Channon Oyeniran is an accomplished historian, educator, author, and speaker whose work reflects a lifelong dedication to researching, preserving, and sharing the histories and lived experiences of Black communities in Canada and across the African diaspora. Born in Scarborough and a longtime resident of the Durham Region, Channon developed an early interest in Black history, anti‑Black racism, and community empowerment. These early interests grew into a deep professional and academic commitment that continues to shape her work across multiple sectors, including education, historical research, public programming, publishing, and community advocacy.
Channon earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History and Caribbean Studies from the University of Toronto, where her academic curiosity about Black Canadian and diasporic stories took root. She later completed a Master’s degree in Slavery Studies at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, producing research that examined how Black Jamaican Canadians conceptualized ideas of “home” in private and public spaces. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Geography and Planning at Queen’s University. Her doctoral research focuses on Black geographies, community building, and placemaking among Black women in the Durham Region, connecting academic inquiry with lived experience and community realities. Her academic journey reflects her dedication to amplifying Black voices, examining historical narratives, and expanding public understanding of Black life in Canada.
Beyond her academic work, Channon has made significant contributions to public history and community engagement. From 2017 to 2023, she served as Vice- President of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), where she played a key role in preserving, celebrating, and promoting Black history across the province and Canada. In this role, she helped develop national exhibits, engaged with communities, produced historical content, and ensured that Black Canadian stories were made more accessible to the public. She currently works as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Program Manager in the Durham Region, supporting efforts to build equitable, inclusive environments within institutions and across the community.
A sought-after educator and consultant, Channon has worked with a range of institutions, including the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, the Canadian Museum of History, Heritage Toronto, and multiple school boards. She has lectured at York University and the University of Toronto through their Later Life Learning and Living and Learning in Retirement programs. She has served as a teaching assistant at Queen’s University and the University of Hull. Her writing contributions to The Canadian
Encyclopedia (TCE) expand public access to Black Canadian history, documenting civil rights movements, historical figures, and key cultural developments.
Channon is also the founder of OyES-Oyeniran Education Support, an organization designed to help individuals and institutions align with their values while fostering inclusive and responsive learning spaces. Through OyES, she offers educational programming that highlights Black history locally and globally. In addition, she founded the annual, Looking Back into the Future Black History Month Conference, now in its eleventh year, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians while offering pathways for continued community advancement.
Her creative work includes the children’s chapter-book series, The Time Travel Adventures of Ara, which uses storytelling and time travel to introduce young readers to significant Black historical figures such as Harriet Tubman. She is also the creator of the BlacktoCanada podcast, which explores more than 400 years of Black Canadian history, sharing stories of resilience, achievement, and community building.
Widely admired for her warmth, expertise, and engaging presentation style, Channon continues to shape conversations about Black history, identity, justice, and belonging. Through her scholarship, public speaking, writing, and community leadership, she works tirelessly to ensure that Black histories are preserved, celebrated, and fully recognized within Canada and beyond.