On July 5th, 2025, while the nation marked Canada Day with parades and fireworks, YYWC (Yes Youth and Women Can) made history in a different way by gathering changemakers, community builders, and visionaries under one roof to celebrate their contributions to society.

The Canada Legacy Honors 2025, held in Courtyard by Marriott Brampton, 90 Biscayne Crescent, Brampton, Ontario, Canada, brought together over 300 attendees from across provinces for an unforgettable evening of celebration, storytelling, and recognition.

From red carpet arrivals to moving tributes, it was more than an award ceremony — it was a call to purpose, legacy, and community.

A Night of Legacy: Why This Event Matters

YYWC launched the Canada Legacy Honors as a platform to honor excellence among youth, women, innovators, public servants, entrepreneurs, and creatives in Canada’s diverse landscape, particularly within Black, African, and diaspora communities.

This year’s edition focused on Celebrating Impact and Building Legacy. It reminded everyone that the work done in silence, mentoring youth, launching initiatives, healing communities, or shaping policy, deserves public applause.

Honorees Who Inspire

The event honored 52 individuals who have made significant contributions across sectors like education, medicine, social innovation, creative arts, leadership, and technology.

Among them were:

• Bishop Parlash, recognized for Creative Entrepreneurship
• Dr. Janelle Tyme, awarded for Excellence in Naturopathic Medicine
• Michael Okolie, honoured for Innovation in Tech and Digital Transformation
• Ambassador Naomi Sigismund, celebrated for her advocacy in women’s development
• Nene Akintan received the Corporate Changemaker Award
• Grey Matlock Bakery received the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
• Lewis Akharayi received the Construction & Infrastructure Leadership Award
• Dr. Kayode Ayodele received the Medical Leadership and Excellence Award
• Dr. Ayoade Adeyemi received the Excellence in Human Capital Development and Education Award
• Barister Henry Igbinoba received the Excellence in Law & Corporate Governance Award
• Uyi Anegbe received the Business Innovation & Technology Leadership Award
• Jonvic African Foods received the Cultural Heritage & Community Impact Award
• AND MANY MORE…

Each awardee’s journey, shared through videos and speeches, revealed a powerful truth: leadership is not about titles — it’s about service, resilience, and impact.

More Than Awards: A Full Experience

What made Canada Legacy Honors truly exceptional was its immersive experience:

• A red carpet media hour welcomed guests with lights, cameras, and interviews
• A gala dinner reception fostered connections between honorees, partners, and youth leaders
• Live performances showcased Afro-diaspora music and poetry
• Keynote speakers delivered messages on legacy, inclusion, and intergenerational leadership

From the elegant ambiance to the heartfelt acceptance speeches, every detail reflected YYWC’s commitment to excellence with intention.

Impact in Numbers

• 300+ guests in attendance
• 25+ sponsors, vendors, and partners involved
• 100+ media assets captured (photos, videos, interviews)
• Dozens of youth and women-led initiatives spotlighted

For many attendees, especially first-time guests, the night sparked something bigger, a renewed desire to lead, serve, and connect.

Our Vision at YYWC

At YYWC, we believe that recognition is empowerment. By honoring those who give back to their communities, we inspire the next generation to do the same. The Canada Legacy Honors isn’t just a once-a-year event — it’s part of our year-round commitment to:

• Youth empowerment
• Women’s leadership development
• Entrepreneurial visibility
• Cultural celebration and inclusion

This event stands as one of our flagship programs, alongside our African Pavilion at Carabram and partnership in the AWLO Canada 2025 Convention.

Legacy is not what we leave behind — it’s what we build while we’re here. Canada Legacy Honors 2025 reminded us all of that. And at YYWC, we’ll keep building, one community at a time.