Five can’t-miss sessions at the 2023 Black Leadership in Social Impact Summit

1) Black Excellence: Celebrating Black Leadership in Social Change

Open the summit with a high-energy plenary on Black excellence moderated by Adrian Harewood, respected journalist and former anchor of CBC News Ottawa. He’ll be joined by Anan Lololi, Barbara Burton, Tina Mbachu, Samuel Juru and Leticia Deawuo to celebrate inspiring artists, activists, authors and entrepreneurs from across the country and acknowledge the contributions, cultures, histories, and achievements of Black leaders in social change.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

2) Black Power: Shifting Power & Narrative

Join Nathan Hall, Aline Nizigama, Emilie Nicolas and Thomas Cumberbatch for a deep dive into the powerful work of Black leaders and changemakers, the narratives and foundations laid by Black elders, and the ways Black changemakers of today push for and achieve a more inspiring, equitable, and just world.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

3) Black Equity: Equitable Social Policy 

This plenary focuses on reimagining social policy and how it is created — highlighting the ways governments and civil society organizations throughout Canada have failed their Black citizens and how Black leaders in social policy, advocacy and activists are changing the policy development process. Featuring Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, Funke Olokude, Tyler Boyce, Njeri Kontulahti and Dr. Kimahli Powell.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, 12:45 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.

4) Black Capital: Shifting Capital Flows

Join keynote speakers Dr. Jackie Copeland, founder of Global Black Philanthropy Month, and Derek Bardowell, author of Giving Back: How to Do Good, Better, for a first-of-its-kind in-depth discussion exploring what’s possible if Black communities, entrepreneurs, and changemakers had meaningful and equitable access to capital — and what non-Black-led institutions with disproportionate access to capital can do to shift it. Moderated by Future of Good’s philanthropy reporter, Gabe Oatley.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

5) Black Futures: Insights for our Teams

What’s next for DEI? How can we take learnings on anti-racism with us? What’s on the horizon when it comes to Black power, Black equity, and Black capital? How might we all take insights from this summit forward into our everyday work? Join us for this provocative discussion with a panel of forward-looking Black changemakers, including Dela Wilson, Julius Lindsay, Larissa Crawford, Everton Lewis, Nicholas Marcus Thompson and Njoki Mbũrũ.

When: Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.