Meet our 2021 Speakers

Janice Morris

I am incredibly fortunate and grateful to teach English literature, critical reading, critical writing, and critical thinking at KPU, a place I have called home since 2006. My other research interests include graphic novels, visual culture, film studies, media studies, and critical approaches to historicizing and theorizing “holocomics”—graphic novels and representations of the Holocaust. I am also an Advisory Board Member/Section Editor for Mise-en-scène: The Journal of Film and Visual Narration, KPU’s official film studies journal. I was recently honoured as the 2022 recipient of KPU’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Award, as well as a 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction Award nominee (Arts, Culture, & Design), and as the winner of the 2019 Allies of Muslim Women Award from Voices of Muslim Women.

In addition, I am the Founder and Festival Director of KDocsFF, Metro Vancouver’s premier social justice film festival, now in its second decade. KDocsFF celebrates the power of documentary film and documentary activism. Its programming is all about engagement, critical thinking, and dialogue—amongst diverse viewers, speakers, and communities. KDocsFF Official Selections are self-curated based on their ability to provoke, not just superficial reactions, but deeper awareness, connections, and collaborations—of/to/with ourselves, each other, and our communities. With these connections, KDocsFF, in turn, explores issues of social justice, anti-poverty, anti-oppression, human and animal rights, equality, diversity, and environmental stewardship and sustainability, near and far, as we educate the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow. At KDocsFF, activism originates in the power of the individual, and the influence of the collaborative collective. Hopefully, our film and programming choices both give a voice—to filmmakers and activists—and nurture a voice—of creative solution-building.

Outside of work, I am a huge Canucks fan (Go Canucks!) who enjoys travel, cycling, and binge-watching my favourite TV series (best ever? The Wire … and Breaking Bad … and The Office (BBC) … and Veep … ).

Ihums Isaac

Ihunmehai Isaac also known as Ihums is an Alumni of The New School, New York where she got her MS degree in the Media Management program. She has a background in Accounting but quickly transitioned to media because of her passion for creating clean and relatable content. She desires to use the content she produces to create relatable and quality content that will speak to her generation. After applying for a competition in a filmmaker project hosted by a very well-known bank in Nigeria, she gradually developed the confidence of making my films.

Her goal in going into the film industry is to use her creative outlet to talk about things that are happening around her.

Lacey Lee Eliott

Lacey Lee Eliott is an  automotive journalist and host of Global TVs Driving Television. She has been test driving and talking about cars for almost 20 years. She is also a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist.

​Over the years Lacey has had some interesting struggles. And, like many people, anxiety, stress and depression are all things that have impacted here life.

​Experiencing her first panic attack outside a sushi shop she learned very quickly how debilitating anxiety can be.

​Medication and counseling was the first choice of treatment. Being active and eating healthy was second nature for her. But it was at this time that she started to add Yoga and mediation into her already healthy lifestyle.

​Things didn’t seem to be getting any better. The ‘anxiety’ attacks had no common denominator. She called them ‘episodes’ because the idea of labeling them as anxiety or having an anxiety disorder comes with such a negative association. As a public figure, it was important that her image not be tainted.

​Most people are not able to get closure with mental issues like Lacey did. She speaks openly about her experiences and feels that it is the best way to let others know they are not alone. Her goal is to remind others that it is ok to not be ok. We all have bad days and we have all felt negative emotions at some point in our lives.

Sherine Ali

Sherine Ali is an Inspirational Artist and Writer. She holds a Political Science university degree and had a o Corporate career in Business Development for over twenty five years in the telecommunications and technology industry. She also worked for five years on the island of Bermuda. Surrounded by the ocean and the beauty of nature , Sherine was reintroduced to drawing which she had given up since childhood. Guided by a love of art and a passion to inspire and encourage others, Sherine reinvented herself during her 50s . She creates inspirational pieces of art , poetry and writings which focuses on inspiring others. She also provides guidance to those wanting to reach their full potential. Her personal statement is “She believed she could, so she did.” She is continuing to discover her full potential.