It’s the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada, and DIVERSEcity was honoured to be part of the ongoing story of celebrating the Black community in BC with its fourth annual Black Brilliance in BC event and awards on February 6, 2026.
“Black History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the stories and achievements of Black Canadians,” said master of ceremonies Elliott Slinn, a former poet laureate and DIVERSEcity staff member. “To reflect on where we’ve been, to celebrate what we’ve achieved and turn our gaze forward to where we’re headed.”
The event kicked off with a DIVERSEtalks panel, featuring moderator, Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, author, founder of SLD Consulting and Vice-president of people, equity, and inclusion at SFU; Vancouver Whitecaps icon, and former player and coach Carl Valentine; MLA George Anderson, for Nanaimo-Lantzville and Parliamentary Secretary of Transit; Kenneth Headley, Delta School District Principal and DIVERSEcity’s Director of Settlement & Community Development Meheret Bisrat.
They spoke on questions of ancestry, representation and barriers for Black British Columbians. To conclude the talk, Yabome asked the panelists to sum up what their hope was for a better future for Black Canadians.
Mr. Anderson said: “My hope for the future is that there are no barriers and that everyone feels included in each space possible.”
Carl Valentine added despite things feeling overwhelming, “what can we do is focus on things that we can control in our community and make it better.”
Meheret concluded with: “My hope for a better future is to see the dreams denied for my parents, and the dreams deferred for myself become the dreams realized for my son.”
DIVERSEcity’s Black Brilliance Awards
Next the annual Black Brilliance Awards were presented in three categories, Rising Star, Trailblazer and Luminary:
- Rising Star Award: Ashley Kairu, a chemical engineer and clean energy professional whose leadership extends far beyond her technical work. And, as co-founder of the BIPOC Women’s Society, she works to help cultivate safe, and affirming spaces for women of colour.
- Trailblazer Award: Tobias Brown is the founder and CEO of Tommie’s Jerk and Vernel Foods and the CEO of the BC Food Safe Institute. Tobias blends entrepreneurship, cultural storytelling and community impact to create meaningful and lasting change.
- Luminary Award: Geoff Ayi-Bonte is the founder and operator of New History Consulting Inc., a counselling and consulting practice. A nationally recognized leadership coach, mental health professional and instructor, Geoff is also one of the national leads for Health Canada’s Psycho-Social Emergency Response team.
In his speech, Geoff talked about the importance of Black Canadians thinking of themselves as future ancestors. “What does that mean? It means we live our lives with purpose. We honour the sacrifices and wisdom of our ancestors. Most importantly, we endeavour to love and empower all those around us, so that those who come after us inherit a better world.”
The event then moved into celebration mode with cuisine by Di Reggae Café, music by Afro-reggae band Mivule and Sunshine Rhythms Steel Band, and dance by Soca Xperience Collective and Elegancia Cubana.
More insights from the event’s speakers will be shared throughout Black History Month. Stay tuned!
Want to get involved in our event next year? Learn more at dcrs.ca/blackbrilliance.
Photo above: Geoff Ayi-Bonte, DIVERSEcity CEO Neelam Sahota, Ashley Kairu and Tobias Brown