Our Chief Executive Officer: Russell Grosse, is a respected cultural leader, community advocate, and heritage professional whose career has been dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing Black history, culture, and community development in Nova Scotia and across Canada.
A seventh-generation African Nova Scotian from the historic community of Cherry Brook in the Preston Township, Grosse has spent more than three decades with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, beginning as a summer student in 1993. Since 2013, he has served as the Centre’s Chief Executive Officer, providing strategic leadership to one of Canada’s longest-standing institutions dedicated to Black history and culture.
Under his leadership, the Black Cultural Centre has expanded its provincial and national presence through major heritage initiatives, educational programming, partnerships, research, commemorations, and community engagement. Grosse is currently leading the Centre’s ambitious Deep Roots – Powerful Future campaign, a transformational initiative to significantly expand the Black Cultural Centre and strengthen its role as a national institution for Black history, culture, research, education, and storytelling.
Grosse also serves as Managing Director of the Black Culture and Heritage Foundation for Canada and represents Nova Scotia on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, contributing to the recognition and commemoration of people, places, and events of national historic significance.
His national leadership has included serving as Co-Chair of the Minister of National Defence External Advisory Committee on Anti-Black Racism, as well as Co-Chair Lead of the National Apology Advisory Committee for the No. 2 Construction Battalion. His work contributed to the Government of Canada’s historic national apology in 2022 for the systemic anti-Black racism experienced by members of the battalion.
Grosse serves on several boards and advisory bodies, including the Canadian Media Fund, the CLEAN Foundation of Nova Scotia, and as a Governor of Commissionaires Nova Scotia. He is also Chair of CIOE 97.5 FM / Cobequid Radio Society, supporting community broadcasting, local voices, and cultural programming.
Throughout his career, Grosse has worked closely with community leaders, governments, cultural organizations, educational institutions, and national partners to advance greater recognition of the contributions and experiences of Black Canadians. An avid video producer, he has used his passion to capture and share stories. His leadership is grounded in the belief that communities must have the ability to preserve their histories, tell their own stories, and shape how those stories are understood by future generations.
In recognition of his service and leadership, Grosse has received numerous honours, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Through his work, Russell Grosse continues to champion the protection of cultural heritage while building institutions and partnerships that ensure Black Canadian history remains visible, valued, accessible, and central to Canada’s broader national story.
