TD Black History Month 2025 Kickoff: A Powerful and Inspiring Start

Being in the room this year, surrounded by great people, was truly energizing. I had the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, build new connections, and celebrate Black excellence meaningfully.

TD BHM 2025 Theme: We Are The Leaders We Have Been Looking For

This year's event featured 18 Black-owned vendors and opened with the powerful singing of the Black National Anthem, setting the tone for an inspiring celebration.

We were fortunate to hear from our CEO, senior leaders, and guest speakers, including Raymond Chun, Montresa McMillan , Jane A. Langford , Agapi Gessesse , Alicia R. , Adrian Fraser, Kemi Adubi , Elton John , Scott Belton , Peter R. , Clifton Flushy - MBA , and Nicolle Grant who each offering valuable insights and motivation.

Key Takeaways from the Event:

?? Black and Indigenous Histories: A Call to Action

A significant discussion connected the histories of enslaved Africans and Indigenous Peoples dating back to the 1600s in Canada. This moment was another reminder that Land Acknowledgments should go beyond words. They should inspire learning and action:

?? Acknowledge the shared histories of Black and Indigenous communities.

?? Explore these histories to foster understanding.

?? Build a more inclusive future.

?? Honoring a Trailblazer: Peter R.

We celebrated Peter Robinson, founder of TD's Black Employee Network (BEN), for his leadership and dedication to creating pathways for Black colleagues. His efforts to share the lived experiences of the Black community with executives have led to intentional and meaningful DEI actions at TD.

?? The Importance of Staying Awake in Times of Change

Reflecting on the journey since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, we revisited the powerful words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (https://tinyurl.com/464t963e)

"One of the great liabilities of history is that all too many people fail to remain awake through great periods of social change."

At TD, we are all DEI leaders, and it is our responsibility to stop racism in hiring, create safer spaces, and foster true inclusion. Expanding our education through books like Desmond Cole's The Skin We're In can help us deepen our understanding and commitment to change.

?? Our Incoming CEO's Commitment to DEI

Our incoming CEO reinforced TD's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing:

?? The importance of understanding each person's lived experience.

?? Ensuring everyone has the opportunity to belong and succeed.

?? DEI strategies that align with TD's core values to attract and retain the best talent.

?? Empowering Black Youth Through Community Initiatives

We learned about community outreach programs tackling the 24% Black youth unemployment rate and how these initiatives help young people:

?? Discover who they are.

?? Define who they want to be.

?? Understand what they want to contribute.

?? Career Growth, Mentorship & Leadership

A powerful colleague panel explored key topics such as:

?? Career paths and the importance of mentorship & sponsorship.

?? Effective leadership through situational adaptability and emotional intelligence.

?? Building positive relationships that drive personal and professional growth.

Closing with a Commitment to Action

The event ended on a positive and inspiring note, with our executives reaffirming their commitment to support DEI initiatives and be active allies for Black colleagues.

I left feeling energized, hopeful, and ready to take action because actual change happens when we stay engaged and push forward together.

#BlackHistoryMonth #TDBlackHistoryMonth #DEI #Leadership #Mentorship #Inclusion #BlackExcellence #Woke