Silvertrust, the largest Black-owned media organisation in Canada, has nominated a Nigerian-born lawyer, Johnson Babalola, as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Canadians.
Babalola is the Managing Partner of TopMarke Attorneys LLP, a law corporation based in Toronto, Canada.
A letter from the President and Chief Executive Officer of Silvertrust, Moses Mawa, said: “You have been selected as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Canadians for 2023-2024 due to your remarkable achievements and for being a game-changer and role model for our youth.”
A statement issued by Brand Communications associates at TopMarke Attorneys, Femi Ibirogba and Shoumik Hossain, stated that the award is part of the upcoming Black History Showcase being organised by Afroglobal Television channel on February 22, 2024, at Bellagio Event Centre, Vaughan, Canada.
The statement said the theme for this year’s award is ‘Soaring Like Eagles.’
In the list of honourees are The Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean, Canada’s 27th Governor General; BlackNorth Founder Wes Hall; TVO CEO Jeffrey Orridge; RBC Social Impact and Innovation VP Mark Beckles; Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri; CIBC’s EVP and Chief Legal Officer Kikelomo Lawal; Canadian Senator Paulette Senior; and TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey.
Other nominees are Hon. Ahmed Hussein, International Development Minister and Member of Parliament, Canada; Alexander Sinora, Co-Founder & Consultant, The Wealth Club, McKinsey & Co.; Amanuel Melles, Founder & Executive Director, Network For The Advancement Of Black Communities; Arielle Kayabaga, MP and Black Caucus Leader, Parliament of Canada, among others.
Silvertrust operates Afroglobal TV and produces the Excellence Awards, the Black History Showcase, the Planet Africa show on OMNI TV and more, with brands associated with the Transformation Institute, a non-profit social innovation organisation that runs the Crossover Mentorship Program, among others.
It is good to be recognized by an organization that represents and showcases the black and Canadian culture to recognize one’s contributions to the beautiful country called Canada that has given us so much and that is now called home.
Reacting to the nomination, Babalola said it showed that anyone, notwithstanding challenges and upbringing, could be recognised for positive contributions to the community, profession and country.
He added: “Our service should be selfless and should always be focused on lifting others up.”
He hinted that “the best way to mentor is to share your experiences with others, hold their hands and stay focused teaching others not to make the same mistakes you have made. One day, you will be recognized.
“Even if you are not,” the immigration lawyer said, “don’t stop mentoring and sharing your experience and knowledge.”
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