Wednesday, February 05, 2025
Every February, AMAPCEO celebrates Black History Month. This year, as part of that celebration, the AMAPCEO Black Caucus is hosting “Black History Month Event – Melanin Magic: The Beauty and Power of Black Identity,” in collaboration with several OPS Black Employee Networks and other OPS partners. Originally scheduled for Friday, February 7 at 12pm ET, this event has been postponed by the OPS Employer until further notice.
AMAPCEO Vice-President and Equity Committee Chair Cynthia Watt recently caught up with Black Caucus Chair Bonnie Wiltshire and Vice-Chair Latoya Blackwood to discuss the upcoming event, and the importance of Black History Month and member participation in Black Caucus.
Bonnie Wiltshire has a longstanding history with AMAPCEO, having served in the Ontario Public Service across several ministries for over 20 years. She was involved in the Black Caucus for several years before becoming Chair in 2022. She is an active Delegate, sits on the Audit Committee, and is a member of the Women’s Caucus. In 2023, she was a recipient of the AMAPCEO Equity Advocate Award.
Latoya Blackwood is a dedicated professional with a diverse background in public service, sports, and community engagement. Prior to Latoya’s public service career—first in British Columbia and now here in Ontario, at the Ontario Human Rights Commission— Latoya represented Canada as a member of the National Senior Women's Rugby Team. Latoya serves as an AMAPCEO Workplace Representative, Health & Safety Representative, and District Delegate for Toronto Centre.
Cynthia Watt: What message would you like to share with AMAPCEO members about the importance of Black History Month?
Bonnie Wiltshire: It’s important for our communities to celebrate themselves at all times. Black History is Canadian history and it’s a year-round celebration.
We as a collective of descendants of the African Diaspora are inherently multifaceted. Our various intersectionalities and overlapping identities not only make us undefinable by others, they account for our unique experiences of discrimination and privilege.
We are largely viewed in the context of post-enslavement, but the truth is our stories began a long time ago. Throughout history, we have been innovators of advancements in many areas. Our creatives, inventors, and scientists designed and constructed monumental pyramids, monolithic structures, developed hieroglyphic writing, and made significant contributions to medicine, mathematics, ironworks, and astronomy.
Latoya Blackwood: Black History Month is a time for all of us to celebrate the accomplishments, resilience, and contributions of Black people across history and in our present-day communities.
For example, within the Canadian labour movement, Black workers have long been at the forefront of advocating for fair wages, safer working conditions, and anti-discriminatory policies in the workplace. One such trailblazer was Stanley Grizzle, a labour activist and civil rights leader who fought for the rights of Black railway porters in the 1940s and later became Canada’s first Black citizenship judge. His legacy reminds us that the fight for justice is ongoing and that unions play a crucial role in advancing substantive equality.
Black History Month is also a moment to reflect on the challenges that persist, and the work still needed to achieve substantive equality and justice.
While we honour Black excellence, we must also critically examine what is happening beyond our borders. In the United States, institutions that once championed Black history are now actively erasing it. Multiple federal agencies have refused to formally celebrate Black History Month, and the U.S. Air Force has decided to stop teaching cadets about the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen—Black pilots who broke barriers during World War II. These actions serve as a stark reminder that progress is never guaranteed, and history can be rewritten or ignored if we do not remain vigilant.
CW: The “Melanin Magic: The Beauty and Power of Black Identity” event is being held this Friday in collaboration with several OPS Black Employee Networks and other OPS partners. What can you tell us about this event? What are you looking forward to?
BW: I always look forward to this event each year because it brings people together from all backgrounds and perspectives. It’s an opportunity to collaborate with other Black networks and intersectional equity groups to educate and engage.
As an event organizer, I always try to bring elements of our Black Identity and story to the forefront that people have perhaps never heard or seen before. While I can’t spoil the surprise and tell you what that element is going to be part of the event this year, all I can say is that it will showcase a unique part of our identity story that connects us to our Canadian Indigenous Peoples.
CW: Can you tell us about other Black Caucus events coming up in 2025?
BW: Our second event open to all bargaining units is our Emancipation Celebration on August 1, 2025. This epic event celebrates who we are as creatives, artists, and truth tellers, who use our respective energies and platforms to enamour, entertain, and engage. We also circulate our Black Caucus Emancipation buttons, cards, and fans to anyone who requests them in the spirit of community-building and to lay the foundation for authentic engagement.
LB: In addition to the events the Caucus holds, AMAPCEO also sponsors three key external events each year, which some of our members attend: the Ontario Black History Society Black History Month Kick Off Event, which happened recently, the Bromley Awards Gala, and the Harry Jerome Awards Gala.
CW: Both of you have been members of the Black Caucus for several years now. Can you provide some insight into why it is important to you to continue to be actively involved with the Black Caucus, either in a leadership or non-leadership role?
BW: It’s not important for me to be Chair; it is essential that, while I am in my current role, I am paving the way for succession, inspiring members to put their hat in the ring and lead the Black Caucus. As long as I’m still in this role, I know that it’s both an honour and a privilege that comes with accountability and responsibility. I must “understand the assignment,” as they say, and carry it out with purpose and humility.
And that assignment is to educate, empower, and advocate for activists and leaders within AMAPCEO who are passionate about working to create anti-racist, diverse, equitable and inclusive workspaces where we do not merely survive, but thrive.
LB: I am honoured to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Black Caucus at AMAPCEO. While I don’t see it as essential that I remain in this role, I recognize that my knowledge of human rights, my experience as a Workplace and Health and Safety Representative, and my deep passion for the labour movement bring value to the position.
That said, I also understand the importance of creating space for others who may want to gain experience and contribute in new ways. If there is someone eager to step into this role and grow their leadership skills, I would gladly support that transition while continuing to contribute to the Black Caucus in meaningful ways. My priority is ensuring that the caucus remains strong, effective, and representative of our collective interests—regardless of my specific position within it.
CW: Finally, what advice do you have for members who may be interested in joining or returning to the Black Caucus?
BW: If Black AMAPCEO members are looking for a safe space where they can connect and network with other Black employees who have similar lived experiences in both work and life contexts, and who will tirelessly advocate on their behalf for positive changes and outcomes and support them when they need urgent help, the AMAPCEO Black Caucus is the place to be.
In addition to our planning meetings and social activities, we host events and activities throughout the year that focus on Black mental health and collaborate with other AMAPCEO equity caucuses, Black OPS, and other equity networks.
We also educate members about AMAPCEO and its volunteer opportunities. Members who wish to take on volunteer roles within AMAPCEO —including as Delegates with voting power at the Annual Delegates’ Conference—receive mentoring support from our caucus.
LB: To those considering joining the Black Caucus—whether for the first time or returning—I encourage you to get involved in any way you can. Our strength as a caucus comes from the collective knowledge, advocacy, and engagement of our members.
One of the best ways to make an impact is by volunteering to become a Workplace Representative or Health & Safety Representative. Understanding your workplace rights and learning how to support fellow AMAPCEO members in your workplace is not just a personal skill—it strengthens our union as a whole.
I also encourage you to consider becoming a District Delegate. Delegates play a key role in shaping AMAPCEO’s direction, ensuring that our voices are represented at the highest levels of decision-making. Having more Black Caucus members in these positions strengthens our ability to advocate for substantive equality, inclusion, and meaningful change within our union.
If you have the time, take that next step. The Black Caucus is a space for learning, empowerment, and action. Your involvement, no matter how big or small, helps shape the future of our workplaces and our union.