Black in BC

Black in BC: Celebrating Black Excellence

A DIVERSEcity signature event in the City of Surrey to learn, connect and celebrate

Join us for Black in BC 2025!
Friday, February 7, 2025, 3–7 pm
Surrey Arts Centre, 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey, BC
(Free parking)

To honour Black History Month and celebrate Black excellence, we launched the inaugural Black in BC event in February 2023.

For 2025, we’re kicking off Black History Month with our third annual event on Friday, February 7, 2025, in Surrey, BC. This free event will feature inspirational speakers, food, music and dance, bringing more than 200 guests from Surrey and Metro Vancouver to celebrate Black talent, cultures and achievements in Canada, while creating space for connection and learning.

For 2025, we are pleased to welcome back master of ceremonies Michael Newman, of Global BC fame, to guide our event featuring:

Inspiring speakers
Music and dance entertainment by Ndidi Cascade
Limbo for All with King Fish
Traditional cuisine
Black Brilliance Awards (Nominations are open! See form below)
And more …

2025 Sponsors

Want to be a part of our event as a sponsor?

We are still welcoming sponsors for this event. Learn more in our downloadable sponsorship package here.

Want to be a part of our event as an exhibitor?

Are you a grassroots organization or small business and want to exhibit at Black in BC? Fill out the expression of interest form here and we will get back to you with availability and any related fees in the new year. (Please note, the Surrey Arts Centre asks for 15% of any vendor sales.)

Black in BC: Exhibitor Application Form

Black Brilliance Awards

We are excited to hand out our Black Brilliance Awards, as part of our third annual Black in BC event, on February 7, 2025.

With a theme of “Celebrating Black Excellence,” we want to take time out to recognize some of the bright stars who are making a difference in the community and advancing leadership, equity, culture and justice, in their fields or areas of expertise.

There are three award categories:

Rising Star Award (up to age 29)

Recognizing a young leader, innovator or changemaker in the Black community whose potential is sky high.

Trailblazer Award (age 30+)

Recognizing a Black leader in business, community or the arts who is setting a bright path forward.

Luminary Award (15+ years of impact)

Recognizing a legend in the Black community who has spent 15+ years making an important impact in their field.

Nominations are open now and will close on January 15, 2025.

Black Brilliance Awards Nomination Form

Application Form

Contact Information
Award You're Applying For*
Please select one. See above for more information on each one.
Name of Nominee*
Date of Birth
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Immigration Status of Nominee
Nominee Email Address*
Nominee Phone Number*
Name of Nominator (if different than Nominee)
Nominator Email Address (if applicable)*
Nominator Phone Number (if applicable)
Application Questions
1. What is your (or your nominee's current position and organization? If a student or volunteer, please list those details.*
2. Tell us why you (or your nominee) should be recognized by this award.*
3. Please describe any connection you may have to DIVERSEcity.*
Please submit other information, a resume or other documents to support your application (optional).
Max. file size: 20 MB.
Consent Form
Please confirm the following prior to submitting.*
- I confirm that the nominee will aim to attend the presentation ceremony to be held on February 1, 2024, in Surrey, BC.
- The nominee, upon winning the award, hereby grants permission to DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society to use their photograph and/or story/profile to be used for any future promotional materials.
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Getting to the Black in BC event by transit

From Surrey Central or King George Skytrain station, take the R1 Newton Exchange or 321 bus to the King George/88 Avenue stop and walk 5 minutes to Surrey Arts Centre.