Black History Month
Black History Month honours the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians and provides an opportunity to showcase the past, present and future of community culture and innovations. It is a time of education, reflection and celebration.
Mississauga is one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities and to reflect on that diversity and vibrancy this webpage has been created to spotlight talented artists, authors, musicians and more, amplifying the local voices and stories.
Nominations are now open
From January 15 until February 18, nominations for Mississauga’s 2025 Black Excellence Awards, presented in partnership with the Black Caucus Alliance, will be accepted. The awards focus on the efforts and achievements of Mississauga’s Black residents and volunteers.
Mississauga-based individuals can be nominated in one of the below nine categories:
Youth
Nominees must be between the ages of 15 and 24 and have volunteered for at least two consecutive years. They must act as role models for other young people and demonstrate all-around positive community involvement.
Business
Nominees must be currently engaged in business as an owner and/or entrepreneur. Ideal candidates should demonstrate a combination of the following criteria:
• Entrepreneurial spirit and success in owning and managing a business
• Significant contribution of new ideas, innovative practices, processes or inventions, or created employment opportunities
• Demonstrate a commitment to fairness and equality
Community Service
Nominees should possess an outstanding record of significant community involvement and service. Candidates must also demonstrate a strong commitment to enriching the lives of others as well as building relationships and collaborating meaningfully with the individuals and communities they serve.
Education
Nominees for this award are being recognized for exemplary contributions to the well-being of students and/or community members through their active involvement in education at the school, board, in extracurricular activities or at the community level.
Health Services
Nominees for this award are being recognized for their involvement in the creation and/or promotion of methods that keep the physical health or mental wellbeing of Black communities. Ideal candidates must be employed or studying in the field of health sciences. Exhibits leadership in healthcare management administration.
Arts and Culture
Nominees for this award are being recognized for their involvement in and/or promotion of developing arts and culture within the community. Ideal candidates should demonstrate a combination of the following criteria:
• Have demonstrated a commitment to and/or focus on community-engaged art and/or expressions of culture in Mississauga.
• Have experience in the area of art and/or culture for a minimum of three years.
• Have completed and/or been involved in one significant arts and culture project in the last 12 months.
Sports
Nominees for this award are being recognized for their model contribution to sports at the community or national level as an athlete or official.
Hospitality and Food Services
Nominees for this award are being recognized for the best in food, drink and/or hospitality in African-Caribbean products and/or services. The nominee will have received positive reviews and feedback from customers and peers demonstrating their commitment to customer service and satisfaction. The nominee will also have demonstrated leadership and management in hospitality operations, commitment to sustainable and ethical practices in the hospitality industry and be actively involvement in their local community.
Legacy – Lifetime Achievement
This is the highest community-based honour bestowed on an individual whose continued commitment has uplifted the lives of others.
Nominees are individuals who have made significant contributions to the Black community for 15 years or more. Candidates would have improved the quality of life for citizens or brought recognition to the City of Mississauga through their accomplishments.
Eligibility and nomination process
To be eligible, the nominee must:
• Live and/or work in Mississauga
• Identify as being Black
• Stand as a role model for others
• Inspire volunteerism and civic engagement
If you know someone deserving of an award, the steps to recognizing eligible residents include:
1. Review the award criteria and descriptions above to determine the most appropriate category.
2. Email BlackExcellenceAwards@mississauga.ca
3. In your email, please include the following information:
• Full name of the nominee, including their preferred pronouns and phonetic pronunciation.
• Category for nomination (please only choose one category).
• A brief explanation indicating why the individual should be nominated.
Please note that only completed nomination forms will be evaluated.
Celebrating Black Excellence Event
The third annual Celebrating Black Excellence Event will take place on Friday, February 28, 2025 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Mississauga City Hall. This is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of Mississauga’s Black community. The event will include musical guests, keynote speakers and an awards ceremony.
If you know someone deserving of a Black Excellence Award, please take a moment and submit a nomination.