Celebrate Black Excellence 2025
Presented by
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay West
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2G8
Saturday, September 20, 2025
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Join us for a fun and free community event, recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Black scientists, artists, entrepreneurs and other inspiring individuals. Enjoy family-friendly workshops, activities and presentations while connecting with diverse Black community groups.
Explore the world of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) with three distinct themes: Flight and Robotics, Medical Science and Music. Plus, get your face painted, catch presentations, browse vendors, grab a bite and so much more!
Check out the full schedule and more programming details below.
Registration is open until Saturday, September 20, and is not required for entry but encouraged to help us plan the best event for you.
Test yourself with a flight simulator, build a robot and try on some VR goggles as you explore flight and robotics. Talk to inspiring youth, including the members of Umoja, winners of the FIRST® Robotics competition. Ask Black professionals from the Urban Pilots & Professionals Network about the world of flight. With these and other activities, you’re sure to set your inspiration soaring!
Meet Black students and professionals in the medical and veterinary sciences fields to learn about their work. Try out your vet skills in the Doggy Dentist Lab, examine skeletons and models, learn how to protect nesting turtles and more!
You can’t have a celebration without music! Enjoy musical performances and interactive lessons happening throughout the day. From discovering your steelpan skills to swaying to some soulful songs on the sax to being awed by Njacko Backo & Kalimbas at Work’s combination of traditional and modern, you’ll be able to get your groove on all day long. Performers include:
Books, soaps, food and more are waiting for you in the Vendor Zone. Participants include:
| Time | Performances (Lakeview Terrace) |
|---|---|
| 11 a.m. | Opening Remarks from Paul Kortenaar, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre followed by Spotlight on Youth performers:
|
| 11:30 a.m. | Hands-On Steelpan with Suzette |
| 12 p.m. | Njacko Backo and Kalimbas at Work |
| 1 p.m. | Let’s Play with KPASS Drummers |
| 1:30 p.m. | Hands-On Steelpan with Suzette |
| 2 p.m. | Spotlight on Youth
|
| 2:30 p.m. | Hands on Steelpan with Suzette |
| 3 p.m. | STEM Demos by Visions of Science followed by Everyone Can Play, a musical finale featuring KPASS Drummers, Eyon, Isaiah McDonald and YOU! |
*Activities, workshops and vendors are subject to change and may not be available at certain times.