Shelly-Ann Skinner (she/her) is an award-winning activist, anti-oppression educator, mentor and community builder. With her lived experience of intersectional discrimination and gender-based violence, Shelly carries a story of inspirational perseverance, resiliency, and dedication to the betterment of her community.

In 2020 amidst a global pandemic, Shelly founded UPlift Black - the first social service agency based in Simcoe County, Ontario dedicated to increasing the visibility and socio-economic development of local Black communities. Shelly believes the movement for systemic change must include a transfeminist approach that challenges  homophobia, misogyny & disability injustice in order to achieve true equality and liberation for Black people in Canada.

With Shelly’s fresh new take on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, she is using a Social Justice Framework to ensure fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all. In recent years, Shelly has established herself as a sought-after leader whose influence resonates in the communities across Canada and beyond. Overall, Shelly brings passion, leadership, and drive to everything she does and she inspires people from various backgrounds to become the leaders their communities sorely need.