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Featured Events
BPPC Annual Summit: Feb 20-22, 2026
Location: University of Waterloo, Kitchener
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Past Events
BPPC Annual Summit 2026
The second annual Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (BPPC) Summit brought together pharmacy professionals, students, healthcare leaders, researchers and allies for an inspiring weekend of education, networking and celebration during Black History Month. Building on the success of the inaugural Summit, the 2026 conference continued to strengthen connections, advance Black representation in pharmacy and promote equity in healthcare.
Through insightful educational sessions, meaningful mentorship opportunities, research poster presentations, industry exhibits and leadership discussions, attendees collaborated to shape a more inclusive future for the pharmacy profession. The Summit also celebrated the continued growth of the BPPC community and its commitment to empowering current and future Black pharmacy leaders.
The February 20th – 22nd, 2026 BPPC Annual Summit had many highlights.
By the numbers:
Attendees ~ 130 to 135
Sponsors and Exhibitors - 28
Speakers - 29
Posters presented - 5 posters
Educational sessions delivered - 16 sessions
Educational grants - 12 recipients, sponsored by Ontario Pharmacists Association, Sobey’s and Moderna
Volunteers (# of people) ~30 to 40 volunteers including board members
Shaping the Future of Pharmacy:
Educational sessions covered clinical updates, Black health and health equity, leadership, research, innovation and professional development, empowering attendees to advance pharmacy practice and drive meaningful change.
From Micro to Major: The real impact of Racial Bias in Healthcare - Dr. Nkem Iroh
Reproductive Justice and Health Equity: Advancing Inclusive Care for Black Women in Canada - Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass
Nicotine Pouches in Smoking Cessation Practice - Connie Marshall
Heart Failure Guidelines - Update for Pharmacists - Dr. Sydney Morin
Measles - Ms. Kadaajah Johnson-Louis
How Pharmacists Become Owners: A Realistic Look at Independent - Michael Kani
Nutrition, Culture, and Chronic Disease: Empowering Pharmacists to Lead Early Detection in Black Communities - Dr.Soraya Darwood
Social Media and The Pharmacist - Effectively using Social Media as a Health Professional - Dr. Moses Boachie
IPG Panel : Bridging the Gap - Strategies for International Pharmacy Graduates to succeed in the PEBCs and becoming a successful Pharmacist in Canada - Ikwaibom Aniefiok Umoiyoho, Ms. Khamoye Williams, Havalee Johnson, Ebenezer Asare, Sherifat Olaogun
Keynote - Black Leadership - Michele James
How to carry out research in Black populations - Dwight Townsend
Reclaiming Our Relevance : How Technology Can Revitalize Pharmacy in a Changing World - Dr. Shelley Morgan-Bair
How Storytelling and Authentic Personal Branding Quantifies Impact Beyond Prescriptions - Ms. Natalie Walker
Is AI Here to replace Pharmacists ; Unlocking Equity, Efficiency, and Empowered Patient Care - Alam Hallan
Financial Planning - Ezekiel Folorunso, Vanessa De Faria
Fireside Chat / Black Leadership Panel - Uchenwa Genus, Ian Stewart, Nkem Iroh, Michele James, Kenneth Etokakpan
Leadership & Vision
Friday, February 20 kicked off the BPPC Excellence Summit with a Leadership Night for BPPC Board Members, Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs. It was a night of meaningful connections, strategic planning and fresh ideas for a year full of exciting opportunities and surprises for BPPC.
Saturday, February 21, the IPG Panel featured successful International Pharmacy Graduates who shared insights from their professional journeys and practical strategies to help future pharmacists succeed in the PEBCs and establish rewarding careers in Canada.
Sunday, February 22, brought together Black pharmacy leaders from community, hospital and industry to share their leadership journeys, practical insights and vision for advancing the next generation of Black pharmacy leaders.
Grant and Award Recipients
The evening celebrated the remarkable individuals making a lasting difference in our community, recognizing the achievements of our grant & award recipients and the leaders whose dedication continues to inspire the next generation.
Community
Saturday, February 21 featured the Second BPPC Annual General Meeting (AGM), chaired by BPPC President Kenneth Etokakpan. Members reflected on the organization's achievements, financial updates and the impact of key initiatives, including the BPPC Mentorship Program. The meeting also outlined BPPC's strategic vision for the future, focusing on sustainable growth, leadership development, mentorship and advancing equity in pharmacy. Attendees were encouraged to get involved in committees and initiatives that will help shape the next chapter of BPPC.
BPPC Annual Summit 2026:
Cultivating Leaders & Elevating Excellence
Acknowledgements
A heartfelt thank you to the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy for once again hosting the BPPC Excellence Summit and Annual General Meeting.
We are also deeply grateful to all our volunteers, attendees, speakers, exhibitors, partners and presenters. Your dedication, support and enthusiasm made this event an incredible success. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more connected and more equitable future for Black pharmacy professionals across Canada.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
As a non-profit organization, BPPC is grateful to the organizations and partners who invested in the success of the 2026 BPPC Excellence Summit. Your support empowers us to create opportunities for connection, education, leadership, and lasting impact within the Black pharmacy community.
BPPC Excellence Summit 2025
BPPC Excellence Summit 2025
The inaugural Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (BPPC) conference was experienced as amplified, not micro, affirmation – Black professionals were seen and celebrated!
The topics were Black health centred – we greeted each other warmly and enthusiastically, acknowledging that this conference will be included in the Black Canadian history books. We advocated for equity in health for the Black Canadian population.
The February 7th – 9th, 2025 BPPC Excellence Summit had many highlights.
By the numbers :
Attendees ~ 130 to 135
Sponsors and Exhibitors - 20
Posters presented - 2 posters
Educational sessions delivered - 12 sessions
Educational grants - 10 recipients, 6 sponsored by Scotiabank and 4 sponsored by BPPC
Volunteers (# of people or even volunteer hours) - ~30 to 35 volunteers including board members. ~2500 to 3500 volunteer hours
Prescribing Change
Multiple clinical topics referenced specific health needs and ideas for equitable practices centering the Black and BIPOC patient population:
Keynote Guest Speakers: Ms. Amy Lamb (President, Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada) and Dr. John E. Clark (Black History Month Recognition, Director, Taneja College Of Pharmacy, University of South Florida)
Spotlight on Diabetes – Dr. Cassandra McLelland (VP, Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada)
More Than the Blues? Update on Management of Depression – Dr. Thea Moore
Diagnosing and Managing Atopic Dermatitis Across All Skin Types – Dr. Marissa Joseph
Comprehensive Overview of Anemia – Glory Oppong
Relationships and Medicine -Dr. Soraya Darwood
Alzheimer’s and the Pharmacists Role -Dr. Angela M. Hill
Finance: Top 7 Ways Pharmacists Cab Save Thousands in Taxes Every Year – Ricardo Ardiles
Race-Based Calculations – Dr. Ruthdol Auma Chinonso
What's new in Women's Health -Dr. Duate Adegbite
Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: Insights From Black Pharmacy Leaders -Nneka Ezurike, Uchenwa Genus, Nkem Iroh, Michael Kani; Moderated by Lisa-Kaye Williams
Student Leadership Panel – Olivia Nwaokocha, Emmanuel Fagbola, Tyiesha Wright; Moderated by Kenneth Etokakpan
Students shared research posters in the supporting vendor’s hall
Leadership & Vision
Friday, Feb 7th kicked us off with a Leadership Night for BPPC Board Members, Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs. Mr. Andrew Tyrrell, of the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH), shared with us the vision and growth of a non-profit association to elevate the Black community.
Leadership Panel - Pharmacists
L to R: Michael Kani, Uchenwa Genus, Nkem Iroh, Nneka Ezurike
Leadership Panel – Students
L to R: Olivia Nwaokocha, Emmanuel Fagbola, Tyiesha Wright
Grant recipients with Award Presenters
L to R: Rahima Shokoya, Tyiesha Wright, Kenneth Etokakpan, Onyekachukwu Nwakoby, Ikran Mohamed, Anica Shafiq, Elizabeth Adegbite
Community
L to R: Nkem Iroh (Co-founder & VP), Mary (Ore) Adegboyega (Co-founder & President), Nneka Ezurike (Co-founder & Director of Communications), Remi Ojo (Co-founder), Tobi Obatusin (Co-founder & Director of Strategy & Sponsorship), Tyiesha Wright (Student Rep on the Board), Lisa-Kaye Williams (Director of ON Operations), Ian Stewart (Co-founder)
Saturday, Feb 8th
Saturday evening’s networking night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel featured dinner, dancing, dancing, awards, and meaningful conversation with colleagues and pharmacy leaders.
Sunday, Feb 9th we unveiled the BPPC mentorship program. The program is now live. BPPC Mentorship
Transformational
Sunday, Feb 10th , Dr. John E Clark recognized Black History Month (BHM) and highlighted trailblazers in Black pharmacy history. We were reminded that the BPPC inaugural Excellence conference celebrates the growing presence of Black pharmacy professionals in Canada. BPPC’s formation will also be added to the annals of Black pharmacy history.
L to R: Dr. John E. Clarke (Keynote Speaker) with Dr. Remi Ojo (BPPC Co-founder)
- Sunday also saw the long goodbye as joyful networking and collegial bonding continued at the conference’s end.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy for hosting our inaugural BPPC AGM and Excellence Summit.
Dr. Kelly Grindrod(Associate Director (Clinical Education), Associate Professor (University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy) providing closing remarks on Sunday, February 9, 2025).
Special thanks to Olivia Nwaokocha (Event Committee Chair) and Marrissa Parkinson (University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy - Alumni Advancement and Engagement Coordinator) for coordinating event management logistics.
L to R: Olivia (BPPC Event Committee Chair) & Marrissa Parkinson (University of Waterloo – School of Pharmacy Alumni Advancement and Engagement Coordinator)
Thank you to all our volunteers, attendees, guest speakers and exhibitors. This event would not have been possible without you.
BPPC Summit 2025
Opening day registration & setup
Thank you to our sponsors
BPPC is a non-profit organization. We thank the following sponsors for partnering with us for the 2025 BPPC Excellence Summit.
The conference was a great signal of an inclusive future for Canadian pharmacy.
Advancing Black Talent in Pharma (ABTiP) Changemaker Forum
Advancing Black Talent in Pharma (ABTiP) Changemaker Forum
BPPC at CSHP PPC Conference April 2024
BPPC at CSHP PPC Conference April 2024
BPPC had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Society of Healthcare-Systems Pharmacy (CSHP) Professional Practice Conference (PPC) to share our mission and vision with a broader audience, foster connections within the pharmacy community, garner support for our initiatives.
Some highlights of the event include:
- A presentation by our Vice-President, Nkem Iroh to introduce BPPC to attendees, give an overview of the organization’s past, present and future initiatives, and how prospective members and stakeholders can get involved.
- A dedicated time and space to recruit new members, network, and educate on specific challenges and achievements of Black pharmacists and pharmacy students.
Community Health Expo and Dermatology Clinic in Edmonton Alberta - April 2024
Community Health Expo and Dermatology Clinic in Edmonton Alberta - April 2024
Black History Month 2024
Black History Month 2024
Black History Month virtual panel with Scarborough Health Network
Black History Month virtual panel with Scarborough Health Network
Essential Pharmacy Resources
Essential Pharmacy Resources
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