Community Care Durham’s new Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee Advocate, Chelsea Lall, has a unique perspective on DEI. As a young person growing up in Bowmanville, she recalls being one of five non-white people in her elementary school, so she has vivid memories of being left out.

She admits there was some bullying, but her experiences helped make her who she is today.

“For me, it’s always been why, why was I ‘othered’ and that type of thing. That’s what fed my education,” she said.

That education was a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Sociology from Trent University (Durham). She is in the final 10 months of her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at Yorkville University.

As CCD’s first DEI Advocate, Chelsea said her goal is to see all voices represented at the organization. Through conversations with staff members, she hears about areas where diversity work is needed and is excited to help address it.

“Now that we’re bringing more education and awareness to DEI, I think it’s very important for workplaces to recognize that they need to take the next step to implement it in their organizations, which is why I was very excited about this project,” she said.

The DEI Committee is still recruiting new members. She said you don’t have to be a person of colour to join. She spoke to a colleague who was hesitant to join the committee because they were white. But input from everyone is important, regardless of their skin colour, she said.

“It provides perspective. I am a minority. I view the world through that lens. I don’t view the world through another lens, and there’s also intersecting identities,” she said.

Those identities could include people of different income levels, ages, sexes, or disabilities, to name a few. Everyone on the DEI Committee brings different perspectives and experiences.

“There are so many identities that intersect that would be welcomed on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee,” Chelsea said.

When Chelsea is not doing her DEI work, you can find her in Community Care Durham’s Central Intake Department.  As part of her DEI work, Chelsea plans to have office hours in the organization’s Whitby Hub every Tuesday to meet with anyone who wants to drop in and talk to her.

“Eventually, I’d like to do this at all the hubs,” she said.

Away from the office, Chelsea enjoys live music. Metal is her genre of choice, but if it’s live music, she’ll listen to all genres.

“I go wherever the music takes me,” she said. “I go to many local venues, but I’ve also been to Ottawa and London to see concerts.”