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With deep gratitude, we honour the members of Black CAP’s Transitional Board for their extraordinary service, leadership and commitment during a pivotal period in the organization’s history. At a time when Black CAP required steady stewardship, difficult decisions and renewed accountability, they stepped forward to carry a significant responsibility on behalf of our members and community. Their service reflected the immense trust placed in them and their shared commitment to strengthening Black CAP, protecting its mission and helping position the organization for a more stable, sustainable and impactful future.

We are honoured to recognize the leaders who guided Black CAP through this important period:

Camille Orridge – Transitional Board Chair | Past Chair and Ex-Officio Director

Camille Orridge provided exceptional leadership throughout one of the most consequential periods in Black CAP’s history.

As a co-founder of Black CAP, Camille brought decades of leadership in health equity and public service, and also a profound understanding of why Black CAP exists and the community responsibility that comes with its work.As Chair, she helped guide the Board through organizational stabilization, the MoH Mandated External Audit by KPMG, critical funder discussions, governance reform and the rebuilding of organizational accountability.

She consistently championed transparency and the responsibility of Black CAP to its members and community. Camille’s willingness to return to an organization she co-founded and lead it through a period of significant transition represents an extraordinary act of service.

Her contribution helped Black CAP navigate a difficult chapter and position the organization for sustainability.

We are grateful that Camille will continue supporting Black CAP as Past Chair and an Ex-Officio Director, ensuring that her institutional knowledge, wisdom and commitment remain available to the organization.

Angela Robertson – Outgoing Vice-Chair

Angela Robertson brought deep wisdom, community credibility, sector experience and a lifetime commitment to racial, economic and health justice to the Transitional Board.

Her previous service on Black CAP’s Board in 2006 to 2012, her leadership within the community health sector and her longstanding advocacy for marginalized communities gave the Transitional Board an important combination of historical perspective and contemporary sector leadership.

During a period that required thoughtful judgment and difficult decision-making, Angela brought a strong community lens to governance discussions and helped ensure that Black CAP’s renewal remained connected to the realities of the people and communities the organization exists to serve.

We thank Angela for her impactful service to Black CAP and for her leadership at a moment when it mattered deeply.

Junior Harrison – Outgoing Secretary

Junior Harrison brought dedication, consistency and a deep personal commitment to Black CAP’s mission throughout the transition.

As Board Secretary, Junior supported strong governance processes, membership meetings, documentation and Board communications during a period when transparency and institutional accountability were especially important.

Junior has been a longstanding Black CAP member, a strong advocate for people living with HIV and AIDS, an active participant in Black CAP’s community events and a volunteer at Black CAP Pride and Afrofest events.

We thank Junior for his steadfast service, his advocacy and his enduring commitment to Black CAP.

Christine Leonard – Outgoing Board Member

Christine Leonard was one of the four community leaders who accepted the original Transitional Board mandate in July 2024.

Chris brought thoughtful governance leadership, strong connections within the AIDS service organization sector and a consistent commitment to ensuring that Black CAP remained responsive to the needs of African, Caribbean and Black communities.

She helped ground Board and community gatherings through meaningful Land Acknowledgements and ancestral tributes, reminding us that organizational leadership must remain connected to history, community and those whose work came before us.

Chris also served on the Nominating Committee and contributed to the recruitment of Black CAP’s incoming permanent Board.

Her community-informed recommendations and sector relationships strengthened Black CAP’s ability to connect clients and staff with diverse services and resources.

We thank Chris for answering the call to serve and for helping Black CAP complete this important journey.

Roger Ramkissoon – Continuing Treasurer

Roger Ramkissoon joined the Transitional Board as part of its mandate to strengthen its membership and brought critical financial and governance expertise during a period of significant organizational rebuilding.

As a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Human Resources Leader and Accredited Director, Roger provided hands-on financial oversight at a time when strengthening financial systems, accountability and funder confidence was essential.

His contribution supported the implementation of audit recommendations, improvements to financial controls, Black CAP’s clean audit and the rebuilding of confidence with funders.

Roger’s continuation as Treasurer on the permanent Board provides important bridge between the work of stabilization and Black CAP’s next phase of financial sustainability and growth.

Robin Clarke – Transitional Board Member | Incoming Board Chair

Robin Clarke joined the Transitional Board and quickly contributed to strengthening its governance and strategic work.

He supported development of the Board work plan and served on the Nominating Committee responsible for helping to recruit five new members to serve on Black CAP’s permanent Board of Directors.

His experience in strategic leadership, governance, equity, partnerships and organizational change strengthened the Transitional Board’s work and contributed to Black CAP’s organizational renewal.

With the Transitional Board’s mandate successfully completed, Robin now assumes the role of Board Chair, carrying forward both the lessons of the transition and the responsibility to lead Black CAP into its next chapter.

His progression from Transitional Board member to Chair provides meaningful continuity as Black CAP moves from stabilization toward sustainability, growth and greater community impact.

Demar Hewitt – Continuing Board Member

Demar Hewitt brought important legal, governance and community expertise to the Transitional Board.

His professional work addressing anti-Black racism in Ontario strongly aligns with Black CAP’s commitment to equity, justice and accountability.

During his service on the Transitional Board, Demar provided valuable legal and compliance perspectives, identified opportunities to strengthen Black CAP’s development, and contributed to the organization’s ONCA compliance process, including the modernization of its governance framework.

His continued service on the permanent Board provides valuable continuity as Black CAP builds on the governance reforms and organizational progress achieved during the transition period.

What We’ve Achieved Together

During this period, Black CAP achieved significant organizational, financial, governance and operational progress:

Strong Leadership: The Board recruited Elizabeth Mutinda as Interim Executive Director and subsequently confirmed her as Executive Director, strengthening Black CAP’s operational leadership during a critical period of transition.

A Stronger Board: The Transitional Board expanded its membership by welcoming Roger Ramkissoon, Robin Clarke and Demar Hewitt, bringing additional financial, governance, legal and strategic expertise to the organization.

Clean Financials: Black CAP strengthened its financial systems and controls, completed outstanding financial and compliance matters, and achieved a clean (unqualified) audit for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

Financial Stability: lack CAP reduced its financial deficiency from $325,261 to $54,964, rebuilt funder confidence, secured new funding and strengthened the organization’s financial sustainability.

Accountability and Compliance: The organization responded to the 18 recommendations arising from the Ministry of Health-mandated external audit conducted by KPMG and addressed longstanding matters.

Better Governance: Black CAP modernized its governance through the development and member approval of new Articles of Amendment and ONCA-compliant Bylaws.

A New Home: Black CAP relocated to 550 Queen Street East, reducing occupancy costs while creating a more welcoming and accessible space for staff, clients and community members.

A Better Workplace: Black CAP strengthened labour relations, addressed longstanding workplace matters and successfully completed collective bargaining with CUPE.

Continuity of Care: Throughout the transition, Black CAP continued providing essential programs and services, addressed a historical client intake backlog and ensured that people living with and affected by HIV continued to receive support.

A Permanent Board: Following an extensive recruitment and nomination process, Black CAP’s members elected a new permanent Board of Directors on September 23, 2026, successfully completing the Transitional Board’s mandate.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As Black CAP’s Board enters its next chapter, we extend our heartfelt appreciation and farewell to Angela Robertson, Junior Harrison and Christine Leonard. Their dedication, leadership and advocacy throughout the transition have made a lasting contribution to Black CAP’s renewal and future. We are deeply grateful for their service and for the commitment they have shown to our organization, members and community.

We also recognize the Transitional Board members who will continue serving Black CAP and provide important continuity into this next phase. Robin Clarke will move from Transitional Board Member to Board Chair, Roger Ramkissoon will continue as Treasurer, and Demar Hewitt will continue as a Board Member.

We are also grateful that Camille Orridge, our Transitional Board Chair, will remain with Black CAP as Past Chair and Ex-Officio Director, continuing to share her invaluable institutional knowledge, experience and wisdom as the organization moves forward.