Day: February 4, 2025

Honouring Black History Month: Celebrating Black Community Achievers in BC 

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: Community Award program alumni Marcus Mosely (left) and Lolly Bennett (right)

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the profound contributions of Black Canadians who have shaped British Columbia’s cultural, economic, and social landscape. Throughout history, Black British Columbians have demonstrated leadership and innovation across various sectors, leaving an indelible mark on the province. 

Today, Black British Columbians continue to inspire and lead across communities. Among them is Marcus Mosely, a celebrated gospel singer and community advocate who was honoured with the 2024 BC Achievement Community Award of Distinction for his contributions to arts and culture. His work brings people together through music, fostering connection and cultural appreciation across generations. 

The impact of Black leadership is also recognized through Lolly Bennett, a passionate advocate for Indigenous and Black communities and a 2018 BC Achievement Community Award recipient. Her work in community engagement and empowerment has made a lasting difference in advancing equity and social justice. 

BC Achievement Foundation is dedicated to honouring excellence and inspiring achievement across all communities. Through the awards and recognition programs, BC Achievement shines a spotlight on individuals and organizations that are driving positive change and fostering reconciliation, diversity, and inclusion. 

As we celebrate Black History Month, we acknowledge the importance of continued efforts to highlight and support Black artists, business owners, educators, and community advocates who contribute to British Columbia’s diverse and dynamic society. 

Ways to Participate: Events Celebrating Black History Month in BC 

There are many ways to engage with Black History Month in British Columbia. Here are some events to check out: 

  • Film Screenings and Panel Discussions – Local cinemas and community centres hosting screenings of films that highlight Black history and contemporary issues, followed by expert panel discussions. 
  • Workshops and Educational Talks – Schools, universities, and libraries offering workshops on Black history, identity, and contributions to Canadian society. 
  • Community Art Exhibits – Showcasing works by Black artists in galleries and cultural spaces across BC. 

Black History Month is a time to celebrate resilience, excellence, and the ongoing journey towards equity and inclusion.  

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

Last Chance to Nominate for a BC Achievement Award! 

Posted on by bcachievement

Join us to RECOGNIZE REMARKABLE – and nominate for one (or more!) of the five award programs that BC Achievement presents. There are only three days left to submit a nomination for any one of BC Achievement’s award programs! The deadline to nominate online is February 15th, 2025, at 11:59 PM. 

Nominations are now open for all 2025 BC Achievement Award programs: 

  • Community Award 
  • BC Reconciliation Award 
  • Indigenous Business Award 
  • Polygon Award First Nations Art 
  • Sam Carter Award Applied Art + Design 

For more than 20 years, BC Achievement has recognized individuals and organizations making a difference in British Columbia, sharing their stories to inspire change, build community pride, and encourage others to follow their lead. 

Why Nominate Someone? 

Because recognizing achievement is about more than celebrating success – it’s about amplifying stories that inspire, fostering pride in our communities, and shining a light on those who drive change and create lasting impact. 

Your nomination ensures that remarkable individuals get the recognition they deserve, encouraging others to follow in their footsteps. Brent Comber, who received the 2024 Sam Carter Award of Distinction, described awards as “a gift, a way to show that it’s possible to create a career doing what you love.” 

The award programs celebrate achievements that impact British Columbia’s cultural, social, and economic landscape. Whether fostering reconciliation, preserving cultural traditions, or driving innovation, the honourees contribute meaningfully to the province’s future. 

To nominate someone whose work deserves recognition, visit BC Achievement’s website. By submitting a nomination, you’re sharing stories that matter and helping to celebrate the people who make BC remarkable. 

#recognizeremarkable 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

Celebrating the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award Recipients 

Posted on by bcachievement

Photo: Recipients and Selection Committee members of the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award

The 2024 BC Reconciliation Award ceremony, held at Government House in Victoria on January 23, 2025, was marked by a respectful and traditional presentation. 

The award program honoured four outstanding individuals and two remarkable organizations whose dedication to reconciliation shines through their work. These recipients embody the values of truth, integrity, respect, and collaboration, making meaningful contributions to fostering understanding, addressing historical injustices, and building strong partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across British Columbia. 

Individual Recipients 

  • Sdahl Ḵ’awaas, Lucy Bell (Old Massett) 
  • Corporal (Retired) Chris Gosselin, M.O.M. (West Kelowna) 
  • Gloria Morgan (Enderby) 
  • Phyllis Webstad (Williams Lake) 

Organization Recipients 

  • Qwelmínte Secwépemc (Kamloops) 
  • Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (Port Alberni) 

The 2024 award recipients serve as inspiring examples of what is possible when individuals and organizations commit to reconciliation in meaningful ways. Their efforts honour the past and help create a more inclusive and just future for all British Columbians. 

The British Columbia Reconciliation Award draws inspiration from the work of Steven Point [Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl], the 28th lieutenant governor of British Columbia and a founder of the award. His hand-carved red cedar canoe, Shxwtitostel, currently on display at the B.C. Parliament Buildings, was created as a symbol of reconciliation, with the understanding that “we are all in the same canoe” and must “paddle together” to move forward. 

In honour of this legacy, the 2024 recipients received a print of a canoe paddle designed by Tsm’syen/Nisga’a artist Shawna Kiesman to commemorate their award. Shawna is the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist recipient of the Polygon Award in First Nations Art. The paddle designed by Shawna was installed alongside previous BC Reconciliation Award paddles at Government House on November 5, 2024. 

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey—one that requires listening, learning, and action. By celebrating these achievements, we recognize the power of truth and the enduring strength of Indigenous communities in shaping a more united and respectful society for all British Columbians. 

2024 recipient Phyllis Webstad, speaking for all the awardees, shared her truth in telling her residential school experience along with her drive to tell her story through the Orange Shirt Day initiative. Following Phyllis’ moving remarks, T’esóts’en, Patrick Kelly, who served as Director of Ceremonies, announced that in recognition of Phyllis’ tenacity, courage and loving nature – in sharing her story of survival and incredible strength – the BC Reconciliation Award program will have a new category moving forward:  

The Phyllis Webstad Emerging Leader in Reconciliation.

As we look to the future and the challenges that lie ahead, it is more important than ever to recognize the achievements of youth in our province: “in our children, in our young people, we have hope. They are the ones who will lead us forward, and we need to support and encourage them every step of the way”.  

BC Achievement holds immense gratitude for Her Honour, Janet Austin and how she has worked closely with the Foundation to advance reconciliation in BC. She is a champion for the award programs BC Achievement administers and made reconciliation one of her mandates during her tenure. We look forward to partnering with the 31st Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Wendy Cocchia and her office on the continuation of the reconciliation journey. 

Nominate someone or an organization worthy of the BC Reconciliation Award before the deadline of February 15, 2025 at bcachievement.com. 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.