Rawlson King

Ottawa City Council officially proclaimed April as Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice Month, recognizing the importance of raising awareness about maternal health disparities and strengthening advocacy and leadership within Black communities. youtu.be/p6TV8Yylv2I

Excellent to join Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing and Mathieu Fleury, research fellow at the University of Ottawa’s Centre on Governance, at a collaborative workshop this week focused on innovative, affordable housing policy development.

It was pleasure this week to meet with Dr. Susan Farrell, the CEO of the Ottawa branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA Ottawa), to discuss the organization’s contributions and the potential for great collaboration with the City of Ottawa.

Honoured to present the Carleton University School of Social Work Community Builder Award to Black History Ottawa this week, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to our community over the past 40 years!

Honoured to attend the annual Ramadan dinner hosted by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at on Parliament Hill with my Council colleagues this week.

I had a wonderful time marching in Ottawa’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade last weekend!

Honoured to sponsor and speak at the International Women’s Day event held at the Rideau Community Hub today, as well as recognize many amazing female volunteers in our community with Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard!

I enjoyed attending the International Women’s Day celebration at Ottawa City Hall today to hear from retired Judge of the Supreme Court, the Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella.

Excellent tour of both the transit operations control centre and enhanced bus facilities at OC Transpo headquarters this week which included discussions with staff about improving transit reliability.

Very pleased to address the closing session of the Black Mental Health Week event held at the Ottawa Conference & Event Centre in Overbrook this week.

As an @opl_bpo Board member, I was honoured to celebrate Allan Higdon with a commemorative plaque at the Alta Vista branch this week. Allan served as a City Councillor & Acting Mayor and spent years championing libraries, literacy, and lifelong learning on the OPL Board.

Attended an excellent lecture and panel discussion on leadership featuring former CEO of the Business Council of Canada, Thomas d’Aquino, at the National Gallery of Canada this week.

I had an amazing opportunity to observe City crews last weekend using explosives to blast and break up ice on the Rideau River in New Edinburgh to control ice damming and spring flooding.

Had a wonderful time last weekend at the Global Community Alliance Gala & Awards at the Ottawa Conference & Event Centre in Overbrook, recognizing achievement, leadership and community impact during Black History Month. Event proceeds went to the Ottawa School Breakfast Program.

Great to join Chef Ric and Council colleagues last weekend to launch the 12th annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser - an event that shines a light on the need for vulnerable people in all parts of our community to have a safe place to call home - especially during winter.

Wonderful to join the congregation at St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church in New Edinburgh to launch their annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraising event in support of the Ottawa Mission!

Had a nice time with Mayor Sutcliffe, several Council colleagues, Chris Neil and the City’s senior leadership team celebrating community volunteerism at the Outdoor Rink Volunteer Breakfast held at Jim Durrell Recreation Centre last weekend.

It was a pleasure to attend a Black History Month event hosted by the Ottawa Mission and Smart Youth Ottawa last week to speak about employment and training opportunities in the food and building management industries and how we can contribute to advancing social justice!

Great to join amazing artists Barry Pottle and Laura Taler at the launch of the incredible 2026 Karsh Continuum exhibition at Ottawa City Hall this week!

Honoured to speak at the ACB Wellness Resource Centre in Overbrook this week during its Black History Month celebrations with my colleagues Councillors Plante and Tierney.