Black History Month

About Black History Month

Each year in February, Black History Month is recognized in Canada. This is a time to honour and celebrate the contributions that Black Canadians have made to our country, educate ourselves on Black history and continue to combat anti-Black racism in Canada.



Celebrate Black History - Together We Rise Durham: Resistance, Resilience, Possibility

On February 5, more than 250 people from across Durham Region came together to celebrate at the Regional Municipality of Durham’s annual Black History Month event.

Held at the Audley Recreation Centre in Ajax, this year’s theme was “Together We Rise Durham: Resistance, Resilience, Possibility”. Dr. Andrew B. Campbell (Dr. ABC) delivered the keynote address while the Durham District School Board Lift Your Voice Choir, Afiwi Groove School, Ngoma Drumming and Impulse Steel Orchestra shared their talents and entertained the attendees.

Together We Rise Durham was hosted by The Regional Municipality of Durham, in partnership with Durham Regional Police Service, Canadian Jamaican Club of Oshawa, City of Pickering, DurhamOne, Lakeridge Health, Municipality of Clarington, Ontario Shores, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce, Town of Ajax, City of Oshawa, Town of Whitby, Township of Brock and Township of Uxbridge.

This event is also partly funded by TC Energy.

2025 Black History Month Champions Awards

During the Region’s Black History Month Event, awards were also given to champions from the Black community in the following categories:

  • Young Adult Leader: Brianna Nelson

Brianna is a registered social worker with a passion for perinatal and youth mental health, a leader in community development and engagement, and above all, a proud Black woman.

Recognized by CIBWE as one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2022 and nominated in 2023 for the Afropolitan Canada Women of Diversity Youth Leadership Award, her work focuses on building connections and capacity to support systemic change.

For seven years, Brianna has worked in non-profit, government, and healthcare spaces, continuously expanding her knowledge and skill set to better support clients and communities. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Womxn of Colour Durham Collective and serves as a member of the Durham Region Anti-Racism Task Force.

  • Community Healing: Mikaela Malcolm

Since joining the Town of Ajax in 2023, Mikaela has been a passionate advocate for community healing in Durham.

She's made meaningful contributions to initiatives related to Intimate Partner Violence, food insecurity, homelessness, public safety, newcomer supports, mental health and more.

Her compassion and genuine care for community development is evident through her work, stretching across the Region as she enhances collaboration and capacity of residents, organizations, businesses, service providers and the community as a whole.

With several years of local and international experience, Mikaela brings a unique trauma-informed, culturally relevant lens to supporting the community, with a focus on marginalized groups.

Being the first ever person in the role of Community Supports Coordinator for Ajax, she continues to forge a remarkable path, setting precedents for the Town and Durham.

  • Health and Mental Health Leadership: Umwali Sauter

Umwali is a health leader and strategist with over 25 years of experience driving change at the intersection of health equity, system transformation, and community relationships. Her passion is breaking down barriers and building inclusive, health-promoting systems that truly serve diverse communities.

As Director of Organizational Development & IDEAA at Lakeridge Health, her work is personal. It’s not just about policies or strategies, it’s about culture, trust, and belonging. She also leads efforts to enhance workplace well-being, engage volunteers, and provide spiritual care, always with a strong focus on patient safety.

Umwali believes real, lasting change happens when mind, heart, and action align. Her focus is on creating bold, practical solutions that improve health outcomes and ensure that everyone—no matter their background—has access to the care and opportunities they need to thrive.

  • Newcomer Empowerment: Hermia Corbette

Throughout her extensive work within the public and non-profit sectors, Hermia is a dedicated leader who advocates for equity, inclusion, and community development.

As Executive Director of Community Development Council Durham, she applies an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and intersectional approach to create safer, more inclusive spaces for individuals and families.

She oversees newcomer services, refugee resettlement, housing retention, homelessness prevention, community development and research, and Durham’s Social Planning Council.

Hermia plays a key role in shaping immigration policies as the Immigration Representative on the Durham Local Immigration Partnership Council and serves as Central East Regional Director and Corporate Secretary for Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants’ (OCASI) Board, strengthening support systems for immigrants and refugees across Ontario.

Previously, as Welcome Centre Immigrant Services Ajax Manager, she onboarded 35+ partner agencies to enhance newcomer support and co-founded the Durham Region Accessibility Awareness Working Group. She was Durham’s first OCASI Allies in Accessibility Champion.Hermia is also an Executive Member of the Social Planning Network of Ontario.

With a Social Work background specializing in Diversity and Equity and expertise in Dispute Resolution, Hermia has over 18 years of leadership experience advocating for social inclusion and systemic change.

She also supports the Black Canadian Communities/Businesses Initiative as a Grant Review Panelist, reinforcing her commitment to equity and empowerment.

  • Education Excellence: Durham Education and Mentorship Program

The Durham Education and Mentorship Program (DEMP) is an organization focused on equipping students with 21st-century skills through programs that foster healthy minds.

By addressing English language, mathematics, and physical education needs, DEMP works to reduce school dropout rates. This low-cost tutoring program, run entirely by volunteers, includes current and retired Black educators who are dedicated to helping elementary and high school students succeed.

  • Community Organization: Durham Family & Cultural Centre

The Durham Family & Cultural Centre (DFCC) serves as a space for the Black community and other racialized groups to engage in programs that empower and enrich lives.

DFCC offers culturally focused initiatives in areas such as counselling, parenting, education, mentorship, and child and youth development. Governed by a volunteer board reflective of the Black-Canadian population, DFCC is committed to meeting the diverse needs of the community.

About Black History Month

Each year in February, Black History Month is recognized in Canada. This is a time to honour and celebrate the contributions that Black Canadians have made to our country, educate ourselves on Black history and continue to combat anti-Black racism in Canada.



Celebrate Black History - Together We Rise Durham: Resistance, Resilience, Possibility

On February 5, more than 250 people from across Durham Region came together to celebrate at the Regional Municipality of Durham’s annual Black History Month event.

Held at the Audley Recreation Centre in Ajax, this year’s theme was “Together We Rise Durham: Resistance, Resilience, Possibility”. Dr. Andrew B. Campbell (Dr. ABC) delivered the keynote address while the Durham District School Board Lift Your Voice Choir, Afiwi Groove School, Ngoma Drumming and Impulse Steel Orchestra shared their talents and entertained the attendees.

Together We Rise Durham was hosted by The Regional Municipality of Durham, in partnership with Durham Regional Police Service, Canadian Jamaican Club of Oshawa, City of Pickering, DurhamOne, Lakeridge Health, Municipality of Clarington, Ontario Shores, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce, Town of Ajax, City of Oshawa, Town of Whitby, Township of Brock and Township of Uxbridge.

This event is also partly funded by TC Energy.

2025 Black History Month Champions Awards

During the Region’s Black History Month Event, awards were also given to champions from the Black community in the following categories:

  • Young Adult Leader: Brianna Nelson

Brianna is a registered social worker with a passion for perinatal and youth mental health, a leader in community development and engagement, and above all, a proud Black woman.

Recognized by CIBWE as one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2022 and nominated in 2023 for the Afropolitan Canada Women of Diversity Youth Leadership Award, her work focuses on building connections and capacity to support systemic change.

For seven years, Brianna has worked in non-profit, government, and healthcare spaces, continuously expanding her knowledge and skill set to better support clients and communities. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Womxn of Colour Durham Collective and serves as a member of the Durham Region Anti-Racism Task Force.

  • Community Healing: Mikaela Malcolm

Since joining the Town of Ajax in 2023, Mikaela has been a passionate advocate for community healing in Durham.

She's made meaningful contributions to initiatives related to Intimate Partner Violence, food insecurity, homelessness, public safety, newcomer supports, mental health and more.

Her compassion and genuine care for community development is evident through her work, stretching across the Region as she enhances collaboration and capacity of residents, organizations, businesses, service providers and the community as a whole.

With several years of local and international experience, Mikaela brings a unique trauma-informed, culturally relevant lens to supporting the community, with a focus on marginalized groups.

Being the first ever person in the role of Community Supports Coordinator for Ajax, she continues to forge a remarkable path, setting precedents for the Town and Durham.

  • Health and Mental Health Leadership: Umwali Sauter

Umwali is a health leader and strategist with over 25 years of experience driving change at the intersection of health equity, system transformation, and community relationships. Her passion is breaking down barriers and building inclusive, health-promoting systems that truly serve diverse communities.

As Director of Organizational Development & IDEAA at Lakeridge Health, her work is personal. It’s not just about policies or strategies, it’s about culture, trust, and belonging. She also leads efforts to enhance workplace well-being, engage volunteers, and provide spiritual care, always with a strong focus on patient safety.

Umwali believes real, lasting change happens when mind, heart, and action align. Her focus is on creating bold, practical solutions that improve health outcomes and ensure that everyone—no matter their background—has access to the care and opportunities they need to thrive.

  • Newcomer Empowerment: Hermia Corbette

Throughout her extensive work within the public and non-profit sectors, Hermia is a dedicated leader who advocates for equity, inclusion, and community development.

As Executive Director of Community Development Council Durham, she applies an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and intersectional approach to create safer, more inclusive spaces for individuals and families.

She oversees newcomer services, refugee resettlement, housing retention, homelessness prevention, community development and research, and Durham’s Social Planning Council.

Hermia plays a key role in shaping immigration policies as the Immigration Representative on the Durham Local Immigration Partnership Council and serves as Central East Regional Director and Corporate Secretary for Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants’ (OCASI) Board, strengthening support systems for immigrants and refugees across Ontario.

Previously, as Welcome Centre Immigrant Services Ajax Manager, she onboarded 35+ partner agencies to enhance newcomer support and co-founded the Durham Region Accessibility Awareness Working Group. She was Durham’s first OCASI Allies in Accessibility Champion.Hermia is also an Executive Member of the Social Planning Network of Ontario.

With a Social Work background specializing in Diversity and Equity and expertise in Dispute Resolution, Hermia has over 18 years of leadership experience advocating for social inclusion and systemic change.

She also supports the Black Canadian Communities/Businesses Initiative as a Grant Review Panelist, reinforcing her commitment to equity and empowerment.

  • Education Excellence: Durham Education and Mentorship Program

The Durham Education and Mentorship Program (DEMP) is an organization focused on equipping students with 21st-century skills through programs that foster healthy minds.

By addressing English language, mathematics, and physical education needs, DEMP works to reduce school dropout rates. This low-cost tutoring program, run entirely by volunteers, includes current and retired Black educators who are dedicated to helping elementary and high school students succeed.

  • Community Organization: Durham Family & Cultural Centre

The Durham Family & Cultural Centre (DFCC) serves as a space for the Black community and other racialized groups to engage in programs that empower and enrich lives.

DFCC offers culturally focused initiatives in areas such as counselling, parenting, education, mentorship, and child and youth development. Governed by a volunteer board reflective of the Black-Canadian population, DFCC is committed to meeting the diverse needs of the community.

Page last updated: 21 Feb 2025, 02:06 PM