Awards Recognition
Celebrating Excellence, Leadership, and Community Impact
🏆 JOHN DENNISON AWARD
Rosemary Sadlier (2025)
To recognize her decades of excellence, leadership and advocacy to elevate Canada’s Black History and the manner in which it is showcased, including in her work with the Ontario Black History Society, the national Mathieu Da Costa Challenge for Canadian Heritage, and the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee.
Rosemary Sadlier OOnt (Order of Ontario) is a social justice advocate, researcher, writer, consultant, and internationally renowned speaker on Black History, anti-racism, and women’s issues. She is the past President, serving for 22 years as the volunteer leader of the Ontario Black History Society – being the driving force of the secured commemoration of February as Black History Month at all levels of government; she helped to secure the observance of August 1st as Emancipation Day municipally in 1995, provincially in 2008, and nationally in 2021. She saw to the creation of the national day for the Hon. Lincoln Alexander. She has given deputations to the UN Rapporteur on Race Relations, the Federal and Provincial Governments and on consultative work with the Royal Ontario Museum, The Ward heritage interpretative group, the Bi-National Study of the Underground Railroad and heritage conferences. Previously, she served on the final selection committee of the national Mathieu Da Costa Challenge for Canadian Heritage and the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee. An educator, she has developed or contributed to African Canadian curriculum, national exhibits and she was an appointed member of the College of Early Childhood Educators. An author, Sadlier has written 7 books on African Canadian history. A consultant, she effects diversity and inclusion projects, and she recently was appointed Equality Lead for the Americas and the Caribbean with the Royal Commonwealth Society. Sadlier is dedicated to social justice and using the frame of Black History, seeks to educate and empower others. In 2024, for her advocacy and leadership in advancing Black history and heritage, and in promoting anti-racism, Sadlier will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of Toronto.
Elise Harding-Davis (2024 recipient)
In recognition of her advocacy, leadership and excellence in showcasing Canada’s Black History through educational initiatives including activities linked to the Amherstburg Freedom Museum and the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church National Historic Site, and other heritage sites.
Elise Harding-Davis is an African Canadian Heritage Consultant and accomplished historian, advocate, author, speaker, and educator.
A seventh generation African-Canadian from Windsor, Ontario, Elise Harding-Davis has spent her entire career seeking to elevate positive Black history — “the Black thread in the Canadian tapestry. She’s made it her mission to uplift Black stories and heritage, changing the way we all think about Canadian history. For over forty-five years, as both a volunteer and professional, she has been involved in efforts to preserve, promote, and educate the public about African-Canadian heritage in Ontario.
Her family has been in Canada since 1798 and her great great-grandfather was a slave in Missouri where he was born in 1823. In 1961, her father – Morris Harding was a Master Electrical contractor who passed away in 1989 – did installations at Parliament Building in Ottawa. He also trained his daughter, Shelley-Lynne Harding-Smith, who was Canada’s first Black female master electrician.
Ms. Harding-Davis served as the Curator/Administrator of the Freedom Museum, previously known as the North American Black History Museum, from 1976 to 2008. Through her leadership of the Freedom Museum, Harding-Davis was the first Black female curator of an accredited museum in Canada. She taught the first Black Studies course at St. Clair College in 1993 and served as Executive Administrator at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor for six years.
The author of ‘The Black Presence in the War of 1812’ that uncovers incredible stories of Black military volunteers in North America.
Ms. Harding-Davis has written four letters to Canadian Prime Ministers seeking an apology for slavery in Canada, the last in June 2020 to Justin Trudeau being the only one that the office has acknowledged receiving. Her petition requesting a national apology for over 200 years of chattel enslavement of Black people in Canada has garnered over 2,000 signatures. https://www.change.org/p/apologize-for-slavery-in-canada She was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2022.
🛠 COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD RECIPIENTS
John Harewood
For his leadership and community engagement, specifically his volunteer work with the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund and the Barbados Ottawa Association, as well as his contributions to community media including Contrast newspaper, CKCU 93.1FM, and Skyline Cable Vision.
Sophia Jacob
For her visionary leadership, advocacy, and commitment to advancing equity, specifically through her involvement in initiatives and programs offered by Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network, the Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition and other Black-led, grassroots organizations.
Phyllis Bourne
For her visionary leadership, philanthropy and commitment to empowering the community while bridging cultural divides, specifically through her work with organizations like Harambee Centres Ottawa, the Barbados Ottawa Association, and CAREPARENTS, as well as her contributions to community upliftment through her social enterprise Jesiwa B Fashions and Giftware.
Omofuma Family and Friends Association
For their leadership and community engagement in supporting immigrant children, youth and families by providing culturally appropriate programs that strengthen intergenerational connections, foster personal growth and promote social cohesion.
J'Nikira Dinqinesh – Every Child is Sacred Award
Lionel Ifill
Presented with gratitude to honour and celebrate his Legacy Service to the most vulnerable of our sacred generations through his volunteer work with various organizations including the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund, the Barbados Ottawa Association, Impact Heritage and the Open Door.
Orson Bourne
Presented with gratitude to honour and celebrate his Legacy Service to the most vulnerable of our sacred generations through his volunteer work as a tutor with organizations such as the Barbados Ottawa Association and the Friends of Harambee Carrie Best Library, and as a youth sports coach and a resource for parents navigating the school system.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
Olantu Nini
For her leadership and dedication to amplifying youth voices and fostering meaningful change through her efforts as an Ottawa Police Youth Advisory Council representative, a Black Student Union Representative at Immaculata High School, a Youth Ambassador for the Somali Family Centre, a UN Delegate, as well as the youth-led podcast she helped create.
Patrick Ene
For leadership and deep commitment to fostering community development, inclusion, and student engagement through his work with Carleton University Students’ Association, including initiatives for the Black Students’ Alliance (BSA), the CUSA Wellness Centre, the International Student Services Office, and the CUSA Racialized and International Students’ Experience (RISE) Centre.
Aaliyah O’Brien
For her leadership and dedication to inspiring and uplifting fellow youth through her speaking engagements at youth leadership events, volunteer work with initiatives like JP7’s Food and Clothing Drive, and her advocacy as the Black Girl Cheer Ambassador.
PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Councillor Stéphanie Plante
To recognize her allyship, commitment to equity and inclusion, as well as herr contribution to preserving the history & legacies of persons of African descent in Ottawa, especially her role in initiating and pushing through the renaming of the Besserer Park as the Herbert and Estelle Brown Park.