What a privilege to join the @blacknorthca Summit and celebrate five years of courage, accountability, and change. Congratulations to Wes Hall, @kingofbaystreet, whose bold vision sparked this movement, and to @DahaboAhmedOmer for leading it with such grace and determination. Deep gratitude to the entire BNI board and team for being unwavering champions for this work — you are changing the face and the future of leadership in Canada. This year marks a milestone for both of our organizations — as the BlackNorth Initiative turns 5 and @Children1stca celebrates 10 years of advancing the rights and well-being of children. It was an honour to recognize Wes as one of 10 outstanding Canadians with our Champions for Children Award, celebrating his leadership in creating a more equitable and inclusive Canada for the next generation. When Wes first raised his hand to launch the BNI, I reached out to see how Children First Canada could come alongside his team to bring this conversation beyond the boardrooms and into the classrooms — into the hearts and minds of our children. That spark led to meaningful conversations with members of the Young Canadians’ Parliament and with kids in their communities across the country, helping Black youth find the courage and confidence to raise their voices, and helping other young people become meaningful allies in the fight against systemic anti-Black racism. As we mark this five-year milestone for BNI, we’re reminded that progress isn’t just about pledges, it’s about changing hearts and minds, and having the data to show real results. It’s about what happens when we work together to build a Canada where every child can grow up feeling seen, safe, and supported. The work continues, and so does our commitment. Together, we’re ready to “get after it” and drive a new era of change for Canada’s 8 million children ❤️ #BlackNorthInitiative #Leadership #Equity #Inclusion #ChildrenFirst #YoungCanadiansParliament #CourageOverComfort #GetAfterIt #RaisingCanada #SeenAndHeard #CFC10 #ChampionsForChildren