At the LCBO, we recognize Black History Month as a time to celebrate the significant contributions Black Ontarians have made to our province and empower future generations year-round.
Through our programs and partnerships, we stand with Ontario’s Black communities in the fight against racism, injustice and inequality as we strive toward equality for the good of Ontario.
We are honoured to highlight our Good Partners that are Black owned, embrace our role in enhancing diversity within our organization and industry, and amplify creators and voices from the community.
Learn more about the work being done and shop our Good Partners below.
Rachel Joanis
We partner with Toronto-based illustrator Rachel Joanis, the artist and founder behind Rachel Joanis Illustrations, an online print shop creating designs that celebrate the diversity of Ontario.
As a female artist, she understands the importance of representation, and the significance of seeing yourself reflected in art and media. Rachel’s illustrations for Black History Month highlight how the Black community is a diverse group who have different experiences, beliefs, political views and more, but stand together.
Meet our Good Partners
Our Good Partners are as proud to celebrate Black History Month as you are
Great Heart Chenin Blanc Swartland and Red Blend Swartland
Great Heart is the staff empowerment project of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. Aimed at improving the livelihoods of those who work for the company as well as their families, the Great Heart wine brand is collectively owned by the winery staff, and a portion of all sales under this label go directly to them. Crafted by Gynore Hendricks, female winemaker graduate of Cape Winemaker’s Guild Protege Program. Shop Great Heart Chenin Blanc Swartland and Red Blend Swartland
Collective Arts Dry Artisanal Gin
A limited-edition Black History Month bottle of this Ontario gin features a design by Toronto-based Black artist Phillip Saunders, representing Black affection and unity. This artwork showcases what it means to foster love and familiarity within the Black community, acting as a symbolic representation of the strength found in solidarity through love and togetherness. Shop Collective Arts Dry Artisanal Gin
Bachelder les Villages Bench Pinot Noir 2021
Bachelder is honoured to work with Niagara’s Black-owned Saunders Family Vineyards. Warren Saunders was an early pioneer viticulturalist on the Bench establishing his family farm on the Beamsville Bench and reached the remarkable age of 100 during the year this wine was crafted. Today, the Saunders farm is still tended to by his family. Shop Bachelder les Villages Bench Pinot Noir 2021
McBride Sisters Chardonnay
McBride Sisters is not only the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States, but one of the most inclusive, accessible, socially aware and sustainable businesses in the industry. In 2005, the sisters found themselves together in California, fuelled by a shared passion for all things wine, wine making and a desire to shake up the industry with a blend of Old-World elegance and New-World finesse. It was then that the McBride Sisters Collection was born. Shop McBride Sisters Chardonnay
Red Stripe and Dragon Stout
Red Stripe and Dragon Stout will be working with The BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) Homeownership Bridge Program through donations to help working Black families become homeowners. They will also be supporting the BlackNorth Connect Program to help empower the next generation of changemakers from the Black community, as well as sponsoring the Toronto Gala to help fund the opening of the BlackNorth Montreal and Halifax chapters. Shop Red Stripe and Dragon Stout
Omnipollo Zodiak
Omnipollo has established a scholarship and mentorship program for POC with Niagara Brewing College to help directly foster and encourage enhanced education, experience and incremental diversity in the industry. The program will fund the enrolment in the program, provide mentorship to the recipient as well as hands-on experience brewing Omnipollo beers in Ontario and beyond. Shop Omnipollo Zodiak
Mascot Brewery Lightweight Lager
As the only Black-owned craft brewery in Canada, Mascot knows what it's like to be on the outside looking in. By building an inclusive, culturally diverse community of craft beer drinkers, Mascot breaks down the barriers that make people feel intimidated by craft beer. Shop Mascot Brewery Lightweight Lager
BlackNorth Initiative
In 2021, the LCBO signed the BlackNorth Initiative CEO Pledge to support their mission to end anti-Black systemic racism and create targets aimed to create opportunities for the Black community.
This year, we will be providing an $85,000 donation in support of BlackNorth Academy. The program provides Black Canadian professionals with valuable skills to enhance their business judgment and career prospects, and prepare them to break the glass ceiling to enter the C-suite offices and boardrooms of Canadian businesses.
The funds provided by the LCBO will allow BlackNorth Initiative to offer a second cohort of BlackNorth Academy to 10 participants in 2024-2025. To continue enhancing diversity in the beverage alcohol industry, BlackNorth Initiative will offer opportunities to Black Canadian professionals in the wine, distilling and brewery fields to participate in the 2024-2025 BlackNorth Academy cohort.
Through our partnership with BlackNorth Initiative and this year’s support towards BlackNorth Academy, the LCBO aims to continue building communities where all individuals have equitable access to the essential resources needed to live happy, healthy lives, regardless of gender, ethnicity, ability, language, sexual orientation or gender identity.
