Marva Wisdom, a prominent equity and leadership practitioner, has been appointed to the prestigious Order of Ontario, the highest honor bestowed by the province for exceptional achievement.
Her acknowledgment of the countless individuals who supported her journey underscores the importance of community in her success.
A noteworthy recognition in 2022
Wisdom joins the esteemed list of 26 new appointees for the year 2022, as announced by the outgoing Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
The new lieutenant governor, Edith Dumont, bestowed the Order of Ontario to the new appointees in a ceremony on November 27.
Honoring those who make a lasting impact
The Order of Ontario is a recognition of exceptional leaders from diverse fields whose influence and enduring legacy have contributed significantly to the growth of the province, the country, and the world, according to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Dowdeswell expressed her pride in recognizing the 2022 appointees, describing them as outstanding Ontarians who have excelled in various disciplines, including arts, science, education, sports, and human rights.
She emphasized how these individuals, by reflecting the best of Ontario, inspire greatness in others.
A humble response to unexpected recognition
Wisdom, originally from Red Ground, St. Catherine, Jamaica, moved to Canada in 1974 with her father and siblings to reunite with her mother, who had previously migrated to Canada as a domestic worker during Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s tenure.
Wisdom attributes her Jamaican roots and her parents’ dedication to service as significant influences on her life and work. She expressed her gratitude to her parents and siblings for their unwavering support.
Community involvement and advocacy
Wisdom’s commitment to community service led her to become deeply involved in the Black Experience Project (BEP), where she engaged in extensive community outreach to ensure the study accurately reflected the community’s lived experiences.
The BEP, initiated by the Environics Institute in 2011 and released in 2017, aimed to capture the perspectives of Black Canadians and their contributions to the nation.
Inspired by a presentation by Michael Adams, president of the institute, highlighting the contributions of immigrants to Canada, Wisdom’s dedication to the study has been instrumental in its widespread adoption by all levels of government—federal, provincial, and municipal. Her previous role as vice chair of the Canadian Centre for Diversity further exemplifies her commitment to promoting inclusivity and understanding within Canadian society.
A distinguished career
Wisdom, an alumna of Centennial College and the University of Guelph, is not only the founder and former president of the Guelph Black Heritage Society but also a senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.
She co-authored the book “Collecting Courage: Joy, Pain, Freedom, Love: Anti-Black Racism in the Charitable Sector,” shedding light on critical issues within the sector.
The Order of Ontario
Ontario residents are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals for the 2024 Order of Ontario, with a nomination deadline of March 31, 2024.
Appointments to the Order are made based on the merit of accomplishments, with nominees put forward by members of the public.
Since its establishment in 1986, the Order of Ontario has recognized 849 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the province.
