Event Details:

Celebrate Local Black Authors and their Stories.

In partnership with the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association, join us for a virtual conversation with four local authors to Celebrate Black History Month.

The four featured Dufferin authors - Dorrett Homer, Julie-Ann James, M. E. Murdock and Victoria A. Morgan - will share their stories about what inspired them to write and their publishing journey. The panel discussion will be moderated by Steve Anderson, Deputy Mayor of Shelburne and Alethia O'Hara Stephenson, President of DCCBA.

Register in advance to receive the event link to participate live. Participants on February 22 will have an opportunity to enter a draw to win a copy of one of the featured books.

Panel Authors:

Dorrett Homer was born in Kingston Jamaica, but immigrated to Canada over 40 years ago. In her early career years, she worked in finance and the social services sector. To update her professional skills and further her career advancement, she studied part-time at York University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies. She also obtained her Bachelor of Education credential and is a licensed K-8 teacher with many years in the educational field.
She is an ordained minister and the author of two children’s books: Hi Ms. Homer and Compliments To My Mommy. Dorrett is committed to use her story, to help individuals gain a better understanding of her physical disability, in addition, to inspire children and adults living with a limb difference.
Dorrett is the wife to her husband of 28 years, and the mother of two young adults and a teenager. She is also a proud grandmother to her 2-year-old

Marcia Murdock: For almost 30 years, Marcia Murdock has worked in the Youth Justice Division of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS). She has dedicated her life to advocating for and supporting youth in conflict with the law. For 10 years she was a member of the Ministry’s Anti-Discrimination Systemic Change Committee which identified and addressed Systemic barriers faced by BIPOC in MCCSS.
She is the author of: Beyond The Shame – One Mother’s Journey In Front of the Bars. A story of a mother’s struggles when her child is in conflict with the law.
She is currently the Corporate Lead for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committees within the 5 Secure Youth Detention Centers across the province and a member of Hospice Dufferin Board of Directors.

Juli-Anne James is a Senior Communications Consultant at a global wealth management firm. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with special honours in Marketing from York University. Born in Edmonton, Juli-Anne grew up in Saint Lucia, where her family originates from. Her family has a long history of business success in both the insurance and hospitality sectors on the island and Juli-Anne grew up working in the family business. She has always fully embraced the spirit of entrepreneurialism. Drawing on her experiences as a wife, mother of three, all around creative, and Senior Communications Consultant, she adds fresh perspective to life’s everyday situations. She is passionate about seeking wisdom for herself and others, and helping to refine the mind and heart as a personal trainer would the body. Juli-Anne is the author of Every Day, Wisdom, her first official release of printed material. She has also written or contributed to the works of local plays, entertainment websites, creative marketing material, and online blogs. Every Day, Wisdom is a 90-day journey that will encourage the continual development of wisdom and faith in the life of the reader. The devotional is a collection of reflections highlighted with real-life stories. Juli-Anne has been married to her husband Andrew for 10 years. They live in the town of Shelburne, where they are raising their three daughters aged eight, six and four.

Victoria A. Morgan is a Lawyer, Author, Entrepreneur and a Prophetic voice. She is called by God for such a time as this to transform and heal lives. Victoria flows fluently in the prophetic and healing gifts. She is a visionary, a seer and currently teaches the Word of God at her local church.
Victoria is bold, candid and inspiring. She helps transforms lives and has ushered individuals into their God led purpose driven life. Victoria resides in Toronto with her 3 adorable boys, where she hosts a monthly prophetic, healing and deliverance gathering called Redemption.
Victoria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from York University, a Bachelor of Law from Coventry University, and a Master of Laws from the University of Southern California-Gould Law. She is currently a PHD candidate in Global Leadership and Change.