Keynote Address – City of Mississauga Black History Month Awards

Nicholas Marcus Thompson speaking the City of Mississauga. February 28, 2025

Nicholas Marcus Thompson delivered the keynote address at the City of Mississauga’s Black Excellence Event and Awards Ceremony, co-hosted with the Black Caucus Alliance. The evening was alive with cultural expression, from the vibrant sounds of steelpan to the powerful rhythms of African drumming, setting the stage for a message that resonated at the core of the Black experience in public life.

Nicholas shared a deeply personal and empowering narrative centered on Black resilience. He spoke about how rejection, particularly within institutions, can be both painful and transformational. Rather than allowing it to defeat, he framed rejection as a catalyst for excellence.

Don’t let rejection define you. Let it refine you.

Shelly Scott-England, Chair of the Black Caucus Alliance, reflected on the impact of his message:

Nicholas didn’t just offer platitudes; he shared a raw, authentic narrative of navigating the often brutal landscape of public sector rejection. His speech was a masterclass in turning adversity into advantage… a testament to the power of collective perseverance, and a call to action for us to support and uplift one another.

Nicholas’s remarks were not only a reflection of personal triumph, but a powerful reminder of the strength found in shared struggle and the possibilities unlocked by collective determination.