Fabienne Colas appointed to Order of Canada

President and founder of The Fabienne Colas Foundation, Fabienne Colas, was appointed to the Order of Canada on Wednesday for the work she has been doing across Canada and internationally for 20 years to promote diversity and Inclusion in the arts.

The Order of Canada is one of Canada’s highest honours; Colas was appointed by Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.

“It is a privilege and a huge honor to be appointed to the Order of Canada,” said Colas. “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.”

Colas is an award-winning actress, filmmaker, producer, entrepreneur, and advocate for diversity in film and the arts.

She holds an Executive MBA offered jointly by McGill University and HEC Montreal.

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.

Colas also celebrated the 20th anniversary of both the Fabienne Colas Foundation and the Montreal International Black Film Festival with Spike Lee as its Honorary President.

“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,” said Simon.  

“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.”

Colas was also honored this year with an Honorary Doctorate from Concordia University’s Faculty of Fine Arts.

In 2024, the Fabienne Colas Foundation bought the Colas Theatre (former Cartier Theatre), which will reopen in 2027.

As a new Member of the Order of Canada, Colas will attend a ceremony to receive her insignia, alongside other Canadians being appointed in the order of Canada including award-winning actor, screenwriter and producer Ryan Reynolds, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and 85 others.