Balarama Holness
Community Organizer, Author, Jurist, Social Entrepreneur, Teacher, Activist.
Featured In
CTV News. The New York Times. Montreal Gazette. Le Devoir. CBC Radio Canada. Journal de Montreal. Global News.
About
Balarama Holness is the Founder of Bloc Montréal and Movement Montreal.
A native of Montreal, Balarama Holness is a social entrepreneur, author, and former professional football player for the Montreal Alouettes, with whom he won the Grey Cup in 2010. Education being his source of power, Balarama earned five degrees, including a Masters in Education from the University of New Brunswick and a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from McGill University.
In 2018, Balarama gained political notoriety by gaining the support of 22,000 Montrealers to force Montreal's municipal government to launch a public inquiry into systemic racism and discrimination in the city. This led him to found Montreal in Action, a grassroots organization that promotes education and citizen participation as a means of addressing systemic racism, equality, inclusion and justice in Montreal.
In 2021, Balarama announced his run for Mayor of Montreal under a new, community-led political party, Movement Montreal.
In 2023, HarperCollins published Balarama's memoir, which will recount his journey from an ashram in West Virginia to becoming a leader in Montreal.
Eyes On The Horizon
Buy Balarama’s memoir, Eyes On The Horizon, an engrossing personal story of spirituality and rebellion, and an inspiring call to action against systemic racism.
Eyes on the Horizon is Holness’s story of lifting himself up through the power of self-determination, spirituality and no small amount of rebellion to confront the systemic racism of his city and his country. He accomplished this first through football, going all the way to a Grey Cup championship, and later through activism and politics.
Holness’s personal journey is connected to the social history of Canada, Quebec and the United States. Committed to reshaping society as we know it, he uses lessons from his own life to teach others about racism past and present, and to help people better understand how human beings should live and how to build a truly peaceful and just society for our children.
Eyes on the Horizon will be released on March 7, 2023
CTV W5 Documentary
Watch CTV’s W5 documentary on Balarama.
Media & Press
TV, Print & Digital Media
The New York Times / CTV / Breakfast Television / CBC Radio Canada / Montreal Gazette / Le Devoir
Podcasts & Webinars
Montreal Heroes / Creative Mornings HQ / McGill Athletics / Coconut Podcast / NBWA / The Equalizer
Consulting
Expert in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in other the public and private sector
Have an Interview Request or Speaking Opportunity in Mind?
Balarama is an expert and thought leader on the topics of systemic racism, law, social entrepreneurship, education as a tool for empowerment, resilience, goal setting, and what it takes to be an elite athletic performer.
Official Media Kit
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