Nalda Icylma Perry-Callender was a pioneering leader, advocate, and mentor who dedicated more than four decades to championing racial equality, women’s rights, and community development.

Born in St. John’s, Antigua, in 1944, Nalda Perry Callender was a formidable force in Canadian advocacy who dedicated her life to the upliftment of marginalized communities. After moving to Montreal in 1967 and later settling in Vancouver in 1980, she became a cornerstone of British Columbia’s Black and Caribbean communities. In 1992, she helped establish the National Congress of Black Women Foundation (NCBWF), transforming it into a vital hub for mentorship, healthcare initiatives, and social services. Her leadership was defined by a belief that racial identity should never be a barrier to success, earning her the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for her tireless service.

Nalda’s impact resonated through groundbreaking cultural milestones and direct community action. She was instrumental in securing Canada Post’s first Black History Month stamp honouring Rosemary Brown and successfully petitioned the City of Vancouver to officially proclaim Black History Month in 2011. Beyond her public advocacy for housing, legal aid, and HIV/AIDS awareness, she was a devoted mother and grandmother who championed the preservation of cultural roots through the arts. Known as a "one-woman community centre," her legacy continues to unite the Black diaspora and inspire new generations of activists.