Ignite

What is Ignite?

IGNITE: A Black Talent Initiative is an empowering and visionary conference that celebrates, empowers, and amplifies the voices and achievements of Black trailblazers across various industries and disciplines.

IGNITE provides a platform to learn, connect, and be inspired by the remarkable journeys and accomplishments of Black leaders, entrepreneurs, activists, and professionals who are making significant contributions to their fields.

We’re bringing together a diverse community of individuals passionate about fostering positive change, breaking barriers, and driving innovation.

Join Us

Why Ignite?

Innovate

Encourage groundbreaking ideas, foster creativity, and cultivate an environment that promotes innovation within Black communities and industries.

Inspire

Motivate individuals to reach their full potential, share compelling stories of success, and ignite a sense of passion and purpose among our participants to drive positive change.

Impact

Advocate for tangible outcomes and lasting change, emphasizing measurable results that positively influence society, industries, and the lives of individuals within the Black community.

Invest

Commit resources, support, and opportunities toward the advancement, development, and sustainable growth of Black talent, initiatives, and businesses, fostering a culture of investment in the success of Black leaders and entrepreneurs.

Our theme

Our theme, "Building Black Futures: Innovation, Leadership & Impact," celebrates the pivotal contributions of Black innovators, leaders, and changemakers in shaping the future across entrepreneurship, corporate spaces, and social impact. It honours those who are pioneering new frontiers, transforming industries, and paving the way for future generations, embodying the forward-thinking spirit of the conference.

Ignite

Your

Inner

Flame

DAY BREAKDOWN

Whether you are an aspiring leader, an established professional, an advocate for social change, or simply passionate about supporting and learning from Black trailblazers, IGNITE provides a platform to learn, connect, and be inspired by the remarkable journeys and achievements of Black leaders.

Join us for all three days or for the day that sparks the most in you.

FEB 27

Black Entrepreneurs Day

Feb 25

Black Entrepreneurs day

You’re a bold visionary, sculpting the future with creativity and determination, turning challenges into stepping stones, embodying resilience and audacity and transforming ideas into reality.

FEB 28

Black Leaders Day (Corporate)

Feb 26

Black Leaders Day (Corporate)

You’re a beacon of inspiration in corporate spaces, navigating uncharted paths with charisma and resilience, transforming challenges into triumphs, fostering innovation and empowering others to exceed their limits.

FEB 29

Black Changemakers Day

Feb 27

Black Changemakers Day

You’re an intrepid catalyst within our community, fearlessly reshaping the future through passion and innovation, motivating others to envision new possibilities at every stride.

Session type

Take part in a variety of sessions including keynotes, panels, workshops that are sure to spark conversations, connections, and change.

KEYNOTE SESSIONS

Our keynotes will be dynamic sessions featuring leaders who ignite the atmosphere. They are high-energy performances that will spark inspiration, set the tone, and fuel excitement for what lies ahead.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Our panel discussions will be forums where experts and ideas collide, and where sparks fly. From rapid-fire insights, diverse perspectives, and a collective brainstorm, the audience will leave buzzing with new perspectives and a thirst for more knowledge.

WORKSHOP SESSIONS

Our workshops will be hands-on thrill rides of learning, where you’ll have the opportunity to dive deep into practical skills and interactive sessions. They’re immersive experiences where ideas come to life, creativity takes the wheel, and everyone leaves ready to conquer new challenges.

VENUE & LOCATION

Toronto Region Board of Trade – 100 Queens Quay East, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1V3

IGNITE 2025 will be hosted at The Quay at Toronto Region Board of Trade, right on the waterfront.

Join us in this vibrant, state-of-the-art space for thought-provoking conversations and networking with an inspiring view of the city skyline. The Quay offers an exceptional experience, from the modern design of its event spaces to a lush terrace overlooking Toronto.

Please note that only registered attendees will have access to the venue.

Past Speakers

Sharlene Gumbs

MSW RSW at Phoenix Recovery & Wellness Inc

Colin McClean

Director of Training And Development at KeepMovingForward.ca

Keziah Myers

ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective

Mark Beckles

Vice President, Social Impact & Innovation RBC Corporate Citizenship

Natalie Royer

Founder of Saroy Group Inc, Belonging Speaker and Coach

Alison Morgan

Director Operational Effectiveness HR at Scotiabank

David Simmonds

SVP, Global Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer

Shari Keen

HR and DEI Advisor at The Globe and Mail

Amy Sylla

EDI Advisor & Artist

Masika Mahabir

CEO and founder of Diversity Nexus

Caroline Gayle

Distinguished leader in Canadian technology financial services

Ogho Ikhalo

Director, DEI at Hydro One

Richard Madume

Senior Small Business Advisor

Ify Iregbu

Director & Team Lead at Meridian Credit Union

Dominique Riviere

Founder and Principal

Mark Harrison

founder of the MH3 Collective

Tanya Phillipps

Co-Founder, Canadian Black Standard (The Standard)

Simone Wright

Founder & Insights Manager, Parting The Roots

Sapphira Charles

Entrepreneur Architect, Designer, Visual & Performance Artist, Sapphira Inc

Nisha Lewis

Chief Operating Officer, NPower Canada

Kofi Frempong

Art Facilitator, VIBE Arts

Keosha Love

Founder, Our Women's Voices

Jessey Pacho

Owner, Lead Artist, Phade Creative Inc.

Craig Wellington

Executive Director, Black Opportunity Fund

Aaron Francis

Founder & Curator, Vintage Black Canada

Suzan Barrett

VP, Account Management, MiQ Digital

Shauna Archibald

Executive Director, Client Delivery & Solutions Oversight, J.P. Morgan

Julian Franklin

VP, Partnership Development & Strategy, MLSE

Jenny Okonkwo

Director, DEI, Belonging and Reconciliation, Meridian Credit Union

Chuks Ofor

Strategic Sales Systems Architect & Organizational Development Leader, Velos IoT

Catherine Meade

VP - Community, Sustainability & Social Responsibility, Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corp

Toks Ayinla

Founder, Toks Inc / Strategist, Speaker & Writer

Tiffany Ford

CEO, Ford Global Group Inc. / Serial Entrepreneur

Stephen Dorsey

Fractional CMO / Author / Speaker

Mo' Ekujumi

Founder & CEO, SkillHat Inc

James Muhato

Cofounder at Woveo

Cindy Harrison

CEO, CommuniCare Group of Companies

Cheryl Sutherland

Mindfulness Speaker and Founder of PleaseNotes Goods Inc.

Bo Simango

Cofounder, CBO, Pegasus Holdings

Unlocking POTENTIAL

Be a part of something transformative!

Sponsor

Fuel the fire! Elevate the event by supporting it as a key partner and fostering its success.

Promote

Spread the heat! Amplify our message, share our passion, and help us reach a wider audience.

PROMOTE IGNITE

ATTEND

IGNITE the moment! Experience the excitement firsthand, participate, and immerse yourself in the transformative IGNITE event.

BECOME A MEMBER

Become an IGNITE Insider! Join the community to access exclusive benefits and actively contribute to our shared vision.

JOIN US

DONATE

IGNITE Impact! Empower our cause, drive impactful change, and make a meaningful difference with your contribution.

SUPPORT US