As part of this year’s Black Heritage 365 celebration, you are invited to attend the panel discussion event, "Bonded in Brilliance: Black Kinship, Culture, and Community," which will take place on November 25th, 2025. This event will feature creative performances and a thought-provoking panel discussion with panelists including the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine who made history as the first Black Canadian woman to serve as a federal Minister of the Crown and Member of Parliament, as well as Rosemary Sadlier, a renowned author, social justice advocate, community leader and former president of the Ontario Black History Society. 

Details
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Reception: 2 to 2:15 p.m.
Panel Event: 2:15 to 4 p.m.  

Please note that seating is limited.

You may register to attend in person or online using the following RSVP form. 

About the panelists

Hon. Jean Augustine, PC, CM, was a trailblazing politician and social activist. She was elected the first Black Canadian woman to serve as a Member of Parliament (1993), she was appointed the first Black woman in Cabinet (2002), and she was named the first Fairness Commissioner by the Government of Ontario (2007). Her legacy includes the federal declaration of February as Black History Month, a motion she introduced in 1995. 

Rosemary Sadlier O.Ont. (Order of Ontario) is a social justice advocate, researcher, writer, DEI consultant and international speaker on Black History, anti-racism and women. She served as president of the Ontario Black History Society (22 years as the unpaid leader) and was the driving force in securing commemoration of February as Black History Month at all levels of government. She secured August 1st as Emancipation Day municipally in 1995, provincially in 2008, and nationally in March 2021. She saw the creation of the national day for the Hon. Lincoln Alexander and a bust in Queen's Park.   

Tenisha Noel is a speaker, youth advocate, and founder of TrailblazerTenisha, a platform focused on personal and professional development, leadership, and community transformation. She holds a Diploma in Community and Justice Services from Humber Polytechnic, an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Justice Studies from the University of Guelph, and is currently completing her Master of Laws (LLM) at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. Tenisha uses her lived experience, academic foundation, and passion for equity to empower underserved communities, especially youth and women, to lead with confidence and impact. This year, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch (2025), received the 2025 Youth Leadership Award from the Black North Initiative, and was honored with the Lieutenant Governor’s Lincoln M. Alexander Award.

Frost and Found – Holiday Shopping Event

Join us for a festive shopping experience planned and executed by our Cosmetic Management students in their Event Planning course!

Discover incredible beauty brands like Lalicious, NudeStix, FitGlow, and many more. Plus, enjoy an exclusive 20 per cent discount on all purchases during the event.

Don’t miss this chance to find the perfect holiday gifts and support our students.. We look forward to seeing you there!

Where holiday cheer meets a sprinkle of fairy dust and a dash of friendly competition! 

Get ready to sleigh the season—Humber’s Annual Employee Holiday Party is back, and this year we are turning the halls into an Enchanted Forest Wonderland filled with wonder, creativity, and a few mischievous twists along the way. 

Whether you fancy yourself a master baker, an artful elf, or someone who just wants to sip cocoa and soak in the cheer, there’s a little holiday magic waiting for everyone. 

Activities for Adults and Teens 

Planting Workshop (limited capacity)
Learn about our relationship to plants from an Indigenous perspective and start a new plant from cuttings that you can take home.
Registration Form 

Painting Workshop (limited capacity)
Re-discover the ‘Joy of Painting” in this instructor led painting workshop.
Registration Form  

Games and Activities for Kids 

Face Painting
Get a creative and memorable custom face painting — perfect for photos and festive fun! 

Childcare Room & ‘Book Nook’ (with Humber Libraries)
A fun, cozy space for children to play, complete with 30-minute “read aloud” storytelling sessions scheduled throughout the day.
Registration Form  

Activities for All Ages (and Holiday Energy Levels!)

The Great Gingerbread Bakeoff (limited capacity)
It’s time to get your bake on!  
Round 1: Blindfolded gingerbread decorating (yes, really).  
Round 2: Build your best gingerbread house with a team of fellow cookie architects. Bragging rights and glory await the champions of confection.
Registration Form 

Rest and Release – Stretch Session (with Humber Athletics) (limited capacity)
Take a pause from the tinsel and unwind with a mini-movement class for mind, body, and holiday balance.
Registration Form  

3D Interlocking Tree Craft Workshop (with IDEA Lab) (limited capacity)
Create your very own 3D interlocking tree craft—a one-of-a-kind art piece that’s part puzzle, part masterpiece.
Registration Form

Make Your Own Fairy Flower Crown (limited capacity)
Weave a little magic into your day! Design a whimsical flower crown that celebrates creativity, connection, and a touch of fairy sparkle.
Registration Form  

Fairy Friendship Bracelet Station/Crafting Station (limited capacity)
Because no enchanted gathering is complete without matching sparkly friendship bracelets! Pop by and create something merry to take home.
Registration Form

Cookie Decorating
Design your very own festive holiday treat in our self-directed cookie decorating session.
Registration Form

Holiday Photo Station

Capture those magical moments with friends, family, and colleagues — smiles encouraged, elf hats optional!

Plus: Festive snacks, cozy drinks, and delicious food truck delights will keep you fueled for all your holiday adventures. 

Workshop Sign-Ups 

Registration for select workshops will open November 21 and close November 27. After that, the remaining spaces will be first come, first served on the day of the event. 

This event is free; however, we encourage attendees to bring a non-perishable food item or a brand new, unwrapped toy to donate to those in need in our local community. This year all food items will be donated to Humber Polytechnic’s ‘Grab ‘N Go’ food bank, which supports the Humber student community.   

For more details and registration, please visit the Enchanted Forest website.  

So, dust off your wings, wear your coziest holiday sweater, and get ready to wander through a day of laughter, creativity, and cheer. 

Let’s make this holiday season a little more magical—Humber style!

This year, Humber Polytechnic’s Black/African Employee Resource Group (BA-ERG) proudly celebrates five years of growth, connection, and community. Over the past five years, the BA-ERG has continued to create space for belonging — fostering dialogue, collaboration, and empowerment among Black staff and faculty across the institution.

This milestone is a celebration of collective progress and the relationships built through shared learning, advocacy, and joy. As we look ahead, the BA-ERG remains committed to advancing equity and supporting a thriving campus community where all voices are valued. We welcome all colleagues and allies to join us in honouring this important milestone and continuing to build strong connection and belonging together.

This is an opportunity for us to express our thanks while looking forward to an authentic positive professional experience. If you would like more information or to be involved in any way, please RSVP at BAERG@humber.ca.

Light refreshments will be served.