b'part of a team that carried out an evaluation of the three-year pilot of the NSCCs African Canadian Transition Programthe first Africentric Adult Learning Program of its kind in the country. Recommendations from that report helped to move the program from pilot status to a regular on-going offering at the Akerley Campus.Several years later, Sylvia reached out and offered to work collaboratively with the Dean, School of Access at the time, to conduct research and focus groups in the African/Black Nova Scotian community in an attempt to work together to revitalize the African Canadian Transition Program. The Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute was also a critical partner in the new Nia program being offered through the School of Access, Education and Language and with Mount Saint Vincent University. The program was to be delivered at the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute. It was designed to help African/Black Nova Scotians upgrade and transition into post-secondary study. Sylvias passion and commitment to Nova Scotian communities and her ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for African/Black Nova Scotian communities is evident through various volunteer commitments, such as Chair, FEEDNS Board, Chair Black Business Community Investment Fund Ltd, Past President, Akoma Family Centre and Holding, Board Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Board member YWCA. Sylvia has delivered Africentric Parenting Workshops and African Nova Scotian Supporting Your Child Workshops and developed an African Nova Scotian Community Engagement Strategy for ACOA. Sylvia is a well-respected leader within the African/Black Nova Scotian community known for getting things done in a thoughtful, respectful and engaging manner. Her experience, knowledge and expertise are highly regarded throughout the province. She is passionate about making a positive impact in Nova Scotia, with particular focus on African/Black Nova Scotian communities. She credits her parents, Joseph and Viola Parris (deceased) for teaching her and her 14 siblings that importance of family and faith and giving to community. She is proud that her adult children have embraced that way of being as well. Sylvia Parris-Drummond has dedicated her entire career to mobilizing a cultural shift in the province to advance transformational change. This is in direct alignment with NSCCs equity mandate as we develop and deliver opportunities for learning and leadership in pursuit of equity and excellence as key drivers to build a more diverse workforce and inclusive economy for all Nova Scotians.'