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In a world where systemic barriers persist, a new generation of Black Canadians is rising in education, arts and technology. In communities across Canada and beyond, Black youth continue to break boundaries in education, the creative arts and technology, shaping bold futures while inspiring the next generation.
These innovators are not only challenging racial stereotypes, but they are also redefining what success looks like in their respective fields. Their stories highlight both the progress made and the work that remains to build a truly equitable society.
Technology and Innovation
Tamar Huggins (Toronto)
Founder of Tech Spark and Spark Plug AI, Huggins is a trailblazing advocate for culturally responsive tech outreach. Since launching Tech Spark, a Canadian ed-tech school for Black and marginalized youth, she has reached over 1,500 students. Her Spark Plug AI platform integrates hip-hop culture and personalized learning to empower Black students through digital literacy and identity-aligned education.
Rising Star Mentorship Program (Canada-wide)
Run by Athlete Tech Group, BlackMINT and RBC Future Launch, this initiative empowers high school students through six to nine month internships in data science, cloud computing and game design. In its pilot year, all 25 participants completed the program with over 80 per cent expressing interest in tech careers and several securing paid internships at RBC. One student project even launched a startup that was accepted into Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ program.
Arts and Creative Expression
Ekene Emeka-Maduka (Winnipeg)
This Canadian-Nigerian contemporary artist uses self-portraiture and Nigerian heritage to explore identity, displacement and visibility. Based in Winnipeg, her work has garnered international attention for its emotionally resonant and culturally rich storytelling.
A multidisciplinary artist, curator and writer, Jordan reimagines Canadian history through visual art rooted in Black and Indigenous experiences. Her installations have been exhibited widely in Toronto and beyond, challenging narratives while centering marginalized voices.
Meanwhile, Obsidian Theatre’s Young, Gifted and Black Program’s six-month-ensemble initiative supports Black practitioners behind the scenes, training designers, directors and producers through mentorship, masterclasses and apprenticeships grounded in Black diasporic aesthetics and decolonial practice.
Advocacy at the Intersection of Art and Education
Astrophysicist, artist, educator the author of Painting the Cosmos, Dr Imara fuses science and art to inspire Black and brown youth. Her nonprofit offers free STEM tutoring delivered by scientists of colour, linking cultural narrative to scientific identity.
Research consistently shows that Black students face disproportionate declines in arts programs, nearly a 50 per cent drop since the 1980s compared to virtually no decline for white peers. These inequities harm academic engagement, creativity and future opportunities. Meanwhile, creative pedagogy such as the Rising Stargirls astronomy-art workshops for middle school girls boost science identity and engagement through Afrofuturistic STEM learning models.
These individuals and initiatives reflect a broader shift: young Black talent using education, art and tech not only to succeed but to reshape society. As programs expand and more discover their voice through creative and intellectual expression, their collective impact will ripple through academia, culture and innovation ecosystems.
Despite their success, these young changemakers face unique challenges. A 2021 report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives revealed that Black youth face higher unemployment rates and lower income levels than their white peers, even with similar qualifications.
However, their achievements speak volumes. They are reshaping Canadian society by demanding inclusion, sparking conversations and creating opportunities for others to follow.
