WELLAND — It was a long road that brought Tumadir Al Hilaly from her native Sudan to Welland, where, on Friday, she was recognized for advocating excellence in her community.

“Her story is so phenomenal, it touched everybody,” Welland Heritage Council executive director Janet Madume said during the first annual Advocating for Excellence Awards at Riverstone Event Centre in honour of Black History Month. The event, organized by the council and TOES Niagara, recognizes the contributions of Afro-Canadians to the Niagara community.