The winners of the 2026 IGNITE Black Excellence Scholarship

And we mean excellent!

Since 2021, IGNITE has provided $1,000 to each recipient of the Black Excellence Scholarship. Each winner has demonstrated outstanding leadership for their communities while keeping good academic standing as a Humber Polytechnic or University of Guelph-Humber student.

IGNITE is a proud supporter of students that identify as Black Canadian, Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Latin X and Black Indigenous. Through this scholarship, we provide students with the finances they need to propel their careers.

The resilience, discipline and leadership these students have shown are highly valued at IGNITE. The winners will now claim their much-deserved reward.

The outstanding recipients are:

Akwasi Boateng.
Brianna Harris.
Daneilia Smith.
Jahnyah Learmond.
Marissa Adella Roberts.
Makaili De Four.
Stephen Remmi.
Tara Evans.
Tolulope Obagbemi.
Anonymous.

Akwasi Boateng

Courtesy of Akwasi Boateng

“I’ve always been surrounded by people who believed in collective progress.”

Greatness comes in many forms. Sometimes, it’s feeling overwhelmed with school, work and various leadership roles, but having the strength to be there for a community that needs you. Other times, it’s using industry knowledge to improve societal and community outcomes.

For Akwasi Boateng, it’s both. He is a business analytics and operations leader who has the professional certifications for a bright future.

He has also supported immigrant and refugee families through the Health Innovation Challenge.

Brianna Harris

“They [scholarships] show that success is possible, encourage involvement and help build a more confident and supported community.”

A promising electrical engineering student, in her own right, earned a coveted spot for the Black Excellence Scholarship.

Briana Harris feels that success is possible, encouraged and she will continue to strive for excellence in her field to help build a more confident and supported community.

“They [scholarships] create opportunities and set an example for future students.”

Daneilia Smith

“It [this scholarship] brings me closer to my goal of becoming a 911 operator or an Ontario Provincial Police officer.”

Daneilia Smith says that her dedication and potential are being seen, which is supporting her in continuing a career as a police officer.

Her goals of fostering diversity and inclusion within law enforcement drive her to be one of the talented people serving and protecting the community.

She says her family has given her the encouragement, guidance and belief in her abilities to inspire and pursue a career in law enforcement and public safety.

Jahnyah Learmond

Courtesy of Jahnyah Learmond.

“It [the scholarship] reminds me that the work I’m doing is valuable. That motivation allows me to continue showing up with purpose and building something that extends beyond myself.”

Jahnyah Learmond’s journey through health and wellness brought her to a new level of independence. She said she’s currently balancing school and building a future, which the scholarship gives her the opportunity to do.

“I want to work in wellness program development, particularly in spaces that support Black women, youth and underserved communities through preventative care and holistic health education,” she says.

Learmond says she’s working toward building an accessible wellness platform for culturally relevant ways to impact health.

Marissa Adella Roberts

“My goals include contributing to ethical policing, community safety and evidence-based practices in law enforcement.”

Marissa Adella Roberts says this scholarship justifies her efforts to be the best officer she can be. She’s proud to have reached this point in her career, but it doesn’t stop there.

“Ultimately, this award brings me one step closer to entering my field prepared, confident and committed to making a meaningful impact.”

She says she’s passionate about this career path and how it will benefit society.

Makaili De Four

“I can be more intentional about pursuing internships, gaining experience and building my skills without constant financial stress.”

Especially during exam season, Makaili De Four says the scholarship gave her stern determination to trek through and “trust the process.”

This international student, with the help of the scholarship, is adjusting to a new life in a new country while focusing on her academic and professional goals. She hopes to combine business, technology and innovation in her future.

She makes her family proud by being the first to pursue post-secondary education.

“I carry the sacrifices and support of my mom, grandparents and extended family with me every day,” she says. “My mom, in particular, has been a constant source of strength and encouragement.”

Stephen Remmi

Courtesy of Stephen Remmi.

“When one student is supported, they are empowered to become a mentor for the next generation.”

Digital protection is Stephen Remmi’s future. He says one of his goals in life is to advocate for ethical AI.

He’s a future pillar in cybersecurity, but he’s also a current pillar in his community.

“My volunteer work with organizations like Africans in Partnership Against AIDS and Uzima Women Relief Group International taught me that leadership is a service-first endeavour,” he says.

Tara Evans

“My journey of lifelong learning, both within formal education and community spaces, as well as my ongoing commitment to healing from complex trauma and gender-based violence, has been deeply shaped by my family and the sacred community I have built.”

Last but certainly not least, Tara Evans is returning after a nearly 20-year stint away from post-secondary.

She has long-term goals of developing an advocacy division within her own nonprofit to serve Black neurodivergent youth and families.

Her father was her inspiration for returning to school. He has also attended Humber after leaving his full-time musician career.

“His example showed me that it is never too late to choose growth and transformation,” she says.

Throughout her post-secondary education, the scholarship will give her the tools and confidence to continue, but it was her children who solidified her place at Humber.

“As a Queer Black single mother, my children, both biological and chosen, are a central source of motivation. They remind me daily of the importance of perseverance, growth and possibility,” she says.

A student saying a speech at the Black Excellence Conference. — *Picture by IGNITE.*

All recipients noted that the Black Excellence scholarship not only gave them the financial reprieve during a hectic exam season but also showed how it awards the Black community and instills systemic equity with a lasting effect for future generations to receive the honour going forward.

For future scholarship opportunities and to see how IGNITE is supporting its surrounding communities, visit our Black Excellence and Pride scholarship pages and learn more about Black Excellence Resources.

Feature image courtesy of IGNITE.

Continue your support of Black Excellence and enjoy some delicious food at the same time. See what Black-owned restaurants catch your eye!