Community, Commitment, Collaboration

DeRico Symonds

DeRico is a fearless advocate for racialized and marginalized communities in Halifax. DeRico is the IDEA Advisor for the BIPOC Tribe Network and Innovation Hub. He is the Senior Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister  with the Province of Nova Scotia in the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism. He has over 15 years experience working with at-risk youth and communities. 


He is a founding member of two non-profit organizations in Halifax, ACCE HFX, GameChangers902.  DeRico Symonds is an Impact of Race and Cultural Assessor (IRCA) with the Nova Scotia Courts. DeRico Symonds holds an undergraduate degree in Child & Youth Study (2012) and an MEd in Counselling through Acadia University (2018). DeRico also has his Canadian Counselling Certification through the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association of Canada.


“If we all do a little, nobody has to do a lot alone” – DeRico Symonds

"Community service is a universal language"

"Carry the baton as far and as fast as you can for the next generation to pick it up"

2018

Selected to give the Key Note speech at the 1st annual Delmore "Buddy" Daye Learning Institutes Ancestral Roots Awards Ceremony. 

2015

This video was completed by the Province of Nova Scotia to highlight young change makers in Nova Scotia.