Jon Sarpong, Editor of Sway

Our first-ever ALL-WOMAN issue

I’ve had the concept for this particular issue of Sway in mind for quite a while — an issue filled with Canada’s most powerful, influential and well-respected women.

My motivation for this type of content developed in response to the CBC special The Greatest Canadian, which I watched sometime ago. It was broadcast over several days and a two-step process voted in the people. The series featured bios on the likes of David Suzuki, Don Cherry, Wayne Gretzky and the contest’s ultimate winner Tommy Douglas (the father of Canada’s universal healthcare).

The fact that not one of the Top 10 finalists was Black did not surprise me. Let’s be honest, this is not the first time that excellence in the Black community has been overlooked. However, the realization that in the eyes of Canada’s public there was not a single woman whose contribution to our society was deemed worthy of recognition left me dumbfounded.

It also made me think about the societal barriers to success that I have faced as a Black man, and how those faced by Black women must be exponentially greater.

And yet, today we celebrate the inspiring achievements of Canadian women who have overcome both racism and sexism to become community leaders, corporate innovators, political visionaries and iconic symbols of true Canadian greatness.

As we leaf through this very special issue of Sway, let each of us resolve to celebrate the continued success of Black women, whose achievements add to the narrative of Canadian history. After all, it is our story to tell….

Stay blessed,

Jon Sarpong
[email protected]