New award recognizes community leaders addressing racial inequities in Waterloo region

Kitchener Centre MPP Laura Mae Lindo launched a new award on Sunday that celebrates community leaders addressing racial inequities.

The inaugural Black Excellence in Leadership Academy (BELA) award was presented in a virtual meeting to mark the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Lindo, who is also the NDP critic for anti-racism, colleges and universities, announced three award recipients:  The Association of Black Students (ABS) at Wilfrid Laurier University, the Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity and Equity (RAISE) student group at the University of Waterloo and Black Brilliance with the Waterloo Region District School Board.

"Thank you for doing work to make real change in the world, so that we're not just celebrating or commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, but we're actually walking the talk and we're doing the work," Lindo said at the event.

Each winner is being honoured through the award and will receive artwork highlighting inspirational heroes by Melissa Falconer.

Chris Ashley, a history teacher at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and staff leader of the African Heritage Club at the school, shared sentiments with the audience and speakers.

"We're all the same, our cosmetic differences are only that. I can accept blood and organ transfusion and transplants from anyone and go on living and thriving. So, if racism is taught, then anti-racism education can also be taught. Our efforts to create a better world for this and our next generation are required," he said.

The event featured the voices of educators, students and Black student group representatives, who shared their experiences. Officials discussed the anti-racism work being done in schools and how important it is to support and create a safe space for all students, including BIPOC students.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.