Relational Change
Starts with the Individual

Employees affected by prejudicial bias are up to three times more likely to be disengaged compared to other employees, which can cost companies up to $550 billion annually (Center for Talent Innovation).

For several years now, many organizations — the media, corporations, academic institutions — have been publicly discussing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plans and initiatives. These well-intentioned programs often focus on telling people how to behave versus showing them how to be open to other perspectives and create meaningful connections. If we truly want to find common ground and Wake the unConscious, relational change has to start with the individual.

WHY We Started

WHO We Are

WHAT We Do

Our History

WtC was inspired by the current DEI discourse to move away from the mandated acceptance model to create brave spaces for individual conversations and understanding. Though embracing diversity can be challenging and even uncomfortable at times, we can’t change what we don’t acknowledge. By welcoming uncertainty and having honest discussions about privilege and the intentionally ignored, we can build authentic relationships in diverse cultural environments and workplaces. This will create true change within the underlying system that will release bias and inspire growth for all parties at all levels.

Our Mission

To guide individuals, companies, organizations, and institutions on their journey towards anti-racism to reach of place of sustainable behavioural and relational changes. To facilitate conversations and create tools that lead to a greater understanding of societal differences defined by privilege and the intentionally ignored.

Our Vision

One day, to have a world where systemic racism and all forms of racism, discrimination, inequity, and exclusion have been eradicated throughout every facet of society, and a new system with a new culture has been created that is inclusionary of all people.

Our Team

Nicole McKinney Founder/President and Co-Creator — Nicole McKinney
*Founder/President*

Margaret Jeronimo-Andrews Partner and Co-Creator — **Margaret Jeronimo-Andrews**
*Partner and Co-Creator*

Dr. David W. McKinney Jr. (1920 to 2015) Civil Rights Activist and Renowned Academic — Dr. David W. McKinney Jr. (1920 to 2015)
*Civil Rights Activist and Renowned Academic*

WtC’s Global Team

We are comprised of innovative and experienced intersectional co-creators and workshop session coordinators who specialize and work in various areas while being committed and passionate about doing this work. Their specialties include human resources, social work, organizational transformation, certified individual coaching, research design, data analytics, and sociology to name a few. We draw on this group of experts as it relates specifically to your organization to join our client projects as needed.

A Legacy of Activism

Dr. David W. McKinney Jr. — 1920-2015

In 1990, Dr. David W. McKinney Jr. (father of WtC founder, Nicole McKinney) turned 65 and was forced to retire from his position as a Professor of Sociology/Anthropology at the University of Guelph. At the time, David was still heavily active and in the midst of several large, important research projects. Having always been one to act when faced with injustice (against himself and others) he decided to leverage his vast expertise and research skills to change the laws forcing him to retire.

The outcome was McKinney v University of Guelph [1990] 3 SCR 229 the Supreme Court of Canada case that decided that, for the purpose of determining the application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, universities were not part of the government. Therefore, the mandatory retirement age for university teachers did not violate equality rights under section 15 of the Charter. In reaching this holding, the Court refined the scope of the Charter as it applies to government bodies as well as the definition of "law" within the ambit of the Charter. Eight professors and a librarian from the University of Guelph applied for declarations that the university's policy for mandatory retirement at age 65 as well as the Ontario Human Rights Code, which allowed such policies, were unconstitutional. This case has become famous among Supreme Court Cases and continues to be used as a precedent case in Canada for both law school students and practicing lawyers.

The legacy he left behind now lives on through work and cases he fought to ensure justice for generations to come. With such large shoes to fill, Nicole is using his legacy to help fuel her passion to inspire a greater understanding of societal differences created by privilege and marginalization. She looks forward to seeing a world where true equity is achieved across all spectrums of diversity. With this legacy and passion comes the birth of WtC Waking the unConscious.

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