OYA Black Arts Coalition welcomes Kadon Douglas as its inaugural Executive Director
Accomplished screen sector expert brings deep experience and dedication to support Black artists and creatives across Canada
- DAYO Media & Communications Inc.
Kadon Douglas, OBAC Executive Director 2025 | Photographer: Anushay Sheikh
TORONTO, November 24, 2025 – OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) is delighted to introduce Kadon Douglas as the organization’s first Executive Director.
Douglas, who joined OBAC in fall 2025, is a seasoned professional with a long history of working to uplift and support underrepresented artists and film creatives in Canadian media and the arts.
Photographer: Gesilayefa Azorbo
“I am deeply honoured to serve as the Executive Director of OYA Black Arts Coalition,” said Douglas. “I’ve long understood and accepted that my calling isn’t to make art but to support artists — especially emerging and systemically marginalized talent — by creating space and opportunities for them to grow in their craft, sustain their work and find community. This role allows me to continue that work with intention and care.”
- Kadon Douglas, OBAC Executive Director
Throughout her career, Douglas has steadily promoted equity, inclusion and authentic representation in storytelling. Her previous roles include positions at BIPOC TV and Film, Women in Film and Television (WIFT) and The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
“In my new role at OBAC, I’m looking forward to building on the award-winning legacy of the organization by securing resilient funding, investing in our team and strengthening relationships with alumni and industry partners,” Douglas added. “I'm committed to positioning OBAC as a renowned incubator and hub for Black screen-industry talent — a space where creativity, collaboration and cultural leadership intersect. Above all, we want OBAC to be a place where Black filmmakers can grow, thrive and be seen.”
OBAC was founded in 2020 by Alison Duke, Ngardy Conteh George and Dr. Notisha Massaquoi, who have spent the past five years establishing a robust foundation for the organization. The not-for-profit organization is committed to advancing Black creativity in film, television and digital media through training, mentorship and industry access. The co-founders are now delighted to entrust this leadership to Douglas.
“Our decision to create the Executive Director role marks a significant milestone for OBAC,” said Conteh George. “Over the past few years, the organization has expanded its programs, partnerships and impact, and our workload demands a fresh organizational structure. As OBAC embarks on a new phase centred on long-term stability, we recognized the need for dedicated leadership, and Kadon is exactly the kind of leader OBAC needs. Her unwavering commitment to Black excellence, combined with her ability to inspire staff, build trust and move teams toward a shared vision will guide us into OBAC’s next stage of growth and success.”
- Ngardy Conteh George, OBAC Co-founder
“We created OBAC to empower Black creatives to tell their stories authentically and to access the resources, networks and opportunities that have historically been denied to us,” added Duke. “As diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives continue to be dismantled across so many sectors and new barriers emerge for young and mid-career Black film and television professionals, OBAC's focus remains steadfast on delivering even stronger, more effective programming that uplifts our community and builds sustainable pathways into the industry.”
- Alison Duke, OBAC Co-founder
Since its founding, OBAC has built a community of more than 300 alumni, provided 150 Black creatives with immersive media training and production skills, and employed 40 people by placing them on Canadian productions. OBAC alumni have gone on to achieve significant success, including advancing their careers through programs at the Canadian Film Centre and earning Canadian Screen Awards. OBAC welcomes the continued support of its stakeholders as the organization embarks on this exciting new chapter.
About OYA Black Arts Coalition
OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting Black artists, creators and entrepreneurs within Canada’s entertainment sector. OBAC equips and empowers Black creatives with the skills, wraparound care and resources necessary to succeed in screen-based industries. OBAC addresses systemic inequalities by providing sustainable solutions, including mentorship, networking, career placement programs, industry training, and a safe space for experimentation and innovation. oyablackarts.org | @oyablackarts
About DAYO Media & Communications Inc.
DAYO Media & Communications Inc. (DM&C) is an award-winning Toronto-based team of media and communications experts. Since 1999, DM&C has steered the development of multimedia and publicity campaigns, communications strategies, television shows and media literacy workshops for organizations in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Creating content by connecting the intersection of journalism and communications, DM&C is committed to causes that challenge us to talk, think and act.
