Celebrating Black History Month in Canada: Onyx Initiative’s Second Annual Gala in Toronto

Onyx Initiative, a Toronto-based non-profit established to bridge the pervasive gap in the recruitment, selection, and retention of Black college and university students, and recent graduates for roles in corporate Canada.

As a follow-up to their sold-out inaugural gala in February 2024, the 2nd annual celebration gala held at the Ritz Carlton in Toronto on Feb 22nd was hosted by CTV Toronto’s Andra Case. It was another remarkable evening of inspiring speeches, showstopping entertainment, and genuine excitement for the opportunity to honour past and present trailblazers of Canadian, African, and Caribbean descent and the more than 1000 participants in the Onyx Scholars Program.

“At a time when the immeasurable value of having a diverse workforce, that authentically reflects the population, and giving qualified employees equal opportunities for advancement is being called into question, we are truly encouraged by the ongoing support of our mission to give underrepresented and highly skilled young talent access to roles that can set them up for career success,” said Nigela Purboo, Co-founder and Executive Director, Onyx Initiative. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘It’s always the right time to do what’s right;’ the success of our premiere gala, and the equally enthusiastic response to this year’s event, are a testament to the collective desire of many to continue heeding this clarion call.”

Amongst the numerous highlights for this year’s event is the integration of the theme, Honouring the Past, Nurturing the Present, and Investing in the Future, into in all aspects of the evening including spotlights on a few notable figures, Onyx Scholar and Mentor reflections, and awards being given in recognition of the organization’s employer, education, and community partners who have all exemplified the true spirit of collaboration; as well as volunteer and scholar awards to applaud the selfless dedication of two deserving recipients.

Onyx Initiative is a non-profit organization founded by entrepreneurs and philanthropists Drs. Wayne and Nigela Purboo in the wake of the global social justice movement and the subsequent call to action. The organization was established on the simple premise that anyone seeking meaningful employment and advancement, who is equipped and eager to fulfill the duties of a role, should have an equal opportunity to do so. Onyx’s purpose is to expand the recruitment pipeline by offering comprehensive career development resources and forging mutually beneficial corporate, educational, and community partnerships to close the systemic gap in the hiring, retention and promotion of Black college and university students and recent graduates for roles in corporate Canada. Onyx’s model is based on a dual and complementary value proposition – leverage post-secondary educational resources to create an expansive supply of high-potential Black talent and collaborate with prominent businesses to nurture a growing demand for more inclusive internships and full-time placements.