DIVERSEcity’s Black in BC event brings community together while celebrating Black changemakers and leaders
What a night it was to celebrate Black excellence at DIVERSEcity’s third annual Black in BC event, on Friday, February 7, 2025.
In recognition of Black History Month, DIVERSEcity was proud to bring the community together for an inspiring evening celebrating Black excellence, culture and creativity. The night was filled with inspiration, stories and entertainment that showcased the richness of Black culture in BC, but also underscored the importance of representation — whether in art, leadership or community spaces.
Poet Elliott Slinn captured this sentiment in his keynote spoken word performance, Representation in Art, sharing that “Representation to me is pivotal in nurturing authentic expression, and it serves as a catalyst for social change.”
Neelam Sahota, Chief Executive Officer, DIVERSEcity, says, “We’re proud to build on our legacy of bringing community together in style and the evening was made noteworthy with brilliant performances by Vancouver-born-and-based hip-hop artist Ndidi Cascade and poet laureate Elliott Slinn who delivered the keynote. The evening was capped off with a limbo of course, courtesy of the mad skills of King Fish. Thank you to the community for your support and enthusiasm. This is for you.”
Black Brilliance Awards 2025
The Black in BC event was further elevated with the presentation of the second annual Black Brilliance Awards.
Three of last year’s inaugural winners — Dacious Richardson, Adebola Ige and Amos Kambere — returned to present to this year’s honourees.
Rising Star Award: Ilhan Abdullah
The Rising Star Award was presented to Ilhan Abdullahi, a Somali-Canadian storyteller, public health instructor at SFU and filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. She is pursuing a PhD with a research focus on Black refugees, exploring how community organizing and social innovation can transform public health systems.
“I like to bring people together and that is at the heart of the work that I do,” said Ilhan upon accepting her award. “I’m currently making a movie centering Black stories rooted in my [previous] work as a refugee youth worker in Surrey. I learn so much from the youth in Surrey and my heart is with them.”
Trailblazer Awards: James Kamau and Winnie Chironga
Of two Trailblazer Awards, the first went to James Kamau, founder of Beyond Hoops Africa, a sports development organization with operations in both Canada and Kenya. Additionally, he serves as the Director of INUA Collective Society, an organization based in the BC Lower Mainland dedicated to building bridges, fostering resilient communities, and combating hate crime and racism.
“I am deeply grateful to be recognized with the Trailblazer Award at the Black Brilliance Awards. This award is a celebration of leadership, impact and the work we continue to do in our communities,” says James. “A sincere thank you to DIVERSEcity for organizing this incredible event and for their continued commitment to supporting and uplifting Black excellence. Your work in the community is truly inspiring and necessary. Let’s continue breaking barriers and making a lasting change.”
The second Trailbazer was Winnie Chironga. Winnie is the Associate Director of Indigenous Relations and Community Development at AMSSA. Winnie works closely every day with Indigenous elders to learn from them, witness their teachings and bring those back to other newcomers through her work at AMSSA and her volunteer work with Sisters in Canada.
“To be nominated alone was an honour, but to be recognized as a trailblazer, well, that is beyond anything I could have imagined,” shared Winnie upon receiving the award. “I had a career change in the middle of a global pandemic. Amid all the uncertainty I met a leader [Katie Crocker, CEO, AMSSA] who saw something in me. My passion to uplift others and make space was met with enthusiasm and support. For the first time in a corporate setting, I could show up as myself — and I was enough. Whilst that may not seem like much, to a woman of colour, to a Black woman, that is a rare gift … I will leave you with an African proverb that I have leaned on for hope that says, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’”
Luminary Award: Mabel Taunu
Finally, the Luminary Award, given to someone with 15+ years of impact in the community, was awarded to Mabel Taunu. Mabel is a Pre-Employment Case Manager and workshop facilitator for the YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Employment Navigator Program for Single Mothers. She is also an active member of the Junior Black Achievement Awards Society and member of the YWCA’s Racial Equity Committee. Previously, she served as a board member with the National Congress of Black Women Foundation.
“I have been working in employment services for over 20 years – meeting with so many different clients and participants including youth, adults, newcomers and now single moms with the YWCA Employment Navigator program. I know that when I meet with clients, they may be at their most vulnerable, feeling lost, feeling despair and sometimes anger. My goal is to always show up with empathy, compassion, understanding and respect — to make sure that they feel heard — that I am holding space for them. Providing resources and information is my job for sure, but uplifting someone, letting someone know that ‘I see you, I hear you’ is just as important,” shared Mabel.
“I really do believe in making a difference and consider it an honour for the clients that I work with to allow me to be part of their journey. I also have the privilege to volunteer within the Black community with youth and families over the years, listening to stories, amplifying voices, validating experiences, sharing some of what I have learned, playing a small role in seed sowing fuel and power for the next generation.”