Diversity Awards celebrate inclusion, mentorship, opportunity

By Lincoln DePradine

Employers and workers in the construction industry have been implored to value “inclusion and belonging,’’ and told that their focus must be on involving more people in the trades and not just putting up buildings.

Issues such as inclusion, diversity and overcoming obstacles were reiterated by champion hurdler, Canadian Perdita Felicien, as she delivered the keynote address at the 2026 Building Diversity Awards (BDA) gala at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto.

The BDA honourees, chosen by the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN), were described as “representing the very best in inclusion, innovation, mentorship, and community leadership’’.

“In this industry, you do more than build skyscrapers. You build access, you build futures. But my challenge to all of you is build to make room — not rooms — and let your tools and your equipment not be steel and concrete, let it be people,’’ Felicien said to applause.

This year’s BDA recipients included Senator Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard, the TCHC Regent Park Revitalization Project, Ambleside Integrated Site IPD, Span and Spaces, Houle Electric, Infrastructure Ontario, Wiltshire Homes, Michael Oriere, Luv Sehgal, Dwayne De Rosario, Marilyn Horrick and Steve Shallhorn.

Rosemarie Powell, TCBN’s Executive Director, extended a “grateful thank you’’ to the sponsors and partners that supported the BDA.

“We are extremely delighted with their support and look forward to continue working with them all. We also thank our volunteers, nominees, award recipients, and all those who purchased tickets to attend the BDA,’’ said Powell.

The BDA’s 2026 theme was, “Rise. Build. Belong’’.

The theme “reflects a powerful truth: when communities are meaningfully included in growth, everyone benefits’’, Powell said. “Together, we are proving that diversity builds stronger projects, stronger communities, and a stronger Canada.’’

The BDA ceremony was preceded on May 20, by a youth-led conference whose keynote speaker was Irwin Bess, executive director of BuildForce Canada, an organization that “supports the labour market development needs of the construction and maintenance industry through several programs and initiatives’’.

TCBN utilized a diverse group of award presenters for the BDA that was emceed by TV personality and former Grey Cup champion Sebastian Clovis, with entertainment from stand-up comedian Jay Martin.

“This is important work for us to be doing. Diversity is the key to this planet being a great place,’’ Gary Pera, President of TCBN and a member of the board of the Ontario Federation of Labour, told The Caribbean Camera.

Talent, Felicien said in her keynote address, “is not the thing that changes a life. It’s having your talent having a place to live, to breathe, to grow, to flourish, to be believed in’’.

According to Felicien, “everyone has talent – that’s universal. But access and opportunity are not universal’’.

She referenced her own experience of stumbling and feeling excluded before her coach embraced her, providing opportunities that led to Felicien winning international hurdles titles.

“Hurdles are in your way and I have learnt that you don’t ever hesitate – you just scale them,’’ she said. “The best way forward is through. And if you fall, and if you fail, don’t be afraid. Because that thing that you dare to build, after you’ve gotten up, can be better; can be more beautiful than what you were doing before.’’

Former TCBN President Chris Campbell closed the evening with a message of his own.

“Ladies and gentlemen, continue mentoring our youth,’’ urged Campbell.

More photos at this link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14pCTRqbxEJz3tpwemGNjVUkfaGo1kFIr?usp=sharing

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