Halifax, NS, April 26, 2023 – The BlackNorth Initiative (BNI), Enbridge and the Honourable Dr. Donald H. Oliver, K.C. celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Black Cultural Centre with a donation to support community events.
Earlier this year, at the BlackNorth Initiative Excellence Gala, the Honourable Dr. Donald H. Oliver, K.C. was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Enbridge. Oliver retired as a member of the Senate of Canada in 2013 after 22 years of service and the designation of being Canada’s first Black Man, and second Black person to be appointed to the Senate.
Oliver rose to serve with distinction as Speaker Pro Tempore (Deputy Speaker) in the Senate of Canada in Ottawa; as Chairman of six standing committees of Parliament; as Chairman or Deputy Chairman of seven inter-parliamentary associations; and as a ubiquitous spokesperson for diversity, pluralism, fairness, and equality, for which he was awarded five honorary doctorate degrees from Canadian universities.
To commemorate its 40th anniversary, The BlackNorth Initiative and Enbridge will present the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia a donation of $15,000 in honour of the Honourable Dr. Donald H. Oliver, K.C. Oliver serves as a Board of Director of the BlackNorth Initiative, and is a founding member and the inaugural president of the Black Cultural Center. This support will assist the Centre in its programming to celebrate decades of community service and to support the upcoming capital expansion plans.
When I learned at the BNI Gala that I had won the right to give $15,000 to a charity of my choice, I instantly thought of the Black Cultural Center because it has similar objectives of BNI, that is to promote Equality, Tolerance, Equity, and Diversity to help equalize the opportunities for Black Canadians. It was the perfect fit so I am proud to be able to accept this generous cheque from Enbridge” – Hon. Dr. Donald Oliver, K.C.
“The Honourable Dr. Donald H. Oliver, K.C. is a pioneer and an outspoken social activist ensured to platform those who needed it the most.” says Dahabo Ahmed-Omer, Chief Executive Officer of the BlackNorth Initiative.” The BlackNorth Initiative is proud to support the celebration of our dear friend. He embodies our values, and we’re elated to support his vision of building community.”
“Dr. Oliver’s life work has been a matter of equality and breaking down barriers. Enbridge, committed to advancing diversity and inclusion, is proud that he is the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award that we present with BlackNorth,” said Mike Fernandez, Senior Vice President, Enbridge. “We’re also thrilled he has chosen to share the gift associated with this award with the Black Cultural Centre, a gem that reminds us how far we have come and how far we have yet to go.”
“The Honourable Dr. Donald H. Oliver, K.C. is a trailblazer and advocate for equality, who has made a remarkable contribution to a greater understanding of Black Culture and Heritage in Canada. over his lifetime” said Russell Grosse, Executive Director of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia. “We are honoured to receive this gift, especially during our 40th year of operations, from our founding president.”
About BlackNorth Initiative
The BlackNorth Initiative is on a mission to end anti-Black systemic racism throughout all aspects of our lives by utilizing a business-first mindset. We are committed to the removal of systemic anti-Black barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians. For more information, visit: https://blacknorth.ca/ and follow us on social media @blacknorthca.
About Enbridge Inc.
At Enbridge, we safely connect millions of people to the energy they rely on every day, fueling quality of life through our North American natural gas, oil or renewable power networks and our growing European offshore wind portfolio. We’re investing in modern energy delivery infrastructure to sustain access to secure, affordable energy and building on two decades of experience in renewable energy to advance new technologies including wind and solar power, hydrogen, renewable natural gas and carbon capture and storage. We’re committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the energy we deliver, and to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Enbridge’s common shares trade under the symbol ENB on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges. To learn more, visit us at enbridge.com.
About Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia established in 1983, is Canada largest and oldest repository dedicated to Black Culture and History in Canada, sharing the unique history of the log standing historic, multi-generational Black Community in Nova Scotia that is well over 400 years old.
The sod-turning ceremony took place on April 24, 1982. Seventeen months later, on September 17, 1983, the Centre officially opened as a provincially mandated Museum and Cultural Centre that has elevated Black Culture to a national level.