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Four members of The Ottawa Hospital’s Black community share what Black History Month means to them. In their reflections, they celebrate the resilience and achievements of Black people across generations, highlight the ongoing inequalities in health care and beyond, and outline the work that remains to be done for a better tomorrow.

Ajak Mabior Ajang, Manager, Champlain Infection Prevention and Control Hub

“For me, Black History Month is a time to highlight and reflect on the contributions of Black people in Canada and globally. Their achievements, often unrecognized and made at great personal cost, continue to shape our collective future. Without their vision, ingenuity, resilience and pursuit of a just society, it would have been impossible for someone like me to be where I am today. 

When I immigrated from South Sudan many years ago, the struggles of Black people became quickly apparent. I had and continue to have many episodes of racism — in school, in the workplace and out in public spaces. It hurts, but I will not allow ignorant individuals to influence how I live my life.

Despite facing many challenges, I have encountered and know many non-Black Canadians of goodwill, including within The Ottawa Hospital (TOH). I believe these individuals share my conviction that excellence is not restricted to one’s complexion, and I trust we will all illustrate this through our actions. I recognize this will require commitment and work from all of us, but I am encouraged by the steps TOH is taking toward a just organization and community.

Looking ahead, I remain committed to contributing to a more inclusive TOH and Canada. I know there will continue to be what sometimes seem like unsurmountable challenges; however, I encourage those who are like me to continue to learn about your history and share it with others. When someone attempts to dehumanize you or the community you belong to, confidently remind them of the meaningful contributions you and your community make, and of the powerful, lasting impact that Black people across generations have had on the world.

Black history is an integral part of Canada’s story, deserving recognition not only in February but throughout the year.”

Christine Nwosu-McDuke, Clinical Pharmacist

“Black History Month is a time for celebration, education and action.

Born in Canada to Nigerian immigrants, it is a time to celebrate both personally and as a community. As one of the few Black clinical pharmacists at TOH, I am living my ancestors’ wildest dreams. I celebrate them, as my career would not be possible without their resilience and determination. In addition, it is a time to educate ourselves about the historic achievements, cultures and ongoing struggles of inequality among Black people.

Finally, it serves as a reminder to advocate for equality for the Black community — even if this may be taxing. The first step is representation — particularly in health care.  For example, recruiting and retaining Black health-care providers improves trust while addressing disparities in diagnosis and treatment that disproportionately affect people of colour. Therefore, increasing Black presence at TOH is an important step toward equity, inclusion and patient-centred care for the Black community.”

Jennifer Oraka, Finance Business Partner

“For me, Black History Month offers an opportunity to reconnect with my identity as a Black woman and as a member of the Nigerian diaspora. I’ve seen that many newcomers to Canada struggle to settle into this new environment and find a sense of belonging, as they are separated from their culture, family and friends. Black History Month is a time to honour our shared history, resilience and collective strength while intentionally fostering connections.

Within the health-care system, fostering connections is especially important. Many Black women have described health care as challenging to navigate, underscoring the importance of trust, representation and community-informed approaches. While my role is non-clinical — as a finance professional working in health care — I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from this sector and to contribute by supporting transparency, access and trust between health-care institutions and Black and African communities.

Ultimately, Black History Month is both a celebration of resilience and a reminder of the importance of advancing equity, inclusion and belonging across health-care systems.”

Kudirat Salam-Alada, Geriatric Nurse Specialist

“As this year’s Black History Month unfolds, I find myself reflecting on the power of resilience, the importance of self-acknowledgement, and the profound impact of gratitude and cultural humility. 

Black History Month reminds me of the many moments when doubt tried to overshadow my dreams and of the strength it took to rise above those who believed my aspirations were out of reach.   

This month is a celebration of the journey from adversity to achievement. It’s also a time to honour the joy of giving back to the community that has inspired, supported and uplifted me along the way. I am profoundly grateful to my mentors and to The Ottawa Hospital for giving me the opportunity to serve humanity.

This month is an invitation to look inward and outward, to cherish what unites us and to reaffirm our shared humanity. I embrace this moment to champion the beauty of diversity and to encourage a spirit of cultural humility, where we all commit to learning from one another and building peace together.

At The Ottawa Hospital, our core values — Compassion, A Commitment to Quality, Working Together and Respect for the Individual — form the bedrock of true cultural humility. I look forward to seeing these principles come alive in our daily interactions, shaping how we care for, collaborate with, and uplift one another.

My hope is for a deeper sense of belonging, fostered by respect across all levels — leaders to teams, peers to peers, and colleagues to one another. Even in the absence of strong Black representation at TOH, I believe that authentic mentorship can fill that gap by nurturing trust, offering unwavering support, and empowering each of us to grow. 

To our allies, thank you. And to all my colleagues, I invite you to discover the richness of our stories and to celebrate the beauty of our community.”

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