In February, we recognize Black History Month as a time to honour the history and lived experiences of Black communities across Canada and around the world. It’s a month of both reflection and celebration, and an opportunity to listen and learn from the Black community and their voices.
We celebrate the strength and resilience of Black heritage, with its rich culture and the vast contributions of those who have shaped our communities. From advocacy and education to art, literature, sports, politics and social justice, Black leaders have helped to break down barriers and inspire others—and their leadership has no age limit. Many powerful leaders and changemakers of today made incredible strides at young ages.
Alphonso Davies is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for FC Bayern Munich. Born a refugee in Ghana, he was raised in Edmonton and in 2017 he became the youngest person to play for the Canadian national team at just 16 years old. Today, at age 25, he captains the national team. He also uses his platform to give back and advocate for refugees and support youth in sports.
Amanda Gorman is an activist and award-winning writer and poet. When she was just 22 years old, she performed her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at the 2021 inauguration of former United States President, Joe Biden. She was the youngest poet to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration, and her story inspired countless people with its message of unity and hope.
Marley Dias is a youth literacy activist and author who launched the viral #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign at just 11 years old after noticing the lack of Black girl protagonists in her school’s reading lists. This became a global movement, helping transform conversations around representation in children’s literature. Since then, Marley has become a powerful advocate for education and equity for Black youth and girls, and in 2018, she became the youngest person ever to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list (at 13 years old!).
Simone Manuel is a freestyle swimmer and Olympic champion. In the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, she became the first Black woman to win a gold medal in an individual swimming event when she was just 20 years old. Today, she continues to be an advocate for equality in the sport, inspiring future Black swimmers and Olympic athletes through the Simone Manuel Foundation.
Young Black voices hold power in our communities. Here in Canada, Black writers, educators, artists and activists inspire change and help open doors for future generations. Their stories remind us of the importance of representation, equality and opportunity, especially for children and youth of colour who may not see themselves represented in positions of leadership.
At Moorelands Kids, we believe in the potential of every child. By creating opportunities for growth, connection, and confidence-building, we aim to help young people discover their strengths and develop the skills they need to thrive as leaders.
This Black History Month, we celebrate young Black voices and the leadership they bring today, while nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.