The Ubuntu Connekt

Today we remember. We listen. We learn. And we commit to doing better.

The Ubuntu Connekt honours residential school Survivors, the children who never returned home, and their families and communities.

Every child deserves to be heard, protected, respected and to belongthen, now and every day. 🧡

Every Journey Matters. Every Person Belongs.

On September 21, 2026, our Walk of Belonging moved through the streets of City of Greater Sudbury, beginning from Memorial Park as part of the International Day of Peace celebration.

This was more than a walk. ❤️

As we walked through the city, we carried a message of peace, belonging and inclusion into our community reminding everyone we encountered that peace is not only something we talk about; it is something we practise in how we welcome, respect and walk alongside one another.

Different journeys. Different stories. Different backgrounds. One community. 🤝🌍

A heartfelt thank you to the organizing teams at The Ubuntu Connekt Declutter Wellness Spaces, YMCA of Northeastern Ontario-Employment and Immigrant Services Sudbury Popular Pizza and to everyone who walked with us and helped bring this message to our city. Every journey matters. No one should walk alone.

Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.

Jeff MacIntyre Ranjodh Singh Hadana Erica Asante-Yeboah Caroline Owashaba TrixBites Paul Lefebvre

💡 DID YOU KNOW?

Since 1981, Centre Foundation has invested an incredible $50 MILLION in grants to local nonprofits!

That’s 45 years of supporting organizations and people working every day to make Centre County stronger, healthier, and more vibrant. 💙

What local cause matters most to you? Tell us in the comments!

Want to be part of what comes next? Discover more ways to give, get involved, and connect with our community at centrefoundation.org.

What happens when a community chooses to walk together, listen to one another, share a meal, and simply create space for everyone to belong?

Something beautiful happens. ❤️

On September 21, Memorial Park came alive as we gathered to commemorate the International Day of Peace 2026 under the global theme:

“Invest in Peace, For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”

We began with the Walk of Belonging – Every Journey Matters 🚶🏾‍♀️🚶‍♂️ a reminder that although our journeys may be different, every story matters, every voice matters, and everyone deserves to belong.

The day unfolded through powerful messages, meaningful conversations, laughter, community activities and moments of reflection.

And yes… even Mayor Paul Lefebvre ended up in the “hot seat!” 😄🪑
More on that story soon!

We closed with Lunch in the Park, open to everyone. Around the same tables, people ate, connected, laughed and experienced something wonderfully simple: community. 🍽️🤝

This was more than an event.

It was a reminder that peace is built in the everyday moments when we choose to see one another, listen to one another and make room for one another.

Over the next few days, we will take you behind the moments that made this day special—from the Walk of Belonging and Voices of Peace to the Mayor's “hot seat,” our Commitment Board, community activities and the people who made it all possible.

This is only the beginning of the story.
Peace is more than a day. It is something we build together every day.

Declutter Wellness Spaces Declutter Canada Ranjodh Singh Hadana Caroline Owashaba TrixBites City of Greater Sudbury

Thank you Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury for sharing this important community gathering

Tomorrow we gather for peace! Join us at Memorial Park for the Walk of Belonging – Every Journey Matters, community connection and Lunch in the Park.

📍 Memorial Park | ⏰ 11:45 AM–2:00 PM
Peace begins with all of us. Everyone belongs.

International Day of Peace 2026, Monday, September 21, 2026, at Memorial Park in Downtown Sudbury. The day will begin at 11:45 a.m. with the Walk of Belonging – Every Journey Matters, followed by community activities and Lunch in the Park at Memorial Park, until 2:00pm.

This year’s theme is “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” with a local focus on “Building Belonging in Greater Sudbury.”

Come walk, connect with community members, and celebrate peace, belonging, dignity, and inclusion in Greater Sudbury. All welcome.

With Ubuntu Connekt, Declutter Wellness Spaces, and the International Day of Peace 2026 Organizing Committee

Peace is everyone’s responsibility and every partnership brings us closer to the community we want to call home.

In our continued preparations for the International Day of Peace 2026, The Ubuntu Connekt and Declutter Wellness Spaces recently had a wonderful conversation with Ranjodh Singh Hadana from Sudbury about what peace means within our community.

One message stood out: peace is our daily bread. If our neighbour is struggling, excluded, unsafe, or unable to meet their basic needs, it affects the wellbeing of the entire community. Our peace is connected.

That is why businesses, organizations, service providers, leaders and residents all have a role to play in making Greater Sudbury safe, accessible, inclusive and peaceful for everyone.

We are grateful to Sudbury for saying YES to our vision and coming on board as a partner for this special day.

Thank you, and the team, for investing in community and demonstrating that giving back is also part of building peace.

📅 September 21, 2026
📍 Memorial Park, Greater Sudbury
⏰ 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

In Sudbury, we live. In Sudbury, we belong. Together, we build peace. ❤️

It takes a community to build peaceand every partnership brings us one step closer.

As The Ubuntu Connekt and Declutter Wellness Spaces prepare for the International Day of Peace 2026, we are grateful to be working closely with Downtown Sudbury

Our meeting with their team provided valuable guidance and support in planning this special day at Memorial Park. They have become strong partners in helping us create an event that is welcoming, inclusive and truly connected to our community.

In Sudbury, we belong. In Sudbury, we live. Together, we must build the peaceful community we want to call home.

On September 21, we invite everyone to come together for peace activities, community connections and Lunch in the Park, where we will sit and share a meal as one community.

Thank you, Downtown Sudbury, for walking this journey with us.

📅 September 21, 2026
⏰ 11:45 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
📍 Memorial Park

Erica Asante-Yeboah

Our journey to International Day of Peace 2026 has begun!

As we prepare to organize this celebration in Greater Sudbury for the first time, we have been meeting with different organizations, stakeholders, and individuals who share our vision of building a peaceful, inclusive, and connected community.

Last week, our team met with the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario-Employment and Immigrant Services to share the vision, strategy, activities, and agenda for the day. We are excited that they accepted our invitation to partner with us! ❤️

Building peace requires all of us. We look forward to a meaningful day that will bring our community together to connect, share, belong, and build peace together.

📅 September 21, 2026
📍 Memorial Park, Greater Sudbury
⏰ 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Over the coming days, we will be sharing more about the wonderful partners and people helping us bring this vision to life.
Declutter Wellness Spaces Declutter Canada Erica Asante-Yeboah Caroline Owashaba

Today, we were honoured to witness an exciting milestone for Black entrepreneurship in Northern Ontario!

The announcement of $1.2 million in federal funding for Northern Ontario Black Economic Empowerment Program (NOBEEP) is a significant investment in supporting Black entrepreneurs to build capacity, access training, grow their businesses, innovate, and create new opportunities across City of Greater Sudbury and Northern Ontario.

The announcement was made by MP Viviane Lapointe , with Mayor Paul Lefebvre, NOBEEP members, business owners, community stakeholders, City representatives, and partners in attendance.

This is more than funding, it is about building confidence, creating opportunities, strengthening businesses, and supporting a more inclusive and competitive economy.

Congratulations to Charles and the entire team for the incredible work you continue to do for our community. 👏🏾❤️

Excited to see the businesses, ideas, and opportunities that will grow from this investment!

YMCA Canada YMCA of Northeastern Ontario-Employment and Immigrant Services Afro-Heritage Association of Sudbury Declutter Wellness Spaces Declutter Canada Natalie Labbee Thriving African Families Regional Business Centre - Sudbury Laurentian University - Université Laurentienne

The Future Was Already in the Room 😘😅

If you were at Africa Day 2026, then you know exactly what we're talking about!

Our children took the stage and delivered a powerful poem about Africa, our culture, food, values, education, traditions, and identity. They spoke with confidence, pride, and passion, leaving the audience smiling, laughing, reflecting, and wanting more.

Honestly, some of the youngest speakers of the day stole the show! ❤️

Their performance reminded us that preserving our culture is not just about celebrating where we come from, it's about teaching the next generation who they are and where they belong.

We are incredibly proud of our young leaders. They are the future, and the future is bright.

👏 Let's celebrate our children. Northern Ontario Black Economic Empowerment Program City of Greater Sudbury Cambrian College International The Ubuntu Connekt YMCA of Northeastern Ontario-Employment and Immigrant Services Greater Sudbury Police Service Regional Business Centre - Sudbury Fortunate Nayebare Compass / Boussole / Akii-Izhinoogan City of Greater Sudbury Developmental Svc Declutter Canada Caroline Owashaba Declutter Wellness Spaces