Saturday 1 February 2025
Over 400 people were assembled at the Azrielli Studio of the National Arts Centre to participate in the launch of the 2025 Black History Month by the city’s leading heritage organization, Black History Ottawa. among the special guests were City of Ottawa Councillors, Members of Provincial Parliament, Members of Parliament and diplomats from a number of embassies and high commissions in Ottawa. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was there in person to present an official proclamation to the President of Black History Ottawa, June Girvan, declaring the month of February 2025 as Black History Month. Conservative Party member, Denise Siele read out a message from Ontario Premier, Doug Ford, while MP Yasir Naqvi, accompanied by fellow MP Mona Fortier presented the Black History Month message from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Black History Ottawa President June Girvan presented the 2025 awards to the following:
Community Builder awards: John Harewood, Sophia Jacob, Lionell Ifill (posthumous), Omofuma Family and Friends Association and Phyllis Bourne.
Youth Leadership awards: Patrick Ene, Aaliyah O’Brien, Olantu Nini
John G. Dennison Award : Rosemary Sadlier (in absentia)
Black History Ottawa President’s award: Councillor Stephanie Plante
Every Child Is Sacred award: Orson Bourne
The evening also saw the unveiling of the 2025 Canada Post Black History Month stamp in honour Marie Joseph Angelique, a trail-blazing slave who had rebelled against her enslavement and was hanged in Montreal in 1734 for an unsubstantiated charge of arson. The Canadian Mint also unveiled its 2025 Black History Month commemorative coin.
Off site, another important event took place before the commencement of the event, was the display of the OC Transpo double-decker bus, with a special Black History Month logo emblazoned on its side.
Also there was a tribute to community leaders who had passed away in the past year: Joy Osiagwu, Joy Clarke, Michael Mosindi, , Mark Roach, Samuel Johnson, Lineta Forrester, Sonja Crosby, Samuel Johnson, Lionell Ifill and Natalie Lynda.
