Letter from the Editor: 1 October 2026

Godwin Ifedi

Editor

Photo by Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Good morning folks

Welcome to the October 2026 edition of Black Ottawa Scene. Our Top Story for the month is the unveiling of the monument that honours the legacy of the **No. 2 Construction Battalion **of First World War fame. This historic event brought together dignitaries, descendants of these long-ago heroes, community leaders of all stripes, and ordinary Canadians, to commemorate this moment in history that helped to define the contribution of people of African descent to the Canadian mosaic.

The African Canadian Association of Ottawa, better known as ACAO, continues to lead the way in community engagement and empowerment, this time with the launch of an innovative walk-in clinic open to the general public, one of our featured reports. Kudos to ACAO Chief Servant, Hector Addison and his team for a job well done!

Worthy of note is the Lifetime Achievement award by Ontario Human Rights Commission to Dr. Carl James. Bravo to the honoured professor!

Other news of note are the launching of the first Black Med Mentorship at University of Ottawa; 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women Celebrates 600 Stories of Leadership and Excellence (as reported by Black community icon Sarah Onyango); CADHO Wellness Seminar Urges Seniors to Take a Simpler Approach to Skin Care: and the first First Sudanese Festival that brought together Canadians of Sudanese origin in Ottawa, for an occasion where all divisions were forgotten and unity of purpose reigned supreme. We also bring you the profiles of six Black candidates vying for a seat in the upcoming Ottawa municipal council elections.

Our renowned feature writer, Dr. Andy Kusi-Appiah, continues where he left off with a an insightful piece titled: “Reconciliation is Rootwork, not Canopy **: **Why Integration Is Not Assimilation, and Why a 1452 Papal Bull Still Matters.” Only our Andy can bring us this level of thought and sensitivity, as the country celebrates National Day For Truth and Reconciliation, in honour of the First Nations people of Canada.

All these and more in the October edition of your favourite Black news magazine. And remember to send us your feedback via your letters to the Editor; we love to hear from you.

Wishing you and your loved ones enjoy a fall season filled with peace, love, happiness and an abundance of God’s blessings.

Godwin Ifedi

Editor

Black Ottawa Scene

editor@blackottawascene.com

www.blackottawascene.com

Showcasing and celebrating Canadians of African descent in the national Capital Region and beyond.

This edition of Black Ottawa Scene is funded in part by the Local Journalism Initiative and the Ottawa Community Foundation

The post Letter from the Editor: 1 October 2026 appeared first on Black Ottawa Scene.