By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Sisters in Sync “You Go, Girl” Awards was a night dedicated to celebrating Black girls and women and their remarkable achievements across various fields. The event, themed in Barbie-pink, radiated sisterhood, empowerment, and belonging. With Independent MPP Sarah Jama delivering the opening remarks, the tone for the evening was set: Jama reminded the audience of the importance of community, unity, and creating safe spaces for Black girls and women, particularly in today’s climate.
Emcee Lohifa Pogoson Acker energized the room with her infectious personality, starting the night with everyone doing a “Shake It Off” type dance to shake off the week’s stress. She later led an impromptu sing-along to “Lean on Me” with performer and violinist Alador, ensuring that the audience stayed engaged throughout the night. Alongside emcee Lohifa was DJ TrayBaby, and the duo kept the crowd entertained with perfectly-themed music, smooth transitions, and interactive engagement with attendees.
The event featured a series of impressive performances. Michaela Mathurin delivered a standout theatre singing act, while Studio of Purpose dancers dazzled the audience with an unforgettable performance. Spoken word artist and singer Akilah Walcott also gave a memorable performance, adding layers of artistic expression to the night.
The mission of Sisters in Sync is rooted in creating spaces where Black girls and women can “Be, Become, and Belong”— a mission that’s reflected in their programs and advocacy efforts. Marie Claire, a key ambassador, highlighted how much the organization’s work meant to her, saying, “Sisters in Sync has given me a platform to amplify my voice and represent Black girls in spaces where we’re often overlooked.” The ambassador program is a pivotal initiative raising awareness for the organization and promoting health and outreach across Hamilton, with hopes to expand into Halton Region.
The awards night was filled with inspiring moments. Andrea Lewis, former Degrassi: The Next Generation star, who received the Icon Award, shared, “I feel like I belong here today. Confidence isn’t about not being afraid, it’s about feeling fear and pushing forward anyway.” Her words deeply resonated with the audience. Lewis further emphasized the importance of celebrating achievements at any age, stating, “There’s no need to wait until you’re older to be celebrated.”
One of the most memorable aspects of the evening was the introduction of the “One to Watch” Award, celebrating girls aged 8–12 who have already demonstrated extraordinary talent and promise. Faith Abraham, Michelle Nwajiufor, Eden-Faith Ogunkoya, and Mya Daniel-Campbell were all recognized for their outstanding contributions and accomplishments. Faith and Michelle, both published authors, wowed the audience with their creativity and drive at such a young age, while Eden-Faith, a low-vision athlete and advocate, was celebrated for her advocacy and determination. Mya, a young entrepreneur who runs her own tea business, also stood out, leaving the voting committee unable to pick just one winner. In an unprecedented move, all four girls were honoured with the award, a decision that made history at the “You Go, Girl” Awards.
The night also recognized a range of other outstanding Black women and girls for their contributions. Mariam Oyinloye was celebrated with the Entrepreneurship Award, sponsored by Hayden Kennedy Real Estate, for her entrepreneurial spirit and impact. Oyinloye founded Abimbola, a company that offers biodegradable menstrual products, at the age of 15.
Opeyemi Adetutu, who won the Trailblazer Award sponsored by JS Group, shared a touching moment, expressing her gratitude with, “My name means I got to give thanks,” a sentiment that deeply resonated with the audience.
Ruby Omokhafe, honoured in the Girls in STEM category, received her award for her exceptional achievements in the sciences, standing out among a talented group of nominees. Laiba Ifran Butt took home the Global Citizen Award, sponsored by Refuge: Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health, for her transformative community work. Lastly, Najma Hassan was honoured with the Youth Extra Mile Award, a recognition of her remarkable drive and resilience to push beyond expectations.
In addition to the awards, Sisters in Sync’s programs were highlighted, particularly the “Becoming Her” initiative, which began with six girls and has now grown to serve sixty-three Black high school students. These programs offer Black girls vital support through mentorship and skill-building activities that prepare them for future success.
Joëlle Kabisoso, the founder and executive director of Sisters in Sync, shared her powerful story of how the organization came to life. After surviving a racially motivated sexual assault by five perpetrators who later tweeted about the assault at age 17, Kabisoso found herself drawn to advocacy work, especially through the Violence 360 campaign under Ontario’s Black Youth Action Plan. “The experience of other Black survivors reaching out to me for help was when I realized we needed a safe space — something more than what was already available,” Kabisoso said. This vision led to the creation of Sisters in Sync, a hub for Black girls and women across Hamilton and surrounding areas.
Looking ahead, the organization has plans to expand into the Halton region. By partnering with local schools and businesses, Sisters in Sync hopes to bring their programs — like the Becoming Her after-school program and the new Soft Skills for Soft Life initiative — to Halton’s Black girls and women. “We’re actively seeking sponsors and local partnerships to help fund and support our programs as we expand into Halton,” Joëlle added.
Sisters in Sync also has other exciting initiatives on the horizon, including the development of the “We Got You, Sis” toolkit, which aims to educate communities on how to respond better to incidents of gender-based violence disclosure.
Overall, the 2024 “You Go, Girl” Awards was a testament to the power of sisterhood, community, and empowerment. Indeed, even the date of the event added another layer of strength to the evening, as October 11 is the International Day of the Girl, and fittingly, the 2024 theme for the day was ”Girls’ Vision for the Future.” The night celebrated not only individual achievements but also the collective strength of Black girls and women — proof that when spaces like Sisters in Sync exist, there is no limit to what can be achieved.
