The Black Academy co-founders and CEOs Shamier Anderson and Stephan James have appointed Gail Case as the not-for-profit’s executive director.

Effective immediately, Case now oversees all aspects of the Black Academy’s operations, including its fundraising efforts, year-round programming and the Legacy Awards. She is also tasked with ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization.

Case has more than 20 years of experience working in the private and public sectors, most recently serving as director of client services at the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on
Recordings (FACTOR). She has also worked in marketing and sales in television and radio, including at CBC, Global, CTV and Blue Ant Media.

During her time at FACTOR, Case saw the allocation of approximately $14 million in funding and adjudication for Canadian artists and record labels, and helped to enhance the diversity of FACTOR’s funding recipients.

“Gail’s experience and skills dovetail perfectly with our goals for the organization,” said Anderson in a statement. “Her business acumen, fundraising chops and leadership skills will take the Black Academy to the next level as we look to broaden our impact. She’s perfectly poised to be a catalyst for lasting change.”

James added that Case is “exceptionally committed to uplifting and empowering our community.”

Speaking with Playback Daily, Case says the Black Academy’s mandate to celebrate excellence in the Black community was what attracted her to the role. She saw an opportunity to support the not-for-profit through her experience working directly with Canadian Heritage to secure funding.

“My first and foremost [priority] is to get multi-year financial support, because that is really key in everything else that we’re doing,” says Case. “From there, I can expand on our programming. I would love to collaborate with other organizations across the country… that will help us strengthen our initiatives and create more of an impact nationwide.”

Case points to the organization’s current partnerships with CBC and Insight Productions as examples of successful collaborations. The Skills Development Program, run in partnership with Insight, gives Black talent hands-on training on the Toronto company’s productions. Case says two of last year’s participants are nominated for Canadian Screen Awards this year as a result.

Case says another plan for the Black Academy is to enhance the Legacy Awards, which will have its third run on CBC later this year. The Academy intends to launch a membership program as one of its priorities over the next 12 months. Once established, award categories will be created for the new membership to vote on, with an implementation goal of 2025. 

The executive director title was formerly held by Martha Hagos, who departed the not-for-profit in 2022.

Photo by Marvin Morgan, courtesy of the Black Academy