100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women Marks a Decade of Leadership With 600 Women Recognized

100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women will honour 100 new trailblazers at a Toronto book launch and awards gala on Saturday.

TORONTO, ON — A national initiative documenting the contributions of Black Canadian women will reach a major milestone this weekend when another 100 women are honoured, bringing the number recognized over the past decade to 600.

The 2026 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women Book Launch and Awards Gala takes place Saturday, September 19, at Woodbine Banquet Hall in Toronto.

The celebration marks the release of the publication’s sixth edition and 10 years since the initiative began documenting Black women’s achievements across Canada.

Ten Years of Documenting Black Canadian Achievement

Since its launch in 2016, 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women has sought to preserve and increase the visibility of Black Canadian women’s contributions.

“Ten years ago we decided to document the accomplishments of Black Canadian women and ensure their stories became part of Canada’s history,” said Dauna Jones-Simmonds, co-author and architect of the initiative. “Today we’re proud to say you can find our books in school libraries, classrooms and Canadian homes coast to coast to coast. We are a part of history and we are making an impact on this country’s future.”

The 2026 honourees represent fields including technology, law, health care, education, arts and culture, skilled trades, entrepreneurship and community advocacy.

Women Across Canada Recognized

Among those being honoured are technology journalist and VentureKids Canada founder Takara Small; lawyer Tanya Walker; theatre artist, dub poet and educator Dr. d’bi.young anitafrika; researcher and university leader Dr. Rhonda N. McEwen; maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Cynthia Maxwell; and Parents of Black Children Canada CEO Charline Grant.

The list also includes physician Dr. Danielle Brown-Shreves; Obsidian Theatre Artistic Director Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu; lawyer and financial-literacy advocate Aquilas K. Dapaah; African Nova Scotian scholar Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch; skilled-trades professional Melissa Alexander; and construction entrepreneur Josephine Sindani.

Organizers say honourees are selected based on professional and community accomplishments, demonstrated leadership and their commitment to advancing Black women and girls.

Building a Canadian Legacy

The book is co-authored by the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons; Dauna Jones-Simmonds; and Dr. Denise O’Neil Green.

Saturday’s red carpet is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by the program from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The milestone places 600 individual stories into a growing record of Black women’s leadership and contributions in Canada.

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