Jully Black does it all. The platinum-selling Jamaican-Canadian singer has been at the forefront of Canadian R&B and soul for decades, and also has impressive careers in radio, TV, stage, fitness and more. Her awards include Junos, Geminis, a Dora Mavor Moore theatre award and an induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Along the way, she has been instrumental in shaping national conversations about social justice. She co-founded the women’s summit series Empowered in My Skin and passionately championed Cherie Dimaline’s The Marrow Thieves on CBC's Canada Reads 2018, going viral for her grace in handling tough conversations and accusations from other panellists. She’s interviewed massive figures like Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton and, with the Jully Black Family Foundation, has provided scholarships improving access to education for young women.

Her work in uplifting Black and Indigenous perspectives led to an impactful choice while performing the Canadian national anthem at the NBA All-Star game in 2023. Black sang “our home on native land” instead of “our home and native land,” drawing attention to Canada’s colonial past and present. She sparked a major conversation, and her action was appreciated and recognized by Indigenous leaders. She was honoured by the Assembly of First Nations. Jully Black stood with conviction behind her decision, telling the CBC that detractors were missing the point. “It's an opportunity to have a conversation and to impact change and to be a part of the change,” she said.

Decades into her career, she continues to push forward and make an impact.