Black Ottawa Scene is a volunteer-driven and volunteer-managed online monthly photo-news magazine published out of Canada’s national capital city and showcasing events organized by persons of African descent, or in which they play a pivotal or leadership role. This population is comprised of individuals who are of African, Caribbean or Black parentage or descent, regardless of their skin pigmentation. We endeavour to cover cultural and national festivals, educational and health forums and conferences, social and religious celebrations, events within the diplomatic circuit, plus personal stories such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, community awards, graduations, and business innovations and other events that would interest our readers. A monthly feature is a one-on-one interview with one individual who has made or is making a difference in changing the lives of our community for the better. Finally, we encourage our readers to send topical articles or pictures for publication, subject to the Black Ottawa Scene’s policy on such submissions. And of course, your feedback through letters to the Editor is invaluable in helping us make your visit to our website worth your while. Note: Black Ottawa Scene does not pay any remuneration for articles or photographs submitted for publication. Contributors do so in a volunteer capacity.
Please note that we require that letters to the editor should have the full name and contact address of the writer. Anonymous letters will not be published.
Godwin Ifedi Editor Photo by Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo.
Godwin Ifedi has been a Settlement Counsellor with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) since 2013, focusing on outreach to the Newcomer Information Centre and Somerset West Community Health Centre. He is a well-known figure in Ottawa’s Black community and beyond. He is the immediate Past President of Black History Ottawa, a registered Canadian charitable organization dedicated to promoting the heritage and contribution of people of African descent to Canada. He is also a former President of the Nigerian-Canadian Association of Ottawa. Godwin also served for several years on the Community and Police Action Committee (COMPAC), which addressed problems between the Ottawa Police Service and the city’s diverse populations.
In 2014, he was appointed by the Government of Ontario as a member of the Council of the Ontario College of Teachers, where he served as Chair of the Editorial Board of their journal: ProfessionallySpeaking. He had also served a member of the Council of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. In addition, he had served on the Boards of Directors of the Ottawa Social Planning Council and the Tanglewood-Hillsdale Community Association. Godwin is the recipient of a Certificate of Recognition in 2001 from the Government of Canada for outstanding volunteer work, and the 2011 United Way Community Builder award. His name is inscribed on the City of Ottawa Wall of Inspiration, for excellence in volunteer work, community outreach and civic engagement. Godwin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, and a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa, and had worked variously as Senior Occupational Therapist and Unit Manager in various health institutions in Canada and Africa.
Godwin is a family man with three adult children and three grandchildren.
You can reach Godwin at: [email protected]. Please note that all letters to the editor should include the full name and contact address of the writer.
Kika Otiono earned a Combined Honours degree in Humanities and Biology at Carleton University, and has received numerous awards for her writing, academic achievement, and volunteering. Her future career goals are primarily in cognition/neuroscience and its impact on personhood and identity.
After graduating from Carleton University, Kika attended MacMaster University Medical School, Hamilton, Ontario, where she qualified as a medical doctor with an MD degree in April 2023. Kika is currently undergoing her residency in Urology at the Ottawa Hospital.
As Associate Editor, Kika is responsible for writing a general interest column under the byline: “In Perspective”. She will also be covering community events as well as engaging members of Ottawa’s Black community to encourage them to submit articles and reports that speak to the Black experience. You can contact Kika directly at: [email protected].
