Posts in category Opinions

On the first day of Black History Month 2026, I had the privilege of addressing the congregation at the Unitarian Church of Montreal—Canada’s first Unitarian community, founded in 1842. My theme was WONDER. Wonder at the deep roots of Black history in Quebec, wonder at the resilience of our community, and wonder at what we might build together through genuine allyship. The Wonder of Deep Roots Many people express wonder—and not always the positive kind—when they learn that Black history in Quebec stretches back over four hundred years. The first recorded Black person in what would become Canada was Mathieu …

Salutations Everyone! I hope you all are excited, because we can see evidence that spring is coming! If you did not read my last article, the long and the short is that I had a life-threatening blood clot in one of my veins, and now I am on anticoagulants. But I have some great news! One day, I was leaving the hospital after one of my follow-ups and received an email stating that I had been awarded funding to travel to Trinidad for a research symposium at the University of the West Indies to present my PhD research. The topic …

Focus each day on intentional choices that lead you toward your goals and purpose. Each day, take action that moves you toward your goals and calling. Every purposeful step moves you closer to your destiny. Struggles and challenges may arise, but it will be worth it in the end! Progress requires a decision and commitment to change. We spend much time thinking about what we can’t do and little time on what we can do. Negativity is a dream killer. You have to decide what you want to do and take the necessary small intentional steps to get you there. …

Each year the calendar invites us to pause and reflect on moments that shape our shared humanity. Some observances pass quietly, while others encourage deeper consideration about the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead. One such moment is International Women’s Day, observed globally on March 8. Beyond the headlines and social media posts, the day offers an opportunity to recognize the profound ways women have shaped families, communities, and history itself. Some companies and organizations will host events until the end of the week or maybe even the end of the month. But what does …

Let’s put an end to the blaming; let’s unite and start aiming In today’s society, the Black community wants to blame everyone else for the problems it faces, instead of simply looking in the mirror. We want to blame the police for the very thing we do to each other on a much larger scale, any given day. We want to blame the school teachers when our children do not learn. We want to blame the white man for holding us down. We want to blame the government for failing to take care of us. We want to blame the …

We are in the month of International Women’s Day (May 8th). Let me begin with a quick shout-out to all the women who have left an indelible mark in our lives and society, as well as those who continue to do so, leading with courage and tenacity to shape our community and the lives of current and future women. While we should always take the time to celebrate ourselves and the various laudable women, this month is a special reminder. It should also be a reminder to take care of ourselves and each other. This includes our mental and physical …

Salutations Everyone! It’s my turn to say “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” I am so sorry for not writing something in the last edition. The truth is, I was so busy, and I kept telling myself, “I have to check the last Community Contact to see when the new edition comes out!” And of course, by the time I had time to check, it was too late. The new edition was coming out in two days… But I think that this is a good segue into what I want to talk about today. It’s nothing too drastically different from what I usually …

It’s time to challenge yourself in 2026 and start planning your goals. What is a 30-day challenge? It’s a proven way to build new habits. If long-term goals feel overwhelming, start with a   30-day challenge. It breaks your big goals into manageable steps. I like these challenges because they keep you focused. They can be highly beneficial since you can schedule them several times a year. Challenges can help you create new habits, test your strengths, reveal your weaknesses, and become more consistent. Think about it… Consider what you can accomplish in the next 30 days to improve your …

Truth will always be truth regardless of lack of understanding, disbelief or ignorance. Hard truths add credibility rather than diluting the message. February is here. No need to start Black History by talking about slavery. We need to change the narratives. We need to look at our own histories and tell our own stories. As long as the lions have no historians, it will be the exploits of the hunter that will be celebrated, rather than the bravery of the lions (Chinua Achebe) . However, if our story is to be told then it must be told in one accord. …

The ‘Sum of All Fears’ is a captivating spy thriller that explores the shadowy realm of terrorism and the malevolent motivations behind it. As we reflect on our summer, it’s crucial to also confront the apparent pervasive fears faced by authorities in addressing the pressing issue of systemic anti-Black racism. In early May, the Supreme Court of Canada granted the Quebec government permission to appeal the landmark Luamba decision. This case was initiated by Joseph-Christopher Luamba, a Black resident of Montreal, who faced multiple unwarranted police stops, leading him to claim racial profiling. The 2022 Superior Court ruling had confirmed …