Assiniboine Foundation Gala proceeds to support financial awards for Black Canadian students

Proceeds from Assiniboine Community College’s upcoming Foundation Legacy Gala Dinner on March 23 will support financial awards for Black students. This fundraising event is held annually at the college’s Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts, with the proceeds going to a different dedicated purpose each year.

“The Legacy Gala is our largest fundraising event each year, where guests have the opportunity to experience a remarkable evening while supporting a worthy endeavour,” said Heather Dodds, Assiniboine Foundation Board President. “It’s a pleasure to be involved in this event, and I want to thank our supporters and guests in advance for supporting the future of Black Canadians at Assiniboine.”

“Assiniboine recognizes the importance of Black History Month, the legacy and future of Black Canadians. This fund and the financial awards it will provide is one step toward supporting Black students,” said Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine. “I want to thank the Assiniboine Foundation for supporting this fund and the future of Black Canadians.”

There was a more than 57 percent growth in the Black population in Manitoba from 2015 to 2019, with a 132 per cent growth in Southwest Manitoba and 97 per cent growth in Brandon during that time.

The Foundation Legacy Gala Dinner features a multi-course menu with wine pairings at each course. Culinary Arts, Baking Foundations and Hotel and Restaurant Management students work together to make this an unforgettable event.

“We are incredibly proud of the work our students do to contribute to such a wonderful evening that ultimately supports fellow and future students,” said Karen O’Gilvie, Academic Chair of Assiniboine’s Field to Fork programs, which includes the programs responsible for hosting this event. “This is my first Legacy Gala at Assiniboine, and as a Black educator and Red Seal Chef, this event brings together a few different areas that are meaningful to me.”

In recent years the Legacy Gala has given proceeds to financial support for Mature Student High School students (2017), Indigenous students (2018), Early Childhood Education students (2019), emergency student needs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and students in healthcare programs (2022).

To purchase tickets or for more information about the Gala, contact foundation@assiniboine.net.