The Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI) is governed by a Tyee (Board) comprised of African Nova Scotian citizens who provide leadership governance for the Institute.
Randy Headley
Chairperson, DBDLI Board Member
2018 – Present
He is the founder of the MSVU Africentric Support Group (ASG). He also coordinated activities for Black students through the ASG from 2013-2017 and continues to advocate on their behalf.
His thesis “The learning experiences of members of an Africentric Support Group at a small urban-based Nova Scotian university”, provided solutions for an equitable and inclusive learning experience for Black students at post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia.
Susan (Susie) Brigham
Vice-Chair, DBDLI Board Member
2023 – Present
Susan (Susie) Brigham, PhD, is of African descent from an immigrant family. Her family, hailing from St Helena Island in the South Atlantic Ocean and England, settled in Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick in the 1960s. Before becoming a professor, Susie was a schoolteacher in Ireland, Kuwait, Alberta, and in Tl’etinqox (Anaham), the largest Tsilhqot’in community, located in British Columbia.
Susie is the President of the Faculty Association at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), past Chair of the Alexa McDonough Institute, and the co-founder of NSGIRL (whose mission is to “inspire girls to empower themselves and develop their communication and leadership skills to become effective and influential leaders in their communities”). She is a founding board member of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (2012- 2021).
Dr. Brigham is Full Professor in the Faculty of Education. She has been at MSVU since 2004, where she coordinated, taught, and developed Africentric curriculum for the three Africentric cohorts in the Graduate Studies of Lifelong Learning program. Her research interests include adult education, teacher education, Africentricity, migration, diversity issues, and arts-based research methods.
Susie has taught, conducted research, and presented her work in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and North America. She has published several books, numerous book chapters, and many peer-reviewed journal articles. She has supervised over 70 doctoral dissertations and master theses (as supervisor, supervisory committee member, or external examiner).
Susie and her two daughters love to travel and explore the world together. She appreciates this African Proverb: “To get lost is to learn the way.”
Dr. Brigham is thrilled to be returning to the DBDLI Board where exciting innovative work gets done to advance excellence in Africentric education and research.
Leandra Bouman
DBDLI Board Member
2025 – Present
Leandra Bouman is a lawyer practicing in the areas of health law, administrative law, commercial litigation, and insurance law. She was called to the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society in 2024, after completing her law degree at Dalhousie University as a member of the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq Initiative. Leandra previously worked with the DBDLI and participated in its activities as a young adult. She is excited for the opportunity to give back to her community by returning to the DBDLI as a member of its Board.
Gilbert Daye
DBDLI Board Member
2016 – Present
Nicholle Morrison
DBDLI Board Member
2020 – Present
Nicholle Morrison has been a Registered Nurse since 2015 with experience in NS, BC and SK. Originally from the multicultural community of Whitney Pier, Nicholle currently resides in the Sydney area with her family. Since her youth Nicholle played soccer at the club, provincial and varsity level and still enjoys an active lifestyle, especially running and hiking. Nicholle currently volunteers on the board for the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute, and is helping in the creation of the Pan-Canadian Association of Nurses of African Descent.
Shantia (Tia) Upshaw
DBDLI Board Member
2023 – Present
Tia Upshaw is a serial entrepreneur, mother of 3, nominee for Business leader of the year 2022 &2023 Halifax Chamber of Commerce, nominee for RBC Woman of Influence 2021 & 2022 and founder & CEO of Blk Women in Excellence. She is also a mentor with Rise & Scotia Bank women’s mentorship initiative in partnership with the Forum. She also is a well known motivational speaker, facilitator with success stories attached to her facilitations.
‘Blk Women in Excellence is a not for profit organization that supports the education and empowerment of Black Women in Nova Scotia to be self-employed in sustainable businesses. The organization was established in September 2020 to support, encourage and educate Black women entrepreneurs through cohorts, workshops and seminars; community partnerships and engagement; coaching calls and mentorship initiatives.’
She has the dedication, and tenacity to be able to overcome barriers that would normally condemn another. Tia has taken her first business to a scalable entity, and has accomplished gaining 3 additional business, without a loan of capital.
The journey as an entrepreneur She has been faced with “hard times” and “good times” places her in the position to be able to mentor, coach and teach others “how to start a sustainable business” and her focus is with the underrepresented Black communities within Canada!
Morenike (Mo) Erinle
DBDLI Board Member
2025 – Present
Mo is a dynamic entrepreneur and community-focused leader with over 15 years of experience across food manufacturing, real estate investment, and film production. With a strong background in business management and a passion for economic empowerment, Mo has built a career that bridges business success with social impact.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Business Management from Cape Breton University, a Master’s in Finance and Investment from Brunel University London, UK and a Certificate in Case Management from NSCDA. After a successful career as an entrepreneur, Mo worked in Finance and transitioned to people-centered work—helping individuals navigate the evolving job market and access meaningful career opportunities.
Tanya McHarg
DBDLI Board Member
2023 – Present
Tanya McHarg is a registered social worker with over 22 years of experience who uses an intersectional, Africentric and anti-oppressive lens to support holistic health and healing for people of African descent. She completed her degree in Sociology at St. Thomas University with a research focus on systemic anti-Black racism within law enforcement. She completed her Social Work degree at the University of Calgary and her Master’s of Social Work at Dalhousie (graduation spring 2024). Tanya began her career within the non-profit sector supporting people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health issues. She spent 17 years with the Government of Alberta in areas such as child intervention investigations, training, and facilitation, and worked as Team Lead of the PSECA Team (Protection of Sexually Exploited Children’s Act) to address child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Originally from New Brunswick, Tanya’s paternal grandmother (Peters) was an African Nova Scotian from Annapolis Royal. In 2022, Tanya followed her dreams and moved back to the East Coast, making Nova Scotia her forever home. She joins DBDLI’s Board of Directors to further her commitment to supporting the holistic health, wellness and healing for people of African descent.
Rubin A. Coward, CD
DBDLI Board Member
2025 – Present
Rubin A. Coward, CD, is a Community Advocate with more than 35 years of service advancing human rights, equity, and social justice across Canada. A retired Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the Canadian Air Force, he has represented military personnel, law enforcement officers, government employees, seniors, and other community members before human rights commissions and tribunals nationwide.
Rubin was a principal plaintiff in the landmark class action lawsuit against the Canadian Armed Forces addressing systemic racism and institutional discrimination. The case, resolved in 2025 with a $150 million settlement, led to commitments for systemic reforms within the CAF. His expertise on systemic racism has been recognized nationally, including his 2023 testimony before the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights.
Currently serving on the Executive Board and Senior Council of the Federal Black Employees Caucus, Rubin is also the recipient of the 2024 Tom Miller Award for Human Rights. He is a lifelong martial artist, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and brings to DBDLI his deep commitment to ensuring youth have access to education and opportunity.
Sasha Hayward-Isaac
DBDLI Board Member
2025 – Present
Sasha Hayward-Isaac is a proud African Nova Scotian educator and community advocate, deeply rooted in the cultural legacy of Whitney Pier, Cape Breton. Inspired by the strength of her family, especially her grandmother Sarah Hayward, Sasha is guided by the values of resilience, faith, and community.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies from Cape Breton University (CBU), a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Education in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy from St. Francis Xavier University (STFX). Sasha currently serves as Coordinator of African Canadian Education for CCRCE, where she leads system-wide equity initiatives, student advisory councils, and professional development to support African Nova Scotian and African Ancestry students and educators.
Her work is grounded in love, accountability, and belonging. Passionate about intergenerational learning and community connection, Sasha lives in rural Nova Scotia with her partner Josh and their two children, Zuri and Marli. She continues her journey of education, empowerment, and transformation.
Sierra Cox
DBDLI Board Member
2025 – Present
She was the First-Year Representative for the Black Student Society at Saint Mary’s University (SMU), where she helped build community and advocate for Black students on campus. Sierra is also an active leader with 902SquashEd, a program that provides access, mentorship, and opportunities for Black youth through sport and education. She helps coordinate activities, events, and outreach to ensure that youth feel supported and represented.
In addition, Sierra serves as a Member-at-Large for Squash Nova Scotia and sits on both Squash Nova Scotia’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Committee and Squash Canada’s IDEA Committee, where she works to advance equity and representation within the sport.
Board of Directors Recruitment
The DBDLI is seeking and inviting highly skilled youth and adults to join our Board (Tyee). Please visit the Board Recruitment page for details and application.