JrBAA - the 4th Annual Stellar Stars & 3rd "Excellence and Elegance" Awards Gala!
What an unforgettable day! On February 22, 2026, the Jr. Black Achievement Awards Society (JrBAA) gathered at the Inlet Theatre to celebrate the brilliance, resilience, and talent of our youth. From soul-stirring speeches to prestigious scholarship presentations, the energy was nothing short of "Stellar."
🎤 The 4th Annual Stellar Stars Speech Competition
The stage was set, the timers were ready, and our Moderator, Jennifer Curpen, guided us through a competition that left the audience in awe. While every contestant delivered a phenomenal performance, one voice rose to the top.
Congratulations to Grace Ochai! As the 2026 Stellar Star Speech Competition winner, Grace was awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship for her impactful delivery.
Read Grace’s Winning Speech Here
🏆 Celebrating “Excellence and Elegance” - Our 2024 - 2025 Award & Scholarship Winners
We were honored to present several awards to students who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to academics, arts, sports, and leadership.
“Stellar Stars” Speech Competition - $2,000.00:
Temi Akano (Sponsored By Candace Knoll in Memory of Estella Brown)Creative Writing Poetry - $500.00:
Titi Balogun (Sponsored By Academy of Modern Art (AOMA))Academic & Performing Arts - $500.00:
Pearl Samuri (Sponsored By UBCP/ACTRA)Academic & Sports - $500.00:
Lewis Weir (Sponsored By Vancouver District Labour Council)Academic & Sports - $500.00:
Flourish Aiwize (Sponsored By New West & District Labour Council)Academic & Visual Arts - $500.00:
Ella Munroe MacIntosh (Sponsored By The Estate of Brinsley Stewart)Youth Leadership - $1000.00:
Grace Ochai (Sponsored By Open Mind Counselling)Community Initiative - $1,000.00:
Moji Alabi (Sponsored By "The Ability Guy")Essay Writing Competition - $1,000.00:
Flourish Aiwize (Sponsored By Absolutely Studying)Scholastic Achievement - $3,000.00:
Mitchell Obasa (Sponsored By the LuMi Fund, Pyne-Green-Park & Edmonds Families)
🎶 Ambience, Appetizers & Artistry
Following the ceremony, the theater transformed into a hub of celebration.
The Flavors: We enjoyed a beautiful spread of treats and appetizers supplied by Beloved Designs.
The Sounds: Kendrick Headley kept the room grooving with the rhythmic sounds of his Steel Drums during community building time.
The Finale: The evening closed with a truly "angelic" moment as Paulyn led us in a rendition of "We Are The World," a fitting tribute to the bright futures of our youth.
🤝 A Heartfelt Thank You
This event would not be possible without our sponsors, community partners and guest speakers. We extend our deepest gratitude to:
Our Sponsors: the LuMi Fund, CUPE Local 15, HSA
Our Partners: BCBELA & Kosi Fortune.
Guest Speaker: Larry Rousseau (CLC Vice President)
Special Guests: Councillor Nancy McCurrach
Acknowledgement and Welcome: Siobhan Barker
Honorary Members 2024 - 2025: Beth Applewhite and Jennifer Curpen.
To our volunteers, parents, and most importantly, our students: Thank you for making the 4th Annual Stellar Stars and our 3rd “Excellence and Elegance” Awards Ceremony to present $10,500.00 to our Achievers, a resounding success!
Click here for a copy of the programs which includes our Annual General Report (AGR)
Canadian Union of Public Employees
Health Sciences Association
