TICKET AND EVENT DETAILS
The Pillar Community Innovation Awards will be held virtually on November 18, 2021 from 6:30 - 9:30 P.M.
At our virtual interactive awards ceremony, you can expect uplifting artistic performances to set the mood for the evening featuring DJ, Cultural Producer and Artist, Zahra Habib and local upcoming singer and theatre artist Travae Williams.
Attendees will enjoy the opportunity to network throughout the evening, and most importantly will receive a dose of inspiration from the outstanding stories of our finalists.
Never attended PCIA before? Check out last year’s event to get excited about what’s in store for our 15th anniversary event!
MEET OUR EMCEES
SAIDAT VANDENBERG
Saidat is an award-winning community leader, children's entertainer, artistic director, and motivational speaker. Her program, "The Saidat Show," was born from a desire to make people smile and build confidence in the younger generation. Saidat has now reached over 800,000 students across Canada. Saidat's message of encouragement, self-worth, and community-mindedness is also a motivation for a global audience. She presents a powerful message that comes from the heart that One person can make a difference. Together we can change the world.
EMILY STRYBOSCH
Emily is a Brand Specialist at Libro Credit Union. Her dedication to helping others on their personal and professional development journeys has led to her involvement in global, national and provincial credit union young leader initiatives. She is the founder and chair of the Ontario (Credit Union) Young Leaders network, and chair of Libro Emerging Leaders Committee. Emily is strategic thinker, problem solver and innovation advocate. She is passionate about leadership, continuous learning, giving back, supporting local, cooperative banking and community. She is looking forward to co-chairing and co-emceeing this year’s Pillar Community Innovation Awards alongside Saidat to celebrate all the amazing work happening in our communities.
MEET OUR ARTISTS
ZAHRA HABIB
Zahra Habib (formerly Brown Skin Lady) is an award-winning DJ, Cultural Producer, artist, radio and events host who is dedicated to expanding music, the arts, and creative communities locally and beyond. She is well known throughout London as a DJ who brings a unique experience to every venue, street, or block party she is at, and is always looking to uplift through dance, good energy, and inclusivity. Connecting and uplifting people through music and events is one of Zahra’s guiding principles.
Through live events and her weekly show Lunar Rotations, Zahra creates spaces for people of all walks of life to connect, be themselves, and experience joy. She is a DJ and MC with Rude Girls, a creative collective devoted to uplifting women and the arts in London. She also sits on the Board of Directors for SunFest, and on the Advisory Committee for the JUNOS Awards Rap Category. She has worked with the City of London, the Forest City Film Festival, Radio Western, and many other organizations, and has represented London on a global scale in her DJ sets to audiences worldwide. Her dream is to elevate the musical, cultural, and creative scene in London and beyond for generations to come.
TRAVAE WILLIAMS
Travae Williams, born and raised in London, Ontario is a 23 year old upcoming theatre artist. He is a 4th year student of the Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College.
Music and entertainment has always been a huge part of Travae’s life. When he was just 1 years old, he would lay on his stomach and play rhythmic beats with his hands and feet, entertaining his big family. He got his first mini drum-set when he was 4 years old. Travae has quickly grown into a well-rounded artist. He is a singer, dancer/choreographer, actor, and musician. Not only is he a great musician and theatre artist, but Travae makes it his priority to constantly spread love, encouragement, and motivation through inspiring online posts, through his music, and in his daily life. You can find him on majority social media platforms @travaewilliams.
Travae hopes and plans to have a sustaining and successful career in the arts after graduating from Sheridan College in 2022 and he is optimistic for great opportunities where he can express his unique artistry.
SPECIAL THANKS TO…
SAMANTHA WHITEYE
Samantha will provide a land welcoming and accountability statement at the awards.
Samantha Whiteye is an emerging leader from Delaware Nation of The Thames. She is very passionate and dedicated to her work within London, Ontario and the Indigenous Community she actively serves. Whether it's as a facilitator, running workshops through her business or being asked to weigh in on panels as well as speak at a wide range of events. Samantha is very knowledgeable and connected to her Lunaapeew/Lenape culture as she continuously weaves the medicine and teachings into her work and daily lifestyle effortlessly. Samantha is an inspired landscape photographer and incorporates story telling with her work. She is also passionate about ancestral seed sovereignty and hopes it will be able to build bridges back to identity for her people. Most recently Sam has partnered with Carolinian Canada Coalition as an Indigenous Leadership Specialist to work together and help shift the narratives in conservation.
We also wish to acknowledge and celebrate the traditional art and regalia Samantha will be presenting. Samantha’s beautiful Ribbon Dress for this event was made by Community Helper Felicia Huff and the Regalia Belt was made by Artist, Mitchell Riley of Antler River Leather.
