STARGAZE FUNDRAISING GALA
A First Class Affair
A yearly fundraising celebration gala to remember. Board the StarGaze first-class experience. Tickets will not be sold at the door
Countdown to the 2026 Gala
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StarGaze Gala – A First-Class Affair 2025
Reasons To Attend The Stargaze Gala 2026
Award Ceremony
The gala’s powerful award ceremony honors excellence, resilience, and the people transforming the industry for the better. Celebrate progress, connect with inspiring professionals, and be part of a legacy of inclusion taking flight
Personal Development
Join Black aviation professionals and industry allies at Canada’s largest in-person celebration of cultural diversity in aviation. Engage in expertly curated networking experiences designed to elevate your connections and extend your career runway with purpose.
Inspire & Be Inspired
Immerse yourself in a night where powerful stories ignite your spirit and the achievements of trailblazing individuals spark your own potential. Come not only to be inspired—but to become an inspiration for others rising in the aviation industry.
Nominate
Recognize & Celebrate
Inspire Higher Award
Nominate a student that has been active in the community , reflect BAPNs core values and participated in any of our Inspire Higher programs
Community Impact Award
We may not have had a chance to see all the great work done for our community in the industry.
This is a chance to submit an initiative (by an individual or organization) that has made an impact.
Best Employee Resource Group or Student Association
Are you proud of the work and commitment your organization dedicates to championing diversity with the influence and support of your employee resource group? Nominate your ERG and receive all the bragging rights!
Marshal Award
Nominate a mentor/influencer that has made an impact in your life. Whether you’re learning through their social media, or in person.
Ready For Takeoff Award
If you’re currently an ImBAPA member you can nominate yourself. If you have been consistent updating your ImBAPA account with your training and career journey, or you know of an aviation professional making strides in their career, nominate them today.
NOMINATE
BAPN 2026 HONOUREES
Stronger Together
Acknowledging the efforts of our allies and community who have been diversity champions is key to implementing change. The BAPN In-Flight Crew is responsible to review the sponsors, partners and volunteers over the year and nominate the deserving organization or person.
Samuel Cosby
2026 Allan Bundy Honouree
This award recognizes the contributions of an organization or individual that championed meaningful change within Canadian aviation.
2025 Recipient – RCAF Foundation
2024 Recipient – NAV Canada
2023 Recipient – Porter Airlines
2022 Recipient – Air Canada
2021 Recipient – Centennial College
Arham Arfin
2026 Altitude Award Honouree
This award is presented to a member of the BAPN community that has been consistently active championing BAPN’s core values.
2025 Recipient – Sharon Cheung
2024 Recipient – CAE
2023 Recipient – Canadian Owners & Pilots Association (COPA)
2022 Recipient – Lester Thorpe
2021 Recipient – André Patrick
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Samuel Cosby
2026 Allan Bundy Award HonoureeSamuel Cosby
This award recognizes the contributions of an organization or individual that championed meaningful change within Canadian aviation.
2025 Recipient – RCAF Foundation
2024 Recipient – NAV Canada
2023 Recipient – Porter Airlines
2022 Recipient – Air Canada
2021 Recipient – Centennial College
Arham Arfin
2026 Altitude Award HonoureeArham Arfin
This award is presented to a member of the BAPN community that has been consistently active championing BAPN’s core values.
2025 Recipient – Sharon Cheung
2024 Recipient – CAE
2023 Recipient – Canadian Owners & Pilots Association (COPA)
2022 Recipient – Lester Thorpe
2021 Recipient – André Patrick
NEW THIS YEAR
Lodestar Award
What is a Lodestar? A steady light that holds its place when all else shifts — a quiet beacon in the dark, pointing the way without demand, guiding not by force but by its unwavering shine.
The Lodestar distinction is offered exclusively to selected partner organizations. Each organization will nominate one employee whose contributions embody inner strength, resilience, and meaningful impact. These individuals will be honoured by their organizations during the ceremony, recognized as guiding lights whose presence elevates the people and places around them.
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Amal Mohamed
People & CultureAmal
Amal joined Porter Airlines in 2021, advancing from Talent Acquisition Coordinator to People & Culture Advisor. She has led recruitment across Ramp Operations, Flight Attendants, IT, Finance, and the SOCC, championing equitable hiring and strong candidate experiences. Amal represents Porter at the Black Aviation Professionals Network conference, supporting greater representation in aviation. With an Honours BA in Equity Studies and a post‑graduate HR certificate, she previously worked in youth‑focused community programs promoting empowerment and education. She is passionate about inclusive workplaces and meaningful connections. Outside work, she enjoys time with her partner, three children, and watching basketball.
Norman Haughton
Operations Planning & StrategyNorman
CURRENTLY ONBOARDING
Sponsors
Your sponsorship will help cover the direct costs for our StarGaze 2026 Gala celebration so that the majority of our Silent Auction, Raffle and Gala Celebration ticket sales can go towards funding BAPN’s mission to inspire and develop the next generation in aviation through our outreach, mentorship and community programs. Email stargaze@thebapn.ca to sponsor or reserve your table.
