A Base of Black Canadian Talent and Opportunity

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/04/14

Hildah Otieno Juma, executive director of the Black Talent Initiative (BTI), talks about Ignite Winnipeg, an event fostering Black talent and career advancement. Inspired by Ignite Toronto 2023, it brought 190 attendees together for networking, discussions, and career opportunities. Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa delivered a keynote on leadership and resilience. Canada Life partnered with the event held at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Attendees praised it, requesting a larger venue next year. BTI continues engagement through virtual meetups and a Community Hub, ensuring ongoing support for Black professionals. Juma emphasized representation, collaboration, and impact.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today, we’re here with Hildah Otieno Juma, the executive director of the Black Talent Initiative (BTI), which fosters equitable opportunities for Black professionals and candidates. Originally from Nairobi, Kenya.

Hildah became a passionate advocate for social justice as an international student. With over a decade of experience, she previously served as the executive director of the Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario, advocating for post-secondary students across the province. Recognized with the Emerging Leaders Social Impact Award in 2023, she holds a degree in political science and philosophy and a certificate in nonprofit management. Based in Toronto, where the wind tunnels can be quite chilly, she continues to champion initiatives to combat anti-Black racism. Thank you for joining me today.

Hildah Juma: Thank you, Scott, for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.

Jacobsen: Let’s begin. What inspired the Black Talent Initiative to launch Ignite Winnipeg for the first time in Manitoba? Also, is the weather an impediment?

Juma: Funny story. Yes, the weather can impede getting around the city. However, the people in Winnipeg are amazing. Despite the freezing temperatures, we had over 190 people attend our event, even though it was minus 30 degrees Celsius. They arrived on time, full of enthusiasm, and ready to engage. Regardless of the cold, the community showed up in full force, which was incredible. So, while extreme temperatures might be an adjustment for those unfamiliar with Winnipeg winters, they were not an obstacle to the event’s success.

The inspiration for hosting Ignite Winnipeg stemmed from the success of Ignite 2023 in Toronto, which was a three-day conference. One of our keynote speakers, David Simmonds, a senior executive at Canada Life, played a significant role in this. He delivered an outstanding speech on Leaders Day, the second day of the Toronto conference, where he connected deeply with the audience and participants. His experience was so positive that he wanted to bring a similar event to Winnipeg, where Canada Life is headquartered. Throughout last year, we discussed how this vision could be realized and what key elements we wanted to incorporate.

Ultimately, our goal was to bring together Winnipeg-area employers and the local community to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the workforce. It was important to create a space where employers could engage with community leaders, exchange ideas, and explore collaborations that could benefit the region. Beyond addressing workplace challenges, we also aimed to highlight and celebrate the achievements of Black professionals and community members. Providing a platform for sharing success stories, discussing lived experiences, and fostering a collective commitment to continuous collaboration was essential.

The event was a resounding success, with over 190 attendees, two keynote speeches, two-panel discussions, and live entertainment. One of the most memorable moments was when a 15-year-old high school student performed a song about hope, uplifting the room. The atmosphere was filled with celebration—of Black History Month, Black excellence, and Black joy—and a strong sense of unity, with everyone working together toward a shared vision.

We were honoured to host Ignite Winnipeg at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which provided a fitting backdrop for discussions on equity, inclusion, and empowerment. The energy in the room was incredible, and I could not be more grateful for the enthusiasm and dedication of everyone involved. It was a remarkable event, and I look forward to continuing this work.

Jacobsen: The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a beautiful building. I’ve been there once, and it was truly wonderful. I highly recommend that everyone visit it.

When you mentioned Manitoba and Winnipeg and any event there, I was immediately reminded of that scene—what was it? The one with John Candy and the Jamaican bobsled team? When I spent a week in Winnipeg, I felt like one of the bobsled guys.

So, how does Ignite Winnipeg align with BTI’s broader mission of fostering Black talent and career advancement?

Juma: To provide some context, BTI was founded in 2021 after George Floyd’s death. It became an opportunity for us to come together and create a space where people could talk about their experiences as Black individuals and members of the Black community. Everyone remembers that this was during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of extreme isolation.

In response, we provided a virtual space where people could connect weekly, share their thoughts, discuss pressing issues, and support each other. Today, we are a registered charity recognized as a key connector of Black talent. Our approach to Black talent is rooted in the understanding that everyone’s professional journey is unique. Whether someone is pursuing entrepreneurship, a corporate career, or working as a changemaker in the community, we aim to connect Black professionals to opportunities that support and empower their growth.

At BTI, everything we do is centred around talent development and ensuring individuals have access to the resources and networks needed to thrive. That’s how BTI was founded; that mission remains at the heart of our work.

When we talk about Ignite, it is more than just an event—it’s a three-day experience. We use the word “experience” intentionally because we want participants, attendees, sponsors, and partners to walk away with a deep appreciation for the incredible work happening within the community. More importantly, we want them to invest in it, create impact, and find inspiration.

Ignite is built on four key pillars: investment, impact, inspiration, and innovation. These elements guide the event’s structure and the outcomes we aim to achieve. Creating spaces like Ignite allows the community to come together in ways that foster collaboration and meaningful connections.

When people come together in these spaces, connections happen naturally. From these connections emerge new partnerships, community initiatives, and business collaborations. Individuals network and organizations find synergies, and new opportunities for community-building emerge.

If you were to take the energy and momentum from Ignite Toronto, that is exactly what we wanted to bring to Winnipeg. And we succeeded. The community showed up, engaged meaningfully, and built connections that will lead to future collaborations between grassroots organizations, corporate entities, and community leaders. That’s what makes Ignite so impactful.

When I reflect on how Ignite Winnipeg went, I find it incredibly inspiring to see how much great work is happening within the community. A significant impact is being made—both by corporate entities and the community leaders present at the event.

One of the key takeaways from attendees was their excitement about experiencing Ignite. They were enthusiastic about the event itself and about the importance of continuing this work in Winnipeg. Most notably, their biggest question was, “When’s the next one happening?” Many people left knowing that Ignite Winnipeg will return next year, and they’re already looking forward to it.

There were also suggestions on how to enhance the event. Some attendees proposed securing a larger venue to accommodate more people, while others suggested expanding the event into a full-day experience rather than just an afternoon gathering. These conversations made it clear that Ignite Winnipeg is a much-needed initiative and that the community wants it to continue.

We’re incredibly grateful to have Canada Life as a collaborative partner in making this event possible. The overwhelmingly positive feedback and the eagerness of attendees to return reinforce that this initiative is meaningful, impactful, and essential. All around, it was a fantastic experience.

Jacobsen: First, not a single person mentioned the weather. What?

Juma: Yeah. You have to remember that they live there every day, so their experience isn’t the same as ours. My colleague and I went out for dinner and decided, “Let’s walk back.” You know, get some fresh air, take a nice walk. Well, we were freezing, but everyone else around us was walking like it was nothing.

Some people even had their jackets unzipped.

Jacobsen: Yeah, for non-Canadians, these are the kind of Canadians who make other Canadians say, “Why are you walking around in flip-flops and shorts, shirtless, in minus 30-degree weather?”

Juma: Yes, and they’re just going about their lives. No one was complaining. No one said, “Oh, it’s so cold outside.” That’s why they call it “Winterpeg.”

Jacobsen: How will Ignite Winnipeg provide Black professionals with actionable career insights and networking opportunities beyond just being a fantastic experience for people who share common interests?

Juma: Ignite Winnipeg allowed employers to share their organizations’ efforts to support Black talent. It was also a platform for these employers to discuss how they are working to develop Black professionals professionally, not just through recruitment but also through retention and career advancement.

Many of the discussions focused on how organizations nurture Black employees within their workforce, ensuring they have access to mentorship, training, and leadership opportunities to help them move up within their companies. It was also a chance for employers to share their personal experiences working within their organizations and how they strive to create inclusive workplace cultures.

Jacobsen: Representation matters. 

Juma: Seeing Black leaders and executives speak about their career journeys in Winnipeg-based companies was incredibly impactful for the Black community. Hearing their stories inspired attendees, showing them that they, too, could one day become leaders in these organizations if they chose to follow a similar career path. Ignite Winnipeg positioned these employers as diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders, putting them on the map as employers of choice for Black professionals.

By showcasing organizations that actively support and develop Black talent, the event helped job seekers in the room recognize employers who genuinely value diversity. Whenever these companies have future job openings, the attendees are more likely to view them as favourable places to apply or seek collaboration opportunities from a community perspective.

Another key aspect was the employers’ commitment to Winnipeg. Many of these companies spoke about why they intentionally built in Winnipeg, sharing their historical and contextual ties to the city. This was important because it demonstrated that opportunities for career growth exist beyond the major hubs like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver—Winnipeg is also home to thriving organizations investing in local Black talent.

For Black professionals and community leaders in attendance, this event offered a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like to work in these organizations, how they operate, and how they support diverse employees. Meeting successful professionals who could advocate for them, mentor them, or become allies was a key takeaway.

At the end of the event, there was a dedicated networking session where attendees could connect one-on-one with employers, industry leaders, and fellow professionals. This kind of direct engagement is often where meaningful connections are formed. I hope that employers who attended took the time to stay back, engage with attendees, exchange contact information, and initiate follow-up conversations—whether through coffee chats or formal meetings—to discuss how they can support the career growth of Black professionals.

So, that’s how I’d answer that question.

Jacobsen: And what about the feedback from attendees on the event itself?

Juma: The feedback has been amazing. Many attendees approached us as organizers when the event ended to express their gratitude and appreciation. They emphasized how much a space like this was needed, highlighting the value of collaboration between employers and the community.

Many participants also took to social media to share their experiences. There were numerous LinkedIn and Instagram posts where people talked about their key takeaways from the speakers, the entertainment, and the event’s overall impact. A recurring theme in these posts was that Winnipeg needed an event like this. For some attendees, this was their first time experiencing an event of this kind, and they were eager to share how much it meant to them.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The collaboration between Canada Life and BTI was a huge success. The team at Canada Life was thrilled with the outcome, particularly with how the event brought together two key groups—the community and employers. From both a collaborative and organizing perspective, everything went exceptionally well.

The testimonials from attendees have been filled with excitement and anticipation for the future. Many ask, “What’s next?” and “When is the next event?”. We allow attendees to stay connected with BTI virtually to ensure the engagement continues beyond the event.

One way we are doing this is by inviting the Winnipeg community to our virtual Friday meetups. These weekly gatherings, originally created in 2021, still exist today as a way for Black professionals to engage, share experiences, and support one another. We are extending an open invitation to the Winnipeg attendees to join us virtually every Friday.

Of course, there is a time zone difference, as the sessions take place from 12:30 to 1:30 PM Eastern Time, meaning Winnipeg participants will join at 11:30 AM Central Time. Additionally, we are working on launching a Community Hub—a virtual platform where employers, entrepreneurs, and Black professionals can connect, network, and share opportunities. This will serve as a continuous engagement space for those who attended Ignite Winnipeg, allowing them to stay connected while they wait for the next in-person event. We plan to launch the Community Hub next month.

Jacobsen: Why was Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa chosen as the keynote speaker? What key messages did attendees take away from her talk?

Juma: I’m not sure how many people are familiar with Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa’s journey. If not, I highly encourage you to look it up. She is an incredible leader and will release a book later this year that details her experiences.

Dr. Chika attended medical school at the University of Toronto, where she faced a unique and challenging reality—she was the only Black student in her cohort upon entering medical school. She was the only Black student in the entire medical program at U of T at the time. She was the only one in a graduating class of hundreds of students.

Rather than accepting this as the norm, Dr. Chika took action. She worked closely with the medical school administration to create pathways to diversify the applicant pool, advocating for more Black students to apply and be accepted into medical school. Her work has played a crucial role in increasing representation in medicine.

A few years ago, Barbie recognized her groundbreaking achievements and honoured her with a Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa Barbie doll, celebrating her contributions to the medical field and her advocacy for Black medical professionals.

Dr. Chika was chosen as the keynote speaker because we wanted to highlight themes of authenticity, leadership, and resilience intentionally. Her journey is one of perseverance—she has faced racism in academia and the workplace, yet she has continued to rise above these challenges and excel in her career as a distinguished medical professional.

Her message to the audience was about authentic leadership. She emphasized the need for audacity and boldness in leadership—that we must be daring and unafraid to step into spaces where we are underrepresented.

To close the event, she delivered an incredible talk, sharing her personal story and concluding, in true medical fashion, with a “prescription” for how we can all become better leaders. She encouraged everyone to leverage their authenticity, embrace their uniqueness, and lead with confidence and courage.

That is who Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa is, and that is why she was chosen as the keynote speaker. She did an outstanding job bringing her message to the people of Winnipeg, leaving a lasting impact on everyone in attendance.

Jacobsen: You might have a little time left. What role did the CMHR (Canadian Museum for Human Rights) play in the inaugural event?

Juma: Well, it was primarily just a venue selection. We were looking for an available space that could accommodate the number of attendees and was accessible as soon as possible. The CMHR met all those criteria, so we chose it as the venue.

Jacobsen: Hildah, thank you very much for your time. I appreciate it.

Juma: Thank you, Scott.

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