Ika Washington is a dedicated public health professional with a deep commitment to championing health and social equity within marginalized and racialized communities in Canada. As the founder of DiversityTalk, she collaborates on inclusive health initiatives, with extensive work in cannabis and racialized health issues. Her experience includes regulatory roles at Health Canada’s Cannabis Branch and partnerships with varied authorities to propel social justice within the cannabis sector. Currently, Ika is pursuing a doctorate in Health Policy and Equity, exploring the influence of institutional structures on health and social development.
Concurrently, she serves as a health equity specialist at the Centre for Mental Health and Addiction, focusing on equity-centered strategies to mitigate health disparities in Ontario, addressing influential social and environmental determinants impacting mental health and addiction. Her advocacy emphasizes the inclusion of underrepresented communities in research and practice.
