Montreal’s Black Creators Summit: ‘Let’s Make Our Voices Heard’

“Let’s Make Our Voices Heard,” the theme of Montreal’s Black Creators Summit held on Thursday evening at Casa D’Italia on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 

“There’s good things,” said Tania Jeudy-Louis, spokesperson of the event. “There’s good people, we can lead by example.”

“The goal of the night,” she added. “It’s really to inspire the youth.”

The event –- in its first edition.

Filling the venue with conferences, networking opportunities, and panel discussions with topics ranging from politics to content creation.  

“I’m here to help,” said Renzel Dashington, Montreal comedian, author and producer. “With young people that want to get involved in media, in entertainment, possibly comedy, producing.”

“I’m just hoping to inspire one person.”

Dashington, one of the many panelists of the evening.

“They recognized there was a need and they did something about it,” added fellow panelist, Kerlande Mibel, who is the founder of the International Black economic forum. “They get us together to talk about those who did it, how did they do it.”

“I’m enjoying it.”

The evening, embracing diversity and inclusion at the heart of the professional world, while celebrating the vitality of youth.

Created by a new non-profit called “The Creative Box” –- the event, their first initiative to raise funds for their mission: to mentor youth.

“You can achieve something and there’s a lot of examples in the community,” said Jeudy-Louis. “But we need to know them.”

The space they say, an inspiring celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Which, since declared by the United Nations in 1966, is observed annually on March 21.

Read Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: https://t.co/I5MDm9Yfky

— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) March 21, 2024

“If you’re not black, if you’re not immigrant, you’re not concerned in your day to day by racism,” said Mibel. “Just be aware that your neighbor is.”

“Have that sensibility,” she added. “You’re not living what they’re going through every day.”

“And it’s an everyday battle.”

The non-profit, looking forward to seeing their initiative grow and inspire.

“I’m just waiting to see those youth coming,” said Jeudy-Louis, smiling. “We’re ready.”