municipal services to the residents of African Nova Scotian descent.
The African Nova Scotian Affairs Integration Office (ANSAIO) provides leadership, strategic direction, policy advice, and expertise to the Halifax Regional Municipality to strengthen the delivery of municipal services to the residents of African descent and African Nova Scotian communities within the region.
ANSAIO also works with municipal business units to keep African Nova Scotians and all residents of African descent informed, by improving relationships and encouraging greater participation of African Nova Scotian communities in municipal projects.
The African Nova Scotian Affairs Integration Office (ANSAIO) was created as a result of the February 2010 negotiated settlement between the Africville Genealogy Society and the Halifax Regional Municipality. Its role is to enable the municipality to better engage with the African Nova Scotian community.
ANSAIO continues to build strong relationships, partnerships, and alliances with African Nova Scotian communities across the municipality. As part of the Diversity & Inclusion office, ANSAIO is an integral part of the municipal government's structure and an asset for making the municipality stronger and more equitable.
The Team
ANSAIO Senior Advisor | Tamar Pryor Brown
Tamar provides leadership of the African Nova Scotian Affairs Integration Office to ensure equitable municipal services to people of African descent and African Nova Scotian communities within the municipality. Tamar provides strategic advice to municipal business units and leads in the development of municipal policy to support services to persons of African descent and African Nova Scotian communities. within HRM.
ANSAIO Anti-Black Racism Program Coordinator | Russel Brooks
Russel is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the municipality’s Anti-Black Racism Strategy and Action Plan. Russel works to identify and address factors that contribute to anti-Black racism within the organization, and across the municipality’s African Nova Scotian communities.
ANSAIO Outreach and Research Coordinator | Jasalynn Skeete
Jasalynn provides her expert guidance to municipal business units. Her role encompasses the formulation, execution, and support of initiatives aimed at engaging with African Nova Scotian communities within HRM. Jasalynn takes the lead in ANSAIO's efforts for community outreach and collaboration, while also promoting the progress of ongoing research undertakings.
