About
An institute model for Black wellness equity
SSWEI is the legitimacy, knowledge, and convening engine, translating lived expertise and evidence into practical tools, training, and systems change.
Our mission
Advance Black wellness equity through education, research, training, and public-benefit knowledge mobilization.
We exist to translate lived expertise and evidence into practical resources, publications, and learning opportunities that help institutions reduce harm and improve equitable access to wellness support for Black, racialized, and other underserved communities, starting in Western Canada and scaling nationally.
Our vision
A Canada where wellness systems are culturally safe, equitable, and accountable to the communities they serve.
We envision a future where Black, Indigenous, other racialized and marginalized populations can access wellness support that honours their lived experience, protects their dignity, and produces real outcomes, without having to navigate harm to get help.
Why we exist
Equity-centred wellness access is often blocked by mistrust, lack of cultural safety, and system pathways that unintentionally cause harm. SSWEI exists to translate lived expertise and evidence into practical tools, training, and systems change, starting in Western Canada and scaling nationally.
What makes SSWEI different
- Institute model: credibility + knowledge + convening, designed for implementation.
- Publication ladder: briefs to practice guides to flagship reports.
- Training that converts knowledge into workforce competency and workflow change.
- Black-centred, liberation-informed, and community-accountable by design.
Principles
Liberation-informed
We name power, harm, and structural barriers, and design for dignity, agency, and safety.
Community-accountable
We prioritize lived expertise and partner with communities and Indigenous-led organizations.
Evidence-based
We translate research into usable tools and implementation pathways.
Implementation-first
Every publication points to training. Every event produces an asset. Depth > volume.
Leadership
Leadership and governance
SSWEI's leadership and governance structure is designed to support strong accountability, mission alignment, and public benefit. Our operational leadership guides day-to-day strategy and implementation, while our Board of Governors provides oversight, fiduciary stewardship, and governance direction.
Alric Reid
Executive Director
Leads SSWEI's strategy, operations, and institutional partnerships in support of the institute's mission to advance Black wellness equity through research, education, training, and public-benefit initiatives.
Governance
Board of Governors
SSWEI is incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. Our Board of Governors provides strategic oversight, fiduciary responsibility, and governance direction to ensure the institute remains accountable to its mission and the communities it serves.
Latoya Reid
Board Chair
Registered psychotherapist and Board Chair of SSWEI. Provides governance oversight and strategic direction to support the institute's mission, accountability, and long-term public benefit.
Tanola Colquhoun
Vice-Chair
Tammy Fleury
Director / Secretary
Allana Mason-Young
Treasurer
Kwaku Ayisi
Director
Bianca Marryshow
Director
Michelle Edey
Director
Governance framework
SSWEI is formalizing its governance framework through by-laws, conflict of interest protocols, board policies, and clear accountability structures to support strong stewardship and future charity readiness. As the institute grows, additional governance details and board appointments will be published.
Interested in joining the team?
We're building a team of researchers, trainers, and community connectors committed to Black wellness equity.