Ashley McKenzie-Barnes

Creative Director & Curator

D.PE Agency

Ashley McKenzie-Barnes is an award-winning Curator and Creative Director currently leading D.PE (diverse, progressive, experiences) Agency, a creative agency dedicated to crafting inclusive experiences for companies and organizations of all sizes and industries, while hiring equitably.

She was the Curator for Canada’s longest running Black History festival, KUUMBA at Harbourfront Centre, and one of the main 2019 curators for Nuit Blanche Toronto. Her work has included programmed exhibitions, creative collaborations, and award-winning installations for companies such as ArtworxTO, CIBC Square, Universal Music, PEPSICO, 19 Crimes Wine with Snoop Dogg, Johnnie Walker, Bombay Sapphire, Samsung, TEDxToronto, Sabian, Campari, Truly Seltzer, Scotiabank, City of Toronto, Manifesto Festival of Art and Culture and more.

She is responsible for introducing Toronto to internationally acclaimed artists and art projects like Emmanuel Taku (Ghana) Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp, JR’s Inside Out Project and Nina Chanel Abney, in a variety of DIY spaces, contemporary galleries to major Canadian institutions.

Schedule

25 mins

Meridian Hall - Main Stage

From Silver Screen to Computer Screen: Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross is a leading figure of success and strength in the movement for trans and racial equality. From self taught computer programmer to Founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, hear Angelica’s story and learn how her company is improving access and creating opportunities in STEM for the LGBTQ+ community.

Angelica Ross

Founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, Actress, Producer & Advocate