samantha is a non-binary Black queer femme lawyer, educator and writer, whose work focuses on labour, employment and human rights law. Samantha completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto (Equity Studies, Political Science and French), their graduate studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (Sociology and Equity Studies in Education) and is an alumna of the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law with specializations in public law and dispute resolution and professionalism.

Samantha articled in a bilingual (French/English) capacity at a national union in Ottawa, Ontario where she represented workers across Canada in industries such as social services, emergency services and education. Following the completion of her articles, Samantha took a hiatus from the practice of law to engage in work at the intersection of law, education and policy, ranging from law reform initiatives to legal education to legislative research.

Samantha is deeply committed to community and legal work related to anti-violence, workers’ rights and combatting misogynoir in workplaces and beyond. In 2016, she co-created a one-year public legal education initiative funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario which put complex legislation into plain language, offered free legal education and engaged in progressive advocacy. Presently, they are the National Vice-President of Equity and Anti-Oppression at the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers, a member of the City of Toronto’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) Council Advisory Body, and a Volunteer Lawyer at The 519.

Yamikani is a facilitator who works with organizations and communities, and movements. Yamikani is committed to a practice of anti-oppression, equity, diversity and inclusion using popular culture, creative facilitation, emergent strategy and digital engagement. Ze completed hir Master’s degree in Women and Gender Studies at Carleton University and a Certificate from Michigan State University on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Organizational Change.

Yamikani has held positions such as Black Academic Success and Engagement Coordinator at Humber College and Vice-Chair of Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centre.

In 2013, Yami founded UBUNTU Consulting, which focuses on equity, anti- oppression, inclusion training, conflict resolution and organizational development for grassroots organizations and nonprofit agencies. They have worked with Amnesty International Canada, Greenpeace Canada, Association of Women in Development, the City of Toronto, Peterborough Pride, Tools for Change, LGBT Youthline, University of Toronto, and more.

Yamikani has been featured in Macleans Magazine, The Walrus, Chatelaine Magazine, Now Toronto, and CBC National for hir work around equity, diversity and inclusion.