Black History Month is here, and we’re proud to kick off this meaningful time of reflection, education, and celebration at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS). This year, we embrace the 2025 theme: Still, We Rise: Honouring Blackness Across Borders.
Inspired by Maya Angelou’s powerful poem Still I Rise, this theme highlights the enduring resilience and strength of Black communities in the face of systemic oppression and adversity. The phrase Honouring Blackness Across Borders acknowledges the global diversity within Black communities—spanning Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa—and underscores the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, enslavement, and forced displacement.
As child welfare professionals, it is vital for us to understand and engage with the diverse identities, cultures, and lived experiences of the Black children, youth, and families we serve. This month presents an opportunity to reflect on how we can better honour and support the unique cultural, linguistic, and familial traditions that shape their lives. For example, CCAS serves Black Francophone and Afro-Latin American families whose needs are complex and multifaceted. By recognizing how race, culture, and language intersect, we can better provide care and support that respects their identities. This commitment to equity and inclusion is essential to our mission and ongoing work with families.
To deepen our understanding and connection with this year’s theme, CCAS is hosting two special events featuring keynote speakers who will share valuable insights into the Black experience.
On February 6, 2025, dynamic keynote speaker, educator, and former CFL player Kwame Osei will deliver an inspiring talk on resilience and personal growth at a community event for children and youth in care. Having overcome the challenges of growing up in Rexdale through the power of sport and a growth mindset, Kwame has built a career as a teacher, coach, entrepreneur, and mentor—including working with inmates in maximum security, an effort that earned him a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee pin from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. His presentations focus on inspiring change, action, and empowerment, challenging individuals to broaden their perspectives and take control of their personal growth. Through his lived experience and the fundamental tools he has gained along the way, Kwame inspires young people to rise above adversity and build a future of opportunity and success.
Then on February 12, 2025, César Ndéma-Moussa, President of Roots and Culture Canada and a dedicated community advocate, will speak at an internal town hall for CCAS employees. With a deep commitment to diversity and anti-racism, César will guide staff through the complexities of cultural, linguistic, and regional diversity within Black communities. His presentation will explore the intersectionality of race, culture, and language, with a particular focus on Pan-Africanism and the diverse identities of the families we serve. Drawing from both his professional expertise and lived experience, César will provide valuable insights into how we can engage more meaningfully with Black children, youth, and families—ensuring that our care respects, supports, and celebrates their unique identities.
This Black History Month, CCAS reaffirms its dedication to celebrating the resilience and contributions of Black communities while strengthening our efforts toward equity and inclusion. Let’s use this time to deepen our understanding, engage in meaningful conversations, and grow as professionals committed to fostering positive change.
Together, we rise.
