Legacy in Motion: Ottawa Mission Celebrates Black History Month

Ottawa, ON – On February 24, The Ottawa Mission partnered with Smart Youth Ottawa to host “Legacy in Motion”, an event to mark Black History Month at (BHM) the Montgomery Legion. While the shelter recognizes BHM each year in social media, it wanted to do something more meaningful this year and every year going forward in recognition of: 1) the disproportionate burden of homelessness and food insecurity among Ottawa’s African/Caribbean/Black communities; and 2) an increasing number of students in The Mission’s Food Services Training Program (FSTP) and Maintenance Services Training Program (MSTP) are from these communities.

The evening included a panel discussion with the following participants:

– Sandra Nwokolo, Assistant Manager, DYMON Health Clinic, Ottawa Mission
– Manny Sobral, Assistant Manager, Maintenance, Ottawa Mission
– Chef Ifè Olubode, owner, Afro Snack Bar
– Chef Lennox Antoine, owner, Island Flava

“I came to Canada from Angola in 2001 and believe in paying it forward to people who are coming to Canada now to make a new life for themselves,” noted Manuel Sobral, Assistant Manager of Construction and Maintenance at The Ottawa Mission. In addition to ensuring the upkeep of the shelter and of its satellite properties throughout the city, Sobral is also lead instructor for The Mission’s Maintenance Services Training Program, a no barrier program for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to become building superintendents.

Chef Ify is an important partner and guest instructor of the Mission’s Food Services Training Program, which provides the skills, knowledge and confidence to work in a commercial kitchen. “My cooking is always exploring new skills, cultures, and flavour stories. My cooking is rooted in community, creativity, and unforgettable taste experiences, which I’m happy to teach to these students.” Chef Ify was honoured recently by the Ottawa branch of the Culinary Federation as young chef of the year.

Guests at Legacy in Motion were treated to a delicious dinner consisting of Nigerian Fried Rice, Meat Pie, Fish Roll, Haitian Pumpkin Soup, and Puff Puff, dishes all prepared by current Chef Ric’s students from their home countries.

Councillor Rawlson King, who serves as the Council liaison for Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Relations Initiatives for Ottawa City Council, welcomed panelists and guests to the event. “What’s important is addressing systemic racism. There should be equality in terms of employment, health, housing and economic development. We need greater education, but we also need systemic solutions. Learning from the community at events like these is important to building these solutions,” he noted.

About The Ottawa Mission
Since 1906, The Ottawa Mission has been serving those who are homeless, hungry and lost by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills. In 2024-2025, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 187 men every night and served an average of 3,312 meals every day.  The Ottawa Mission also provides to men and women health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, hospice care, dental services, housing services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and clothing to thousands in need in our community. In September 2020, The Ottawa Mission marked the one millionth hour that the shelter has been in existence since its founding in 1906. In 2019, the Mission became a housing-focused shelter reflective of its commitment to a home for everyone as a human right with the launch of a new housing department.

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
C 613.712.3092
aleo@ottawamission.com