Second Annual iDREAM Awards Opens Applications, Offering $5 Million in Advertising Space to Underrepresented Communities in Canada
Second Annual iDREAM Awards Opens Applications, Offering $5 Million in Advertising Space to Underrepresented Communities in Canada
Flagship Equity-in-Media Initiative Enters Its Second Year, Expanding Impact Across the Canadian Media Landscape
Toronto, Ontario – February 17, 2026 – iDREAM, a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing racial equity and inclusivity in media, today announced the opening of applications for the Second Annual iDREAM Awards.
Building on the momentum of its inaugural year, the iDREAM (Inclusivity, Diversity, Racial Equity Award in Media) Awards continue to recognize and support the extraordinary contributions of underrepresented and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) creators and innovators across five categories: Art, Entrepreneurship, Film, Music, and Sport.
Individuals and organizations doing innovative, community-shaping work in these categories are encouraged to apply through the iDREAM website for the opportunity to receive $1 million in donated advertising space per category – spanning digital, broadcast, out-of-home, and print media – or a total of $5 million in awarded media support.
Applications will once again be reviewed by a distinguished panel of leaders from media, entertainment, and social-impact sectors. Past judges have included Kevin Johnson, President of WPP Canada; award-winning actor Amanda Brugel; and Dahabo Ahmed-Omer, CEO of The BlackNorth Initiative.
Award recipients will be announced in Summer 2026, launching a full year of dedicated, category-specific advertising support for each recipient. Last year’s recipients can be viewed here.
iDREAM is led by a diverse board of media professionals, employees, and volunteers from across Canada’s advertising, marketing, and creative industries. Leading sponsors NBA, HP, and Lululemon and Speedy Transport are among early adopters to get involved.
Major Media support for the iDREAM Awards is generously donated by partners including Adapt Media, UB Media, Zoom, Bell Media, Allvision, Rogers Sports & Entertainment, Vendo Media, APTN, Blue Ant Media, Corus Entertainment, Pelmorex Entertainment, Lamar, Stingray Media, Captivate, Grassroots, Rec Media, Toronto Star, Atelier La Presse, Air Canada, Branded Cities, Cogeco, Billboard Canada, and George Brown College, among others.
“Entering our second year, the iDREAM Awards are no longer just a bold idea, they’re a proven platform for redistributing visibility and opportunity in Canadian media,” said Jamie Thompson, Founder of iDREAM. “We’ve seen firsthand how access to meaningful media support can accelerate impact. Our goal remains the same: to ensure underrepresented creators and organizations have the scale, reach, and credibility they deserve.”
The iDREAM Awards represent a first-of-its-kind, media-led equity initiative in Canada, designed to address systemic barriers by pairing recognition with tangible, high-value resources. Award recipients are selected based on creativity, leadership, and demonstrated impact within their communities and industries. View the iDream 2025 Impact Report here.
Application Process
Creators, innovators, and changemakers from BIPOC and other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply. Applications can be submitted through the official iDREAM Awards website at idreamadream.ca/how-to-apply/.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: February 1, 2026
- Applications Event June 12, 2026
- Applications Close: June 30, 2026
- Finalists Announced: August 2026
Media Campaign for Awardees
Each of the five award recipients will receive a fully planned and customized $1,000,000 media campaign, designed to amplify their voice, brand, and mission. Campaigns include strategic media planning, industry consultation, and partner collaboration to maximize reach and long-term impact.
Media Contact:
Morgan Cates – pr@idreamadream.ca
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/idream-a-dream
Instagram: @idream.ca
For more information about the iDREAM Awards or how to apply, visit https://idreamadream.ca/how-to-apply/.
About iDREAM
iDREAM is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to advancing racial equity and inclusivity across media and creative industries. Its flagship program, the Inclusivity, Diversity, Racial Equity Award in Media (iDREAM Awards), is designed to dismantle systemic barriers by providing underrepresented leaders with access to meaningful media platforms, resources, and industry support—helping build a more just, diverse, and representative media landscape in Canada.
