During the breakfast, 3 community leaders were awarded News

United Way Greater Toronto and the Federation of Black Canadians kicked off Black History Month last week with an awards breakfast in Mississauga, recognizing leadership in business, youth and community.

Friday's (Feb. 2) annual Black Leadership and Recognition Breakfast drew 250 attendees from across the GTA for the first in-person meeting in four years.

Its theme was “A Decade Beyond: Empowering the Next Generation.”

Recipients include:

COMMUNITY AWARD: Aretha McCarthy, a child mental health professional and community leader, was recognized for “outstanding civic leadership through her dedication to addressing barriers affecting deserving stakeholders, communities and individuals with disabilities.” He was also honored for the success of DevelopME, a nonprofit organization serving Black youth and their families.

BUSINESS AWARD: Award-winning author and founder of COJ BOOKZ, Kamela Blair, was recognized for her “significant contributions to the literary world and her advocacy work in therapeutic writing to promote and advance the social well-being of the Black community.”

YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD: Stephen Mensah, executive director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, was honored for “advocating on behalf of over 623,000 young people in Toronto for a more just and youth-friendly city, including anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism.” Ontario's education system ensures that no young person can reach their full potential, regardless of their socio-economic or demographic background.”

The event featured radio host and television host Bea Quammy as the keynote speaker and, according to a press release from organizers, “hosted an engaging panel of leaders who discussed the achievements of the black community over the past decade in business, health, climate change and technology, and ultimately, progress toward creating more just communities for the next generation.” notes that it gives an opportunity”.