Sheila has been involved with the Black Loyalist Heritage Society since the late 1980s.   She played an instrumental role as one of the founding members of the Shelburne County Cultural Awareness Society and has been a steady, guiding force as an executive member leading up the inception of what is now the BLHS, where she presently holds the position of Vice-President.

Sheila’s heritage dates back several generations to her Black Loyalist descendants and several generations back to her Aboriginal lineage.  Her wealth of experience, advice and solid direction has contributed significantly to the success of the BLHS in so many ways. Serving in several capacities over the years in positions that include President, and Vice-President, her leadership and influence have served to establish and guide the BLHS to success.  Her solid leadership continues to this day through her mentorship of new Board members, the Executive Director and staff. She also serves on two BLHS Sub-Committees – Audit and Risk, and Fundraising – the latter of which is known for their tremendously successful and delicious “Annual Apple Pie Fundraiser”. 

Sheila retired from the Roseway Hospital in Shelburne, N.S. in 2015 after a successful and meaningful career spanning 35 years.  Sheila is an active member of the Anglican Christ Church, where she sits on the Church Council and is a member of the Church Choir.  She has also served as an Associate Member the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 63 over a 25 year period, during which time she held positions including Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. Sheila enjoys music, crafts, cooking and baking and spending time with her family.  Sheila and her husband Jim reside happily in Shelburne, where she has lived all of her life. 

Paul Blades was born in Shelburne, N.S. He graduated from Shelburne Regional High School, Shelburne Regional Vocational School and Nova Scotia Institute of Technology (achieving a Red Seal in Automotive mechanical) before beginning his 35-year career in the Automotive Industry Sector in various operational, managerial and leadership roles. Paul is recently retired and has returned to his hometown with his wife, who was also born and raised in Shelburne.  Paul has two grown sons of mixed race and it’s important for him to know their heritage beyond one generation. His desire to be a member of the BLHS Board of Directors stems from his desire to give back to his community and his belief that everyone deserves to learn and be able to embrace all elements of their heritage and knows that the BLHS is integral to sharing that information with Black Loyalist descendants locally and internationally – struggles and triumphs.    

Garet joined the BLHS in 2017 and accepted the nomination of Treasurer.  He is a Senior Accountant at Grant Thornton LLP, where he has been an employee for three years now.  Garet passed his CPA designation exam in December 2016.  He audits a variety of companies which include private sector, non-profits and Acadia First Nations. Garet has been wanting to find a way to give back and volunteer within the black community of Nova Scotia and could not think of a better way to get his foot in the door as well as gain some important board experience by joining the BLHS.

Garet brings a solid knowledge base in the accounting field which includes his ability to interpret financial statements, help facilitate any financial decisions the BLHS may face and he brings forth a youthful perspective for activities and programs.  Garet has also volunteered with the United Way, Movember, and Sport Nova Scotia’s Dragon Boat Festival.

Barbara Falk is a Black Loyalist Descendent who has been involved with the Society since 1995.  She began as a volunteer assisting the office administration in various ways by running the office efficiently, greeting and dealing with the public.  In 1996, she was hired as the business manager, working with the secretary, assisting with typing, filing, copying, note taking etc.

From 2002-2004 Barb was the assistant Registrar, helping with the Black Loyalist Registry data entry, assisting with the preparation of speeches and presentations attended meetings. After retirement, Barb is now the Chair of the Society’s Fund-Raising Committee and particularly enjoys the annual pie-baking fundraiser that averages sales of over 200 delicious pies to happy customers – this fundraiser generates one of the largest sources of volunteer revenues for the Society. Barb is past Vice-President (2007-2008) of the BLHS, past board Treasurer/Secretary (2009-2011) and served as Vice President once again from 2012 to 2016. 

Barb also participated in the BLHS historical re-enactments as she portrayed the beloved “griot”.  She was a member of the Well Women’s Planning Committee and Executive member and Treasurer of CERJ and PERJ while they were in existence.  She is current Treasurer and Director of the Birchtown Community Centre and an active member and Deacon of the Jordan Falls Baptist Church. Barb is a wife, mother of three and grandmother of six. Barb and her husband Hank reside in Birchtown, NS.

Nigel is a lawyer, historian, genealogist, and a direct descendant of the Black Loyalists, with a profound commitment to the mission and objectives of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society. He has focused extensively on the history of the Black Loyalists who established and settled Freetown and the Colony of Sierra Leone in 1792, a dedication that aligns closely with the Society’s goals of preserving and promoting the history of Black Loyalists and their descendants.

As a lawyer specializing in banking, finance, and international project development, Nigel has amassed considerable experience at international law firms. His work involves advising a diverse range of corporate and banking clients on complex international transactions, where he excels in drafting and negotiating documents, strategic planning, and understanding corporate structures. He intends to leverage this expertise to further the Society’s mission.

In addition to his legal career, Nigel is an accomplished historian and genealogist. He has contributed to several prestigious academic journals, including the Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History and the International Journal of African Historical Studies, where his work has highlighted the contributions of Nova Scotian Settler families. He has delivered lectures and academic papers at significant conferences, including those hosted by The National Archives of the United Kingdom. An Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Nigel has been recognized for his academic contributions to history.

Nigel’s dedication extends to the preservation of heritage, particularly that of the Nova Scotian Settlers and their Sierra Leone Creole descendants. He is a founding member of two heritage organizations that focus on preserving documents related to Creole heritage and has also initiated the Nova Scotian and Maroon Descendants Association on social media to promote awareness and appreciation of this rich heritage. His extensive personal library contains rare newspapers and documents that are valuable resources for understanding the history of the Nova Scotian Settlers.

As a direct descendant of the Nova Scotian Settlers, Nigel’s personal connection to the history of the Black Loyalists has been a lifelong journey. He has been aware of his family’s lineage tracing back to the Nova Scotian Settlers and Jamaican Maroons, instilling in him a strong commitment to the Society’s mission.

With a robust background in law, history, and genealogy, coupled with a personal passion for the heritage of the Black Loyalists, Nigel is eager to contribute his expertise and insights to the Black Loyalist Heritage Society as a board member.

Kelley joined the BLHS Board of Directors in 2021 not only as a direct descendant of Black Loyalists, but also as a second-generation member of the Society – following in her Mother Joyce’s footsteps who was one of the founding members back in the 1980s. Raised in the South end of Shelburne, Kelley has a deeply rooted love of her community and has always wanted to give back in ways that ensure the history of the Black Loyalists is preserved, protected and shared for generations to come.

Kelley brings a wealth of education and experience to the Board. She is a graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University in Business Administration, and a graduate of Saint Mary’s University with diplomas in Strategic Planning, Leadership, and Management.

Kelley’s 35+ year career spans across several Federal Government Departments in the Atlantic Region including Energy, Mines and Resources, Public Works, Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).  The majority of her career was with PSPC where she held various senior management positions including acting Director of Corporate Services, and Regional Manager for the Strategic Planning, Communications, and Issues Management Divisions – ultimately landing the position of Regional Manager for Resourcing in the Human Resources Directorate.  These positions entailed leading the overhaul of PSPC Atlantic Region’s governance structure over the 4 Atlantic provinces, leading the annual strategic planning and goal setting exercises for the executive team, and development of recruitment, retention, succession planning and talent management strategies for PSPC Atlantic Region. She retired in 2016.

Kelley and her husband John have an amazing son and daughter, and are self-described nomads.  They love to travel and will go just about anywhere on the planet for good food, a good concert, or just for exploration and adventure.  In fact, they are happiest when they are taking advantage of their retirement to see as much of the world as they can.  Kelley loves to hike just about anywhere, and she is in her element when she is by the ocean … swimming in it, kayaking on it or sitting on a beach enjoying waves and sunsets. 

Peter brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Black Loyalist Heritage Society (BLHS) as a descendant of a settler family with roots in Toronto. Although new to the community and still learning about the rich history of the Black Loyalists, Peter is eager to support the Society’s mission. His dedication to community development and inclusion aligns with the Society’s goals of safeguarding and promoting Black Loyalist heritage.

Peter has been with The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) since 1993 and has served as its Executive Director for the past 15 years. LEF focuses on community economic development in Toronto’s most disadvantaged areas, employing 400 people and operating with a $30 million annual budget. Under his leadership, LEF has integrated numerous programs, enterprises, and initiatives that serve thousands of individuals and families each year, ranging from settlement services and employment counseling to social enterprise and supportive housing projects.

Peter’s expertise in Community Economic Development offers a valuable perspective to BLHS, particularly in recognizing the Society’s role in both local and broader economic contexts. His strong network of community and professional relationships, coupled with his broad range of skills, will be instrumental in advancing the Society’s goals of celebrating the survival and determination of Black Loyalists, promoting their heritage, and fostering economic and social equity.

Peter has also served on the Board of Directors of The Canadian Community Economic Development Network and Telecommunications Canada. In recognition of his contributions to the community, he has been awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award.

Belle Goulden is a lifelong resident of Shelburne and a descendant of original Black Loyalists who landed here and started their new lives in Birchtown.  A graduate of Dalhousie University, her career as a Dental Hygienist spans over 25+ years.  Belle has a deep desire to learn more of her ancestry story and that of those with whom she shares her ancestry.  In her role as BLHS Director she will continue the work of her family members who were instrumental in establishing this world class BLHS museum from the grass roots level.  Safeguarding and promoting Black history and heritage and ensuring that the contributions of all Black Loyalists are recognized, passed down, and hold their rightful place in shaping not only Canada’s history, but history as it pertains to the Black Loyalist experience throughout the world is extremely important to her. Belle has served on the BLHS Board of Directors previously and also possesses experience serving on the Shelburne Community Health Board, occasionally in the role of the Board’s Executive as Secretary. Belle has also served as Chair of the local Dental Hygiene Component Society in the early 2000’s and is a member of the Nova Scotia College of Dental Hygienists and the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association.

Belle has given back to her community in many ways including coaching elementary school athletics in volleyball and basketball, and more recently with the Shelburne Regional Junior High basketball team. 

Darren Jacklin, a descendant of Black Loyalists, and lifelong resident of Shelburne, currently holds the position of African Nova Scotian SSW at Shelburne Regional High School.  Darren has coached youth in several sports for many years including Shelburne Minor Baseball for 10 years and helped create the Shelburne Strikers Soccer Club. Since 2008 he has dedicated much of his time to Youth Basketball Programs as well as lunch and after school basketball programs at Hillcrest Academy. 

Darren founded the Clearwater Hustlers Rep Basketball Program comprised of players from Shelburne, Lockeport and Barrington now known as the Shelburne County Kings and won 3 Provincial championships in four years, then adding a female team called the Queens to the mix.  He was the first Black South Shore representative on the Basketball NS Board of Directors.  In 2020, Darren was chosen as the Provincial Volunteer of the year for the Town of Shelburne. Darren was also one of the lead organizers of the Black Lives Matter March for Unity in 2021 in which hundreds of people participated. 

In his 15-year career as African Nova Scotia Student Support Worker, Darren has advocated for strong educational systems for ANS Students.  He has played a pivotal role in establishing many small groups where ANS Students can have their voices heard as to their experiences within the school setting.  He has facilitated many training sessions, field trips, conferences in regards to strengthening the story of, and educating about, African Nova Scotian history. 

He is committed to lending his knowledge and experience to the betterment of Black-related issues, deeply devoted to the enhancement of Black celebrations and events and is deeply gratified by contributing and giving back to the Black community through sound leadership. Darren has previous experience in working with the Black Loyalist Heritage Society and has collaborated on the Digital Collections project for the Black Loyalist site as a Document Transcriber.  Darren’s experience in working with black learners, his deep commitment to coaching, training and mentoring youth, especially through sport, sets him apart. He has impacted the lives of many young athletes who have gone on to achieve higher goals in their athletic, academic and personal lives.

He is highly respected for the many contributions he has made in the community. Darren is the recipient of several awards and accolades for Community Service and Leadership. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Basketball Nova Scotia and its Basketball sub-committee and on the Board of Directors for the Barrington and Area Soccer Association.

A direct descendent of Black Loyalists, Laurie has a personal connection to the history of his ancestors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, N.S. Laurie’s career with Nova Scotia’s Department of Community Services spans over 29 years of working in government community outreach. Drawing on a background of strong leadership, and talent management skills, he is accomplished in directing high-performing accountable teams, and developing employee rapport and engagement. 

Laurie is experienced in community outreach, policy analysis, working with non-profits organizations, with skills reaching to academia, program development and government relations. 

Laurie is determined now to draw on his career experience to give back to his community and continue the work of those who came before him – focusing his efforts on ensuring the Black Loyalist history is preserved, protected and shared.

David was born in London UK, and obtained a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from Birmingham University. Keenly aware of the effects of prejudice from his own ethnic background, he sees lack of knowledge of our history as a significant contributor to racial prejudice and prejudged sentiments. David has a strong interest in building a world of shared common good and, as a student of history, believes the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre has the means to help build a true and substantial story regarding the building of North America and welcomes the opportunity to help the BLHC achieve these worthy goals.

David worked for IBM UK as a computer scientist before emigrating to Canada and has spent his career in the high-tech sector ever since.  Founding his own companies, successfully rebuilding, restructuring and rebranding existing companies and turning them into profitable and world-class leaders in the IT sector, David is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. 

David has held various positions as CEO and Vice President for a multitude of companies, was a board Director on four (4) of his own companies and was the Chairman and a major investor of a successful Ottawa company- edjuster – a content loss claims adjustment company providing services to every major Canadian insurance company across Canada and the US. David brings a broad knowledge of financial and technical management to the BLHS with a keen eye for new ideas and areas for improvement.

David’s experience as a Council Member for the Municipal District of Shelburne brings a public service dimension to his role at the BLHS. Elected to the Municipal District Council of Shelburne in 2012 and again in 2016, David spearheaded the project to bring 100% fibre internet coverage for the municipality and the towns of Lockeport and Shelburne. This project was completed by 2021, making these the first rural NS communities with this service.

Francesca brings a wide range of expertise in fundraising and historical preservation to the Black Loyalist Heritage Society. She holds an MA in Preservation from the prestigious Tulane School of Architecture, where she earned a substantial scholarship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Francesca’s academic work highlighted the social and racial injustices within historical documentation, aligning perfectly with the Society’s mission to preserve and promote Black Loyalist heritage.

Since arriving in Halifax in 2021, Francesca has demonstrated her commitment to cultural equity by working with the first African Nova Scotian woman to hold the title of Executive Director at a Canadian theatre. Together, they led efforts to divest from white supremacy culture within the organization and engaged in cross-cultural competency training to foster positive change in the national theatrical landscape.

A key project Francesca has co-piloted is the repatriation of “The Book of Negroes” from the National Archives in London, U.K., in collaboration with Andrea Davis, Executive Director of the Black Loyalist Centre in Birchtown. This monumental project has laid the groundwork for further historic reconciliation and demonstrates Francesca’s commitment to rectifying historical injustices. Her experience in fund development and cross-cultural leadership will be invaluable as BLHS continues its mission to safeguard Black Loyalist history.

Francesca is eager to bring people together to create lasting change in how Nova Scotians experience Black Canadian history. Her passion for addressing prejudice and ensuring accurate historical representation makes her an asset to the BLHS Board of Directors.

Graham Nickerson was born in Shelburne, Nova Scotia and can trace his family tree back to original Black Loyalist settlers, Titus Milner and Hendry Gwin. Graham has lived in the Fredericton region of New Brunswick since Graham attended the University of New Brunswick in pursuit of a Master of Science in Engineering. Graham spent most of his career working as a marine scientist. In 2018, Graham started a part-time Master of Arts in History, also at the University of New Brunswick, utilizing visualization to reimagine the way African Canadians are portrayed in the public memory by employing multimedia and GIS. Graham is currently focusing on the network of disseminated sources on Black Loyalists to help construct a clearer picture of Black Loyalist society.

Graham is a board member of the Black Loyalists Heritage Society, the New Brunswick Black History Society, and the Tomlinson Lake Hike to Freedom. Graham will begin a PhD in history in the Fall of 2022, and works for the City of Fredericton as the Community Inclusion Liaison. In 2022, Graham’s work was recognized by the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission and Graham was named as “A Person to Watch” by the National Trust for Canada. He enjoys living with his wife and sons in a rural setting, spending time growing his garden, collecting eggs from his chickens, playing floorball with friends or reading one of his favorite history publications. 

Graham joined the Board of Directors in 2015.

Scott was born in the United States and lived in numerous states including Georgia (Atlanta twice, and also Savannah), the first time living in Atlanta during the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s. He had a 40-year career working in insurance loss control/risk management/ occupational health & safety in a variety of field consultant, management, and home office staff/executive leadership positions. He worked most of his career for Liberty Mutual Insurance, including designing and delivering a wide range of highly successful classroom training programs for participants from Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Malaysia, the U.K, and the U.S.  

Scott worked his last six years as Senior Vice President – Business Development, for Alexander & Schmidt, an outsourced loss control vendor in Yarmouth, Maine. He was responsible for new business development, executive administration, client relationships, and increasing the visibility and awareness of Alexander & Schmidt in the marketplace. Following this he moved to the Shelburne area. 

Scott earned a B.A. in Biology from Barrington College, Barrington, Rhode Island and an MSc in Training & Human Resource Management from the University of Leicester (U.K.). He held Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA), and UL Certified Risk Professional (CRP) – Property designations. He has completed graduate courses in Archaeology & Biblical History at Trinity Southwest University in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Scott has also participated in archaeological digs in Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Scott is a former guest lecturer on Safety at the Harvard School of Public Health and a former adjunct staff member of the Safety & Occupational Health Applied Sciences Department of Keene State College. He served a two-year term on the National Safety Council Board of Delegates, advising the NSC Board of Directors on safety and health policy issues. He was also a committee member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z490 Standard, Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health, and Environmental Training.

Having recently relocated to the Shelburne area, Scott is excited to contribute his extensive knowledge and leadership experience to the BLHS, furthering the Society’s mission to safeguard and promote Black Loyalist heritage.

Since moving to Shelburne, Bill has developed a deep connection to the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre, where his visits have been emotionally transformative. A particularly powerful moment occurred when a friend of Bill’s – a Juno-nominated saxophonist – played “Amazing Grace” on the Centre’s glass floor which is carefully engraved with the names of Black Loyalists who arrived in 1783.  This created for Bill a sacred experience that honored the Black Loyalists’ presence. These moments have ignited Bill’s passion to contribute to the important work of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society.

Throughout his life, Bill has been deeply committed to racial justice, a passion that grew during his time in Toronto, where he founded and chaired Ephraim’s Place Community Centre (EPCC), working closely with Black youth and families, many of whom were gang-involved. His love and deep respect for the communities he served have fueled his desire to address racial inequalities.

In addition to his board service, Bill is in the process of launching panoRRama, an online community focused on racial justice and LGBTQ support, with a major launch anticipated in 2024. His passion for racial justice aligns with the mission of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society, and he looks forward to serving the BLHS Board in whatever capacity is needed.

Drawing on his extensive experience on local, provincial, national, and international boards, including his work with EPCC, Bill is eager to contribute his skills and leadership to advancing the BLHS’s mission. He believes that the combination of his experience and commitment to racial justice will make a valuable contribution to the Society’s ongoing efforts to preserve and promote the legacy of the Black Loyalists.