Day of Pink Speakers Bureau
Shelly Skinner
(She/her) English
Shelly-Ann Skinner (they/she) is an Award winning activist, anti- oppression educator, mentor and community builder. With her lived experience of intersectional discrimination and gender-based violence, Shelly, carries a story of inspirational perseverance, resiliency, and dedication to the betterment of her community.In recent years, Shelly has established herself as a sought-after leader whose influence resonates in the communities across Canada, and beyond.
In 2020, amid a global pandemic, Shelly founded UPlift Black; the first social service agency based in Simcoe County, Ontario dedicated to increasing the visibility and socio-economic development of local Black communities. Shelly believes, in order to achieve true equality and liberation for Black people in Canada, the movement for systemic change must include a transfeminist approach that challenges both homophobia and misogyny and fights for disability justice. With Shelly’s fresh new take on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, she is using a Social Justice Framework to ensure fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all.
Another way that Shelly-Ann activates social justice movements is by using her creative talents as a multidisciplinary performing artist to help inspire radical self love and to use art as a pathway to healing. Overall, Shelly brings passion, leadership, and drive to everything she does, and she inspires people from various backgrounds to become the leaders their communities surely need.
