Black excellence is the recognition and celebration of success in the Black community.

This term refers to a high level of achievement, or ability demonstrated by Black individuals. Black Excellence is backed by actions that display leadership through perseverance, often to advance the Black community.

The following people are examples of Black Excellence:

  • Andre DeGrasse is a Canadian sprinter. A six-time Olympic medalist.
  • Lincoln Alexander was a Canadian lawyer and politician who became the first Black Canadian to be a member of Parliament in the House of Commons, a federal Cabinet Minister, a Chair of the Worker's Compensation Board of Ontario, and the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
  • Willie O’Ree was a Canadian former professional ice hockey player from Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is widely recognized for being the first black player in the National Hockey League, playing as a winger for the Boston Bruins
  • Jean Augustine became the first African Canadian woman to be elected to Canada's House of Commons.
  • Misty Copeland was the first Black woman to become prima ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre in 2015.
  • Other notable people include Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, Maya Angelou and LeBron James.

Question: What other examples of Black Excellence can you think of?