Ottawa, ON – The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) proudly hosted the inaugural Black Leaders in Sports Day on April 2nd in Ottawa, bringing together established and emerging Black sport professionals from across the Canadian amateur sports system.
For the first time in Canadian history, emerging leaders, sport administrators, coaches, officials, sports medicine experts, researchers, and marketing professionals gathered in one space to expand knowledge, collaborate, and provide unwavering support to one another in building a more inclusive and representative sports community.
Despite progress, Black individuals continue to face barriers in sports, from limited leadership opportunities to unequal access to resources. Recent Statistics Canada data reinforces the urgency of this conversation, underscoring the need for systemic change:
According to a Statistics Canada study released in 2025, over one-quarter (26%) of sports participants in athletic roles perceive racism and discrimination as prevalent issues in community sports. Within the broader sports community, racialized participants (12%) were three times more likely to report experiencing unfair treatment, racism, or discrimination compared to non-racialized participants (4%). These statistics highlight the systemic barriers that continue to affect Black professionals in the sports industry.
As a national organization committed to increasing BIPOC representation in sport leadership, ICSN works to dismantle barriers and create pathways for Black, Indigenous, and racialized professionals across the Canadian sports system. The success of Black Leaders in Sports Day is a reflection of ICSN’s broader mission to build equity through education, collaboration, and community empowerment.
Throughout the day, participants heard from influential voices including Associate Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, Andrew Brown, and representatives of Coaching Association of Canada, Canada Games Council, and Sport for Life.
The event, made possible through the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and Canadian Women & Sport, highlighted the importance of allyship in driving diversity forward in the Canadian sports system.
With the overwhelming success of this year’s event, ICSN looks forward to expanding Black Leaders in Sports Day in 2026 and beyond, ensuring that Black leaders in sport continue to have a space to collaborate, advocate, and lead meaningful change.
For more information, please contact Kim Pallarca at programs@inclusionincanadiansports.ca.
