Date of publication: Monday 1 December 2025
Tuesday 11 November 2025
Sophia Jacob, the Recipient of the 2025 Algonquin College Alumni of Distinction – Community Services Award
by the Communications Team at the Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network (CWCLN)
The Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network (CWCLN) is proud to celebrate our Founder and CEO, Sophia Jacob, who was recognized on November 11, 2025, at Algonquin College’s 2025 Alumni of Distinction Awards Ceremony. This cherished annual celebration honours graduates and community partners whose leadership, compassion, and innovation uplift communities and strengthen the social fabric of our region and beyond.
Every year, Algonquin College honors a select group of outstanding alumni whose work reflects the College’s core values of Caring, Learning, Integrity, and Respect. This year’s ceremony was no exception—an inspiring evening where emotion and pride filled the room. Attendees included award recipients, families, Algonquin faculty and staff, community leaders, and dignitaries, including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
A Night of Recognition and Inspiration
The event was beautifully emceed by Sam Laprade, CFRE, a 2022 Alumni of Distinction recipient who recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Volunteer Ottawa. Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé delivered heartfelt remarks that captured the essence of the celebration:
“Each of our recipients has taken the values learned here and used them to make a difference. You are proof that what happens here matters.”
To view the full list of 2025 honourees and learn more about the Alumni of Distinction Awards, please visit:
https://www.algonquincollege.com/alumni/alumni-of-distinction-awards/
Celebrating Sophia’s Impact
Sophia received the 2025 Alumni of Distinction – Community Services Award, a recognition deeply aligned with the purpose that fuels her work: holding space for Black and racialized women and femmes to lead, heal, grow, and thrive.
Her journey began with a single moment — a friend on a city bus who encouraged her to consider attending Algonquin College to take a few courses. That simple encouragement transformed her life. Sophia went on to graduate from the Personal Support Worker program in 2000, gaining not only academic credentials but the compassion, resilience, and people-centered grounding that would define her leadership.
Today, CWCLN has become a powerhouse — a small but mighty team making moves locally, regionally, and nationally. What started with one woman doing everything has grown into a national force for equity, healing, and empowerment.
Faith, Courage, and Collective Purpose
Sophia’s leadership is rooted in deep faith. It is a truth our team witnesses every day. She often reminds us:
There is no roadblock or challenge that she — or our team — cannot overcome, because we have the Almighty leading us and lighting our way forward.
This spiritual grounding continues to guide CWCLN’s growth and our collective commitment to serving Black and racialized women, femmes, and communities across Canada.
A Full-Circle Moment
Being recognized as part of Algonquin College’s Alumni of Distinction community is profoundly meaningful. Sophia now stands among alumni whose contributions shape industries, communities, and futures — a powerful full-circle moment for someone who never imagined she would one day be counted among them.
To Algonquin College, the nomination team, and the selection committee, we say:
thank you for honouring community service, equity-building, and the power of lived experience. Thank you for recognizing the importance of this work.
From All of Us at CWCLN
We are honoured to walk alongside Sophia in this moment of celebration. Her courage inspires us. Her vision guides us. Her faith grounds us. Together, we will continue building a legacy rooted in wellness, empowerment, leadership, and collective care.
With deep pride and gratitude,
The CWCLN Team
Pictures along with the Article written by the CWCLN Communications Team
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