"The Black Diplomats Academy changed me as a person and a young professional. Through the learning labs, I gained so much insight into the many areas of diplomacy like trade, development and security. Meeting our partners as an Executive Council Member gave me a real life look into the art of building professional relationships. The connections I built with other fellows and mentors will last a lifetime. Overall, I've truly enjoyed the time I've spent as part of BDA!" - Keshana King

"My experience at the Black Diplomats Academy (BDA) has been tremendously inspiring and I am truly honoured to say that I was a part of the initial launch of this amazing initiative! BDA’s unprecedented experiential learning program went above and beyond my expectations as an individual interested in policy, geo-politics, national security, and law. The ability to learn from individuals in these respective fields while being part of a cohort of young black successful candidates was a very rewarding experience for me. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for BDA as THE initiative that is breaking systemic barriers and assisting young Black Canadians in pursuing their career interests in public policy and diplomacy!" - David Nyarko

"The BDA program helped me realize that a career in diplomacy is possible for people who look like me. I’ve got to engage with a variety of people with vast experiences and backgrounds thanks to this program. I have also made some really close friends who to this day have impacted my personal and professional development. I truly believe participating in this program has positively impacted my progress in my career and would recommend it to anyone who has faced a similar experience as myself." - Danisha Decius