$5M in Grants Awarded to Equity Pioneers in the Arts, Sports and more at iDREAM Awards
TORONTO – August 28, 2025 – On August 23, the inaugural iDREAM Awards changed the lives of five lucky recipient organizations with $5 million in grant money during a powerful celebration of cultural innovation at Sankofa Square.
Awardees across art, entrepreneurship, film, music and sport each received a $1 million media grant in recognition of the individuals and organizations’ efforts to advance equity, diversity and cultural innovation in their fields.
- Art – Nia Centre for the Arts
- Nia Centre for the Arts is Canada’s first professional multidisciplinary Black arts centre, dedicated to supporting, showcasing, and nurturing Black artists and creatives. Located in Toronto, the centre provides a space for artistic expression, professional development, and cultural celebration, with a mission to advance and amplify Black art in all its forms. Since its founding in 2009, Nia Centre has hosted exhibitions, workshops, and performances spanning music, visual arts, literature, dance, and film. It offers mentorship programs, artist residencies, and community initiatives designed to foster emerging and established talent. In 2023, the centre underwent a major renovation to transform its space into a state-of-the-art facility, including a performance hall, gallery, and studio spaces. This expansion strengthens its role as a cultural hub, providing opportunities for artists to create, connect, and present their work. Through its programming, Nia Centre engages audiences while addressing the underrepresentation of Black artists in Canada’s mainstream arts sector. By celebrating Black excellence and culture, the centre not only enriches the artistic landscape but also empowers communities, making it a vital institution in Toronto’s arts and culture scene.
- Entrepreneur – Nobellum
- Nobellum is a revolutionary, female-led social and technology enterprise that is transforming the entrepreneurial landscape by unlocking opportunities for Black innovators, women, and newcomers in STEM. Founded on the belief that talent exists everywhere, but opportunities do not, Nobellum is dismantling systemic barriers through a full-circle ecosystem of mentorship, funding, and strategic partnerships, ensuring that no visionary entrepreneur is left behind. Unlike traditional accelerators, we don’t just support businesses…we build legacies! In just a few years, Nobellum has launched 126 Black-owned STEM ventures, distributed $150K+ in awards, and helped 90% of our entrepreneurs secure funding. Nobellum forged an industry-leading partnership with the University of Toronto, establishing the True Blue Accelerator Fund, providing Black founders with direct capital, resources, and training to scale their ventures sustainably and globally. It’s innovation-first model ensures entrepreneurs are future-proofed through initiatives like the Black Innovation Zone (BIZ) and CEI Global Exchange, connecting them to international investment, trade, and emerging markets. By reshaping economic landscapes, fueling Black entrepreneurship, and driving systemic change, Nobellum is creating a thriving, inclusive future.
- Film – The Legacy Awards
- For the past three years, The Legacy Awards has celebrated the remarkable contributions of Black Canadian talent. Recognized by an esteemed Advisory Committee of industry leaders, the awards are proudly presented by The Black Academy. The 2024 edition marked our third national broadcast in partnership with CBC, delivering an unapologetic celebration of Black excellence and fostering a powerful space for community and cultural recognition. B.L.A.C.K. Canada is committed to breaking down barriers through education, job creation, networking, business and talent development, mentorship, and by spotlighting Black Canadian excellence across industries. Our initiatives inspire the next generation while creating meaningful opportunities. Founded by Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, The Black Academy was born from their commitment to community and the desire to create lasting change. Under its umbrella, The Legacy Awards has become an award-winning national platform. Honoured as Best Live Entertainment Special at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, it is both a prestigious gala and a nationally televised event on CBC, celebrating Black excellence in arts, entertainment, business, philanthropy, and beyond.
- Music – Aaron Ridge
- Aaron Ridge creates R&B/Soul music, always ensuring that live instrumentation plays a role in his production—whether through his own playing or by collaborating with session musicians. As both a storyteller and a lover of stories, he prioritizes the narrative within his songs, aiming for the story to resonate beyond the musicality or his technical skill as a vocalist and instrumentalist. His identity as a Black man is central to his creative process. He intentionally embeds his lived experience into every aspect of his art, rejecting the notion of transcendence. For him, art cannot be separated from its social, political, economic, and historical context; these elements are essential to both its creation and interpretation. Though his music may not often address overtly political themes, he believes that a Black man singing about Black love, vulnerability, and softness is inherently revolutionary—especially in a world that so often seeks to deny these expressions.
- Sport – The Little Native Hockey League
- The Little Native Hockey League (Little NHL) tournament was founded in 1971 by five visionary individuals who sought to create a space for First Nation youth to come together through sport. Earl Abotossaway, former Chief Jim McGregor, the late James D. Debassige, the late Reverend Leonard Self, and the late Norman Debassige turned their shared dream into reality with the inaugural tournament held during the Christmas break in Little Current. That first event welcomed 17 teams and approximately 200 players. Today, the Little NHL has grown into a major annual event, hosting hundreds of teams and thousands of young athletes from across First Nation communities. It stands as a proud tradition, honouring the legacy of its founders while continuing to foster unity, pride, and excellence.Over the years, many First Nations have hosted the tournament, including Aundeck Omni Kaning, Curve Lake, Dokis, Fort William, Garden River, M’Chigeeng, Nipissing, Sagamok, Saugeen, Six Nations, Walpole Island, Wausauksing, Wikwemikong, Whitefish Lake, and Whitefish River. The tournament has also served as a launching pad for many players who have gone on to compete at higher levels of hockey, including AA, AAA, Tier II, Junior B, collegiate, OHL, and even the NHL. While the caliber of play continues to rise, the heart of the tournament remains unchanged—grounded in the four pillars of sportsmanship, respect, citizenship, and education.
“It is an honour to present awards to these five exceptional recipients. Their achievements deserve to be celebrated, and this recognition not only acknowledges their impact but also will amplify their visibility, helping to bring greater awareness to the important work they’re leading.”
said Jaime Thompson, founder of iDREAM. The evening was full of inspiring stories, entertainment, celebrity appearances by Natasha Fisher and Kardinal Offishall, alongside community engagement efforts.
About iDREAM:
iDREAM is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to promoting racial equity and inclusivity within media and creative industries. iDREAMs Racial Equity Award in Media is a flagship program designed to address systemic barriers and create opportunities for BIPOC and underrepresented leaders to thrive. Through initiatives like the iDREAM Awards, the organization is working to build a more just, diverse, and
representative media landscape.
Contact:
Carolin Taubensee
Director of Communications, iDREAM Board Member
carolin.taubensee@idreamadream.com