This Year’s 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women Announced
The Prestigious Gala and Recognition Ceremony is Back In-Person
For Immediate Release
August 9, 2022 (Toronto, ON) — The 4th edition of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian women (100ABCWomen) Gala presented by TD Bank Group, returns to in-person at the Woodbine Banquet Hall, 30 Vice Regent Blvd, Toronto on Saturday September 17th, 2022 at 6:00pm EST. The biennial Book Launch and Gala spotlights the achievements of Black Canadian women. “We are excited to get everyone together again after our 2020 event turned into a virtual one,”exclaimed Dauna Jones-Simmonds, Co-Founder of 100ABCWomen. “We have invited those honourees to a special VIP reception before the gala so that we can give them the public recognition they missed out on due to the pandemic.”
All 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women have risen to their challenges and opportunities, some of the 2022 honourees include:
● Dr. Janét Aizenstros - founder and CEO of Ahava Digital Group, a women-led digital consultancy working with Fortune 500 companies to help them connect with women consumers of data and technology
● Ejibola Adetokunbo-Taiwo - CEO of Simply Ejibola Inc. and founder/Principal Consultant at de Sedulous Women Leaders. She supports women in Alberta achieve equality in business and economic advancement
● Andria Babbington - President of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council representing 220,000 union members. She is the first woman of colour to sit as a president
● Stephanie Bernard is passionate about her community, volunteering in different capacities, including the Nunavut Black History Society, Alianait Arts Festival and as an anti-racism advocate in Nunavut
● Dr. Krissy Doyle-Thomas - professor and a medical neuroscientist. Her imaging research uses MRI and Near Infrared Spectroscopy to understand brain functions among those with mental health conditions
● Dr. Leisha Strachan - Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, and a professor at the University of Manitoba. She is a former national champion and two-time world bronze medalist in the sport of Baton Twirling
● Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley - Executive Vice-President of Health, Safety Environment and Quality for Dexterra Group Inc. She is a strong advocate for workplace safety, food safety and healthy environments. Her nickname is The Safety Diva.
● Oyindamola Isaac founded the first hub to promote and highlight African Canadian weddings and event vendors across Canada.
In 2016, the first edition of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women was published and co-authored by the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, Dr. Denise O’Neil Green and Dauna Jones-Simmonds. The book was dedicated to chronicling the success of contemporary Black Canadian women from all walks of life and showcased among many, the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to the House of Commons and the first Black Ontario woman appointed to the federal Cabinet.
100ABCWomen’s goal is to inspire Black girls and women by shining a light on the many contributions Black women have made and continue to make in Canadian society. In addition, 100ABCWomen is building its database that currently houses the profiles of 400 talented Black women for future generations to easily access and know all of their Canadian history.
According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, “Black women face greater barriers to getting jobs, well-paid jobs in particular, compared to other racialized and white women. They are over-represented in precarious and part-time employment which typically pays less and provides fewer hours of work overall. They experience long and frequent periods of unemployment, slower career advancement and more ‘long term’ entry-level positions.”.
To learn more about all of the 100 ABC Honourees, please click here Media Contact: Fennella Bruce | 647.290.7610 | fennella@fkbmedia.com