$5M in Grants Awarded to Diversity 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.
Winners 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
- Entrepreneur – Nobellum
- Film – The Legacy Awards
- Music – Aaron Ridge
- Sport – The Little Native Hockey League
“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