7 Lessons I Learned From My Mother on Black Joy and Excellence

As the daughter of Rosemary Sadlier, a trailblazer for Black Canadian history and culture, I've had the privilege of growing up immersed in a world where Black joy and excellence were celebrated and championed. 

My mother, the president of the Ontario Black History Society and a driving force behind the establishment of Black History Month in Canada, has been a constant source of inspiration and wisdom. In this article, I reflect on seven invaluable lessons from her. 

Lesson One: Embrace Your Roots

From a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of embracing my heritage and cultural identity. She taught me that our history is a source of strength and resilience, and that by honoring our roots, we empower ourselves and future generations. 

One really impactful piece of our history that my mom shared with me, is when she discovered that her father’s family had been in Canada since 1783. 

This is part of her story, our story, our family's story, and because my moms generation was never taught Black History in school, this sparked her advocacy work to ensure Black History was more central for all of us.

Lesson Two: Persistence Pays Off

Watching my mother navigate the challenges of advocating for Black history recognition in Canada, I learned the power of persistence. She was a volunteer who became the President of the OBHS (for 22 years). 

There she was able to build on the work of the founders of the Ontario Black History Society, and getting Black History Month recognized after many years. More recently, in 2022 she was able to get Emancipation Day recognized after 15 years of advocacy.  

I can’t imagine the amount of challenges she faced. In that, she never wavered in her commitment to the cause, reminding me that perseverance is key to achieving success in the face of adversity. She was honoured for her work and received the Order of Ontario. 

Lesson Three: Celebrate Black Excellence

Through her enduring advocacy work, my mother taught me the importance of celebrating Black excellence in all its forms. From literature to art to science, she showed me that Black achievement knows no bounds and deserves to be recognized and celebrated. 

A moment we often reflect on is that my mom was the only non-elected person on the platform to address the nation on the occasion of the first national celebration of February as Black History Month in 1996—an empowering moment that, at age 10, I was able to witness with so much pride. 

Lesson Four: Find Joy in the Journey

Despite the obstacles she faced, my mother always found joy in her work and her community. In her words: “Joy is active resistance, and knowing who you are while freely being able to share that.”

She taught me that happiness is not a destination, but rather a mindset, and that by finding joy in the journey, we can navigate life's ups and downs with grace and resilience.

Lesson Five: Lift Others as You Climb

One of the most valuable lessons my mother taught me is the importance of lifting others as you climb. She led by example, using her platform to uplift and empower those around her, and instilling in me a sense of responsibility to do the same. 

This applies to my work around allyship and teaching others how to support marginalized communities. I have always chosen impact over numbers, and that lesson is truly rooted in what I saw my mother accomplish growing up.

Lesson Six: Knowledge Is Power

As the president of an organization dedicated to the study, preservation, and promotion of Black history and heritage, my mother was a fierce advocate for education and knowledge-sharing. It’s actually one of the reasons she kept her maiden name; to ensure her children weren’t negatively impacted by her advocacy. 

She taught me that knowledge is power, and that by arming ourselves with the truth, we can effect positive change in our communities and beyond. As well as being a voice for others, inspiring much of the EDI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) work I do today. 

Lesson Seven: Lead with Love

Above all, my mother taught me to lead with love in everything I do. This is my mantra in life, business, and everything in between. 

Whether it's fighting for social justice or simply navigating everyday life, she showed me that love is the most powerful force for change and that by leading with empathy and compassion, we can create a brighter, more inclusive world for all.

And now, I bring to the stage my powerhouse of a mother, Rosemary Sadlier, to ask a few questions surrounding Black joy, excellence, and advocacy. 

Q1: You once said in an article that Black joy is when a person can enjoy, and “be”, and celebrate who they are in their own reality. When do you feel JOY?

“When I can freely be my true self. Without having to over explain myself, or defend my identity or existence. As well as when I can see people around me flourishing, and feel that I also have the opportunity to flourish. That is Black joy.”

Q2: If you could talk to your 5-year-old self, what would you say to her? 

“I would say you are on the right path, trust yourself, treat others as you would want to be treated. Listen to your mom, she has some good ideas.”

Q3: What are you most proud of (besides me, your favorite child, of course)?

“I’m proud of ALL my kids, they are the true reason I began to do this work first. I’m proud of my publications. I’m proud of the numerous commemorations I have been able to support and see come to fruition.  

“Most of all I am proud of myself, for moving  through some of the challenges that this particular path came with. Lastly, of course I am so proud of my middle kid, Raia, and it's been beautiful to see her follow in some of my footsteps. I hope I can inspire her as much as she has inspired me.”