The Prince Hall Family Marks 250 Years with Inaugural Black Tie Brunch Fueling Support for SickKids
Toronto, ON — September 2025 — A landmark year calls for a landmark celebration. As the Prince Hall Family (TPHF) commemorates its 250th anniversary worldwide, the historic organization is embracing both tradition and progress. On Sunday, September 28, 2025, TPHF will host its Inaugural Black Tie Brunch at Sts Peter and Paul Banquet Hall in Scarborough — an elegant evening with a profound mission: to raise critical funds for The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
Honouring Legacy, Building a Healthier Future
The proceeds from this milestone event will directly support the SickKids Sickle Cell Disease clinic, which will be named in honour of Joseph & Norma Halstead and family on behalf of the Prince Hall Family. This initiative symbolizes the bond between generations of Black leadership and the ongoing fight for equity in Black child and youth health care.
Since 1852, the Prince Hall Family has been a cornerstone of Ontario’s Black community — promoting equality, funding education through bursaries and scholarships, and uplifting families through countless acts of service. Today, the mission expands to one of the most urgent priorities in Black health care: confronting Sickle Cell Disease, a condition disproportionately affecting Black children and families.
“For over 170 years, the Prince Hall Family has stood for leadership, service, and community,” said Alex Poole, M.W. Grand Master, Prince Hall. “We are proud to extend that mission to families affected by Sickle Cell Disease. This Inaugural Black Tie Brunch is more than a celebration; it’s a rallying call to build a healthier, more equitable future together.”
A Legacy of Leadership
The 250th anniversary is not only about reflecting on history — it’s about extending its reach forward. Throughout the centuries, Prince Hall membership has included renowned Black leaders such as Shaquille O’Neal, Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr., and Ontario’s first Black Lieutenant Governor, Lincoln Alexander. Their legacies of service, achievement, and advocacy now fuel this groundbreaking partnership with SickKids Foundation.
SickKids and Black Health Equity
The brunch also comes at a pivotal time for SickKids, which is celebrating 150 years of advancing children’s health. Through its Precision Child Health initiative, SickKids is committed to providing individualized, data-driven care that diagnoses faster and treats smarter.
“This vision is deeply connected to our Black Experience @ SickKids program, which confronts inequities in health care head-on,” said Jennifer Bernard, President and CEO of SickKids Foundation. “Nowhere is this more urgent than in sickle cell disease, a condition that disproportionately impacts Black children and families and demands greater recognition, resources and equity.”
Event Details
Prince Hall Family Inaugural Black Tie Brunch Fundraiser
📅 Sunday, September 28, 2025
🕑 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Sts Peter and Paul Banquet Hall, 231 Milner Ave., Scarborough, ON
🎟️ Tickets: $100 per individual (tables & sponsorships available)
💙 Proceeds support the Prince Hall Family awareness campaign & SickKids Sickle Cell Disease Clinic
How to Support
💠 Purchase tickets / inquire about sponsorships:
Contact Herman Henry, Committee Chair
📞 416-399-2605 | ✉️ hhhroc57@gmail.com
💠 Make a donation directly to the Prince Hall Family campaign:
https://sickkidsfoundation.com/princehall
Media Contact
📧 Lisa Persaud, Head of Public Relations — Lisa@LisaPersaud.com
About the Prince Hall Family
Celebrating 250 years of leadership, advocacy, and charity worldwide, the Prince Hall Family has been active in Ontario since 1852. The organization has advanced equality, nurtured future generations through education, and supported communities through charitable giving. Today, the Prince Hall Family continues its mission by addressing health inequities in the Black community — with a strong focus on children and families impacted by Sickle Cell Disease.