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Meet Cynthia Appiah: Olympian, bobsleigh pilot, and a powerful example of taking control of your own destiny.

After being named an Olympic alternate at PyeongChang 2018, Cynthia came close to walking away from the sport. Instead, she made a bold decision: she would learn to drive the sled herself. Within a few seasons, she emerged as one of the world’s top monobob pilots -earning multiple World Cup podiums, a Crystal Globe, and making her Olympic debut at Beijing 2022 in both the monobob and two-woman events.

A former standout thrower at York University and a long-time advocate for youth sport and mentorship, Cynthia’s journey reflects resilience, leadership, and belief, even when the path forward isn’t obvious

📍 Competing in Milano Cortina 2026

🛷 Monobob & two-woman

🇨🇦 Team Canada

Sophie Jaques is redefining what leadership and excellence look like in women’s hockey — on the ice and beyond it.

In 2025, Jaques made her first major international appearance with Team Canada at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, scoring her first international goal and helping Canada earn silver. It followed her debut with the National Women’s Team during the 2023–24 Rivalry Series.

At Ohio State University, Jaques made history as the first Black athlete, first Buckeye, and only the second defenceman to win the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top player in NCAA women’s hockey. She finished her collegiate career as Ohio State’s all-time leading scoring defender and earned her Master’s degree in Civil Engineering along the way.

Now a two-time PWHL champion and league All-Star, Jaques is also committed to opening doors, co-hosting the first Black Girl Hockey Club Canada Summer Camp to help the next generation see themselves in the game.

This Black History Month, we celebrate Sophie Jaques, a changemaker shaping the future of sport through talent, leadership, and community impact.

Kathleen “Kay” Livingstone (1919–1975)  was a trailblazer whose impact continues to shape Canada’s social landscape.

Kay was a social activist, broadcaster, actor, and organizer, who helped found the National Congress of Black Women of Canada and was the first president of what became the Canadian Negro Women’s Association (CANEWA). Through scholarships and community organizing, she worked to ensure Black students – and especially Black girls – could stay in school and thrive.

She is also credited with coining the term “visible minority,” language that would later shape national policy and public discourse. Her leadership extended across media, government, and the arts, from hosting radio programs on CBC affiliates to advising the Canadian Privy Council.

Recognized as a Person of National Historic Significance, Livingstone’s legacy reminds us that systemic change is built through persistence, community, and bold ideas.

Today's Black History Month Changemaker is Makeda Silvera (born 1955) a Jamaican Canadian writer, editor, and publisher whose work has transformed Canada’s literary and cultural landscape.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Toronto, Silvera became a powerful voice for Black, Caribbean, queer, and working-class women, at a time when their stories were routinely dismissed as “too angry” or “too autobiographical.” In response, she didn’t wait for permission. In 1985, she co-founded Sister Vision Press, Canada’s first Black feminist publishing house, creating space for writers who had been systematically excluded from mainstream publishing.

Through novels, short stories, and groundbreaking anthologies—most notably Piece of My Heart, the first North American anthology of writing by lesbians of colour, Silvera demonstrated the inseparable link between literature and social activism.

Her legacy is not only in what she wrote, but in the voices she made possible.

Monica Forrester is a Toronto-based community advocate whose work has helped transform access, safety, and dignity for transgender women, particularly trans women of colour and sex workers.

For more than two decades, Forrester has worked across frontline agencies to make social services more accessible to trans communities. From helping create drop-in and outreach programs for trans people at The 519, to her leadership as Program and Outreach Coordinator at Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project, her advocacy has been grounded in lived experience and community trust.

Forrester played a key role in advocating for trans women’s access to women’s shelters and in shaping policies to prevent discrimination in housing and emergency services. Through education, outreach, and peer-led support, she has helped build safer systems for some of Toronto’s most marginalized residents.

Her work reminds us that equity is built not only through policy—but through care, persistence, and community.

Dawn Richardson Wilson: Olympian, multi-sport athlete, and a powerful example of resilience in motion.

Dawn made her Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, competing as a brakewoman in the two-woman bobsleigh event. After stepping away from the sport to complete her degree at the UCalgary and sharpening her sprint mechanics through elite track and field competition with the Dinos, she returned stronger, earning a spot on Canada’s 2025–26 World Cup team and racing in the lead-up to Milano Cortina 2026.

Born in Accra, Ghana and raised in Canada, Dawn’s journey is defined by perseverance, purpose, and growth – on and off the ice. Her story reminds us that excellence isn’t linear, and that stepping back can be just as powerful as pushing forward.

Meet Jordan Pierre-Gilles: Olympic champion, relay stalwart, and one of the world’s fastest men over 500 metres.

Jordan captured Olympic gold at Beijing 2022 as a member of Canada’s men’s 5000m relay team, then continued to build his legacy as a World Cup distance leader. In 2023–24, he won three World Cup gold medals in the 500m, finishing first overall in the distance, and added a bronze at the ISU World Championships.
 

After battling a knee injury in 2025, Jordan returned to help Canada win a second straight Team Crystal Globe, proving his value not only as an individual threat but as a trusted teammate in the sport’s most demanding moments.

📍 Competing at Milano Cortina 2026

500m & men’s 5000m relay

🇨🇦 Team Canada

Today, our Black History Month Changemakers Series celebrates Hugh Burnett (1918–1991) was a civil rights activist whose determination helped change Ontario law - and Canadian history.

Born in Dresden, Ontario, a community shaped by the Underground Railroad, Burnett became a leading organizer against the entrenched racial discrimination that denied Black residents access to restaurants, barbershops, and other public services. As a key leader of the National Unity Association (NUA), he pushed back against racism that was so pervasive it was described as “absolute.

Burnett played a pivotal role in the campaign that led to Ontario’s Fair Accommodation Practices Act (1954), which outlawed discrimination in public services and housing. When the law was ignored, he helped organize restaurant sit-ins in Dresden—years before similar tactics became widely known in the United States—forcing the province to enforce its own legislation.

Through persistence, personal sacrifice, and moral clarity, Hugh Burnett helped lay the groundwork for modern human rights protections in Canada.

Today's Black History Month Changemaker is Desmond Cole, one of Canada’s most influential contemporary voices on race and justice.

A journalist, author, and activist, Cole gained national attention for his writing on police carding, racial profiling, and systemic racism, work rooted in lived experience and rigorous reporting. His essay “The Skin I’m In” and the bestselling book that followed sparked widespread public debate and policy conversations across the country.

Through media, books, and public advocacy, Cole continues to challenge Canadians to examine how racism operates—and what accountability and change can look like.

Meet William Dandjinou: the world’s top-ranked short-track speedskater and a leader of Canada’s next Olympic chapter.

A member of Canada’s national team since 2019, William rebounded from missing the Beijing 2022 Games to become the first Canadian man to win back-to-back Crystal Globes as the world’s top overall short-track skater. During the 2025–26 season, he climbed the podium eight times individually, winning seven gold medals across the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m.

Born in Sherbrooke to parents who immigrated from Côte d’Ivoire, William’s journey reflects resilience, joy, and a deep respect for the ice. Known for his trademark “wings” celebration, he’s helping bring visibility, personality, and momentum to one of Canada’s most successful Olympic sports.

Sarah Nurse, born in Burlington, Ontario, is a two-time Olympic medalist who has represented Canada in women’s ice hockey at the highest level. At the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, she set the single tournament scoring record with 5 goals and 13 assists while helping Team Canada win gold.

Sarah played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin, reaching the Frozen Four in each of her four seasons. In 2022, she made history off the ice as the first woman to appear on the cover of an EA Sports NHL title with NHL 23.

Learn more about her journey

Josiah Henson (1789–1883) was an author, abolitionist, minister, and community builder whose life bridged enslavement and freedom—and helped shape Canada’s role in Black liberation.

Born into slavery in Maryland, Henson endured profound violence before escaping with his family to Upper Canada in 1830. There, he founded the Dawn Settlement near present-day Dresden, Ontario, a self-sufficient community that included a labourers’ school and provided refuge, education, and opportunity for hundreds of formerly enslaved people

Henson became a leading abolitionist voice, publishing his autobiography The Life of Josiah Henson in 1849. His life story is widely believed to have inspired the central character in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, one of the most influential anti-slavery novels in history.

Through faith, education, and organizing, Henson helped redefine freedom—not just as escape, but as community, leadership, and self-determination.

Our Black History Month Changemakers series continues with Burnley “Rocky” Jones (1941–2013), one of Canada’s most influential human rights advocates and an organizer, educator, lawyer, and tireless champion for justice.

An African-Nova Scotian with roots tracing back to the Black Refugees of the early 19th century, Jones emerged during the 1960s as a leading civil rights voice through the Student Union for Peace Action and later as a founder of transformative community initiatives in Nova Scotia. He helped establish Kwacha House, co-founded the Black United Front of Nova Scotia, and played a central role in building programs that supported Black and Indigenous learners, including Dalhousie’s Transition Year Program and the Indigenous Blacks and Mi’kmaq Program at the law school.

As a lawyer, Jones focused on human rights, prisoner justice, and environmental racism. In 1997, he argued the landmark Supreme Court case R. v. R.D.S., which reshaped how courts consider race and context in judicial decision-making.

Rocky Jones showed that lasting change is built across generations—through organizing, education, and the law.

Ginella made history in 2015 as Canada's first hijab-wearing television news reporter, breaking barriers in Kitchener, Ontario, for CTV news.Her talent led her to work for local and national news outlets, in both television and radio, both on air and behind the scenes.

Ginella's dedication and excellence earned her the prestigious Canadian Screen Award for broadcast journalism and media personality. Gina announced her departure from Canada Tonight this past July, and says she is contemplating “other ways I can meaningfully contribute to this fast-changing media landscape.”

Join us in celebrating Ginella Massa, a trailblazing journalist who continues to make history!

Born in Montreal in 1932, Fil Fraser became the first Black broadcaster in Canada, blazing a trail for future generations.  He dedicated his life to educating people, leaving a profound impact as a broadcaster, journalist, TV director, film, radio, and TV producer.

His journey in broadcasting started at the age of 19 in Toronto, where he worked mostly as a sports announcer. By 1960, Fraser had founded and published the Regina Weekly Mirror, covering important events like the introduction of Medicare by Tommy Douglas. He also wrote the biography of sprinter Harry Jerome, Running Uphill: The Fast, Short Life of Canadian Champion Harry Jerome, which was later turned into a documentary.

Fil Fraser received numerous honours and awards, including being named a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to broadcasting.

Join us in celebrating Fil Fraser, a trailblazing educator, advocate for human rights, and a pioneer in Canadian broadcasting.

Born in Toronto in 1977,  Jully Black is one of Canada's most acclaimed R&B/Soul singers and songwriters.

Her journey began at the age of 6, singing in church and being inspired by the legendary Whitney Houston. Her family encouraged and supported her musical ambitions, driving her to pursue a career at age 12, fuelled by the lack of representation for women of colour in Canadian media.

Jully's talent shone early, with her collaboration with Toronto rapper Choclair winning a Juno Award in 1997. Her first chart single, 'Rally'n,' released in 1998, catapulted her to even greater heights.

Jully has released seven studio albums, showcasing her versatility and artistry. Her contributions to music have been recognized, as she was named one of 'The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever' by CBC music. In February 2023, Jully made a powerful change to the national anthem, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging 'our home ON native land.'

Our second week of changemakers features the powerful contributions of Black activists and educators who have shaped our society.

We begin with Dr. Clement Courtenay Ligoure, who was born in Trinidad on October 13, 1887. After emigrating to Canada, he attended medical school at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and graduated in 1916.He made history as the first Black doctor to practice medicine in Nova Scotia.

He tried to join the Canadian Forces during World War I, however racial discrimination denied him and other Black men that opportunity. Undeterred, Dr. Ligoure, along with other community leaders, pushed back and created the No.2 Construction Battalion, an all-Black unit. Liquoure went on to publish Halifax's first Black publication, the Atlantic Advocate.

Liquor would go on to open the Amanda Private Hospital which saved hundreds of lives after the Halifax Explosion. His contributions are recognized today with an award in his name for exemplary service during a medical crisis.

Born on Feb. 17, 1856, Emily moved to Cedar, BC with her family in 1875.
She attended primary school on Salt Spring Island and onto Nanaimo, BC to pursue training to become a teacher.

In August 1874, she made history as the first Black teacher on Vancouver Island, teaching at the Cranberry-Cedar School near Nanaimo. Her dedication to education went beyond the classroom. She opened her cabin to board students who lived too far away to commute to school daily. She devoted her short life to empowering the young people of BC. Join us in celebrating Emma Stark, a trailblazer in education and a true inspiration.

Dr. Onye Nnorom was born Feb 27, 1981, in Montreal, Quebec, to immigrant parents from Nigeria and Trinidad, her journey was one of determination and purpose.

She was interested in science from a young age, she attended a summer camp for gifted students, setting the stage for her future endeavours. With a Bachelors degree from Concordia University, a medical degree from McGill University, and a Master's degree in public health from the University of Toronto, her academic journey soared.

Dr. Nnorom's work is dedicated to addressing the health inequities faced by racialized and immigrant communities. She led the University of Toronto's efforts to include awareness of anti-Black racism and its effects on access to care in the medical school curriculum. As President of the Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario and co-leader of the Black Health Education Collaborative, she continues to drive change.

Dr. Nnorom's impact extends to her podcast 'Race, Health & Happiness,' launched in 2020 to help racialized people stay well, thrive, and find joy. Join us in celebrating Dr. Onye Nnorom, a trailblazer who is making a difference in healthcare and beyond.

Meet Lucie and Thornton Blackburn, courageous freedom seekers who narrowly escaped slavery in the United States and found refuge in Canada. In 1833, they arrived in Toronto, where their escape prompted the establishment of the first refugee reception policy in Upper Canada."

The Blackburns went on to establish Toronto's first cab company. Their bright yellow and red, horse-drawn cabs left a lasting influence, that can still be seen in the Toronto Transit Commission's logo.

The Blackburns were not only abolitionists, they were part of the Underground Railroad, providing shelter for many other freedom seekers from the United States. Their brave actions and dedication to the abolitionist movement have left a lasting legacy of freedom and resilience. 

Barrier Breaker Lori Seale-Irving is Canada's first Black Female RCMP Commissioned Officer. She was born and raised in Ottawa, where her father was a Royal Canadian Air Force Officer (retired Major). Fueled by her desire to support and serve the people in her community, she joined the RCMP in 1990.

Her wide ranging experience with the force has included general duty policing, marine security, war crimes and protection and management support for the  Prime Minister's security.

In 2007 she was promoted to the rank of Inspector, a first in the 87 year history of the RCMP.

Mary and Henry Bibb met and married in the United States in the 1800s and escaped slavery in Canada together, where they found freedom and supported the international abolition of slavery movement. They became prominent members of the Black community in Windsor, Ontario, where they ran a general store.

Their contribution to the abolition movement was extraordinary. They founded the Voice of the Fugitive, the first Black-owned newspaper in Canada. Passionate about education, they established their own schools, because discrimination against Black students was so prevalent in the public school system.

Henry Bibb also wrote and published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, an American Slave, in 1849. Their unwavering commitment to the abolition movement and their community leaves a powerful legacy of freedom and resilience. We also remember their invaluable contributions to the fight for equality and justice.