



Slide 1

BLACKNORTH
IGNITES SERIES
one YEAR ANNIVERSARY
IGNITES SERIES
one YEAR ANNIVERSARY
One year ago, the Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Racism launched the BlackNorth Initiative. We believe in change. We believe in equality. We believe there is Strength(In) Diversity.
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BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Community
Our Community
The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary Celebration. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Community Series with our distinguished guests and speakers.
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BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Allies
Our Allies
The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary Celebration. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Allies Series with our community partners and allies from the Jewish & Indigenous Community.
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BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Summit
Our Summit
The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary Celebration. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Summit series with our pledge signatories and partners across Canada.
The BlackNorth Initiative
ONE YEAR LATER...
We believe in the capacity of Black communities.
We believe we can change the world.
This is the biggest revolution of our generation.
Our Events
BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Community
Join us as we celebrate The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary with our community. This event will highlight the work of the BlackNorth Initiative but amplify the incredible achievements of our community partners. Together, we can change the world. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Community Series with our distinguished guests and speakers.
BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Allies
Join us as we celebrate The BlackNorth Initiative’s One Year Anniversary with our Allies. Now more than ever, we need to amplify the strength and solidarity of marginalized communities in the fight against systemic racism, where allyship is critical to our joint success. Join us for the BlackNorth Ignites Our Allies series with our partners & allies from the Jewish, Indigenous, Muslim and Asian communities.
BlackNorth Ignites:
Our Summit
Join us as we celebrate The BlackNorth Initiative One Year Anniversary with our Pledge Signatories. BlackNorth has engaged close to 500 signatories from across Canada since inception to present. This event will celebrate the milestones achieved and progress thus far while focusing on the future of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
BLACKNORTH IGNITES SERIES:
OUR SUMMIT EVENT SPEAKERS
OUR SUMMIT EVENT SPEAKERS

Dr. Upton Allen
Division Head, Infectious Diseases SickKids

Lori-Ann Green-Walker
Beneficiary

Elder Whabagoon
Indigenous Elder

Sheila Wisniewski
CEO H&K (PR Company)

Rob Ireland
Senior VP H&K (Public Relations)

Jad Shimaly
Chairman & CEO Ernst & Young, BNI Board Member

Joan Pierre
Black Community elder

Dr. Julian Hasford
Beneficiary

Lisa Kalhans
SVP & Country Manager American Express

Jully Black
Host

Michael Medline
President & CEO Sobeys INC

Cal Rolle
Manager and Global DEI Sunwing Travel Group

Katherine Hay
President & CEO Kids Help Phone (NPO)

Ted Gerrard
CEO SickKids Foundation (Charity)

Jamar McNeil
Host

Tapfuma Musewe
Beneficiary

Walied Soliman
Chair Norton Rose Fulbright, BNI Board Member

Julie Adams
Senior Vice President, Rogers Media

Deon Blyan
Director, Global Talent Development Sunwing Travel Group

Chris Smalling
Beneficiary

Deborah Chima
Beneficiary

Suzanne M Charles Watson
Beneficiary

Jeff Greenspoon
President, Dentsu

Shailyn Pierre-Dixon
Canadian actress

Janet Aizenstros
Founder and Chairwoman Ahava Group Global (Media)

Leslie Woo
CEO CivicAction (Non Profit)

Nando Iannicca
Regional Chair/CEO Region of Peel (Municipal)

Praveck Geeanpersadh
Managing Partner | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

James Wilson
Beneficiary

Elizabeth Dipchand
Beneficiary

Jennifer Bernard
President and CEO Women’s College Hospital Foundation (Health)

David Bianchi
Actor

Rumina Velshi
President Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Melanie Smith
Violinist

Wes Hall
BlackNorth Initiative Chairman and Founder

Victor Dodig
CIBC CEO, BNI Board Member

Karen Kastner
Partnerships and Government Relations Business Development Bank of Canada (Finance)

Dahabo Ahmed-Omer
BlackNorth Initiative Executive Director

Ene Underwood
CEO Habitat for Humanity GTA NGO

Martha Eggenberger
Partner, Bain & Co (Management Consulting)

Meghan Roach
President & CEO Roots Corporation

Patricia DeGuire
Chief Commisioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission

Jay Rosenzweig
Chair of the Board Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights

Rola Dagher
Global Channel Chief Dell Technologies, BNI Board Member

Jay Smooth
Saxophonist