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President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, held a meeting on March 24, 2025, in Toronto with Dr. Jean Augustine, a pioneering educator and philanthropist. Dr. Augustine is notable for being the first Black woman elected to Canada's House of Commons. Their discussion centered around mutual respect, community service, youth development, and the need for collaboration in addressing societal challenges and fostering positive change.
Dr. Augustine, who has an extensive service record in the House of Commons from 1993 to 2006, emphasized the necessity of experienced individuals to guide and encourage young people amidst challenging times. “We need to have good people who come with experience, who’ve walked the route, who can show some trails,” she mentioned.
Dr. Augustine actively contributes to youth empowerment through the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment. This after-school program in Toronto aims to keep girls aged 7–17 engaged and off the streets. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been a supporter of Dr. Augustine’s work for several years. President Holland commented, “We wanted to hear her. We listened to her... It’s the self-help that the Church has always taught, and that rings in a familiar ear when we hear it coming from someone like Dr. Augustine.”
During his visit, President Holland also provided additional funds for Dr. Augustine’s organization. “She was thrilled with that gesture, as were we,” he remarked, highlighting the benefit and timeliness of the gift.
Dr. Augustine expressed her gratitude to the Church, stating, “My gratitude, my thanks, and my deep appreciation for the friendship, for the support, and for the fact that we have models that we can offer our young people.”
Besides her role in the House of Commons, Dr. Augustine served as Fairness Commissioner for the Government of Ontario from 2007 to 2015 and led the motion in 1995 to create Black History Month in Canada.
