A Joint Black History Month Event by Pillar Nonprofit Network & London Black Heritage Council
Empowered Voices, Bold Leadership: Building Community Impact Together is a Black History Month partnership event co-hosted by the London Black Heritage Council (LBHC) and Pillar Nonprofit Network. This gathering aims to celebrate, uplift, and strengthen Black leadership in London’s nonprofit, civic, and community sectors.
The event focuses on how volunteering, community involvement, board service, and access to supportive networks can serve as launchpads for influence, connection, and community power. Participants will explore tools, pathways, and programs that support leadership development, nonprofit governance, capacity building, and deeper civic engagement.
The event also highlights Pillar’s collaborative work with LEDC and the City of London to strengthen the MyLondon App as a citywide volunteering and community engagement tool - and asks the important question: How do we ensure the Black community is centered in this work so it reflects their voice, strengths, and leadership priorities?
Date of Event:Thursday, February 12, 2026
Event Venue: Innovation Works London, 201 King Street, London, ON
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM
Cost: Free to attend (please register in advance)
Event Agenda
4:00 - 4:10 PM - Registration
4:10 - 4:30 PM - Welcome
4:30 - 5:00 PM - Panel - Fireside Chat: “Black Voices, Bold Leadership”
- LBHC, Chair - Carl Cadogan (Facilitator)
- LBHC, Board Director - Brock Childerhose
- Family Service Thames Valley, Executive Director - Nicola Memo
- Black Youth Connect, Admins Manager & Project Lead - Rosina Ferede
5:00 - 5:15 PM - Pillar Nonprofit Network
5:15 - 5:45 PM - MyLondon App (LEDC)
5:45 - 6:00 PM - Closing Remarks
About The Panelists
Carl Cadogan has a long history of community involvement and volunteering; he has served on numerous boards, committees, and task forces, including the Premier’s Council on the Voluntary Sector, and the Provincial Work Group on Gaming (that redesigned the Ontario Trillium Foundation). He is currently on a number of local, national and international boards including The Grand Theatre, Urban Roots London and the London Black Heritage Council. Carl has held senior and executive roles in the not-for-profit sector and is currently the Senior Regional Manager, Southwestern Ontario for the Kidney Foundation of Canada. He lives in London with his wife Cynthia and in his spare time, loves to travel, and has been to every province and one territory and to thirty US states, and sixteen African countries. He is an avid cyclist, reader, and kite flyer.
With over 20 years of experience in the social services sector, Nicola Memo, is a respected leader and practitioner specializing in trauma, addictions, mental health, cultural issues, and intersectionality. A social worker by profession, she has served the London community since 2004 in a variety of roles, supporting diverse, marginalized, and multicultural populations through a trauma- and violence-informed, gender-responsive lens. Nicola has extensive experience working in Mental health and addictions and alongside women who have experienced violence and is a strong advocate for the safety and well- being of women and children. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Family Service Thames Valley, where she leads an organization providing community counselling services—including violence against women counselling—and case management support for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Brock Childerhose, B. Bus. Adm. is a financial advisor and community leader with over 13 years of experience helping individuals, families, and small business owners build financial confidence and long-term security. He is the agency owner and advisor of a local Cooperators branch here in London, where he also leads and mentors a growing advisory team. Early in his career, Brock spent nearly a decade in the grocery retail industry in progressive leadership roles, gaining hands-on experience leading teams, managing operations, and serving diverse communities — a foundation that continues to shape his people-first leadership style. Brock is deeply committed to community building and inclusive leadership. He serves as an Elder at Oakridge Presbyterian Church, co-founded the church’s African and Diaspora Ministry, and is a co-founder of the Black Leadership Development Group, focused on mentoring and empowering emerging Black leaders.
Location & Parking
Innovation Works London
201 King Street, London, ON
Parking: Two hours of free street parking with the Honk Mobile App using promo code CORE.
Register
Please register in advance to attend this free session.