Left to right: Jarvis Domey (Natalie’s dad), Natalie, Norma Domey (mum) and MPP Yasir Naqvi Photo credit: Yasir Naqvi (FB)

Saturday 7 April

Natalie Domey is a young woman whose name always brings a smile to the faces of those who know her. Recipient of the 2018 Ontario Leading Women and Leading Girls Building Communities award, she has been a leader practically all her life. A frequent volunteer within the Ottawa community, Natalie has given her time to various municipal campaigns, the Government of Canada United Way partnerships, and is a member of the Board of Black History Ottawa (BHO), where is the Membership Coordinator. Natalie is also a co-founder and Lead Council member of the Young Leaders Advisory Council (YLAC), an organization that helps situate racialized youth, Indigenous youth, and newcomer/immigrant youth, in positions of leadership and influence.

A believer in due diligence and process, some of Natalie’s early experience came from organizing the Black History Month show and the United Cultures Club Gala at her high school, Colonel By Secondary School. It is no wonder that she is now the Director of Planning and Events for YLAC.

A descendant of Black Loyalists, Natalie has committed over a decade of her life to African Nova Scotian genealogical research. Natalie works to create an environment premised upon diversity and inclusion, and is passionate about uncovering the Black diaspora within the Canadian narrative.

Natalie is a public servant employed with Statistics Canada. A graduate of Queen’s University’s Department of Political Studies, Natalie currently works as a public servant within the economics and social sciences field. Having worked within the portfolios of Employment and Social Development Canada, the Privy Council Office, the Social Security Tribunal, and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, she is very adept with regards to governance, and the Canadian social programs, particularly access to information and privacy legislation.

Natalie loves to sing, play classical piano, and read. When she is not occupied with YLAC, Natalie can usually be found doing genealogical research or scouting out her next challenge.

Natalie’s award was presented to her by Ottawa Centre MPP and Ontario’s Attorney-General, Yasir Naqvi, at a ceremony in which sixteen other women and girls were honoured, for their leadership and for improving the lives of others through community engagement, activism and volunteerism. Present at the award ceremony were Natalie’s parents: Jarvis and Norma Domey, Acting President Black History Ottawa (BHO), June Girvan;BHO Events Coordinator, Joanne Robinson; and BHO Youth Coordinator, Eldon Holder Jr.  Natalie was nominated for this award by June Girvan and Joanne Robinson.

 Photo credit: Yasir Naqvi (FB)