BlackNorth Initiative’s Wes Hall Named One of Canada’s Most Powerful People

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The BlackNorth Initiative is proud to announce that Wes Hall, its Founder and Chairman, has been named to the 2021 Maclean’s Power List, as one of the most influential people in Canada.

“I would like to thank Maclean’s for this recognition. It is an honour to share this acknowledgement with some of Canada’s most dynamic leaders and change-makers,” said Wes Hall, Founder and Chairman, the BlackNorth Initiative. “For too long, the persistent barriers faced by Blacks have been ignored. Systemic anti-Black racism in Canada is real and the BlackNorth Initiative is purpose-built to drive substantive change. I’m proud to help lead this fight, alongside the CEOs of over 400 companies who have signed and committed to The BlackNorth Initiative pledge and our many strategic partners.”

Wes received this recognition for his efforts to end anti-Black systemic racism in Canada by utilizing a business first mindset. The BlackNorth Initiative commits business leaders and their organizations to specific actions and targets that are designed to end anti-Black systemic racism.

“Wes is one of Canada’s strongest voices advocating for human rights. Every day, I witness his commitment towards equity and justice for Black Canadians through his work with BlackNorth Initiative. I am proud to call him our leader and founder and looking forward to working with him in the years ahead,” said Dahabo Ahmed Omer, BlackNorth Initiative Executive Director.

The Maclean’s Power List highlights the top 50 Canadians who are driving transformative change in their respective fields. This recognition follows Wes’ most recent award as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Torontonians by Toronto Life magazine (November 2020) also acknowledging his leadership in the fight to end ant-Black systemic racism.

About the BlackNorth Initiative

The BlackNorth Initiative was created by The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism to combat anti-Black systemic racism in Corporate Canada. The initiative challenges senior Canadian business leaders to commit their companies to specific actions and targets designed to end anti-Black systemic racism and create opportunities for all of those in the underrepresented BIPOC community.