



Slide 1

BLACKNORTH
IGNITES SERIES
one YEAR ANNIVERSARY
IGNITES SERIES
one YEAR ANNIVERSARY
One year ago, the Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Racism launched the BlackNorth Initiative. We believe in change. We believe in equality. We believe there is Strength(In) Diversity.
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BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Community
Our Community
The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary Celebration. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Community Series with our distinguished guests and speakers.
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BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Allies
Our Allies
The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary Celebration. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Allies Series with our community partners and allies from the Jewish & Indigenous Community.
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BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Summit
Our Summit
The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary Celebration. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Summit series with our pledge signatories and partners across Canada.
The BlackNorth Initiative
ONE YEAR LATER...
We believe in the capacity of Black communities.
We believe we can change the world.
This is the biggest revolution of our generation.
Our Events
BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Community
Join us as we celebrate The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary with our community. This event will highlight the work of the BlackNorth Initiative but amplify the incredible achievements of our community partners. Together, we can change the world. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Community Series with our distinguished guests and speakers.
BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Allies
Join us as we celebrate The BlackNorth Initiative’s One Year Anniversary with our Allies. Now more than ever, we need to amplify the strength and solidarity of marginalized communities in the fight against systemic racism, where allyship is critical to our joint success. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Our Allies series with our partners & allies from the Jewish, Indigenous, Muslim and Asian communities.
BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Summit
Join us as we celebrate The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary with our Pledge Signatories. BlackNorth has engaged close to 500 signatories from across Canada since inception to present. This event will celebrate the milestones achieved and progress thus far while focusing on the future of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
BLACKNORTH IGNITES SERIES:
OUR SUMMIT EVENT SPEAKERS
OUR SUMMIT EVENT SPEAKERS

Tapfuma Musewe
Beneficiary

Katherine Hay
President & CEO Kids Help Phone (NPO)

Wes Hall
BlackNorth Initiative Chairman and Founder

Ene Underwood
CEO Habitat for Humanity GTA NGO

Rola Dagher
Global Channel Chief Dell Technologies, BNI Board Member

James Wilson
Beneficiary

Dr. Upton Allen
Division Head, Infectious Diseases SickKids

Jennifer Bernard
President and CEO Women’s College Hospital Foundation (Health)

Nando Iannicca
Regional Chair/CEO Region of Peel (Municipal)

Sheila Wisniewski
CEO H&K (PR Company)

Patricia DeGuire
Chief Commisioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission

Suzanne M Charles Watson
Beneficiary

Lisa Kalhans
SVP & Country Manager American Express

Joan Pierre
Black Community elder

Karen Kastner
Partnerships and Government Relations Business Development Bank of Canada (Finance)

Ted Gerrard
CEO SickKids Foundation (Charity)

Julie Adams
Senior Vice President, Rogers Media

Jay Smooth
Saxophonist

Walied Soliman
Chair Norton Rose Fulbright, BNI Board Member

Jully Black
Host

Deborah Chima
Beneficiary

Elder Whabagoon
Indigenous Elder

Lori-Ann Green-Walker
Beneficiary

Jamar McNeil
Host

Jad Shimaly
Chairman & CEO Ernst & Young, BNI Board Member

Victor Dodig
CIBC CEO, BNI Board Member

Jeff Greenspoon
President, Dentsu

Elizabeth Dipchand
Beneficiary

Jay Rosenzweig
Chair of the Board Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights

Melanie Smith
Violinist

Rob Ireland
Senior VP H&K (Public Relations)

Praveck Geeanpersadh
Managing Partner | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Leslie Woo
CEO CivicAction (Non Profit)

Meghan Roach
President & CEO Roots Corporation

Michael Medline
President & CEO Sobeys INC

Martha Eggenberger
Partner, Bain & Co (Management Consulting)

Chris Smalling
Beneficiary

Cal Rolle
Manager and Global DEI Sunwing Travel Group

Dr. Julian Hasford
Beneficiary

David Bianchi
Actor

Janet Aizenstros
Founder and Chairwoman Ahava Group Global (Media)

Dahabo Ahmed-Omer
BlackNorth Initiative Executive Director

Rumina Velshi
President Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Shailyn Pierre-Dixon
Canadian actress

Deon Blyan
Director, Global Talent Development Sunwing Travel Group