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2nd Annual Black Mental Health Gala

Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport 970 Dixon Road | Toronto, ON | M9W 1J9

Dec 13. 2025

Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport 970 Dixon Road | Toronto, ON | M9W 1J9

Ubuntu Gala

“Connecting
with Intention”

You are warmly invited to BMHCʼs annual gala—an evening dedicated to raising awareness and sparking action for mental health in Black communities across Canada. Together, we will celebrate stories of strength, highlight our collective impact, and build intentional connections that heal and inspire.

Get Tickets

Event Highlights

150+ Guests

The gala will welcome over 150 guests, including helping professionals, authors, change-makers, and community members

Dinner & Performances

Guests will enjoy a night of dinner, live performances, keynote speakers, and opportunities to support BMHC’s mission.

Keynote Speakers

Mental health and community leaders sharing their insights and vision.

Networking

Opportunities to support BMHC’s mission.

Dinner

Dinner will be a full-course experience with something tasty for everyone.

Raffle

Add to the fun with our gala raffle—your chance to take home something special.

Cultural & Musical Performances

Celebrating Black excellence through the arts.

After Party!

Don’t miss the afterparty- Dance till you drop.

Meet Our Speakers

Dr. Natasha Williams

(Women’s Mental Health)

Dr. Natasha Williams

(Women’s Mental Health)

Dr. Natasha Williams is a Radical Self-Care and Leadership Expert, Registered Psychologist and one of the founding clinical directors of Allied Psychological Services which is an anti-oppressive, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual psychological private practice in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Williams is also an international professional speaker, trainer, best-selling published author and a certified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion facilitator. Dr. Williams was a regular contributor to the Marilyn Denis show in Toronto and she is currently a media expert with CTV News, CTV Your Morning and the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). She has also been featured in several publications such as Chatelaine, Reader’s Digest, The Globe and Mail, The National Post and the Huffington Post. Dr. Williams has written several books including “Embracing Selfishness, it’s not what you think” and “You are not Every Woman!”. She is passionate about using a combination of clinical expertise, personal experience and faith to motivate and facilitate transformative change.

Zakaria Abdulle

(Men’s Mental Health)

Zakaria Abdulle

(Men’s Mental Health)

Zakaria Abdulle is a public policy professional and social purpose real estate developer dedicated to finding collaborative solutions to complex problems. He currently serves his communities across Toronto as Board Chair and President of the Somali Centre for Culture – a social purpose real estate not for profit aiming to address the social infrastructure needs of black communities.
Zak started his career in the community development sector. Today his city building experience spans areas of housing, land use planning and development, healthcare, education, and community economic development. He has provided community impact-driven advice to senior decision-makers in the City of Toronto, the Ontario Government, and the Government of Canada.

Christiana Egi

(Seniors Mental Health)

Christiana Egi

(Seniors Mental Health)

Christiana Egi is a Registered Nurse, Dementia Advocate, Author, and Podcaster, recognized with multiple honours including the 2024 Top 25 Women of Influence Award, the Nigerian International Advocacy Award for her tireless work in dementia education and community wellness, and the 2025 Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch distinction. With nearly 40 years of nursing experience, she is committed to promoting mental and physical well-being while breaking down the stigma surrounding dementia. Christiana is the founder of Alexis Lodge, a specialized memory care residence, and A Rose for Grandma Wellness Hub, both dedicated to providing compassionate, culturally responsive support, especially for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by health disparities.

Svens Telemaque

(Lived Experience)

Svens Telemaque

(Lived Experience)

Svens Telemaque is a transformative author, speaker, and social entrepreneur dedicated to empowering youth and reforming the prison system. His journey of overcoming adversity has shaped his mission. At Union United Church, he leads a pioneering initiative that involves Black men in prison participating in community roles and trauma-informed personal development courses. His workshops have a global impact, reaching schools, prisons, and various institutions.
Svens also serves as a mentor, guiding cohorts of Black boys through WIBCA’s Maasai Mentoring Group. This program equips them with essential life skills and inspires stories of resilience. His commitment to his cause is evident in his extensive travels across the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Africa, where he provides thousands with the tools to overcome challenges. His riveting story does not idolize a troublesome past but reminds us that even “Broken Crayons Still Color.”

Ralph Bryant

(Lived Experience)

Ralph Bryant

(Lived Experience)

Originally from New York City, Ralph Bryant is a queer writer, father, and mental health advocate who has lived in Canada for almost 20 years. Ralph is the creator of the Love Notes Campaign, which transforms public spaces into canvases of compassion, using positive affirmations to elevate mental health awareness in Winnipeg, throughout Manitoba, and beyond. Ralph is director of “On the Verge,” a documentary and poetic performance project that explores the history of scientific racism, confronting generational trauma, and dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly among black men. In his “spare time,” Ralph is the Manager, Stewardship and Philanthropy at Rainbow Resource Centre.

Stafford Lowe

(Children/Youth Mental Health)

Stafford Lowe

(Children/Youth Mental Health)

With over 30 years as an educator and more than a decade as a psychotherapist, Stafford Lowe has dedicated his life to helping young people and families navigate emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. He is the founder of Wise Transformations, a psychotherapy and educational consulting practice that empowers youth, individuals, couples, and groups to clarify goals, make positive changes, and realize their fullest potential.
Stafford has served with the Peel District School Board for over three decades in roles including teacher, guidance counsellor, department head, coordinator, vice-principal, and coach. For the past 11 years, he has also contributed his expertise to the psychology team at a youth correctional facility, while continuing to mentor youth through coaching basketball, volleyball, badminton, and track and field.
In addition, Stafford proudly serves as a Life Coach with the Onyx Initiative, supporting Black scholars and recent post-secondary graduates in navigating their educational and career journeys.
A graduate of Acadia University (B.Ed.) and Liberty University (M.A. in Professional Counselling), Stafford has been a registered psychotherapist since 2017. He treasures his faith, his wife Karen, and his four children—Breanna, Eboni, Joshua, and Samuel. His passion remains guiding others to resilience, purpose, and brighter futures.

MissNatasha Connects

(Mental Health and Disability)

MissNatasha Connects

(Mental Health and Disability)

I’m MissNatasha — a neurodivergent mental wellness advocate, speaker, and creator who helps people feel seen, supported, and empowered to keep showing up for life, even when it’s hard. Through my work, I create spaces where real conversations happen — whether I’m on stage, behind a mic, or sitting beside someone navigating a personal transition.
As a speaker, I deliver heart-forward talks on mental health, resilience, disability advocacy, and caregiver support — blending lived experience, humour, and practical tools. I’ve spoken at wellness events across North America and worked with organizations that serve frontline workers, neurodivergent communities, and women in transition. A Sincere Peer is one of my most personal offerings: one-on-one, real-life support that’s not therapy and not coaching — just human-to-human connection. Whether you’re moving through grief, creating something new, or simply need someone beside you who gets it, I’m here to walk with you.
I’m also the author of six books for both adults and children focused on mental wellness, emotional growth, and building self-worth. My writing is practical, affirming, and rooted in real life — created for people who want tools, not fluff. And then there’s The CreateDon’tHate Show — my YouTube series where I interview everyday creators, changemakers, and overcomers about why they choose to create instead of hate, every single day. At the heart of everything I do is this belief: You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You just need to keep showing up — with compassion, creativity, and community.

TBA

LGBTQ + Mental Health

TBA

LGBTQ + Mental Health

Performers

Johnte Black

(Performer)

Johnte Black

(Performer)

Johnte Black is a Toronto Magician and Mentalist, and has been performing sleight of hand magic, gambling demonstrations, mentalism acts, etc… – for several years. He’s now the most sought after Magician and Mentalist in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. He has performed at numerous restaurants, bars, clubs, weddings, birthday parties, private and corporate events, etc.
Johnte Black is a world class entertainer/performer with breathtaking sleight of hand skills. A lot of the fun of being a magician and mentalist is that there is always more to learn and discover. When he’s not performing his mind blowing and unique magic, Johnte will often be seen studying, creating and practicing new material -with inspiration from magicians all over the world. Recently, he’s also started teaching magic to those that are passionate to learn in private sessions. Engage with Johnte Black today for an unforgettable experience.

Roen Higgins

Performer

Roen Higgins

Performer

I am a Spoken Word poet, educator, speaker, and coach. My style, flow, and delivery are bridged with my background in education & counseling. I believe creative wiring and poetry is the therapy of a lifetime and creativity should be the blueprint to our education as creativity is linked to our very existence. From entertainment, architecture, technology, Creativity is the most sought-after skill yet least fostered. I celebrate imagination & creativity in an interactive way. I engage youth and young adults in a very dynamic way by having them explore where they are creative. The goal is for them to understand that creativity is the foundation of solutions and innovation. I also do activities that reveal how easy it is to write, create and connect with others through the power of words. I do word association in an interactive way and we co-create a piece together. The participants then write or create individually and they are invited to share. I also use sound and movement to anchor and inspire them. Guide them on how to ground themselves which is very key especially for those who have attention, anxiety, or processing challenges. These can result in zines, recordings, video projects. My mission is for participants to know that they are created to create I am dedicated to raising others to get unstuck, tap into their genius zone, and have made it my mission to empower others through creative literacy and well-being

Percy Anane

Performer

Percy Anane

Performer

A Toronto-based dancer/choreographer and actor with over a decade of global training. A member of the Black Stars TO, which played a major role in putting Toronto on the world map as one of the leaders in shaping afro dance culture in the world today. With credits including national commercials for Pepto Bismol and PetSmart, Disney’s Sneakerella, American Gods Season 2, and the upcoming Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. Percy has shared the stage with Jason Derulo, French Montana, Megan Trainor, Asake , opened for Justin Timberlake’s Man of the Woods Tour and many more, making him even more sought after in the industry. His passion for impacting the industry is unmatched, and he’s dedicated to expanding his influence within his community.

Nicole Inica Hamilton

(MC)

Nicole Inica Hamilton

(MC)

Nicole Inica Hamilton is an award-winning choreographer and the Founder/ Artistic Director of Inica Dance Industries. A certified educator and teaching member of Dance Masters of Canada / Dance Masters of America, Hamilton has served as a guest teacher, mentor and speaker at institutes across Canada including; George Brown College, University of Toronto, York University and University of Calgary.

Hamilton is a counselling member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and a member of Healthy Dancer Canada. She works actively in the dance health and science sector. Her creations and research have examined and explored diverse realities and experiences of the human condition, healing practices, and care centered ecosystems. Hamilton’s research on injury prevention, holistic teaching practices and impacts of psychological stress have been presented at national and international conventions including; the En Avant-RAD World Convention, the Toronto Dance Teacher Expo, the Performing Arts Medicine Association and more. She resides on the wellness team of Jörgen Dance.

Hamilton reports on the current news affairs of our time with special focus on arts, health, career, and business news at CIUT 89.5 FM. She is the in-suite moderator for the Dora Mavor Moore award-winning dance Immersion, and has operated as a guest correspondent and host on media and discussion platforms across Canada including the Career Buzz Show, Evi-Dance Radio, the AMANI Project, and Fall for Dance North’s Mambo Podcast. Her voice has been featured on national commercials, film, television networks and stages where she has moderated, and facilitated conversations with leaders across the world.

The Black Mental Health Canada Gala is a powerful event that brings together a diverse community to celebrate and support the advancement of Black mental health in Canada.

“I am because we are.ˮ

Ubuntu

Black Mental Health Canada

Black Mental Health Canada ( BMHC) is a national charitable organization that works to advance the mental health and well-being of Black Canadians. They recognize the systemic barriers that disproportionately affect Black communities and are committed to delivering culturally responsive care, advocacy, and education.

BMHC Initiatives

Self Care Through Hair

Barbershops and salons as safe spaces for mental health conversations

Queens

Empowerment programming for Black women and girls

Lifemap

Supporting young men in reintegration after parole or probation

Yes to Assess

Makes assessments affordable to those most vulnerable

Hope in Hoops

Mentorship for youth through basketball

Heroes

Bringing mental health awareness to low income neighbourhoods.

Through these diverse initiatives, BMHC is committed to providing holistic, culturally responsive mental health support, mentorship, and empowerment programs to uplift and empower Black communities across Canada.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Level	Benefits
Presenting Sponsor – $10, 000	• Exclusive “Presented by [Your Company]ˮ branding. • Keynote speaking opportunity. • One VIP table (10 seats). • Recognition in all press and media coverage. • Logo prominently displayed on the website and gala agenda. • Opportunity for a customized sponsor activation.
Leadership Sponsor – $5,000	• One VIP table (5 seats). • On-stage recognition. • Logo featured in press and media coverage, event signage, and digital displays. • Logo placement in the gala agenda. • Recognition on BMHCʼs social media platforms.
Champion Sponsor – $2500	• One table (3seats). • Logo on all event signage and digital screens. • Logo on gala agenda. • Acknowledgement during the event program. • Social media feature post.
Advocate Sponsor – $1000	• One table (2 seats). • Logo placement in select signage. • Recognition on BMHC’s website and social media. • Mention in gala program agenda.
Friend Sponsor – $500	• Logo on website and select materials. • Recognition in gala program. • Social media mention.

*Black Mental Health Canada Gala 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities

Vendor Opportunities at the Gala

Vendor Tables

$750 each

6-foot table in networking area

Showcase products, services, or community resources

Recognition in gala program and website

Raise visibility for your organization

Download the Form

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with attendees and showcase your offerings at the upcoming gala!

Why Support

Sponsoring BMHC’s gala is a statement of solidarity and leadership in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. Your sponsorship wil directly fund expanding access to therapy, training for Black mental health professionals, community-based programs, and research and advocacy for systemic change.

Join Us on Dec 13. 2025!

Our Gala ‘Ubuntu – Connecting with Intention,’ is a powerful event that brings together a diverse community to celebrate and support the advancement of Black mental health in Canada. By sponsoring and attending this gala, individuals and organizations can demonstrate their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, while directly funding critical initiatives that make a tangible difference in the lives of Black Canadians.

Get Tickets