2026 Black History Ottawa President's Community Builder Award Recipients
Dr. Julian Whittam
Coordinator of Interpretation, Upper Canada Village
2026 Recepient of the Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
Having first come to Upper Canada Village as a student interpreter, Dr. Julian Whittam is now the Coordinator of Interpretation at Upper Canada Village, where he plays a central role in shaping how the site’s 19th‑century history is researched, curated, and presented to the public. In this leadership position, he guides interpretive strategy, exhibit development, and public‑facing historical storytelling for one of Canada’s most significant living history museums
Learn More About Julian's Work
A key focus of Julian’s work has been advancing inclusive and community-informed historical interpretation. He was instrumental in the creation of Upper Canada Village’s new permanent Black History Exhibit; a project developed through years of research and ongoing consultation with Black community advisors. His efforts helped address long‑standing visitor feedback on the underrepresentation of Black history at the Village and ensured that new stories were interpreted with authenticity, sensitivity, and pride.
Julian’s leadership was highlighted during the official launch of the exhibit in May 2024, where he was recognized among key contributors advancing the Village’s evolving vision for historical representation. The exhibit now serves as a foundational platform for future educational initiatives, featuring artifacts, oral histories, archival documents, and personal narratives reflecting Black achievement, resilience, and community life in 19th‑century Upper Canada.
Beyond exhibit development, Julian contributes to educational programming and supports partnerships that enrich the Village’s mandate to make history engaging and accessible. His commitment to accuracy, collaboration, and meaningful public engagement, combined with his patience, humour, and willingness to listen continues to shape Upper Canada Village as a place where diverse histories are told with depth and integrity.
2025 Black History Ottawa President's Community Builder Award Recipients
Ottawa Carleton District School Board
2025 Recepient of the Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
Ottawa Catholic School Board
2025 Recepient of the Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
Faculty of Education University of Ottawa
2025 Recepient of the Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
Historical Society of Ottawa
2025 Recepient of the Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
National Gallery of Canada
2025 Recepient of the Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
Embassy of the USA
2025 Recepient of the Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
Ubuntu Collective
2025 Recepient of the Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
2024 Black History Ottawa President's Community Builder Award Recipients
Councillor Stéphanie Plante
2024 Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
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.
2023 Black History Ottawa President's Community Builder Award Recipients
Ben Weiss
2023 Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
In recognition of his work in support of The UN Decade for Peoples of African Descent, and as a Lead with the Black History in Ottawa Streets initiative and related commemorations linked to the abolition of slavery.
2022 Black History Ottawa President's Community Builder Award Recipients
Liz Wong
2022 Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
For her unwavering support of activities in support of Black History Month, specifically, her role in Canada Post’s Commemorative Black History Month Stamp program.
2021 Black History Ottawa President's Community Builder Award Recipients
Lawrence Greenspon
2021 Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
For his work representing marginalized and vulnerable individuals against governments, institutions, and corporations, as well as his volunteer endeavours and philanthropy in support of various community organizations.
2018 Black History Ottawa President's Community Builder Award Recipients
Rick Desclouds
2018 Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
to publicly recognize his leadership in providing Black History Month programming at Glashan Public School that has enabled young Canadians to learn about the struggles, triumphs and many contributions of persons of African ancestry in Canada.
2017 Black History Ottawa President's Community Builder Award Recipients
Daniel R. Stringer
2017 Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
Black History Ottawa is pleased to present Daniel R. Stringer with the
2017 Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
2016 Black History Ottawa President's Community Builder Award Recipient
Daniel R. Stringer
2016 Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
Black History Ottawa is pleased to present
Hon. Yasir Naqvi, MPP
with the inaugural Black History Ottawa President’s Community Builder Award
for his outstanding longtime support of projects and programs that have benefitted Ottawa’s Black community.