Every year, CRIEC proudly celebrates the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black leaders, professionals, and changemakers in our community. Black People Making History in Calgary 2025 honors individuals who are shaping the future through their leadership, advocacy, and dedication to excellence.
These trailblazers inspire us all—breaking barriers, building bridges, and creating lasting impact in their fields and beyond. Many of them are also incredible examples of immigrants who have made Calgary their home, overcoming challenges and achieving remarkable success. Join us in recognizing this year’s winners and their stories of perseverance and triumph.
Black People Making History in Arts
Sydonne Warren
Muralist, Entrepreneur, and Community Builder
Sydonne Warren is a muralist, entrepreneur, and community builder whose work is all about celebrating culture and making a real impact. Originally from Jamaica and now living in Canada, she’s spent the last four years transforming public spaces with large-scale murals that honour diversity and amplify underrepresented voices. With deep roots in her Caribbean heritage and the stories of Black women, Sydonne’s art is full of vibrant colours and expressive figures.
Her murals can be seen in Calgary, turning ordinary walls into powerful stories of resilience, empowerment, and unity. For Sydonne, art is a tool to unite people, and she’s committed to using it to foster connection. Some of her murals are collaborative efforts, created alongside residents and youth, blending her artistic vision with the voices of the community. This approach ensures the art is not only reflective of her style but also inclusive of the people it represents.
Sydonne is also passionate about teaching and mentoring through art. She runs workshops that give aspiring artists hands-on mural training, helping them learn how to use their creativity to make an impact. Her “Paint with Syd” events bring people together to paint pop art portraits in a fun, welcoming environment, making art accessible to everyone, no matter their skill level.
Beyond her work as an artist, Sydonne has made significant strides in the pageant and public speaking world. She has given a TEDx talk and won prestigious titles, including Mrs. Calgary and Mrs. Canada Globe. As a coach and choreographer for Mrs. Canada Inc., she helps empower other women in their pageant journeys.
Her contributions to the arts have also been widely recognized, she was named Diversity Magazine’s Artist of the Year in 2020, and her artwork and workshops have been featured in multiple news outlets. She made history by creating Calgary’s first-ever mural camp, providing young artists with the opportunity to gain real-world mural experience. Committed to fostering the next generation of creatives, she actively mentors up-and-coming artists, ensuring that art continues to be a powerful tool for storytelling and community building.
Through her work, Sydonne continues to inspire and strengthen communities, turning blank walls into symbols of hope and unity. Her goal is always to empower others to see the transformative power of public art, creating something that not only beautifies a space but also leaves a lasting impact.
Donald Ray Johnson
Grammy Award Winning Musician
Over the course of his five-decade career, Texas-born Donald Ray Johnson – Grammy Award winner and five-time Maple Blues Award nominee, has performed across North America, Europe and Asia, including at the prestigious Madison Square Gardens and Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Donald Ray has released seven solo albums, all featuring his song-writing talent and his rich baritone voice. His debut, It Ain’t Easy Being Blue, was released in 1995, followed by Donald Ray (1999), Pure Pleasure (2002), Travelin’ Man (2006), It’s Time (2010), These Blues (2013), and his latest, Bluesin’ Around (2016), recorded with Gas Blues Band on one of his many tours in France.
Donald Ray grew up near the cotton fields of Bryan, Texas, where as a young teen he would secretly hide side stage at the local club and listen to legends such as Freddie King, Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland. At age 14, Donald Ray borrowed a drum set and began playing professionally at local juke joints (with pianist Nat Dove, organist Joe Daniels and guitarist Lavernis Thurman), and at live radio shows. It wasn’t till he finished two naval tours during the Vietnam War that he could buy his own kit.
Sisay Shimeles
Visual Artist & Graphic Designer
Sisay Shimeles is a visual artist and graphic designer. He graduated in fine arts and design from Addis Ababa University, in Ethiopia and in Communication/Graphic Design from George-Simon-Ohm University, in Germany.
He has had several solo and group art exhibitions in Africa, Europe, and North America. Since moving to Calgary, he has participated in many diverse community-oriented events and activities to showcase his talent. He has been commissioned for various public art projects from utility box, park bins, BRT shelter and street banner (flag) arts to an 8’x12’ large mural art on permanent display on International Avenue (17th Ave. SE). Some of his publicarts are to be seen in Dover, Forest Lawn, Beddington Heights, Canyon Meadows, and Spruce Cliff communities.
Beside his number of exhibitions, he teaches the fundamentals of African art techniques, hosts diverse art workshops, and works as a freelance graphic designer.
Black People Making History in
Entrepreneurship
Muthui Mwangi
Founder, Jenga Homes INC.
Muthui Mwangi is an Entrepreneur and a Trailblazer in Calgary’s Business and Real Estate Sectors. A Native of Kenya, Muthui’s entrepreneurial journey in Calgary began in 1992 and by the beginning of the new Millennium in 2000, he had begun to craft a niche for himself in Calgary’s real estate sector, building a reputation of over two decades as a visionary leader and an advocate for accessible homeownership.
As one of the founding members of the Kenyans in Calgary Association and The East African Community in Calgary, Muthui has played a pivotal role in fostering cultural cohesion and economic development within these communities. As the founder of Jenga Homes Inc. and its affiliate companies, Muthui is a pioneer of African-owned businesses in Calgary’s competitive housing market. Jenga Homes focuses on building quality homes for the entry-level market, offering first-time homebuyers an accessible path to homeownership. The company’s project portfolio reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation, evidenced by its latest developments at the Murals of Monteith in High River. All of Jenga Homes’s projects exemplify its dedication to craftsmanship and community-centered living.
Black People Making History in Academia
Dr. Faith-Michael Uzoka, BS, MTech, MBA, PhD, C.Dir
Professor, Computing, Mount Royal University
Dr. Faith-Michael Uzoka is a Professor of Computing at Mount Royal University, a distinguished scholar with over three decades of academic experience spanning multiple countries. A visionary entrepreneur and influential community leader, his work has driven innovation and systemic change across academia, business, and social equity.
As a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, Canadian Commonwealth Scholar, John Ware Institute Fellow, and Vice President of the Continental African Diaspora Scholars Network (Canada), he has made significant contributions to healthcare, education, and the empowerment of Black communities worldwide. Notably, he was among the first individuals of African descent to achieve the rank of full professor in Calgary. His legacy extends beyond his own accomplishments—he has mentored numerous academics in Calgary and beyond, guiding them toward academic excellence, with many attaining the rank of full professor.
With over 130 academic publications, Dr. Uzoka is a trailblazer in medical decision-support systems, healthcare technology, and computing. His pioneering research has led to the development of intelligent febrile disease diagnostic tools, a smart automatic pill dispenser, a smart medical assistant, and technology adoption. His award-winning work has contributed to the advancement of clinical decision-making in sub-Saharan Africa. He has also collected and donated over 8,000 volumes of textbooks to universities and colleges in Africa, further demonstrating his commitment to education and knowledge dissemination.
A passionate advocate for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA), Dr. Uzoka has led transformative initiatives at Mount Royal University (MRU) and beyond. As Vice Chair of the MRU President’s Advisory Committee on EDIA and Special Advisor on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Excellence, he champions institutional change and fosters inclusive excellence. His leadership extends beyond academia—he serves as President of the African Coalition Club (ACC) and is an active member of the Alberta Black Advisory Council and the Alberta Power & Natural Gas Consumer Advisory Panel.
Dr. Evaristus (Evar) Oshionebo
Interim Dean of Law, University of Calgary
Professor Evaristus (Evar) Oshionebo is the Interim Dean of Law at the University of Calgary. He was Associate Dean (Academic) at the Faculty of Law from 2021 to 2024. He won the Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award, University of Calgary in 2014. The award honours faculty members and instructors for their teaching excellence and commitment to student success. In 2017, Oshionebo was awarded the ‘GREAT Supervisor Award’ by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Calgary.
Prior to joining the University of Calgary, he was a tenured Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba. In 2013, he won the University of Manitoba/University of Manitoba Faculty Association Merit Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as the Students’ Teacher Recognition Award for outstanding teaching.
Professor Oshionebo’s research focuses primarily on the law and policy governing extraction and mining of natural resources. His book, Mineral Mining in Africa: Legal and Fiscal Regimes (London: Routledge, 2021) engages in a comparative analysis of the legal and fiscal frameworks for hard rock mining in several African countries. His earlier book, Regulating Transnational Corporations in Domestic and International Regimes: An African Case Study (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2009) examines the range of strategies for regulating transnational corporations in Africa’s extractive industries.
In addition to his work on natural resources, Oshionebo researches and publishes on corporate responsibility, corporate governance, regulation of transnational corporations, sustainable development, international investment law, and intellectual property law.
Black People Making History in Finance
Wilfred A. Pande
Vice President, Mortgage Servicing, Haventree Bank
Wilfred A. Pande, originally from Kenya, moved to Canada 26 years ago. Mr. Pande is a banker by profession and currently the Vice President overseeing Mortgage Servicing at Haventree Bank.
He has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years. His professional journey has seen him do stints at Laurentian Bank, GE Capital, AIG, Genworth Financial and First American Corporation where he held senior leadership roles. He is a proud graduate of Panjab University in India. Outside work, Mr. Pande continues to find ways to give back to the Black community, including through mentoring and volunteering.
Black People Making History in Technology
Dr. Gideon Christian
Professor & University Research Chair, Faculty of Law, University of Calgary
Dr. Gideon Christian is a distinguished professor and University Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Law at the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary. Before joining the University of Calgary and relocating to Calgary in 2019, he was a technology lawyer with the Government of Canada at the Department of Justice in Ottawa.
Dr. Christian’s impactful research focuses on the intersection of AI and racial justice within the legal system, particularly examining how AI systems used in law enforcement and criminal justice perpetuate systemic racism. Dr. Christian’s recent research papers on the use of AI in the criminal justice system and the use of AI facial recognition technology in immigration enforcement are the first peer-reviewed papers on these issues in Canada.
Dr. Christian has provided expert testimonies on racial bias in AI technologies used in the immigration systems before Canadian House of Commons Parliamentary committees, influencing national discussions on technology and racial justice. As a member of the Calgary Police Service Technology Ethics Steering Committee, he has been instrumental in helping develop ethical guidelines to minimize racial bias arising from the use of AI in community policing, ensuring that AI use aligns with principles of fairness and justice.
In 2023, Dr. Gideon Christian was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta as an Appeals Commissioner with the Appeals Commission. He was also honoured with the Alberta Newcomer Recognition Award by the Government of Alberta. In 2024, the Calgary Herald named Dr. Christian as one of the top 20 compelling Calgarians. And in 2025, CRIEC is pleased to recognized Dr. Christian as one of the Black People Making History in Calgary for his outstanding contributions to the field of Artificial Intelligence.
Black People Making History in Law
Dominique Mathurin
Prosecutor at Govt. of Alberta
Dominique graduated from the University of Sherbrooke, and practiced in Montreal as a criminal defence lawyer, before moving to prosecutions. In 2012, she became the first Black Assistant Chief Crown Prosecutor in Fort McMurray, and from 2014 to 2016, the first Black Chief Crown Prosecutor for that jurisdiction.
In 2016, Dominique became the first Black Assistant Chief Crown Prosecutor in Red Deer. By 2017, promoted to the position of the first Black Chief Crown Prosecutor, she managed all prosecutors, staff and prosecutions in the Central Region. Dominique moved to Calgary to be close to her family and continues to prosecute serious and complex files including homicides and sexual assault cases, and is an important resource on French trials.
While Dominique’s heavy schedule keeps her very busy, she is sure to make time for her husband and their 10-year-old daughter.
Black People Making History in Social Work
Dee Adekugbe
Founder and Executive Director of Ruth’s House Society
CRIEC is honored to recognize Dee Adekugbe as one of the ‘Black People Making History in Calgary 2025’ for her groundbreaking work and unwavering commitment to community healing and empowerment.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Ruth’s House Society, Dee has established the first Afrocentric emergency shelter and resource center in Western Canada, providing essential services to African immigrant and newcomer communities. Since its founding in 2022, Ruth’s House has served over 7,000 individuals, providing more than 164 programs and creating a safe space for both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
With the recent launch of Mandela House, Calgary’s first-ever male shelter dedicated to African men, Dee’s commitment to innovative, inclusive solutions for family violence continues to break new ground.
Known in the community as Mama Dee, Dee is not only a highly respected leader but also an ordained minister, international speaker, author, and advocate. Her personal journey of overcoming homelessness and domestic violence fuels her passion for empowering others.
Dee’s work in creating culturally-centered services that bridge the gap between African values and the Canadian system has made her an invaluable advocate for change. Dee is a trailblazer, and her vision is shaping a safer, stronger future for families in Alberta.
Black People Making History in Health
Dr. Bukola Salami
Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary.
Professor Bukola Salami is a Registered Nurse, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Black and Racialized People’s Health and a Full Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary. She previously held the rank of Full Professor in the Faculty of Nursing and was Director of the Intersections of Gender Signature Area in the Office of the Vice President Research, both at the University of Alberta.
Professor Salami’s research program focuses on the well-being of Black, immigrant, and racialized people. She has been involved in over 90 funded studies totalling over $230 million. She recently received a $2.5 million SSHRC Partnership Grant titled Transforming the Lives of Black Children and Youth in Canada.
Professor Salami is Vice President of the Canadian Nurses Association and board member of Black Opportunity Fund. She is a former Board member of Africa Centre (the largest Black organization in Western Canada), the Alberta College of Social Workers, Black Health Alliance, Edmonton Local Immigrant Partnership, National Association of Nigerian Nurses of North America, International Nursing Interest Group of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, and Project Esperance (a housing unit for women in Toronto). In addition to being an Editor for the Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, she is an Associate Editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) and on the Editorial Board of Nursing Inquiry, Nursing Philosophy, and Qualitative Health Research. She is a board/council member of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, an advisory board member of the CIHR Institute for Human Development, Child and Youth Health, and on the Scientific Advisory Committee on Global Health to the Government of Canada.
Dr. Salami has received several awards for research excellence and community engagement: 100 Accomplished Black Women in Canada; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Emerging Nurse Researcher of the Year Award; College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) Award for Nursing Excellence; Rosalind Smith Professional Award from the National Black Coalition of Canada – Edmonton Chapter; Alberta Avenue Edmonton Top 40 under 40; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame; Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing; Killam Accelerator Award (a $225,000 value for research); Top 25 Canadian Immigrants; Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal; Health Research Foundation Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award; and Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.