Black History Ottawa Community Builder award winners for 2021 were:

Youth category

Rebecca Kahindo:  For her role as a volunteer with the Global Community Alliance Black History Month gala; creation of  the “Building  a Future” organization which provides financial assistance to needy students in Uganda and Congo, alongside her many other volunteer and community-building activities.

Yasmine Elmi: For her role as Community Youth leader with the Federation of Black Canadians, volunteer work with the Queensway-Carleton Hospital and the Black Students Leaders’ Association, alongside her many other volunteer and community-building activities.

Adult category

Brenda Williams: For her role in creating and running the NewLife Project which inspires, educates and empowers women, alongside her many other volunteer and community-building activities.

Gwen Madiba: for establishing Equal Chance, which fights racism through various programs such as a food security program (Meals for hope), a free mental health program and dialogues (healing circles sessions) to deal with the trauma that members of the community face; as well as a free employment program for members of the community who need it most.

Marie Oubline Philippe-Remy: For her role in establishing the not-for-profit Fabiola’s Addiction and Mental Health Awareness & Support Foundation Counselling program, which supports people dealing with serious mental illness and addiction problems.

Special Recognition

Councillor Rawlson King: For his role in championing the establishment of the Anti-Racism Secretariat in the City of Ottawa, alongside his many other community-building and advocacy achievements.

Organization category

African Canadian Association of Ottawa: For its role in providing food and other essential supplies to vulnerable and needy Black seniors during the pandemic lockdown, alongside its many other advocacy and community-building activities on behalf of the city’s Black population.

Flo’s Seniors: For its role in providing a virtual fitness program for seniors, providing Christmas and gift bags for needy seniors, finding Personal Support Workers for vulnerable seniors, alongside its many other advocacy and community-building activities on behalf of the city’s Black population.

John Dennison award

Bryan and Shannon Prince: For their work showcasing Canada’s Black History through educational and other outreach community-based activities linked to the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum.