The USW District 6 Human Rights Committee organized the Black History Month Workshop and Gala, a unifying event that brought together Black labour leaders, activists and allies for two powerful days of seminars focused on education, empowerment and action. While the Gala was an evening of celebration, the heart of the event lay in the workshops, where participants engaged in deep discussion about racial justice, leadership and the future of Black workers in the labour movement.
Workshop: Voices of Labour: A celebration of Black Excellence rooted in action
A two-day workshop was held at the Leo W. Gerard Centre in Mississauga. Anita Bryan, USW District 6 Co-ordinator, gave the opening remarks and discussed the importance of creating a space for Black labour members and activists. Sessions throughout the event tackled critical topics such as mentorship and the ongoing struggles Black workers face in their workplaces and unions.
A key theme that emerged was the importance of community. As a panellist of Black Women in Leadership, Chantelle Hospedales, who previously worked as a legal intern for KIP and is under consideration to be one of their Board of Directors for March 2025, shared her insight: “Your tribe can build you up or break you down – so my best advice would be to choose wisely because you will need mentorship, guidance and support at every stage in your career.”
The workshop discussion highlighted the importance of change rather than performative gestures. Members called for their workplaces to implement anti-racism training, increase union leadership representation and provide support for Black workers.
E.J. Jenkins, District 7 leader and founder of the Black Labour Week Project, emphasized the urgency of moving beyond symbolic efforts. Jenkins stated, “We don’t need more statements or photo ops – authentic, measurable action. If we want change, it must be backed by policies, accountability and a commitment to making workplaces more equitable for Black workers.”
The NextGen panel, moderated by Amanda Zakhour, District 6 Education Co-ordinator, explored the challenges of young Black union members and highlighted the importance of cultivating future leaders who will continue to advocate for equity and inclusion in their workplaces and communities.
Panelists Sharif Ali (D6 NextGen Committee), E.J. Jenkins (founder of the Black Labour Project, District 7), and Bilan Arte (CLC Human Rights Representative) engaged in the discussion. Arte emphasized, “We need to continue to build an anti-racist labour movement that empowers young Black workers to lead, advocate and shape the future of our unions and workplaces.”
Speakers also addressed the systemic barriers Black workers encounter in a panel called Justice and Strength in Diversity, where CLC Ontario Representative Felicia Samuels shared the importance of structural changes: “We need anti-oppression and anti-racism training in every workplace. It’s not enough to acknowledge the issues – we need to implement solutions that create safer work environments.”
The workshop concluded with a panel discussion by the D6 Human Rights Committee, which sought input from members on making spaces such as this workshop more inclusive and how the Committee can improve its outreach and engagement with members within the district.
A Celebration Gala of Excellence and Reflection
The Gala, a Celebration of Excellence and Reflection, was a proud moment that honoured the contributions of Black workers to the labour movement. The evening opened with a land acknowledgement by Janet Moffat, D6 Human Rights Committee Co-Chair, followed by E.J. Jenkins, who expressed gratitude for the solidarity he has experienced in Canada.
The night’s highlight was a speech by Kevin Mapp, USW International Vice-President (Human Affairs). He delivered a powerful call to action: “We gave to continue this epic form of ambition and persistence as we embark on this new, unfortunate period in both of our nations’ history. Now is not what we do best – fight on behalf of all workers, regardless of their race, their gender, their orientation, their religion, their industry, their country of origin or their citizenship status. Because we will always be stronger together. And we must always move forward as one.”
The night ended with Tina Nelson from Local 1998 and Matthew Holland from Local 4120, who shared what they learned from the workshop and conveyed their gratitude for having access to a space for Black workers to discuss their values, exchange ideas and amplify each other’s voices. After the remarks, a vibrant performance of Keeping the World in Rhythm by Alpa Rhythms Roots engaged the audience by teaching and sharing the deep cultural traditions of Black music and dance. It celebrated resilience, unity and the rich beauty of Black culture and history.
Moving Forward
The Black History Month Workshop and Gala was a powerful reminder that the fight for racial justice in labour is far from over. The fight must continue until there is fairness and equality for all. The workshop is a prime example of what ongoing discussions are needed to spark new ideas, strengthen commitments and reinforce the need for continued action. As our union grows, so does the movement for a more equitable and just labour community.
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