Caribbean Hub Meets Senator Bernadette Clement in Victoria

On August 26, 2026, Caribbean Hub representatives Dr. Oneil Randall and Kabir Hosein attended a special meet-and-greet with Canadian Senator Bernadette Clement at the Black & Here Community Centre in Victoria.

Hosted by the BC Black History Awareness Society, the gathering brought together local community leaders and members for an opportunity to meet Senator Clement, learn about her work, and discuss issues affecting our communities.

Connecting with Leadership

Senator Clement has an impressive background in law, public service, and community advocacy. She made history as the first Black woman to serve as a mayor in Ontario, serving as Mayor of Cornwall before her appointment to the Senate of Canada.

With Trinidadian roots through her father, Senator Clement also shares a personal connection to the Caribbean community.

During the gathering, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about her role as a Canadian senator, including her responsibilities, areas of advocacy, and work representing the interests of Canadians.

Sharing Caribbean Hub’s Work

For Caribbean Hub, the gathering was an opportunity to introduce Senator Clement to the work we’re doing on Vancouver Island.

Oneil and Kabir shared information about our organization, including our efforts to celebrate Caribbean culture, create opportunities for professional artists, preserve cultural traditions, and build connections through events and community programming.

They also discussed some of the challenges and opportunities facing smaller cultural organizations and explored how leaders such as Senator Clement might support and bring greater awareness to the work happening within our communities.

As an Afro-Caribbean-led organization based in a region with a relatively small Caribbean population, opportunities to connect with national leaders are especially meaningful.

These conversations help raise awareness of the cultural contributions being made outside Canada’s larger metropolitan centres and create opportunities for future dialogue and collaboration.

Thank You to BC Black History Awareness Society

A big thank you to the BC Black History Awareness Society for organizing this gathering and creating space for community members and leaders to connect with Senator Clement.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to participate, share Caribbean Hub’s work, and learn more about the role of the Senate and the importance of community engagement.

We look forward to continuing to build relationships that help strengthen representation, cultural awareness, and opportunities for our communities across Vancouver Island and beyond.