HSH celebrates Black excellence every day

Home Suite Hope (HSH) recognizes February as Black History Month but celebrates the excellence and richness Black individuals contribute to HSH, the community, country and across the world every day.

Each February, Canadians participate in Black History Month events and celebrations that honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities.

In Canada, the 2026 theme for Black History Month is: 30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.

This recognizes that for the past three decades Black History Month in Canada has highlighted the enduring contributions of Black Canadians across time. From the foundational role of nation builders—those who fought for civil rights, advanced social justice, and shaped Canada’s cultural and political landscape — to tomorrow’s visionaries — the emerging leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are redefining excellence in every field.

Recognition of Black Brilliance Across Generations, invites reflection on historical achievements, current contributions and inspires future possibilities.

As Black History month puts a laser focus on the challenges, contributions and achievements of Black individuals, HSH recognizes these every day through its staff, clients, donors, volunteers and the community.

As we mark Black History month in 2026, some of these individuals have shared their perspective.

Kadian Thompson, a Social Service Worker practicum student from Northern College, completing her placement with Home Suite Hope, offered the following reflection.

“When I think about Black history, I often think about Black inventors whose work changed everyday life, but were rarely recognized. People like Garrett Morgan, who created early traffic signals and safety devices, Lewis Latimer, whose work made electric lighting more accessible, and Madam C.J. Walker, who built a successful business despite systemic barriers. These stories stand out because their inventions were widely used, yet their names were often left out of history.

“I first learned about Black history in school, but inventors and innovators were rarely included. The focus was mostly on slavery and civil rights, while Black contributions to science, technology, and everyday convenience were largely missing.

"Learning about these inventors changed how I see myself and the world. It showed me that Black excellence has always existed in innovation and problem-solving, even when recognition was denied. It reminded me that our impact has shaped society in lasting ways, whether or not credit was given.”

Meanwhile, HSH Participant Banke also offered her reflections.

"To me, Black History Month was never a thing until I relocated to Canada in 2019. What comes to mind when I hear Black History Month is the rejection of the slave trade and the civil rights movement. This phenomenon cuts deep because, as a medical practitioner, I have learned that Black people are highly susceptible to several ailments due to epigenetics, which can be traced back to the intergenerational trauma of slavery. The Black Lives Matter movement in recent years signifies the continued re-awakening of a movement that emphasizes resistance, relevance, freedom and advancement.

Personally, I would like to see a paradigm shift in the celebration of Black History Month. While history cannot be erased, I would wish to de-emphasize the popular 'fists raised against oppression.' Rather than being defined by hardship and suffering, more emphasis should be placed on the innovations and achievements of Black leaders and eminent Black people in various walks of life.

HSH Interim Director of Operations and Program Manager Nikkian Hanson-Daley shared the following:

"As I reflect on how Black history has shaped my life, I’m reminded that each stage brings new lessons and a deeper appreciation for the strength, resilience, and leadership within Black communities.

Black innovators, leaders, and communities have shaped everyday life in ways both visible and unseen — from the technologies that support our daily needs to the creativity and culture that enrich our world. These contributions are a powerful reminder that excellence and leadership exist in every community and belong in every room.

Black excellence is not something that belongs to one month. Our contributions are woven into the fabric of the society we all share. We have always contributed. We have always led. Because of that, success should never be treated as surprising or exceptional — it should be expected. Black leadership is not an exception to the rule; it is essential to strong, diverse, and equitable spaces.

For me, this month is simply a time to reflect, honour those who paved the way, and continue showing up authentically in rooms where our presence still matters.

HSH Participant Ashley shared her view:

When I think about Black history, the first thing I feel is gratitude, not in a “we’re finished” way, but in a deeply human way. I’m grateful my daughters get to grow up seeing classrooms, friend groups, families, and communities that look like real life, which is diverse, mixed, and connected...not separated by rules, fear, and hatred.

However, I also know that progress didn’t happen by accident. It came from survival, resistance, and people who kept pushing forward when the world tried to break them. Living in Oakville has made this even more personal because I’ve learned how much Black history is rooted here, including paths to safety and community for people escaping slavery, people who came with nothing but fear in their chest and a dream of freedom. Knowing that humbles me, because I’m raising my children in a place where freedom was once a destination, not a given.

I started learning Black history when I was very young because I grew up in a diverse family and my Mom raised me to be culturally aware with purpose; not just to memorize names, but to understand the why behind the world we live in. Being introduced early to changemakers like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X helped me understand why their voices mattered, but as I got older I also learned how much bigger the story is than the few names we hear most often. I learned about the women whose leadership didn’t always get the spotlight, yet they were powerful changemakers who shaped communities and helped move society forward in ways we still benefit from today. The deeper I learn, the more it saddens me to know there once was a time when people believed it was acceptable to dehumanize others, profit off their bodies and labour, and strip away dignity as if it meant nothing.

Although there has been meaningful progress, the world is always evolving, and ongoing awareness is essential if we want that progress to continue. As a mother of two beautiful mixed girls, and as someone who grew up with biracial siblings, I’ve seen firsthand that racism isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes it looks quiet, but it still lands loudly through assumptions, exclusion at school or among peers, the unequal opportunities, and the weight of being judged before you’re even known.

That’s exactly why Black history isn’t just one month, it’s ongoing, it’s living, and it matters in real life right now! I want my daughters to know the truth, honour what was endured, and choose every day to help build a world that never repeats those harms, and to feel empowered knowing they can be changemakers too. I want them to carry that respect and awareness all year long.

At the start of February, the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) officially launched its celebration with an event at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.

The CCAH is a non-profit organization serving the residents of Halton and dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting cultural development, encouraging civic engagement through volunteering, and offering arts and educational programs.

This year’s celebration espoused the theme ‘Out of Many Cultures, One People.’ The CCAH event included a keynote speech by musician, actor, and educator Sean Mauricette, who weaves history, poetry, and live sound to reflect on what the world has gained through Black existence, from the Moors of Africa to present-day global culture.