Pride in Equity Awards - Celebrate Equity Leaders | Halton Equity Divers

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an image of a black woman winning an award at a community celebration, standing at the mic

EDI BOOKCLUB

The Halton Equity Awards honour individuals, organizations, and initiatives advancing equity, justice, and inclusion across the nonprofit sector. These awards uplift work rooted in lived experience, community accountability, and meaningful change, especially efforts that too often go unrecognized.

VOTING NOW OPEN. CLOSES SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

AND THE NomineES ARE

Becky Andrade

Becky is an inspiring leader whose commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice has created meaningful organizational and community impact. She initiated the HEDR Organizational Self-Assessment to identify barriers and develop an action plan, advocated for dedicated DEI staffing, and embedded DEI principles within the organization’s strategic plan and decision-making. Her leadership has advanced inclusive practices, including gender-neutral language, dedicated spaces for prayer and mindfulness, and stronger community partnerships. As a Board member of the Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable, she continues to champion equity beyond her organization. Becky’s vision, advocacy and leadership have strengthened organizational culture, programs and community inclusion.

Jay Poitras

Mr. Jay Poitras, Principal at Clarksdale Public School, demonstrates exceptional leadership by embedding diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into everyday school life. He moves beyond symbolic inclusion by thoughtfully reflecting diverse cultures, religions, gender identities and accessibility experiences throughout the school environment. Through inclusive messaging, varied acknowledgements and intentional practices, he encourages curiosity, connection and respect for difference. His leadership ensures students and families feel seen, valued and represented, while helping teachers integrate equity into their daily practice. By centering lived experience and community voices, Mr. P is transforming school culture and shaping young people to become more empathetic, inclusive and connected community members.

Rebecca Rogers

Rebecca Rogers is an equity leader with more than 25 years of transformative experience across nonprofit, public and national sectors. Her work advances diversity, equity, inclusion and justice through feminist, anti-racist and anti-oppressive approaches that centre lived experience and community voice. She has led multimillion-dollar portfolios, large teams and innovative programs addressing gender-based violence, anti-Black racism, accessibility and equity. As a visible LGBTQ+ leader, Rebecca brings lived experience and advocacy to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion, safety and belonging. She has mentored more than 100 women and gender-diverse leaders and continues advancing equity and systemic change across Ontario and Canada.

Gerald Phelan, Helena Hearn, Maria DaSilva, Marlon Schmitt, Kimberley McMullen, Mike Bilodeau

The Peer Researcher Team demonstrates outstanding leadership in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice by centering the voices of people experiencing homelessness. For two years, team members have engaged people in encampments, shelters and community spaces, providing supplies, connection, resources and compassionate support. Drawing on lived experiences, they build trust, belonging and meaningful relationships while ensuring unhoused neighbours are heard and respected. Their storytelling and advocacy have influenced policy and practices, contributed to Halton’s 10 Year Housing Strategy, and challenged NIMBY-ism through community education. Their work creates a vital pathway for lived experience to inform systems change and housing solutions.

Geibby Garaban

Geibby, a case worker at The Salvation Army, demonstrates exceptional commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice through compassionate support for newcomers, families facing financial hardship, and individuals navigating complex systems. She addresses barriers such as language, isolation, limited information and fear by listening deeply and providing patient, respectful guidance. Geibby helps families access education, community programs and essential supports while building confidence, stability and belonging. Her approach honours each person’s lived experience, encourages self-advocacy and creates spaces where people feel safe and valued. Through her dedication, Geibby strengthens vulnerable families and contributes to a more inclusive, supportive community.

Kaitlan McDonald

Kaitlan is an Youth Programmer at the Town of Halton Hills Youth Centre, demonstrating exceptional dedication over the past five years. Through compassion, empathy, and genuine care, she creates a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where youth feel valued, respected, and supported. Her ability to build trusting relationships enables young people to openly seek guidance and develop confidence, resilience, and belonging. Kaitlan goes beyond program delivery, serving as a mentor, advocate, and role model while championing diversity and inclusion. Her positive influence extends to families and the broader community, strengthening connections and creating meaningful opportunities for youth to grow, thrive, and feel empowered.

Immanuel Oluwatofunmi Okoroafor

Immanuel Oluwatofunmi Okoroafor is a dedicated grassroots leader who has strengthened African and Caribbean communities across Halton through creativity, mentorship, and service. As a committed volunteer with the African Caribbean Council of Halton and Council of African Professionals, he recognized gaps in communications and digital infrastructure and taught himself graphic design, video editing, and digital communications to address them. His work has enhanced both organizations’ visibility, credibility, and community engagement while helping them connect with partners and funders. Immanuel also mentors youth, providing encouragement and meaningful representation. Grounded in lived experience, he ensures community voices are communicated with dignity, demonstrating that leadership is about using one’s talents to empower others.

Jennifer Choi

Jennifer has demonstrated exceptional commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging since assuming her first formal DEIB role in April 2026. In a short time, she has created meaningful initiatives that foster connection, belonging, and awareness across MCRC and the Milton community. Her “Remember Them” initiative honoured Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, while “Come Together, MCRC” encouraged relationship building during Mental Health Week. Her “Dish to Dialogue” event celebrated Asian Heritage Month through food, conversation, and cultural exchange. Jennifer actively pursues learning and puts that knowledge into practice, uplifting marginalized communities, challenging injustice, and amplifying diverse voices. Her leadership is already strengthening MCRC’s commitment to inclusive, welcoming spaces.

Julian N. Ciaccia

For over a decade, Julian N. Ciaccia has advanced inclusion, accessibility, and equity for autistic and neurodivergent teens and young adults. Recognizing barriers to social connection, education, representation, and support, he has built and strengthened organizations that empower neurodivergent individuals to shape their own communities. Through student-led initiatives, community hubs, and leadership roles at Toronto Metropolitan University, Julian has advocated for more accessible accommodations, inclusive learning environments, and meaningful representation. Guided by “Nothing About Us Without Us,” he listens to community voices and creates opportunities for leadership, mentorship, and self-advocacy. His work transforms isolation into belonging and creates sustainable pathways for neurodivergent youth to thrive.

Ancilla Ho-Young

Ancilla Ho-Young is an extraordinary community leader whose more than 50 years of service have transformed lives across Halton. A nurse at Joseph Brant Hospital for 45 years, she advocated for nurses’ rights and dedicated herself to supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. As co-founder of Burlington’s Black History Month Committee, and through leadership with the Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee, Halton Violence Prevention Council, HEDR, Advancement of Women Halton, Community Development Halton, and Burlington Caribbean Connection, Ancilla has championed equity and inclusion. Her numerous honours reflect her impact. For generations, she has advocated for marginalized communities, creating a more equitable and compassionate Halton.

Haider Abdul-Hussain

Driven by personal experience with displacement, loss, and barriers to culturally responsive support, this nominee has worked to make grief services more equitable and accessible. Since joining Bereaved Families of Ontario in 2020, they have facilitated peer support, served in leadership, and helped establish BIPOC grief programming and dedicated supports for underserved communities, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families affected by overdose loss. Through a community-led DEI committee, they ensured lived experience shaped programming. Their fundraising efforts raised more than $500,000, helping keep services free for over 400 families. They also led Children’s Grief Awareness campaigns reaching more than two million people through multilingual, culturally responsive outreach.

Marcus Logan

Marcus Logan is a longstanding champion of equity, diversity, inclusion, and community building whose impact has strengthened Halton Region for decades. As a founding member of HEDR, Marcus helped establish the foundation for an organization dedicated to advancing inclusion and belonging across the region. Through his leadership with Oakville Public Library, he has demonstrated the vital role libraries play as welcoming spaces for connection, learning, and community. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Marcus is a dedicated community builder who brings people together, develops meaningful partnerships, and inspires others to contribute. His sustained commitment to DEI and community service makes him highly deserving of HEDR’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kanta Kapoor

Kanta Kapoor, Director of Support Services at Milton Public Library, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice by transforming the library’s collection. Under her leadership, a 2025 diversity audit reviewed 25,058 items, representing 22% of the collection, and identified 4,326 diverse titles. This data-driven work created a roadmap for more intentional, equity-informed collection development. Kanta has championed multilingual resources and led an Indigenization initiative supporting respectful identification, reclassification, and contextualization of Indigenous materials. Her leadership has strengthened representation, belonging, and accountability, while embedding equity into staff practices and collection decisions. Her work ensures Milton’s diverse communities can see themselves reflected and valued.

Kieran Maxwell

Kieran Maxwell advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice by transforming organizational commitments into meaningful structures, policies, education, and action. Through her leadership at the Ontario Nurses’ Association, she has addressed systemic barriers affecting Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQI, Francophone members, people with disabilities, and other marginalized communities. Kieran helped strengthen governance through the Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Board Committee, increased representation, supported member-led action teams, and improved pathways for addressing discrimination and human rights concerns. She has embedded equity into education, accessibility practices, policies, and engagement. Grounded in listening and lived experience, Kieran consistently amplifies community voices and challenges systems that perpetuate inequity.

Art Gallery of Burlington

The Art Gallery of Burlington advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice by embedding representation, accessibility, sustainability, and accountability throughout its institutional practice. AGB addresses barriers to cultural participation through free and low-cost exhibitions, workshops, residencies, and community programming designed for people of all ages and abilities. Its exhibitions amplify Indigenous, diasporic, LGBTQ+, and historically underrepresented voices, while partnerships with community organizations ensure programming is co-designed around lived experience and community needs. AGB’s commitment to Indigenous principles of Respect, Relationship, Responsibility, Reciprocity, and Relevance further strengthens its reconciliation work. By centering collaboration, equitable access, and diverse cultural identities, AGB demonstrates that inclusion is sustained institutional practice.

Pride Halton

Pride Halton has played a vital role in creating visibility, belonging, and safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community across Halton Region. Recognizing the lack of dedicated LGBTQIA+ events and spaces in the region, Pride Halton took action by organizing Halton’s first Pride Parade. It has since expanded its impact through Pride in the Park, community gatherings, and inclusive events welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds. These initiatives provide opportunities for connection, celebration, support, and community building while affirming that LGBTQIA+ people belong and are valued in Halton. Pride Halton’s work has transformed a significant gap in community services into meaningful opportunities for visibility, connection, and belonging.

Enabled Talent

Enabled Talent advances Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice by addressing systemic barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing employment. Rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought, it embeds inclusion directly into hiring infrastructure through AI powered job matching, bias aware screening, accessible onboarding, and employer compliance supports. Its approach helps employers evaluate candidates based on skills and accommodation needs while reducing barriers created by inaccessible technology and recruitment practices. Through partnerships with employers, colleges, nonprofits, and community organizations, Enabled Talent creates pathways to meaningful employment and long term inclusion. By centering lived experience and scaling accessibility innovation, it is helping transform workforce systems.

Oreofeoluwa Abraham Dimeji

Oreofeoluwa Dimeji demonstrates that advancing equity often happens through the essential work behind the scenes. Supporting the African Caribbean Council of Halton and Community Advocacy Programs, he has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours providing technical, administrative, and operational leadership. For four consecutive months, he has reliably produced virtual language classes, supported community events, managed technical challenges, and coordinated sponsor communications. His attention to cultural protocols, including Land Acknowledgements and community anthems, ensures that digital spaces remain respectful and inclusive. By creating reliable platforms for elders, youth, educators, and advocates to share their voices, Oreofeoluwa strengthens organizational capacity, community access, and collective action.

Simone Jennifer

Simone Jennifer is a powerful advocate for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, transforming lived experience into meaningful systemic change. As a strategic leader and Program Director, she challenges institutions to move beyond performative inclusion toward accountability, equity, and justice. Her work centres African and Caribbean communities, creating spaces where Black men can access healing, professional growth, and belonging without compromising cultural identity. Through initiatives such as the BWC Hub and her work with the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, she connects lived experience with policy, resources, and opportunity. By championing Black excellence, community leadership, and radical truth, Simone builds trust, amplifies marginalized voices, and expands possibilities for future generations.

AWARD CATEGORIES

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