Recognizing Black Excellence: Honouring Past and Present Leaders in Canada

The Power of Black Excellence in Canada

Black excellence is not just about success—it’s about perseverance in the face of systemic barriers, innovation where opportunities were denied, and resilience where history tried to erase.

For centuries, Black Canadians have built, shaped, and redefined this country, often without recognition. Their contributions are found in our legal systems, our cultural institutions, our scientific advancements, our classrooms, our music, and even our currency—yet too often, their stories are left untold.

What does it mean to truly honour Black excellence?

It means recognizing that Viola Desmond wasn’t just a woman who sat in a theatre—she was a business leader and civil rights activist who fought for a world that tried to keep her out. It means knowing that Lincoln Alexander didn’t just become the first Black Member of Parliament—he carved a path through a political system that was never built for him. It means seeing Sarah Nurse not just as a hockey champion, but as a trailblazer in a sport where Black girls were told they didn’t belong.

Black excellence isn’t just individual success—it is a collective fight for justice, dignity, and opportunity. It’s about opening doors and ensuring they stay open.

This is what we honour—not just during Black History Month, but every single day.

Black Excellence in Canadian History

Viola Desmond (1914-1965) – The Face of Civil Rights in Canada

In 1946, Viola Desmond, a Black entrepreneur and beauty salon owner in Nova Scotia, stopped at a movie theatre in New Glasgow to pass the time when her car broke down. She unknowingly sat in the whites-only section and was told to move. When she refused, she was forcibly dragged out of the theatre, arrested, and fined.

Her defiance became one of the most significant civil rights cases in Canadian history, paving the way for legal challenges against racial segregation in Nova Scotia. Though she never saw justice in her lifetime, in 2010, the Nova Scotia government issued a posthumous apology and pardon, recognizing that her conviction had been unjust.

Today, Viola Desmond is celebrated as a symbol of resistance, and her face proudly appears on Canada’s $10 bill, making her the first Black woman to be featured on Canadian currency.

Lincoln Alexander (1922-2012) – The Trailblazer in Politics

Born in Toronto to West Indian parents, Lincoln Alexander was no stranger to discrimination. As a young man, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII but was never deployed overseas because of the racist policies of the time. Determined to break barriers, he became a lawyer and entered politics in the 1960s.

In 1968, he made history as Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament, representing Hamilton, Ontario. Throughout his career, he fought for racial equity in employment, housing, and education, proving that Black Canadians deserved a seat at every table. Later, he became Ontario’s first Black Lieutenant Governor, leaving behind a legacy of civic engagement and advocacy for marginalized communities.

Rosemary Brown (1930-2003) – The Feminist Who Changed Politics

When Rosemary Brown arrived in Canada from Jamaica in 1951, she encountered blatant racism and gender discrimination. Denied housing and job opportunities, she became determined to fight for change.

In 1972, she became the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada, serving in British Columbia. She championed pay equity, anti-racism policies, and stronger legal protections for women, transforming the Canadian political landscape.

Brown once famously said:

“We must open the doors and we must see to it they remain open, so that others can pass through.”

She embodied this mission throughout her career, inspiring countless women of color to pursue politics and leadership roles.

Mary Ann Shadd (1823-1893) – Canada’s First Black Female Publisher

A fearless advocate for abolition and education, Mary Ann Shadd was a teacher, writer, and the first Black woman in North America to own and publish a newspaper—The Provincial Freeman.

Born in the U.S. into a free Black family, she moved to Canada in the 1850s to help Black refugees escaping slavery. She established schools for Black children and used her newspaper to call out racial injustice. At a time when Black women were expected to be silent, she used her voice to demand change.

Even later in life, she continued to break barriers, becoming one of the first Black women to study law in North America.

Black Excellence Today: Leaders Shaping Canada’s Future

Jully Black – Canada’s Queen of R&B & Social Justice Advocate

Jully Black is more than just an award-winning singer-songwriter—she is a voice for change. She made headlines in 2023 when she modified the lyrics of Canada’s national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game, changing “our home and native land” to “our home on Native land” in recognition of Indigenous peoples.

Beyond music, she is a fierce advocate for racial equity, using her platform to push for better representation of Black artists and demand changes in Canada’s entertainment industry.

Sarah Nurse – The History-Making Hockey Star

Sarah Nurse changed hockey history when she became the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal in hockey with Team Canada in 2022.

Growing up, she faced racial and gender barriers in the sport, yet she persisted. Nurse is now a role model for young Black athletes, proving that representation matters in every industry—including sports. She continues to push for more inclusivity in professional hockey.

Hon. Marci Ien – From Journalism to Politics

A respected journalist for over 30 years, Marci Ien left broadcasting to serve as a Member of Parliament and is now Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth.

Ien continues to advocate for intersectional policies that uplift racialized women and underrepresented communities in Canada.

Honouring Black Excellence Year-Round

Black excellence is not just about history—it’s about the present and the future. Recognizing and uplifting Black leaders should not be limited to Black History Month.

📍 Want to learn more? Explore these resources:

• Canada’s Black History Month Portal

• Elle Canada: Inspirational Black Canadians to Know

• CBC’s Black Life: Untold Stories