Diversity Symposium

Our Stories, Our Future: AI and the Next Chapter of Social Equity 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way we work, make decisions and deliver services. In this keynote presentation, Wyle Baoween explores how organizations can embrace AI while keeping people at the centre of every decision. Drawing on his leadership experience with Inclusivity and Vital AI, Wyle will examine both the opportunities and risks of AI, including how bias can become embedded in technology and contribute to misleading narratives. He will also share practical strategies for developing responsible AI governance. Participants will be encouraged to view AI not only as a technology challenge but as a leadership opportunity, one where inclusive design, responsible governance and authentic stories can help create stronger organizations and more equitable communities.

Speaker:
Wyle Baoween, Inclusivity and Vital AI

Building Connections and Opportunities: Richmond’s Immigrant Mentorship Program

This workshop highlights the collaboration between the City of Richmond and the Immigrant Employment Council of BC in addressing barriers to professional labour market integration for newcomers. Participants will learn from best practices developed through Richmond’s Immigrant Mentorship Program, which pairs City staff mentors with newcomer mentees to support professional growth and build workplace connections. The workshop will cover practical strategies for helping skilled newcomers build meaningful career opportunities, professional networks and stronger connections within the community.

Speakers:
Florence Bellanastasia and Jabin Itagi, Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC)
Shant Goswami, City of Richmond

Ethical Storytelling and the Power of Representation 

This workshop explores the ethics of representation and how responsible storytelling can foster trust, understanding and genuine relationships. Through guided discussion and hands-on exercises, participants will learn to practice reflexivity around power and positionality. Participants will gain practical tools for sharing stories in ways that respect the people and communities represented, ensuring their experiences are treated with fairness, authenticity and care. 

Speaker:
Amy Bu, Research and Strategy Consultant

The Role of Peer Support in Building Community Wellbeing

This workshop explores best practices from RASS’ Community Peer Outreach Program, demonstrating how shared lived experiences can help bridge the gap between clinical care and community connection. Participants will learn how honouring personal stories and integrating peer support into clinical settings can help reduce stigma, build trust and foster a stronger sense of belonging. 

Speakers: 
Daniel Remedios and Jas Grewal, Richmond Addiction Services Society (RASS)

Overcoming Barriers and Building Trust Through Our Stories

In this closing session, accessibility and inclusion advocate Yat Li brings together the key insights from the day's workshops. Drawing on his own experiences, Yat explores how vulnerability, storytelling and intentional organizational support can help address systematic barriers and build trust among community groups. Participants will reflect on the shared themes of the day and examine how personal narratives can advance social equity and create greater understanding. This session will conclude with practical takeaways for uplifting and protecting underrepresented voices within community spaces.

Speaker:
Yat Li, Accessibility and Inclusion Advocate

Film Screening and Panel Discussion: The Golden Village 

Presented in partnership with Cinevolution Media Arts Society

The Golden Village (2026) takes viewers inside the vibrant spaces of Richmond’s Asian malls where every shop tells a story and everyday activities become opportunities for connection and belonging. Following the screening, a panel featuring community members with long-standing and newer connections to Richmond will explore how inclusive design can create meaningful spaces for cultural expression and belonging, and the important role these shared spaces play in bringing residents together and strengthening a sense of place.

Speakers: 
Catrina Megumi Longmuir, Documentary Filmmaker and Artist
Yanting Qiu, Gateway Theatre
Nuh Topkaraoğlu, Richmond Local Immigration Partnership

Wyle Baoween

Wyle is the CEO of Inclusivity and the Founder of Vital AI, with experience advising municipalities and non-profit organizations across Canada. Wyle bridges technology and humanity, helping organizations embrace innovation while keeping DEI and human connection at the heart of their decisions.

Florence Bellanastasia

Florence is a Program Lead on the Employer Engagement team at IEC-BC, where she leads province-wide initiatives that strengthen connections between employers, policymakers and the broader workforce ecosystem, engaging employers to understand emerging workforce needs and opportunities.

Shant Goswami

Shant is the Manager of DEI at the City of Richmond, where he works to foster a workplace grounded in respect and belonging, enabling everyone can contribute as their authentic selves. In his role, Shant leads the City’s Immigrant Mentorship Program in collaboration with the Immigrant Employment Council of BC, supporting skilled newcomers build meaningful professional and community connections.

Jabin Itagi

Jabin is a Program Coordinator at the Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC), where she supports employers in attracting, hiring and retaining skilled immigrant talent. She coordinates initiatives such as MentorConnect, connecting newcomers with professionals for meaningful career mentorship.

Amy Bu

Amy is an interdisciplinary researcher passionate about social impact, program development and community engagement. Her academic, professional and artistic work are informed by her transnational and diasporic lived experiences, and guided by a justice-oriented lens.

Jas Grewal

Jas is a Substance Use and Addiction Program Outreach Worker at Richmond Addiction Services Society. Having experienced addiction and achieved recovery in Richmond, Jas brings lived experience and a deep commitment to supporting others. Since 2019, Jas has worked in front-line mental health and addiction programs, helping individuals navigate their own paths towards wellness and recovery.

Daniel Remedios

Daniel is the Executive Director of Richmond Addiction Services Society, focusing on addiction prevention and education for children, youth and families. Daniel hopes to use his voice to advocate for communities that are often overlooked or unheard, inspired by the individuals who championed and supported him earlier in his own journey.

Yat Li

Yat was born with microtia and hearing loss and grew up experiencing microaggressions that left him feeling the world was not designed with him in mind. Through perseverance, he discovered the power of self-disclosure to open doors and create meaningful connections. This insight now drives his work across North America, where he leads the award-winning program Accessible Employers, which helps organizations build accessible and inclusive workplaces.

Catrina Meigumi Longmuir 

Catrina is an artist, filmmaker and educator in the media arts sector. Grounded in community-based, collaborative work, Catrina facilitates projects that celebrate diverse voices and explore social justice issues, including the 2018 Minoru Seniors Legacy Stories project at the former Minoru Place Seniors Activity Centre in Richmond.

Yanting Qiu

Yanting is a theatre producer, translator and cultural connector who supports community members in sharing stories rooted in their lived experiences, with a particular focus on immigrant and queer voices. Yanting is the Community Engagement Producer at Gateway Theatre, where she has produced True Voices: Pride Storytelling & Tea for the past three years as part of Richmond Pride Week.

Nuh Topkaraoğlu

Nuh is a newcomer to Richmond and is a member of the Richmond Local Immigration Partnership Immigrant Advisory Table. With roots in Germany and Turkey before moving to Canada, Nuh brings a diverse cultural and professional perspective to their work. Nuh previously worked as a university librarian and holds a Master’s degree focused on the cataloguing of digital photographs.

Getting Here

• Richmond City Hall and the Richmond Cultural Centre are a short distance from the Canada Line Brighouse skytrain station (approximately 550 and 800 meters, respectively).
  
• Free all-day parking is available on the top floor of the Cultural Centre parkade (7700 Minoru Gate).
  
  

Inside City Hall

• All session spaces can be adapted for guests using wheelchairs or mobility devices, or guests requiring accessible seating.
  
• City Hall sessions are taking place on the first and second floors, with stairs and elevator access. The Cultural Centre session is taking place on the first floor.
  
• Accessible multi-stall gendered washrooms are available at City Hall and the Cultural Centre. An accessible single-stall universal washroom is available at City Hall.

We are committed to creating a comfortable environment for everyone. To promote this, we kindly request all guests refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes, and other scented products.

If you require accommodations such as accessible seating, ASL interpretation, or have other access needs we should be aware of, please indicate them during registration. We will do our best to accommodate your needs and help ensure an accessible and welcoming experience for all participants.

For inquiries about accessibility, please contact Peggy Chen, Planner 2 (Inclusion), at DiversitySymposium@richmond.ca or 604-276-4104.