The air at Topaz on Sheppard Avenue West hummed with possibility on October 26th, 2025, as Sundé Social celebrated its ninth anniversary with an unprecedented fusion of financial empowerment and cultural expression. The newly forged partnership between Sundé Social and Brothers Who Care transformed this milestone event into something remarkable; a seamless blend of education and entertainment that kept the space vibrating until the early morning hours.
The evening began with the LEGUP Wealth Hour, where David Griffiths (Founders of Brother Who Cares) set an ambitious tone: “Today is about practical wealth. Not theory but ACTION.” As the mortgage advisor and wealth mindset moderator spoke, attendees leaned forward, ready to capture every pearl of wisdom.
“Today is about practical wealth. Not theory but ACTION.”
The expert panel featuring real estate broker Stephanie Rebello, investor Kevin Springer, and EQ Bank’s Jordan Walters-Tapper demystified pathways to homeownership and wealth creation, making the seemingly impossible feel attainable.
While the Wealth Hour planted seeds of financial empowerment, Kofi Frempong’s live painting blossomed before our eyes. The Ghana-born, Toronto-based artist transformed a blank canvas into a vibrant celebration of Black identity, his brushstrokes seemingly dancing to the rhythm of the room. Kofi’s presence was a visual affirmation of the community’s strength and aspirations. His newly commissioned pieces for Brothers Who Care will continue telling our stories well beyond this evening.
As the educational portion gave way to celebration, the venue transformed. The soulful melodies of Juno-nominated Aaron Ridge filled the air, followed by Jermal’s electrifying performance that had the crowd on its feet. When Sasha L Henry took the stage, her powerful vocals served as the perfect soundtrack for the connections being forged throughout the room.
The DJs: MARS FOREVER, LLBJ (DaEnergyGod), and FLEX OF ALL TRADES curated a sonic journey that moved from soul to dancehall to amapiano, reflecting the diverse tastes of Toronto’s Black community. The dance floor remained packed well past midnight, a testament to the magnetic energy of the space.
What made this Sundé Social different was the intentional marriage of purpose and pleasure. Between sets, conversations about down payments and investment properties flowed as naturally as the cocktails. Couples huddled in corners, mapping their financial futures together. Entrepreneurs exchanged business cards with the same enthusiasm they showed on the dance floor.
“This partnership between Sundé Social and Brothers Who Care has created something special”
This partnership between Sundé Social and Brothers Who Care has created something special, a space where building community wealth happens alongside building community joy. As we celebrated nine years of Sundé Social, we were investing in what’s next.
The final notes faded into the early rising, but the connections made, and knowledge shared will resonate far longer. If this ninth anniversary is any indication, the next decade of Sundé Social promises to be even more transformative.