Celebrating, reflecting, leading: Black Excellence at FCT

On Sanmi Oguntade’s first day at FCT, he knew he had joined a great organization. From the warm welcome he received to the community he has since built as Chair of the Black Excellence (BE) Employee Resource Group (ERG), his experience confirmed he was in the right place.

“I knew I had found a truly Canadian company,” says Sanmi, Analyst, Customer Experience at FCT. “FCT supports its employees and provides opportunities for them to be heard, feel supported, and foster their development.”

One of the first opportunities Sanmi embraced was getting involved with the BE ERG.

BE inspires, empowers, and advocates for the personal and professional growth of Black talent across FCT. Through mentorship, networking, and open dialogue, BE creates space to celebrate contributions, address barriers, and promote allyship across the organization.

Last week, BE hosted a Black History Month celebration, inviting FCT employees to enjoy a traditional meal of jerk chicken, jollof rice, plantain, and more. The event also marked the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada and highlighted the significant contributions of Black Canadians. Traditional fashions were featured, along with the stories behind their vibrant colours and handwoven fabrics.

“When planning Black History Month at FCT, we wanted to ensure we were celebrating what makes us unique, celebrating our Blackness,” says Sanmi. “We hope that our colleagues who joined us learned something new and enjoyed celebrating with BE.”

For Sanmi, the celebration was more than an event—it was a reflection of the community FCT continues to build together.