Anyichie receives Manitoba Mosaic Award

Brandon’s Aloysius Anyichie has been recognized for his work supporting newcomers and building more inclusive communities, receiving a 2026 Manitoba Mosaic Award in the Welcoming Community Champion-Individual category.

Anyichie, founder and director of the Loy Excellentia Initiative, received the award during a ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg on Sept. 17 as part of Welcoming Week 2026.

He was among 12 individuals, organizations and businesses recognized by the Manitoba government for their contributions to building welcoming communities across the province.

The award marks the first time an individual from Brandon has received a Manitoba Mosaic Award since the provincial recognition program was launched in 2025, Anyichie said.

“Receiving the Manitoba Mosaic Award means a lot to me. It is an honour, but I also see it as an affirmation of the work I do to help people feel welcomed, supported, and like they belong,” he said.

“Much of my work, through teaching, research, mentorship, and the Loy Excellentia Initiative, has focused on creating opportunities for people to connect, grow, and succeed. This award encourages me to continue that work and to keep contributing to a more welcoming and inclusive community.”

Anyichie said the award should also be viewed as a recognition of the collective efforts of the people and organizations who have worked alongside him.

“I receive this recognition with profound gratitude and humility. Although my name appears on the award, the work it recognizes has been carried forward with many students, colleagues, volunteers, mentors, community members and partner organizations,” he said.

Being welcoming is more than opening a door, Anyichie said — it means helping people experience belonging, recognizing their strengths and helping them succeed.

The Manitoba Mosaic Awards recognize newcomers, immigrants, refugees and community partners whose leadership and contributions help create stronger and more inclusive communities.

The Welcoming Community Champion category recognizes individuals, community organizations and businesses that create supportive environments where newcomers can feel welcomed, included and empowered to contribute.

Through Loy Excellentia, Anyichie has helped develop programs and partnerships focused on mentorship, empowerment, leadership and educational success, particularly among African, Black, Caribbean, international and other culturally diverse students and community members.

“For me, this award is encouragement to continue and deepen the work of supporting students, newcomers and members of our diverse communities in experiencing belonging and achieving their potential,” Anyichie said.

“Most importantly, I hope it creates further opportunities for connection, mentorship, collaboration, and collective action toward communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong and succeed.”

The 2026 awards included two new categories: the Indigenous Bridge Builder Award and the Lifelong Community Bridge Builder Award.

Other recipients included Shawn Charlebois and Terri-Lynn Anderson for the Indigenous Bridge Builder Award; Akech Mayuom and Ernesto Ofiaza Jr. for the Lifelong Community Bridge Builder Award; Aqeelah Daibu and Hafiz Jatto for the Youth Leadership Award; and Izzeddin Hawamda, who shared the Welcoming Community Champion-Individual category with Anyichie.

Anyichie is a Catholic priest, an associate professor of educational psychology and student services at Brandon University, director of the CREAMS Research Lab and founder of the Loy Excellentia Initiative.

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