Black Excellence in Construction

BHM Series Intro

The history of Black excellence in Canada’s construction industry is one of resilience and progress, driven by workers and leaders who have fought against systemic racism and inequality. Early in the 20th century, many workplaces excluded Black workers, offering them only low-paying, dangerous roles with few advancement opportunities. This exclusion kept many Black Canadians from the security and better wages union membership typically provided, relegating them to informal networks without labor benefits.

Today, Black Canadians have a stronger presence in the unionized construction industry, with increased representation in key positions in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Unions, together with their employer partners have introduced more inclusive recruitment policies, such as Community Benefits Agreements, which are designed for underrepresented groups like Black workers, women, and Indigenous peoples. These efforts have opened up more opportunities for Black professionals to enter apprenticeships, gain certifications, and access higher-paying jobs.

Though challenges remain, Black workers have made vital contributions to shaping Canada’s construction landscape. The ongoing efforts of advocacy groups, union leaders, and young professionals ensure a brighter, more inclusive future for Black excellence in the industry. Here are some of their stories.


John Meriweather Tinsley

John Meriweather Tinsley was a free Black man from Virginia who came to Toronto in the 1840s. Tinsley purchased property in St. John’s Ward. He built a pair of attached houses for his family near the corner of Terauley (now Bay) and Agnes (Dundas) Streets and started his own construction company. Tinsley added to his real estate holdings over time by constructing a series of cottages and tenements in the district. He often employed newly arrived freedom seekers in his business. When he passed away in 1892, he was recognized as a prominent citizen of the city.

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Stephen Callendar

Stephen Callender is President of Bass Installation, a unionized construction company which specializes in the installation of glass and curtain wall panels on skyscrapers. He is also the President and co-founder of the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (ACCA) - a not-for-profit organization that works to increase the presence of BIPOC contractors and construction companies across Canada. In addition, he is Board Member on TCBN and has been in the industry for 40+ years.


Chris Campbell

Chris Campbell is the Equity and Diversity Representative of the Carpenters' District Council of Ontario. He has been a member of the Carpenters Union for 30 years and a full time staff representative for 17 years. Chris is presently on several boards and committees in the construction industry as well as in the local community. He also plays a major role in the recruiting of youths from his community for careers in the construction trade.

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Roodney Clarke

Roodney has been involved in the politics of UA Local 46 for twenty years. He has served on the Plumbers, Pipe Fitters and Join Training Apprenticeship Committee, as Chairman of the Bylaw Committee, Chairman ofthe shop Steward Committee, Executive Board Member, Vice President, and currently as President of UA Local 46. He also leads the local charity drive for the UA sponsored charity, and the CBTU charity dedicated to ending youth homelessness across Canada. He also helps youth navigate the apprenticeship system as a mentor in the TCBN NexGen Mentorship Program. 

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Ivan Dawns

Ivan has been a member for over 20 years as Drywall Finisher/Plaster. He is currently the Political Director, a member of the Local Apprentice Committee at the Interior Finishing Systems Training Centre (IFSTC) and the Co-chair for the African American Community Organizing for Real Economics (AACORE) Committee, where he is tasked with the job of finding how the union can better serve Black members, recruiting and retaining Black youth and identifying programs in communities that need assistance. 

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Mamadou Bah

Mamadou Bah joined LiUNA Local 506 in 1990. He has worked in several sectors, including precast, demolition, concrete and general construction. In 2002 he was appointed as a Business Representative for Local 506, the first Black Business representative in Canada. He has served on numerous committees including LiUNA Ontario District Council Minority Group, Ontario Building Trades, Canadian Labour Congress, CLC Workers of Colour, CLC Human Rights Advisory and Toronto & York Region Labour Council. Mamadou volunteers his time Working with Black youth through the TCBN NexGen Mentorship Program and sits on the LiUNA African American Caucus board.

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Jason Ottey

Jason Ottey is the Black Director of Government Relations and Communications for Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 183 where he provides direction, advocacy and strategic advice on construction-related issues at all three levels of government. 

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Terrence Haynes

As an experienced plumber, Terrence has consistently upheld the project standards ensuring high quality and timely delivery at all phases. I have been part of several key projects across Toronto on major plumbing projects. He is highly motivated to encourage diverse young workers in the construction trade industry, through various initiatives that encourages youth to see careers in trades as a viable path to take.

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Janvier Kenmoe

Janvier Kenmoe is a Business Representative of LiUNA Local 183. He is a certified Blueprint Reader. He has been a member of LiUNA Local 183 for over 20 years and a union organizer for over nine years and is a current member of the LiUNA African American Canadian Caucus (LAACC). On behalf of the LAACC, Janvier volunteers with the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists as well as with the Toronto Community Benefits Network, where he has supported a number of community based initiatives through fundraising and program development. 

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Sean Blake

Sean Blake is a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Allied Workers local 27 for the past 23 years. He has also served as a Business Representative for the local. He is chair of the Shop Steward Committee, member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, and delegate to Toronto and York Region Labour Council. 

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Dory Smith

Dory Smith is a Black retired member from St. Catherine, Jamaica. He joined the Carpenters' Union in the 1970s. The first full time Black Business Representative in the history of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America in Canada. Vice President / Business Representative of Local 27 in the 1980s. Dory was an active CBTU member and he ran for the vice president of the Canadian Federation of Labour. 

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Ucal Powell

Ucal J Powell is a Black retired Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Carpenters District Council of Ontario. A member since 1970 and representative of the Carpenters Union for 23 years, he augmented the image of the Carpenters' union in the Black community as a caring philanthropic organization. He was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2011. We are grateful for his contributions to the labour movement and the construction industry.

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Shane Laptiste

Shane Laptiste is a founder and Principal at SOCA | Studio of Contemporary Architecture and cofounder of Black Architects and Interior Designers Association (BAIDA), both based in Toronto. SOCA is an architecture and urban design studio dedicated to sustainable and inclusive city building and the creation of beautiful spaces. The studio is deeply engaged in research and the broader discourse of architecture's impact on culture, the environment and the shaping of cities. 

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Richard Whyte

Richard Whyte became Vice President and Area Manager for EllisDon. He joined Ellis Don in 2014 and in 2018 Richard was promoted to Chief Estimator. As an avid community member, Richard sits on the Public Advisory Committee for the George Civil Engineering Technology Program, The Urban Land Institute Advisory Board and he is a Mentor in Toronto Community Benefits program, NexGen Builders.

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Judith (Judy) Brooks

Judith (Judy) Brooks is a Black construction sector professional working at Metrolinx as Manager of its Community Benefits Program. Judy has a range of professional, career and volunteer skills where she is able to apply her knowledge and interest in the areas of community and policy development. The depth of Judy's experience includes working with not-for-profit organizations in areas such as program development, organization development and effectiveness, including community planning, engagement and outreach.


Desiree T. Smith

Desiree T. Smith is a Black Carpenter and member of the Carpenters Local 27 union. She’s well known in the industry as the Floor Diva. Desiree has been a floor installer since 2015. She is a certified expert in several areas of the flooring specialty including enhanced carpentry, terrazzo, tile and marble setting. 

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David Powell

David is a Business Representative and Executive Board member of Carpenters Union Local 27 since 2014. As a representative of the union, he continues to work with different organizations such as Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

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Phyllis Gallimore

Phyllis Gillmore established “Sisters in the Trades” to promote solidarity, increase awareness and facilitate the growth and empowerment of Black women in the trades. She worked as a Carpenter becoming a Journeyperson in 2000 and took great pride in being a member of Local 27 and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Phyllis believed in the benefits of working in the union, and strived to educate her union brothers and sisters about the strength of solidarity and the benefits of organizing. 

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Dexter King

Dexter King a Black construction executive with over 20 years of public and private sector procurement experience, including senior procurement roles with one of Canada's largest construction firms. In his current role as the Director of Procurement Services at York University, he is responsible for managing $250 million dollars of annual spend for the University. Dexter is a Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (CSCMP) with Supply Chain Canada and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with the Project Management Institute. 

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Isaac Olowolafe

Isaac Olowolafe Jr. is a Black construction executive, Founder and General Partner of Dream Maker Ventures. Isaac is an award-winning real estate entrepreneur, angel investor and philanthropist. Dream Maker Inc., successfully operates multiple divisions including brokerage, real estate development, wealth management, property management, education, private equity and insurance. His organization is inclusive of persons of colour, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+, immigrant, refugee and indigenous entrepreneurs. 

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Sephton Spence

Sephton is a Black construction executive and CEO of Kubbie Construction. Sephton has over 30 years of distinguished performance in construction and remodelling, complemented with a background in architecture and design. He is an industry expert on sustainable building and remodeling, energy efficiency and green living. Kubbie Construction is known throughout North America and the Caribbean, developing everything including office buildings, custom homes, restaurants and shopping plazas. 

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Stephanie McLean

Stephanie McLean is a Red Seal Electrical 309A journeyperson with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 804, specializing in high-rise construction and maintenance. A dedicated trade professional, Stephanie actively supports new generations in the electrical field through mentorship and skills training, partnering with the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) and Neighbourhood Developing Careers (NDC). Committed to fostering inclusivity in the industry, she empowers women and youth to pursue and succeed in electrical apprenticeships, providing valuable guidance and industry insight along the way.

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Garth Carson

Garth is a highly skilled and dedicated trades professional with over 30 years of experience in steam fitting, plumbing, and boiler maintenance across industrial settings. In addition to his extensive technical training and hands-on expertise, Garth serves as Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and as an Instructor at Local 46 Training Centre. His background includes advanced training in building automation systems, welding, and gas fitting, and he has worked with prominent organizations like Ontario Power Generation and the Toronto District School Board. Known for his commitment to teamwork, reliability, and technical leadership, Garth is a valuable asset in the skilled trades.

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Errol Blackburn

Erol Blackburn was the first Black Carpenter hired by Liuna Local 183 in 2004 as an Organizer and Business Agent. He learned the trade early in life and quickly became skilled in the craft. Upon arriving in Canada from Jamaica, Erol studied architectural drawing. After graduating college, he began his career with Carpenters Union Local 27. Erol was influential in recommending that the Union hire an economist to assist with the negotiations in the framing sector, where the Union obtained significant increase in revenue. 

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Jeff Blackwell

Jeff is a Black Electrician who began his career with IBEW over 31 years ago He has been a Business Representative at IBEW Local 353 for the last 6 years. Jeff earned his Red Seal certification early in his career and has traveled throughout Canada with his trade. He was an ambassador for diverse membership wherever he travelled.  In addition to working dispatch at the local Jeff has been an advocate for members; mental health including drug and alcohol addiction.

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Clifton Donegal

Clifton is a Red Seal Carpenter and has been a member of the Carpenters Union local 27 since immigrating to Canada from Jamaica in 1994. He has worked on Oil Refineries and Nuclear Power Plants as both a carpenter and a Radiation Protection Coordinator. Today Clifton is a Carpentry instructor at The College of Carpenters and Allied Trades Inc. 

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Anthony Tubbs

Anthony Tubbs has been a Black member of LiUNA Local 183 since 1982. For the past 8 years, he has worked as an organizer in central and eastern Canada.  His construction qualifications include welding and fabrication; carpentry and blueprint reading; and heavy construction. Anthony is a board member of the LiUNA African American Canadian Caucus (Eastern & Central Canadian Sector), and its mission is to identify, promote and support issues of cultural, legislative, political, educational, economic development, and civil and social action concerns that address the needs and interests of LiUNA members of African descent.

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Hardy Jalloh

Hardy Jalloh is a Black member of LIUNA Local 506. He has been a member of the Union for over 30 years. He holds a degree in Business Management from Ryerson University, a certificate in Microcomputer Applications from Centennial College, and a certificate in Construction Project Management from George Brown College. His future has always been tied to LIUNA Local 506. He started as a Construction Labourer and served as a Shop Steward in the field. He has been a Construction Safety Trainer. In September 2013, he was hired as a dispatcher for LIUNA Local 506.

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Errol John

Errol is a Black professional carpenter who has been a member of Carpenters Local 27 since September 1984. He is currently an executive board member of the Carpenters' Union local 27 as a trustee for over 9 years Errol is also a CDCO delegate for 20 plus years and shop Steward / Safety Rep. on the Eglinton Crosstown projects. Through local 27, he has had the opportunity to join several community organizations such as CBTU, TCBN, and Toronto and York Region Labour Councils. 

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Sherwin Steele

Sherwin Steele is a Sheet Metal journeyman, Sheet Metal and Roofer Local 30, and S.M.A.R.T international member. As a member, he has served on numerous committees within his local union. He is the longest member on the education committee for 21 years, and also held the position of chair of this committee. 

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Andrea Pierce

Andrea Peirce is the Executive Director of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub at Carleton University and founder of ImmigrantsCAN. She is an entrepreneur who has held senior leadership roles in the Technology, Energy and Infrastructure sectors in both the United States and Canada. She has managed multi million dollar budgets in the building industry. 

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Derval Edwards

Derval Edwards has over 33 years of extensive experience in demolition and abatement throughout the Industrial,Commercial & Institutional,(ICI) construction sector. He has tenured in various roles as foreman, project supervisor, estimating and project manager. He is a result driven, decisive leader with proven success utilising new methodologies and engineered processes resulting in profitability, productivity and client satisfaction. Presently, Edwards is the Director of Operations for QM Environmental Eastern Division. 

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Jim Lord

Jim Lord is a visionary leader and a founding Principal at Ecovert Sustainability.

Consultants. With 15 years of experience providing exceptional sustainability consulting services to the real estate industry, covering over 500 million square feet, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Ecovert’s clients. His fluency in corporate social responsibility and carbon reduction strategies, combined with his ability to implement practical sustainability tools for owners and facility managers, sets him apart in the field.

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Tristan Rawlins

Starting as an Apprentice in 2009, Tristan has had the opportunity to serve on the Executive Board of BACU Local 2 as Sergeant at Arms, Recording Secretary, Business Agent and is currently the Business Manager for Toronto, Barrie, Oshawa. He is also on the Provincial Executive Board as First Vice President of BACU/OPC. He works alongside the Hammer Heads Program that assists inner city youth to get into the trades. Since becoming Business Manager, his Local has made positive steps in helping apprentices across the GTA with their training costs and job placement.

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Karla Avis Birch

Karla Avis Birch is the Chief Planning Officer, Planning and Development at Metrolinx. Karla has been with Metrolinx for over 17 Years. She is a Civil Engineer who participated in TCBN Buildings Show Panel: A Collaborative Approach to Building Diversity in Construction.

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Derrick Fagan

Meet Derrick Fagan, the creative force behind DF Media Productions Toronto, acclaimed for his work with giants like Netflix, Google, and Youtube Pulse. Derrick is not just a videographer; he's the storytelling heartbeat of TCBN, dedicating his craft to the Black community's narratives.

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