Dr. Edwin W. D. Laryea
Originally from Ghana, West Africa, Dr. Edwin Laryea (BA (Hons French and Spanish), BEd, MA. Diploma (Diversity Management), PhD) is an anti-racist researcher and an accomplished public speaker, educator, administrator, teacher, and lecturer, with a passion for equal representation and the creation of safe and affirming spaces for muted narratives. His extensive work with African youth in the Waterloo Region has focused on youth empowerment and the harnessing of the “hidden” potential that they possess. He founded “The African Canadian Youth Initiative”, which offered leadership training for Newcomer African Youth.
He holds a PhD in Education with a specialization in the successful education of African students with refugee backgrounds in Canadian schools. His research study used a strength-based approach to highlight the students’ capabilities and to deconstruct the negativity that accompanies their educational experiences in the Canadian research literature.
As Lead Investigator and National Director of the federally sponsored 3-year Initiative for Capacity Building for African Canadians, under the auspices of the Toronto African Canadian Legal Clinic, Edwin worked with Black communities across Canada, to promote good policy responses and improved community engagement and participation for marginalized groups.
Edwin is a passionate community advocate with several years of community leadership experience, having served as a Board Member, Vice–President, Chair, and President for 15 community organizations including, K-W United Way, Crime Prevention Council, African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, Social Planning Council, Multicultural Centre, Waterloo Mayor’s Advisory, Vice-Chair of the Museum Board of Governors, and President of K-W Kiwanis Club. Presently, he is the Community Representative on the University of Waterloo Ethics Research Board.
Edwin is a veteran of four elections, two at the federal level, and two at the municipal level. He has lived in Waterloo since 1971. He has three lovely daughters.