Habiba Diallo is a bestselling author of the book, #BLACKINSCHOOL. She was a finalist in the 2020 Bristol Short Story Prize and the 2019 Writers' Union of Canada Short Prose Competition. Her Netflix-sponsored debut short film, Black In School, was inspired by her book and made the official selection of film festivals across Canada.
She also delivers workshops for schools around anti-Black racism education and belonging. For speaking invitations, please click here to get in touch.
PRAISE FOR #BLACKINSCHOOL
"Diallo's voice is fully realized, and it is the voice we need right now.”
— QUILL & QUIRE
"Habiba Diallo is a brilliant writer and journalist ... [She] is a writer to watch and #BlackInSchool should be on the curriculum in every high school in the country, every university for that matter!”
— SHELAGH ROGERS
"A critical perspective on anti-black racism in the education system from the people we need to hear from the most on this matter-Black students.”
— JAEL RICHARDSON
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TESTIMONIALS
“Habiba Diallo is an extraordinary thinker and speaker whose perseverance and passion hints at a tremendous future in leadership. Her tireless work at the intersection of female health and Black youth education marks the first steps towards an exemplary career that will positively impact and surely inspire generations to come.”
— Sergio Elmir, Toronto Public Library, Senior Producer
“Habiba Diallo spoke at our national virtual panel event during Black History Month. Drawing from her own research and experiences, she gave a powerful presentation on anti-Black racism, and how it manifests in education settings. She also highlighted key examples of Black resistance. Habiba is a talented and insightful speaker, and left event participants wanting to learn more.”
— Shannon Giannitsopoulou, YMCA Canada, Manger, DEI
“In sharing her story, Habiba invited us to confront the legacies and contemporary manifestations of anti-blackness in our schools. She challenged us to think through our willingness and preparedness to go beyond facile inclusion attempts - to commit to removing the structural barriers to inclusion. Habiba showed us what’s possible when we educate justly.”
— Phiona Lloyd-Henry, Coordinating Principal, Peel District School Board
BOOKS FOR YOUR READING LIST THAT YOUR STUDENTS WILL LOVE TOO!
A passion for women’s health
Habiba is the founder of the Women's Health Organization International (WHOI). She has been building awareness about obstetric fistula since the age of 12. In 2015, she published a book for young adults called, Yeshialem Learns About Fistula. She is an award-winning writer, public speaker and women's health advocate. The Federal Government of Canada recognized her as an outstanding Canadian woman in 2019. She was also invited by former Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, the Honourable Maryam Monsef to speak on a panel about ways to advance gender equality in Canada.
