‘Work should stand for itself,’ Black History Month laureate says on value of volunteering

Montreal Black History Month laureate Ayanna Alleyne said working in the community as a volunteer is essential for growth.

Being named a Black History Month laureate was never important for Ayanna Alleyne, a woman who’s dedicated her time and energy to her community of Côte-des-Neiges since she was a teenager.

While being honoured at Montreal’s City Hall at the end of January, she spoke to CTV News after signing the Golden Book alongside Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante and other dignitaries.

“A lot of people know that I’m, like, anti this stuff,” she said with a big smile. “I think our work should stand for itself, and the work that stands for itself is the impact that we have in the community, the impact that we have on people, keeping our doors open, being available.”

Alleyne has been working and available for her community for decades.

• READ MORE: Montreal celebrates Black History Month

Alleyne grew up going to the Côte-des-Neiges Black Community Association (BCA), and she said her mother always wanted her to be a real and productive part of the community.

She attended the teen leadership program and was trained by mentors, including Kathy Roach, a former figure skater who has been heralded for her work with teens for more than three decades. Roach was named a Black History Month laureate in 2024.

“She told us that it wasn’t over after we aged out, so we came back, we volunteered, we did special workshops as young adults,” said Alleyne.

Though Alleyne works as a senior financial analyst for the federal government and co-chairs the Black Employees Matter Network, she remains connected to her community in Côte-des-Neiges.

Alleyne is the current BCA executive chair.

“I’ve always had my ear to volunteer with the Côte-des-Neiges. It has a special place in my heart,” she said.

Being involved and engaging with her community, Alleyne is able to hear the concerns and struggles people face in 2025. From food security for young families to living with dignity and isolation for elders, many rely on the community for support.

For example, every Wednesday, the BCA runs a food bank supported by Moisson Montreal, “to try to give them an opportunity to have dignity while still trying to use those other funds to pay rent and put their kids in activities.”

In the wake of pushback against diversity programs, Alleyne said it’s important to continue to shine light on Black and other visible minorities’ stories.

“It’s just really keeping the envelope open,” she said. “Instead of pushing it, pushing the doors open, it’s really keeping the door open and allowing us to continue to do the work that’s supporting different communities and different groups.”

Black History Month, she said, is something of a “double-edged sword,” where some find it’s unnecessary while others criticize it as being overhyped.

“I think it’s great that we have so many organizations in the city that are able to put things on, to spread the word,” said Alleyne. “I think it’s great to have that kind of 50-50 viewpoint that some of the activities are really for us, by us, and some of the activities are for others by us, so they can see into a window of what happens on a daily basis, how we live our lives, and that again, we’re no different than anybody else.

“I think Black History Month shines a light that we’re Black all 12 months of the year, and that we should participate in the community, whether it’s a Black community or the greater Montreal community at large.”