Acting Executive Director Appointed

The Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs now has an acting executive director. Wayn Hamilton's appointment was announced today, Nov. 14, by African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Barry Barnet.

Mr. Hamilton was born in Beechville, Halifax Co., and holds undergraduate degrees in arts and education from Dalhousie and a master of arts in community development from the University of Guelph. He has been seconded from the Department of Education, where he was a student service consultant in the African Canadian Services Division.

With Education, Mr. Hamilton was involved in developing programs aimed at keeping black students in school. He also assisted in implementing the recommendations of the Black Learners Advisory Committee Report on Education.

"We are very pleased that Mr. Hamilton has accepted this assignment," Mr. Barnet said. "With his solid background in community development, race relations and involvement in educational issues related to young African Nova Scotians, he is the right person to help this office become firmly established and operating."

Before joining the Department of Education, Mr. Hamilton worked with CUSO West Africa in Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Ghana from 1983 to 1996. He had earlier served as assistant director with the Saint Mary's University International Education Centre.

Mr. Hamilton's secondment begins on Monday, Nov. 17, and will be for a six-month period.