Fabienne Colas Receives the ORDER OF CANADA – The Highest Distinction Awarded by Canadian Authorities
Montreal, December 18, 2024 – The Fabienne Colas Foundation is pleased to announce that its president and founder Fabienne Colas, C.M, MBA FDA (Hon), was appointed to the Order of Canada by her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. The Order of Canada is one of Canada’s highest honours.
This high distinction coincides with the 20th anniversary of both the Fabienne Colas Foundation and the Montreal International Black Film Festival with Spike Lee as its Honorary President. It brings great recognition to the outstanding work she has been doing across Canada and internationally for 20 years as a trailblazer who works tirelessly and passionately to foster, support, and promote Diversity and Inclusion in the arts and in our society.
“A leading figure in Canada’s cultural diversity, Fabienne Colas has dedicated herself to promoting diversity and inclusion in film, art and culture, in Canada and abroad. Through the Fabienne Colas Foundation, she has been a driving force behind the creation of incubators, training programs, events and festivals that have showcased thousands of artists of African descent across North America.”
“Established in 1967, [the Order of Canada] celebrates outstanding achievements and recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to our nation. Over the years, its members have been honoured for inspiring innovation, for shaping who we are, and for enriching Canada's fabric.”
“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future. Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries. Thank you for your perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit, and welcome to the Order of Canada.” – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada
“It is a privilege and a huge honor to be appointed to the Order of Canada. As a Haitian Canadian Montrealer, I take this with great humility, gratitude and pride. I dedicate this unbelievable recognition to my family, my devoted team at the Fabienne Colas Foundation and to all visible minority artists out there who are working in the shadows or trying to get their voices heard. This unprecedented recognition encourages me to continue building more bridges in the arts for a more inclusive society.” – Fabienne Colas, C.M., MBA FDA (Hon)
2024: AN IMPACTFUL YEAR
2024 was a significant year for the Fabienne Colas Foundation and our President who has once again shattered glass ceilings in the Quebec and Canadian cultural community. It’s the year of the acquisition of the Colas Theatre (former Cartier Theatre) located at 3990 Notre-Dame West St., Montréal which will reopen in 2027. Earlier this year, Fabienne Colas was also honored with an Honorary Doctorate from Concordia University’s Faculty of Fine Arts for her remarkable career and commitment to promoting greater representation of cultural diversity in the arts and entertainment worlds in Québec, Canada and internationally; as well as the King Charles III Coronation Medal at Senate of Canada by Hon. Amina GERBA, M.B.A., C.Q.🇨🇦 and the Usher of the Black Rod, Mr. J. Greg Peters, representing the King of England, recognizing Canadians who "have made significant contributions to their community, province, or to Canada, as well as those who contribute to enhancing Canada’s presence on the global stage.”
As a new Member of the Order of Canada, Fabienne Colas will be invited to a ceremony at a later date to be invested into the Order and to receive her insignia – alongside award-winning actor, screenwriter and producer Ryan Reynolds, O.C., O.B.C., Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, C.M., C.Q. and 85 other new appointments to the Order of Canada (one Companion, 24 Officers and 63 Members).
About Fabienne Colas
Fabienne Colas, MBA, is an award-winning actress, filmmaker, producer, entrepreneur, and advocate for massive inclusion in film and the arts. She holds an Executive MBA offered jointly by McGill University and HEC Montreal. In 2024, she received an Honorary Doctorate from Concordia University’s Faculty of Fine Arts for her work promoting cultural diversity. For over 20 years, Colas has been a visionary change-maker and fearless advocate for diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, helping to transform the Canadian film industry by challenging the status quo and amplifying Black voices in Canada and abroad.
Dubbed the ‘Queen of Festivals,’ Colas has created 12 festivals across Canada and beyond. Through the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Festwave Institute, she offers free training and incubator programs to emerging Black artists, addressing the lack of inclusion in the film sector. Her executive-produced documentary series, Being Black in Toronto and Being Black in Halifax, broadcast on CBC, has earned numerous Canadian Screen Awards for Black filmmakers.
Her leadership has earned her several prestigious awards, including a Medal from Quebec’s National Assembly for fighting racism and discrimination (2015). She was named one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 in 2018, and Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2019. In 2022, she received the Visionaire Award at the Black Academy’s Legacy Awards broadcast on the CBC.
Colas has been using her voice and platform to champion equity, diversity & inclusion, community building, and socio-economic empowerment for racialized communities for two decades. She continues to leverage the power of the arts for positive social change and strong economic impact for a more cohesive society. www.FabienneColas.com
About the Fabienne Colas Foundation
The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is Canada’s largest Black cultural organization. The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges through the arts by supporting diversity and education. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 12 festivals and various programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. In addition to offering scholarships for arts schools, mentorship programs such as Being Black in Canada Incubator and awards of excellence, the Fabienne Colas Foundation showcases and rewards marginalized artists who otherwise would not have been seen or heard. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives and festivals have showcased and supported about 10,000 artists and attracted close to 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil.
Source: Fabienne Colas Foundation
Contact: Véronique Fecteau – 514-893-0772 – veronique@perfecteaucomm.com
