May Highlights: Celebrating Heritage, Leadership, and Community Connections
- ucofashion
- May 31
- 4 min read
May was a month of celebration, achievement, and meaningful community engagement. Across New Brunswick, we witnessed the power of culture to bring people together, inspire future leaders, and strengthen connections across diverse communities. From Asian Heritage Month celebrations and youth empowerment initiatives to recognizing personal milestones and fostering new partnerships, May reflected the values that continue to guide UCOF's work: inclusion, empowerment, creativity, and community.
At UCOF, we believe that every story matters. This month, we had the privilege of celebrating many stories of culture, leadership, and achievement that remind us of the richness of our communities and the possibilities that emerge when people come together.
Photo credit: Dwight Reimer
Celebrating Asian Heritage Month
In May, we proudly joined communities across Canada in celebrating Asian Heritage Month, recognizing the rich histories, traditions, achievements, and contributions of Asian communities that continue to shape our society and strengthen our multicultural landscape.
The Asian Heritage Society of New Brunswick, Saint John Chapter officially kicked-off the month-long celebration with an opening ceremony on May 9 at the Kent Theatre. Throughout the month, community members participated in a variety of engaging activities, including culinary workshops, sports tournaments, anti-racism discussions, and cultural learning opportunities that encouraged dialogue, understanding, and connection.
The celebration culminated in a spectacular Gala on May 23 at the Samuel De Champlain Theatre. The evening was a vibrant showcase of culture, creativity, and community, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the beauty and richness of Asian heritage.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the leadership and members of the Asian Heritage Society of New Brunswick, Saint John Chapter for the success of this year's celebrations. We are especially proud of Ponce Alfred Madas, UCOF Board Director, whose leadership and dedication contributed to the success of this important celebration.
Missed the celebrations? Explore the event photos and relive the highlights through this link
Multicultural Fashion Showcase at Princess Elizabeth School
One of the highlights of the month was UCOF's participation in the 3rd Annual Multicultural Night hosted by Princess Elizabeth School in Saint John.
Our Multicultural Fashion Showcase brought together culture and community as students, families, and community members celebrated the diversity that makes our region vibrant and welcoming. The runway featured children in traditional and contemporary fashion inspired by cultures from around the world, creating a powerful visual reminder that fashion is a universal language of identity, pride, and belonging.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the school administration, staff, students, volunteers, community partners and families who made this memorable evening possible. In case you missed it, catch a glimpse of the runway moments
here.
Celebrating Excellence Within the UCOF Family
This May, we proudly celebrated two significant academic milestones within the UCOF family.
On May 8, Opeyemi Kayode, a valued member of UCOF's Media Team, graduated with a Master of Management degree from Crandall University.
Later in the month, on May 29, Dr. Joy Audu, UCOF Board Director, earned her Doctorate in Digital Marketing and Sales from the University of New Brunswick, Saint John.
These accomplishments reflect dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning. We congratulate Opeyemi and Dr. Joy on their remarkable achievements and wish them continued success as they pursue new opportunities and make meaningful contributions in their respective fields.
Inspiring the Next Generation: Black Youth Essay Competition
May also marked a historic milestone as the Council of African Professionals (CAP) hosted the inaugural Black Youth Essay Competition in Saint John in collaboration with United Colours of Fashion (UCOF), PRUDE Inc., Pure Gold Foundation, and the Young Leaders Mentorship Program (YLMP).
The event brought together youth, educators, families, community leaders, and partners to celebrate the voices, ideas, and leadership potential of young people. Through thoughtful essays and inspiring presentations, participants reflected on leadership, community impact, and the role they can play in shaping a brighter future.
Photo credit: Mukhtar Olaniyi
We were honoured to welcome distinguished guests, including Hon. David Hickey, Minister of Housing, Mayor Donna Reardon, MLA Kate Wilcott, Dr. Ralph Thomas, and other community leaders and representatives who joined us in recognizing the achievements of these exceptional young leaders. The event served as a powerful reminder that investing in youth today helps build stronger, more inclusive communities tomorrow.
Photo credit: Mukhtar Olaniyi
The leadership team of United Colours of Fashion (UCOF) were visibly represented at the event by Rufina Ajalie, Christine Eruokwu, Karla Marticorena and Olukayode Olusope.
Photo credit: Mukhtar Olaniyi
Strengthening Community Partnerships
On May 30, Rufina Ajalie, Christine Eruokwu, and Olukayode Olusope represented UCOF at a gathering of leaders and elders from African-descendant communities hosted by the New Brunswick Black History Society, Saint John and organized by the Provincial Council of People of African Descent in New Brunswick.
The event provided a valuable opportunity for networking, learning, and collaboration among community leaders committed to advancing inclusion, empowerment, and collective impact. It also opened doors for new partnerships, including connections with The Mandate Development Centre, a Moncton-based non-profit organization dedicated to community development.
These conversations reinforce the importance of working together to create stronger, more connected communities across New Brunswick and beyond.
L-R: Olukayode Olusope, Tayo Adeyemi, Christine Eruokwu and Rufina Ajalie
Building Community Through Partnership
The success of these initiatives reflects the power of collaboration. Whether celebrating cultural heritage, creating platforms for youth leadership, or bringing communities together through fashion and storytelling, meaningful partnerships continue to strengthen our collective impact.
We are grateful to our volunteers, community partners, supporters, sponsors, and participants whose dedication helps bring these opportunities to life.
Looking Ahead
As we continue building momentum toward the 2026 UCOF Fall Fashion Festival, we are inspired by the stories, partnerships, and achievements that emerged throughout May. From celebrating cultural heritage and youth leadership to recognizing personal milestones and fostering meaningful collaborations, this month reminded us that community is at the heart of everything we do.
The months ahead promise exciting opportunities, inspiring stories, and unforgettable experiences.
Thank you for being part of our journey. We invite you to continue following our stories, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments as we prepare for the upcoming UCOF Fall Fashion Festival. There is so much more to come, and we cannot wait to share it with you.
