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February is Black History Month in Canada and Home Suite Hope (HSH) joins the celebration of the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities.
The 2025 theme for Black History Month is: 'Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.' This theme acknowledges the diversity of Black Canadians, the importance of Black leadership and the legacy being built for future generations.
BMI: Vision to Victory, Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre
On Saturday, February 1 HSH Director of Operations Catherine Villasenor and Caseworker Temisha Jacques attended Vision to Victory, a celebration of Black excellence, community impact and Black history by Black Mentorship Inc. (BMI). It also celebrated the fifth anniversary of BMI founded by Evangeline Chima.
Held at the Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre, the event was hosted by Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson, a dynamic leader, speaker, and advocate.
Gifted praise and worship leader Anne Ugobor and her dynamic band, the Chords of Praise, provided soul-stirring music.
Awards were also presented to Chichi Okiche (Mentee of the Year); Jasmine Uboma (Youth Champion); Nene Judy Akintan (Community Service Award); Rebecca Davis (Mentor of the Year); Jean Assamoa (Community Builder Award); and, Oakville MP Anita Anand (Allyship Award).
BMI is an organization dedicated to fostering the professional growth and personal expansion of Black professionals.
BMI was born of Evangeline Chima’s personal experiences as a Black professional woman in Canada. Despite holding a Master’s degree in Information Technology Services, diplomas in Computer Network, Project Management, and Business Analysis, as well as numerous professional certifications, she felt unheard in business. She experienced bias, was overlooked for promotions, and realized she was not alone and that she was surrounded by powerful, dynamic, talented Black professionals and entrepreneurs – also facing the same career challenges.
She took action and created BMI to inspire, support, and mentor Black professionals to fulfill their potential, to build community, and to promote change. As part of her work, Evangeline helps organizations to create exceptional atmospheres where everyone thrives.
BMI’s Mentorship efforts connect mentees with mentors using user profiles.
Its Youth Empowerment amplifies Black leadership, ambition, collective knowledge through mentorship programs by pairing participants with mentors that represent them even when they are not in the room.
BMI provides Cultural Training to achieve cultural competence and the ability for participants and employers to appreciate and interpret accurately other cultures. It coaches newcomers with tools and strategies for transitioning into their new country.
Its Partnerships actively seek to engage organizations from across Canada and beyond to work with BMI and promote the leadership movement. By partnering together, it builds a leadership landscape that represents all people and gives equal opportunity for all people to fulfill their potential.
CCAH: Creating Harmony, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
On Monday, February 3, HSH Program Coordinator Jovelle Reid and Student Intern Germilou Tomas attended the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton’s (CCAH) annual Black History Month event, Creating Harmony, at the Oakville Centre for Performing Arts.
The evening showcased a vibrant mix of performances, including the CCAH Steel Band and Parang Ensemble, a moving keynote by Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon, and powerful contributions from singer Natasha Waterman, among others.
It was a wonderful celebration of Black artists, activists, and performers, offering a meaningful opportunity to engage with Black history and excellence within the Oakville community.
The CCAH is a non-profit charitable organization serving the residents of Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills, and Burlington. It is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting cultural development, encouraging civic engagement through volunteering, and offering arts and educational programs.