CANADA’S LARGEST ETHNIC NEWSPAPER CANADA’S LARGEST ETHNIC NEWSPAPER
Toronto mayor, OLIVIA CHOW (left), was one of the participants in the Toronto Caribbean Carnival this year. The mayor, who was seen dancing up a storm at the head of the parade, is joined in photo by fellow mas player, KAREN TONEY. See story and more photos on pages 2 & 3. Photo by Ron Fanfair
Donnette Chin-Loy Chang named next Chancellor of TMU
By RON FANFAIR
n becoming Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) sixth Chancellor,
Donette Chin-Loy Chang has the distinct honour of joining her husband, the late G. Raymond Chang, as the first couple to hold the position in a Canadian university.
Chang, who passed away in July 2014, was TMU’s third Chancellor from 2006 to 2012.
Chin-Loy Chang’s father, Aquarius Record Store & Studio and Fireside Fast Food co-founder Lloyd Chin-Loy, who died 26 years ago, would have been just as excited.
The Second World War veteran, who served with the Royal Air Force in England, was instrumental in his daughter coming to Canada and choosing to attend TMU, (then Ryerson Polytechnic Institute), to study Journalism.
“We often sat around the kitchen table in Jamaica to choose which university I should attend,” she said.
After graduating from Immaculate Conception, Chin-Loy Chang and her two siblings joined their mother, Daphne ChinLoy, who migrated in 1971.
Chin-Loy Chang completed Grade 13 at
Thornlea Secondary School.
“During that time, I was corresponding with dad who stayed in Jamaica,” she said. “I was accepted by three universities, including Ryerson. That was the first one I visited during a high school tour.”
Chin-Loy Chang fell in love with the institution and her father supported the choice.
“For me, it was the warmth of the community and the campus size,” she said. “I felt I was at home as soon as I entered Jorgenson Hall. At the time we were a smaller campus. It was also about youthful exuberance in seeing a university that accepted me and it was downtown. Its practical approach together with an equal balance of theory was just my comfort level.”
Nearly five decades after graduating and being an active alumna, Chin-Loy Chang is excited to serve as the university’s ceremonial head.
She is the second Immaculate Conception graduate after Mary Anne Chambers to hold the position at a Canadian university.
Her three-year term starts on October 10.
“Donette has been a valued member of the TMU community for decades,” said
President & Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi. “Through her work and support for equity-focused organizations and her commitment to education, she continues to make her mark in improving the lives
of those around her. We are so pleased that she will continue to strengthen her relationship with TMU in her newest role as our Chancellor.”
Chin-Loy Chang will act as an ambassador for the university on local, national and international levels, preside at convocations and confer degrees, diplomas and certificates.
She is also keen to support students and the TMU community in new and different ways.
“Access to education as well as equity, diversity and inclusion are incredibly important to me,” said Chin-Loy Chang who is TMU’s Alumni Council chair. “I have previously supported hundreds of students by funding scholarships and well-being initiatives at TMU. I established bursaries across several areas of the university, including the DMZ, the Chang School and the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. I also created an emergency fund for students during the pandemic and have contributed to TMU’s Viola Desmond Awards program and the President’s Awards to Champion Equity campaign.”
What is her vision for TMU?
TAIBU,SCHCtoshareinOntario’s$14mhealthinvestment
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
Programs for seniors and youth in the Black and Caribbean community will benefit from a $1.5 million investment from the Ontario government.
“Our population is aging and we need care for things like diabetes, foot care and even just community connection,” Michelle Tremblay, chair of the board of directors of TAIBU Community Health Centre, said in a recent interview with Share . “And our youth need support and programming for things like mental health.”
Tremblay was speaking at TAIBU’s headquarters in Malvern during a visit by an Ontario government team led by Sylvia Jones, the province’s health minister and deputy premier.
Jones announced that government is investing more than $14 million in 11 “new and expanded inter-professional primary care teams”.
Two of the teams are Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) and TAIBU, which has been providing a variety of programs and services to Canadians of African descent since 2008.
TAIBU, SCHC and the nine other funding recipients “will connect up to 49,000 Ontarians with primary care teams and provide services”, according to an Ontario government news release.
The $14 million, the release said, “is part of Ontario’s $110 million investment to connect up to 328,000 people to primary care providers, bringing the province one step closer to connecting everyone in Ontario to primary care”.
The Progressive Conservative government of Premier Doug Ford, in the words of Jones, “is making record investments
to ensure everyone who wants to have a primary care provider can connect to one”. Of the $14 million announced by Jones, SCHC is getting more than $1.3 million.
“This funding will make a significant impact to improving the health and wellbeing of marginalized and vulnerable communities, with timely access to primary care” providers such as family physicians, dieticians and mental health professionals, said Avnish Mehta, an SCHC family physician, who has also been associated with the Scarborough Health Network. “And, it
Dr. DONNETTE CHING-LOY CHANG
TAIBU’s executive director, LIBEN GEBREMIKAEL (left) and MPP DAVID SMITH
TAIBU’s LIBEN GEBREMIKAEL and MICHELLE TREMBLAY chair of the board of directors.
Ontario’s health minister SYLVIA JONES (2nd from left), with MPP VIJAY THANIGASALAM (left). Jones other colleagues in photo are (3rd from right) MPPs RAYMOND CHO DAVID SMITH and ARIS BABIKIAN Photos by Lincoln Depradine
Masqueraders enjoying themselves.
Playing mas for the first time were brothers DAQUONE (left) and JOE ARCHI with Joe's fiancée, PAULINA GUERERO. They played with the winning Tribal Carnival band.
SEANA WILLIAMS of Toronto Revellers.
WHITNEE CLARK
Toronto Mayor OLIVIA CHOW getting down at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
Colourful display of carnival costumes.
Another successful carnival!
By RON FANFAIR
Tribal Carnival captured the Band of the Year title at this year’s Toronto Caribbean Carnival at Exhibition Stadium.
Saldenah Carnival was the runner-up ahead of Toronto Revellers and Carnival Nationz.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) led off this year’s parade with ‘Bachannal Bus’.
“We participated for the first time last year and loved it,” said Andrea Valente, the Wilson Division bus transportation manager. “We doubled the numbers this year and got a flatbed truck which our employees set up with the decorations. We are Toronto’s transit system and we wanted something for ourselves to show we represent the city too. We are very appreciative of our management that supported us.”
Chief Executive Officer Rick Leary and Michelle Jones, the head of Renewable Energy, joined employees in the parade.
Eava-Kay McKnight has played mas’ for the last six years with Saldenah Carnival.
“It is the only band I have played with,” the Ontario Bar Association’s professional development & human relations coordinator said. “They are very creative; the quality of the costumes is excellent and they last long. In addition, they consider that many players are plus size. The costumes are comfortable and accentuate the body's best parts.”
Pan Fantasy won the Pan Alive steelpan competition for a 10th straight time, edging out Pan Masters by one point. A total of 14 bands competed in the event.
Henry ‘Cosmos’ Gomez captured the Calypso title, his second after lifting the title in 1995.
STEPHAN KIRBY and partner SKY HAMZIC played with the winning Tribal Carnival Band.
Husband and wife DANIEL and MARIE PRIDE from the Cayman Islands.
TTC CEO RICK LEARY with Wilson Division Bus Transportation Manager ANDREA VALENTE (right) and MICHELLE JONES head of the Renewable Energy program.
Bandleader LOUIS SALDENAH and EAVA-KAY MCKNIGHT Photos by Ron Fanfair
Dr. Kenneth Montague recognized for impact on community
By RON FANFAIR
Art
collector/curator Dr.
Kenneth Montague is the recipient of this year’s Carl Mitchell Community Impact Award.
The honour recognizes University of Toronto (U of T) alumni who advance the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion through their extraordinary volunteer contributions to the community.
“It is a tremendous honour to receive this award, especially since it is named for someone I really admire and respect,” says Montague. “Carl Mitchell was so well regarded in both the Black and the U of T communities – incredibly smart and generous, just a legend in so many ways.”
University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA) President Corwin Cambray said Mon-
tague is an exceptionally deserving recipient who fulfils the aspirations of the Carl Mitchell Community Impact Award twice over.
“To sustain that level of impact for so many people over a period of decades is remarkable enough,” he said. “But to effect this scale of change across two such divergent fields of endeavour – the fine arts and health care – is extraordinary and makes Ken such a fitting and unique honouree.”
U of T Vice-President, Advancement
David Palmer said Montague exemplifies the university’s commitment to advancing rights and opportunities for equity-deserving people.
“Our foundational value of inclusive excellence rests upon our close connections to the community and our ability to support
diverse populations to reach their highest potential,” says Palmer. “It is hard to imagine someone who has poured more of his heart and soul into advancing the aspirations and interests of the community than Kenneth. We are delighted to recognize him as one of our most impactful alumni and an eminently deserving recipient of the 2024 Carl Mitchell Community Impact Award.”
A former UTAA President & Treasurer, Mitchell died in 2016.
For the past 27 years, Montague has been collecting art from emerging and established Black artists.
He created Wedge Collection in 1997, considered Canada’s largest privately owned assemblage of Black art, to acquire and exhibit art that explores Black identity.
The federal government recognized the Trelawny Maroons at a ceremony at the Citadel Fortress National Site in Halifax on August 1.
Deported from Jamaica to Nova Scotia in 1796 in the aftermath of the Second Maroon War, they stayed for four years before migrating to Sierra Leone in August 1800.
Two years ago, the Jamaican Maroons in Nova Scotia were officially designated as an event of national historical significance under Parks Canada’s National program of Historical Commemoration.
Dr. Afua Cooper made the application for the recognition.
“The Maroon exemplifies Black resis-
tance to slavery and colonialism and a commitment to racial and social justice,” she said. “As one with roots in the Trelawny Maroon community, I am thrilled at this designation.”
Russell Grosse, the executive director of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia (BCCNS), said the Maroons demonstrated sheer will and determination through adversity to make significant contributions to Nova Scotia.
“Today, their resilient legacy lives on in the African Nova Scotian community and through the remarkable stone work that is part of the heritage of Citadel Hall and Government House in this province,” he added.
Also on August 1, an exhibit – A History Exposed: The Enslavement of Black People – opened at the Pier 21 Museum.
The Guest Curator, Cooper created it in partnership with the BCCNS.
“Canada’s connection to slavery is not just the Underground Railroad,” she said. “Slavery played a significant role in the early settlement of Canada and its legacy can be seen and felt today. At the exhibit, one can discover the experiences of enslaved Black people in Canada through individual biographies and archival records, learn how slavery came to be in Canada and find out who were Canada’s enslavers.”
FANFAIR
will have the additional benefit of helping take some of the pressures off our emergency departments.”
Mehta applauded the Ontario health ministry “for recognizing the importance of community healthcare”.
The funding underscores the provincial government’s “commitment to bridging gaps in healthcare access and improving the well-being” of residents, said Scarborough North MPP, Raymond Cho, who is also minister of seniors and accessibility. “Health is wealth and healthy residents are the greatest
asset
Scarborough and Ontario can have.”
Cho was one of four Conservative MPPs who accompanied Jones on the visit to TAIBU.
The others were Vijay Thanigasalam, MPP for Scarborough-Rouge Park; Aris Babikian, MPP for Scarborough-Agincourt; and Scarborough Centre MPP, David Smith.
“I want to thank TAIBU Community Health Centre and the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities for their steadfast approach in meeting the growing demands for primary care in Scarborough and beyond,” said Smith.
“TAIBU and SCHC, as core organizations, have always been at the forefront of ensuring that residents of Scarborough can rely on these professional services to cope with their family needs and concerns.”
While “there is still more work to be done”, the government “will continue to expand and create new primary healthcare teams”, Jones said.
“We will continue to take action to ensure that everyone who wants to have a primary care provider will be able to connect to one, and we will get it done because we have excellent partners like TAIBU,” she added.
TAIBU’s funding will assist with such things as the addition of “new mobile and satellite locations to make primary care more accessible” to people in need, Jones said.
The newly received funding is a “significant” investment, said TAIBU’s executive director, Liben Gebremikael.
“Significant because it continues to help us to do the work that we need to do to provide services that are truly culturally appropriate to our community, knowing that the Black community faces major barriers when it comes to health and other social outcomes,” he said.
“There’s more to be done; we require more resources to do more. But I think we have a good foundation, where we’re truly developing a model that is going to meet the needs of those particular communities that
are facing barriers.”
Gebremikael said he was grateful for the confidence shown in TAIBU by the government, while Tremblay expressed thanks for the “remarkable contribution” to the organization from the province.
“We’re always looking for support for TAIBU and we’re happy that we have it,” she said. “It makes a lot of sense to have communities take ownership of the programs and services that their communities need.”
Tremblay, in a comment to Share, explained that apart from investing in senior and youth programs, TAIBU also has a demand for more Francophone services.
“We have lots of folks coming from African nations that are French-speaking and also from Haiti. They are asylum-seekers and we need services and support for them,” she said.
KENNETH MONTAGUE
Dr. AFUA COOPER
Louis March remembered as ‘a community hero’
By RON FANFAIR
How can someone who has never lost a close family member to gun violence be so passionate about eradicating this scourge?
Audette Shephard, who co-founded United Mothers Against Gun Violence Everywhere (UMOVE), always asked the question whenever she thought about Louis March or saw him on television speaking out against gun violence.
The Founding Director of the Zero Gun Violence Movement passed away on July 20 after a sudden illness. He was 68.
“I have always admired Louis for his passion for young people and the ending of gun violence,” said Shephard whose only child, Justin Sheppard, was murdered in June 2001. “He often told me his wife was mad with him because he quit his full-time job to do this work. The care and commitment he demonstrated for this cause was unbelievable.”
East MP said. “I appreciated his advice and thank him for all the work over the decades.”
said the social entrepreneur. “He taught me what it truly means to be dedicated to community. He taught me how to be militant, about Dudley Laws and his extensive contributions and the Black Action Defence Committee (BADC). I am so grateful for the love he showed all the mothers whose children were the victims of gun violence and the fact he never sought to profit from Black death.
“I am also grateful for his Pan-Africanist and anti-imperialist political views that have shaped my political views. Every time I asked him how he was doing, he always said ‘The struggle continues’.”
Not one to easily shed tears, sustainable food system developer Anan Loloi admitted he cried after learning of March’s passing.
time job to concentrate on community advocacy.
Though busy with community work, he returned to school in 2018 and graduated three years later with a Public Administration & Governance degree from the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University.
In 2020, March received the university’s W. Robert Crampton Award in Criminal Justice & Criminology
“I want to continue my community work addressing the gun violence crisis in Toronto and work with partners to address social justice issues that negatively impact Black people in Canada,” he said when asked what were his plans after graduation.
Shortly after her son’s murder 23 years ago, Shephard and other grieving mothers who lost their sons to gun violence started UMOVE.
“We needed something to keep us going in the face of our tragedies,” she said. “Louis did so much outreach to support what we were doing.”
Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw said the city has lost a hero.
“Louis March was a community leader and anti-gun violence advocate who worked to unite people and help us come together and work towards zero gun violence,” he said.
Peter Sloly crossed paths with March on several occasions during his extensive policing career.
“Louis was an anti-violence activist with a clear and compelling vision that came from a genuine place of compassion and community,” said the former Ottawa Police Chief and Toronto Police Deputy Chief. “His vision is still a work in progress and his passing leaves the rest of us to keep working on solutions to reduce and end gun violence.”
March’s death shocked Liberal Member of Parliament Michael Coteau.
“Over the years, I spent a lot of time with Mr. March speaking about how we could reduce gun violence in the city and across the province,” the Don Valley
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said March was a fixture in Toronto neighbourhoods, whether meeting with officials to develop solutions, marching alongside community members to make their voices heard or comforting victims and their families.
“Louis March embodied hope,” she said. “He often said it was his purpose to support communities through the painful grief and traumatic impact of gun violence and he worked tirelessly at the grassroots level to inspire people to work together and take action. Many communities are mourning and I stand with them in their grief. There will be further recognition of his tireless and enduring legacy to come.”
For City of Toronto Poet Laureate Lillian Allen, March is her hero.
“He touched many lives and saved many lives,” the longtime Ontario College of Art & Design University lecturer said. “His caring and compassionate leadership and his stand for excellence in our community have led and inspired many young people out of societal traps to a brighter and productive future. His legacy is enormous and he will always be in our hearts.”
DeiJaumar Clarke is one of the many young people whose lives were touched by the anti-gun violence advocate. They met eight years ago at an anti-gun violence meeting in the city.
“I was new to community work and was moved to see how revered and admired this Elder was in our community,”
“My love for the community was ignited when I saw Louis in action in the late 1970s with the Black Youth Community Action Project,” he said. “I always refer to him as Toronto’s original youth leader. He ran a superb race and his journey was one of iconic proportion and inspiration. His name will forever be called in this city.”
When Itah Sadu conceived the idea 11 years ago for the Freedom Train Ride to mark Emancipation Day on August 1 which is March’s birthday, he was the second person she called to discuss it.
“When I asked what he thought about the idea and if he would be part of it, he told me to send the flyer and he would circulate it,” she said. “He didn’t ask what it was all about, what it was going to cost and how many people would be involved. He saw the vision right away and acted.”
March was also a regular fixture at Blackhust Cultural Centre (BCC), a non-profit destination that provides opportunities to experience the culture and history of Canadians of African and Caribbean ancestry.
“He came to every single thing that we did and provided good advice,” said Sadu who is the BCC’s managing director. “When we moved across the street, Louis just came by to keep our company and encourage us. That was huge.”
Migrating from Jamaica with his mother, March completed George Brown’s Business Management program, majoring in Marketing, and worked in the financial service industry before leaving his full-
March’s community engagement went beyond advocating for an end to gun violence.
He was an integral part of the African Canadian Heritage Association. Originally launched in 1969 as the Black Heritage Association, the organization underwent a name change in 1992 to preserve its unique identity following the establishment of several Black Heritage programs across the city.
“As the Director of Communications, Louis ensured that the community knew what we were all about and the programs we ran,” said Veronica Sullivan who became the Children’s Program coordinator in 1981. “He was the one who got us known out there.”
March also was a big supporter of Canada’s first Africentric Alternative School launched 15 years ago.
“He was one person who was out there advocating for this school,” Sullivan added. “If we had an issue or were doing something, he got the word out. He was committed and consistent.”
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, March followed the defunct Truths & Rights reggae band.
Founded in 1977 in Regent Park out of Immi-Can, a Black community project, the group comprised Caribbean-born musicians whose socially conscious songs revolved around racism and climate change.
March is survived by his wife Wendie and their son Troy.
Classickidsbook‘TheNutmegPrincess’relaunchedinT.O.
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
“The Nutmeg Princess”, first published in 1992 by Annick Press, is a classic production by Grenadian Canadian
The book, which has been available in classrooms in Canada and other countries, has also been a popular gift for children.
“The Nutmeg Princess” was also adapted to stage in 1999 by Young People’s Theatre (YPT), and won a Dora Mavor musical award.
Keens-Douglas has just relaunched “The Nutmeg Princess”, and would like to see another stage run by YPT.
“It’s a new generation now so it will be fantastic for Young People’s Theatre to do ‘The Nutmeg Princess’ again,” Keens-Douglas told Share at the relaunch of the book at Blackhurst Cultural Centre (BCC) on Bathurst Street, before a room full of children and adults.
The children were treated to storytelling, including excerpts from the colourfully illustrated book. They also participated in a workshop, which included the making
of “Nutmeg Princess Crowns”, and participated in a mini parade.
The adults included Keens-Douglas’ brother Paul Keens-Douglas, the renowned international performer, author and storyteller, who is popularly known in the theatrical world as “Mr. Tim Tim”.
Paul Keens-Douglas, who was born in Trinidad but spent his early childhood in Grenada, has a catalogue of work that includes 15 albums, three videos and 16 CDs.
In an interview with Share , Paul Keens-Douglas revealed that he, too, will be having a book launch at BCC later this month.
“It’s one of my early stories but I’m doing it as a children’s book now,” he said.
Paul Keens-Douglas was referring to a 1975 story, which is often referred to as “Vibert and the Kite”. In the soon-to-bereleased book, titled “String Bank”, the illustrations are done by Keens-Douglas daughter, Tara.
The fable of “The Nutmeg Princess” involves three main characters: best friends
Aglo and Petal and Petite Mama, who tells Aglo and Petal the story of a mysterious nutmeg princess whom only she has seen.
The story is set in Grenada, also known as the Isle of Spice, where Richardo Keens-Douglas – an award-winning author, storyteller and actor – was born in 1953.
“Canada has been very good to me,” said Keens-Douglas, who studied at the Dawson College School of Theatre in Montreal, and has had his own television and radio shows in Canada.
“My first 18 years were in Grenada but the other 50 years were in Canada. Canada has been a wonderful country to me; it’s part of my blood. But they say wherever you bury your navel string, that is home, and my navel string is buried in Grenada. I’m a spice boy living in Canada.”
After 32 years of the release of “The Nutmeg Princess” , Keens-Douglas said there’s a new generation of kids to be exposed to the story and lessons of the children’s book.
“I just thought it would be nice to bring it back. It’s such a unique story. I think it’s
important to have this book available again to the public,” he said.
“The Nutmeg Princess” includes lessons of friendship, caring, faith, belief in self, unselfishness, kindness and having a “good heart”.
“To see the Nutmeg Princess, you must have a good heart,” Keens-Douglas emphasized to his captive children’s audience.
“She will appear only if you have a good heart and you take care of your brothers and your sisters and your friends, and you are kind to each other in school; and you get up for older folks and you say, ‘have my seat’. All of that is being good.”
Not only is a good heart required to see The Nutmeg Princess, but one also has to travel to Grenada, Keens-Douglas said.
“Up to this day, because of Aglo and Petal’s hard work, nutmeg is the choicest crop on that little island in the Caribbean called the Isle of Spice,” he said.
LOUIS MARCH
Minnesota governor a good pick for Harris
During his tenure as governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ pick for vice president, has supported policies and legislation in areas such as expanding healthcare access, addressing climate change and promoting equity and inclusion. For example, he advocated for expanding Medicaid and supported measures to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.
He has also emphasized the importance of transitioning to clean energy and reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, Walz has focused on issues of racial justice, including police reform and addressing disparities in education and employment. His administration has worked on increasing funding for public education and supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
One significant initiative was the implementation of a program providing free school meals to all K-12 students, regardless of income. This effort was aimed to ensure that all children have access to nutritious meals, which can significantly impact their academic performance and overall health.
Additionally, Walz has focused on increasing funding for public education, including early childhood education, to support children’s development from a young age. He has also advocated for programs that provide mental health support and resources for students, recognizing the importance of mental health in a child’s ability to succeed in school.
As governor, Tim Walz took various progressive stances and actions to support Minnesotans, especially those in need.
He has been a strong advocate for expanding healthcare access. He supported measures to lower prescription drug costs and proposed the “MinnesotaCare Buy-In” option, which would allow more residents to access public healthcare plans. His administration also expanded mental health services, recognizing the critical need for comprehensive care.
Beyond providing free school meals, Walz prioritized education funding, particularly for public schools. He pushed for investments in early childhood education and measures to reduce educational disparities. His efforts were aimed to support students’ overall well-being, including mental health initiatives.
Walz has worked on policies to promote economic and social equity. This includes advocating for raising the minimum wage, supporting paid family and medical leave, and promoting affordable housing initiatives. His administration has also focused on addressing racial disparities, including reforms in policing and criminal justice.
Acknowledging the importance of environmental protection, Walz supported clean energy policies. He set ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy usage. His administration also took steps to protect Minnesota’s natural resources and to combat climate change.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Walz led efforts to support Minnesotans through public health measures and economic relief. His administration provided support for small businesses, unemployment benefits and housing assistance. He also emphasized the importance of vaccination and public health protocols to protect the community.
Overall, Walz’s tenure as governor has been marked by a focus on inclusivity, equity and support for vulnerable populations. His policies have aimed to create a more fair and just society in Minnesota, just the kind of partner Harris needs.
Emancipation Month in Ontario marks the end of slavery
MURPHY
By MURPHY BROWNE (Abena Agbetu)
August is Emancipation Month in Ontario. August 1 was Emancipation Day in Canada.
The preamble to “An Act to proclaim the month of August as Emancipation Month” stated in part:
“Anti-Black racism has been prevalent in the history of Ontario. Slavery, inequities, exclusion and many other forms of discrimination have been the basis of much of Ontario’s past.
“By proclaiming August as Emancipation Month, Ontario is following the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the period of 2015 to 2024 being the International Decade for People of African Descent to ensure people of African descent receive the recognition, justice and access to opportunities they deserve.
“Ontario acknowledges and recognizes the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, eliminating slavery in most of the British colonies at that time. It received Royal Assent on August 28, 1833, and took effect on August 1, 1834.
“Ontario pays tribute to the important contributions and leadership that the Black communities have made and continue to make in Ontario as a major part of the vibrant social, economic, political and cultural fabric of our province.
Emancipation Month is a time for healing, unification and restoration. It is about eliminating discrimination by continuing to educate and advance the importance of racial equity across the province.
“Emancipation Month will help build a more inclusive province, where everyone is treated with fairness, respect and dignity.” Assented to December 9, 2021.
August 1, 2024, marked 190 years since chattel slavery was abolished in Canada on August 1, 1834. The enslavement of Africans in Canada lasted for at least 206 years.
Slavery in the British Empire was supposedly abolished
on August 1, 1834. The enslaved Africans in British Honduras now Belize, British Guiana now Guyana and the Caribbean islands suffered through four more years of enslavement labeled as “the Apprenticeship System” and were not free to leave the plantations where they were enslaved until August 1, 1838. The enslavers made a fortune when slavery was abolished and enjoyed their ill-gotten wealth that had been made from the coerced, unpaid labour of enslaved Africans.
The descendants of the enslavers continue to enjoy the wealth into the 21st century. The British Royal family profited from the enslavement of Africans and many others including the Booker family, Munroe family, Gladstone family, Hibbert family, Beckford family, Brathwaite family and Skeete family gained excessive wealth and those last names proliferate in the Caribbean islands and in Guyana where the descendants of enslaved Africans, who were given the last names of their enslavers, live.
The first documented enslaved African in Canada was a six-year-old boy who was named Olivier LeJeune by his enslavers in 1628. He was sold to Olivier Le Baillif, a French clerk, by David Kirke, a British pirate.
Canadian slavery was not a gentler version than the scenes from the miniseries “Roots” or the movie “Sankofa.” Slavery in Canada was as brutal and horrific as it was in the U.S. and the Caribbean islands. Enslaved Africans were sometimes killed by their enslavers. Jude, an enslaved African woman in Nova Scotia, was beaten to death by Loyalist Samuel Andrews Sr. in December 1800. Medical evidence showed that she had been killed by a blow from a “blunt pointed instrument”.
In 1801, Andrews Sr. and his sons Samuel and John were tried for the murder of Jude. Diana, another enslaved woman who referred to Jude as “my sister”, testified that she had seen the Andrews men with Jude when she was beaten and killed. Diana said she had seen them each armed with “a stick about the size of an iron candle stick and of the length of my arm”.
Wearelivingininterestingtimesindeed
By PATRICK HUNTER
There is a saying which has been attributed to the Chinese: “May you live in interesting times.” It is believed to be a kind of curse. With all that has been going on, one has to wonder whether we are living the curse. But we are indeed living in interesting times.
Things began to be topsy-turvy during the last week of June. It was as if someone turned on a tap and, instead of one stream, there were several.
Let us start with France. Hot on the heels of the results of the European elections where the far-right made significant gains, French president Emmanuel Macron got scared and tried to get a jump on Marine Le Pen’s right-wing party by calling parliamentary elections. After the first round of voting, the centre-left parties decided to come together to block Le Pen, which they did. But it also left Macron with an uncertain future which has been obscured by the Olympics.
Across the English Channel, the very troubled Conservative Party, under its first South Asian prime minister, also went to polls. This was the party of persons like David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. The Tories knew they would lose the election, which they did, spectacularly.
The Labour Party, under Sir Keir Starmer, swept to victory with a mind-blowing majority.
Starmer quickly met with King Charles III as is the protocol to be invited to form a government. Then he started forming his cabinet, which included David Lammy, the son of Guyanese immigrants, as foreign secretary.
One outcome from this victory is that a plan by the Tories to ship illegal migrants to Rwanda was “dead and buried”. The other outcome I am looking forward to is a resolution to the plight of Windrush generation. These were West Indians who were brought to the United Kingdom (UK) in the post-war era to help rebuild the UK and some of whom have faced deportation because they do
not have citizenship papers.
Closer to home, U.S. president Joe Biden came under pressure to get out of the race to be re-elected in November after a very bad debate. The “age-thing” was bothering a lot of people, including some of his closest allies. After much pressure and personal agonizing, Biden decided to drop out of the race.
What followed has been interesting to watch. Biden endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party’s candidate and the response has been, to put it mildly, overwhelming. Delegates who were pledged to Biden have since endorsed Harris making her the Party’s candidate. The fundraising response to her candidacy has been record-setting.
The nomination will be formalized at the Party’s convention later this month.
What is amazing is how the media insisted on focusing mainly on Biden’s performance while mostly ignoring that of his then opponent, Donald Trump, the convicted criminal’s lying performance. It is almost as if they would have preferred Trump as president rather than the better-performing Biden presidency.
I am still confounded by the fact that some U.S. citizens continue to see Donald Trump as a viable candidate for the office – a convicted felon, twice-impeached along with a string of other misdeeds that would have disqualified any other candidate for elected office. With that kind of record, leaders of what the U.S. loves to call “Third World countries”, or worse, “banana republics”, would have been forced to quit.
Harris’ candidacy promises to be an exciting one. I anticipate that a debate with Trump would be interesting to say the least. Barring some unforeseen circumstances, the U.S. could have it first female president who just happens to be Black and South Asian with a Jamaican connection.
BROWNE
By RON FANFAIR
As an Oakwood-Vaughan neighbourhood resident for the past 25 years, award-winning actress Kim Roberts is familiar with the bustling multi-ethnic community filled with a variety of goods and services.
When Andre Sills, who she acted with in ‘Intimate Apparel’ in Calgary in 2016 reached out, asking her to consider taking on a role in a play he directed for the Stratford Festival, she didn’t hesitate.
It was on her bucket list of things to do.
“I read the script and loved it,” Roberts said. “It made me laugh.”
In her Stratford debut this season, she plays Margaret Whyte in ‘Get That Hope’ which is making its world premiere at the Studio Theatre.
Written by award-winning playwright/ producer Andrea Scott whose mother resided in the Oakwood-Vaughan community when she moved from Jamaica, the play is a complex and bittersweet domestic drama about family.
In a crowded apartment in ‘Little Jamaica’, Conrad Coates, who plays Richard Whyte, is planning the ultimate Jamaican Independence Day party and hopes to get the full support of his family.
His wife, Margaret, has long resented him for foisting the care of his daughter from a previous relationship on her; daughter Rachel – who works two jobs to support the family – has had enough of her stepmother’s disrespect and their son Simeon suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after a stint in the military and is job hunting.
Over a sweltering summer day, the brisk and upbeat façade the family presents to the outside world is about to meet its greatest challenge – each other.
Having Coates play her husband is
Loveoffeedingpeopleleadstosecondrestaurant Kim Roberts stars in ‘GetThatHope’ at Stratford
It is not uncommon for Caribbean children to be raised by their grandparents.
Both parents might have migrated to lay the foundation for a better life for themselves and their offspring.
Sometimes, single moms don’t have the time to give their kids the attention they need because they are too busy doing more than one job to put food on the table.
In Chris Taylor’s case, his maternal great-grandmother took care of him before he left Jamaica to join his mother in the Greater Toronto Area at age 13.
The descendant of Maroons, who came from Halifax and settled in the Blue Mountains in Portland, settled in Kingston.
As a young boy growing up in the Jamaican capital, Taylor spent a lot of time near the charcoal stove watching her cook. He also did a ‘run a boat’, a Jamaican vernacular for cooking food, with other neighbourhood kids.
“One guy was responsible for the chicken, another would get the dumpling and another would get a couple of cans of butter beans,” he recounted. “We did that a lot as kids. I always knew I would be in a career that involved cooking and food.
Taylor and his wife – Aretha Horton-Taylor – opened their second restaurant recently.
Located at 7220 Kennedy Rd. in Markham, Chris Jerk is a 5,000-square foot facility that includes a dine-in experience.
“After a decade as business owners, I felt our customers expected us to do something more than just providing takeout,” said Taylor. “The space made it easier for us to open up for people to come in, sit down and just enjoy what we have to offer which
special for Roberts who has worked with several revered Hollywood personalities, including Maya Angelou, Jackie Chan and Robin Williams.
“I have known Conrad for over 30 years,” she said. “He married my classmate (Canadian blues vocalist/actress Shakura S’Aida) in 1993. Over the years, we have crossed paths on various sets but never had a chance to work together. When it was confirmed that I would play Margaret, he sent me a text saying: ‘Finally’. I am so excited to be paired with him.”
Playing the character reminds Roberts of her Dominican-born mother who was a social worker. She turns 90 this year.
“She raised me and my brother on her own and sometimes she had to be tough,”
the 1996 Harold Award for Theatre recipient said. “The character Margaret that I play can be very tough. Driving around to various appointments with my mom, she would say lines that Margaret says in the play. Though she was tough on me and my brother, there was no question that she loved us. That was the backbone of what got us through life.”
The Stratford Festival is the largest classical repertoire theatre in North America. Just to be in that space performing is magical for Roberts. Even more appealing is to be in a production where all the parts resonated with her.
“It is set in ‘Little Jamaica’ close to where I live, it is about a Jamaican family and it is about all the things I know,” she said. “It is also about the beauty of the neighbourhood and the fact that people don’t move out of that community until they die.”
In her early teens, Roberts attended Stratford for the first time.
“My uncle, who was a banker in New York, came to Canada every year to attend the Festival,” she recalled. “One year, he scooped up me and his kids and brought us here. The play was a Shakespearean classic and the actors were right up there in your face. The level of performance was so high and I was mesmerized by the experience.”
Roberts returned a few years later on a school trip.
Back in the day, it was rare to see a Black actor at Stratford. Since George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, the theatre festival has attempted to become more diverse.
After acknowledging its systemic racism ‘in solidarity with those demonstrating for justice’ after Floyd’s murder while under police arrest in Minnesota, the festival turned over its social media channels for 72 hours to Black artistes and artisans.
Roberts, who guest stars as Ms. Patty in ‘Alert: Missing Persons Unit’ (Episode 205), embraces the positive change.
“When I started out acting 33 years ago, Stratford was the highest theatre you could attain,” she said. “It is quite prestigious and every actor hoped to get picked. Back then, it was not as diverse as they are making an effort for it to be right now. You were hardpressed to find one Black person on stage. We had all these proficient actors who could not get roles because of their skin colour.
“We have come a long way.”
Four of the main plays have Black female leads this year. Besides Roberts, Starr Domingue plays Bea as the lead female in ‘Something Rotten’ which is a musical comedy, Allison Edwards-Crewe has the central role of Innogen in Cymbeline which is the final play from Shakespeare’s First Folio and Vanessa Sears plays Juliet in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’
Roberts would welcome another opportunity to perform at Stratford.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of living here and working with very talented people,” she said. “This is just such a beautiful place to be.”
Ask Roberts where her passion for the creative industry comes from and her eyes light up.
“I think I was born with it,” she said. “My mother loved theatre and, just yesterday, she told me about her cousin, Aunt Judith, who orchestrated plays for younger family members to perform in and entertain the neighbourhood after sunset. My mom grew up embracing theatre and she encouraged me to do the same.”
Roberts took drama classes and, in Grade 2, was selected to be part of The Friendship
is always exceptional. We are also looking to set up an accessible patio during the summer. There is so much potential here.”
The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday.
“Shortly, we want to enhance the client experience by opening on some Sundays for brunch with some form of entertainment for families,” Horton-Taylor said. “We feel that we can connect more with people by doing that. Because we have been so busy over the years with the business, we have missed spending more quality time with our children and families. This will be an opportunity for them to come here and socialize. I am so excited about seeing this
come to fruition.”
Toronto City Councillor Michael Thompson, who was the mastermind behind the creation of The Taste of Lawrence Street Festival two decades ago, attended the grand opening on May 7.
“Chris is an exceptional chef,” he said. “He has a sense of what it means to provide high quality food, particularly West Indian and Jamaican, which he wants people to consume. He brings a special touch to the culinary experience from his amazing team that are part of his mini empire. When someone feeds you, it is the ultimate experience. If you have bad quality food, you remember that. This guy is the type of
person you will never forget because he is about quality, loyalty, family, commitment and excellence.”
Thompson presented a Certificate to the couple to mark the milestone achievement.
“Businesses are an integral part of our socio-economic growth and success,” he added. “It is the result of preparation, determination and hard work of individuals who aim to thrive in a significant market. The opening of this Bistro is an exciting addition and will provide clients with the service they seek.”
Infrastructure manager Phillip Gulab has supported Taylor from the inception.
“I resided close to where he has his first business place and we became close over the years to the point where I would volunteer at his restaurant on weekends,” he said. “The food is excellent, particularly the oxtail and snapper which are my favourites.”
Starting as a dishwasher, Taylor did his apprenticeship at hotels and golf & country clubs and was the executive chef before opening Chris Jerk in 2013 at Birchmount Road and Huntingwood Drive in Scarborough.
“Becoming a business owner never really crossed my mind,” he said. “It morphed into that. I was quite happy to be a chef preparing mouth-watering dishes to the highest standard.”
Horton-Taylor was instrumental in her husband making the bold decision to be an entrepreneur.
“He treated his employers with great respect,” she said. “He also took care of the kitchens he worked in as if they were his
Toronto city councillor MICHAEL THOMPSON (right) presents a certificate to ARETHA and CHRIS TAYLOR at the opening of their Markham Restaurant. Photo by Ron Fanfair
KIM ROBERTS
See ROBERTS Pg. 10
Nembhard embraces challenge to lead Ontario basketball
By RON FANFAIR
Claude Nembhard lost his mother at an early age and didn’t know his father. As if that was not enough, he didn’t have a Black teacher from kindergarten through high school.
No one goes through life without having to overcome hurdles.
“I was never fazed by those things because there was a close-knit circle of family members that I spent quite a lot of time with,” said Nembhard. “I was there while they were playing dominoes and music. I was able to stay true to my culture through them.”
He turned the obstacles into opportunities and has been quite successful.
As Ontario Basketball’s new Chief Executive Officer, Nembhard embraces the challenge of leading basketball in Canada’s largest province at a time when the sport is experiencing unprecedented growth in Canada.
There are about 190 clubs in the province with nearly 18,000 paid members. Of the 25 National Basketball Association (NBA) players in the 2023-24 season, 19 are from Ontario.
“The sport has seen tremendous growth in recent years and I am excited to contribute to its continued development in our communities,” said Nembhard whose
sons, Andrew and Ryan, play in the NBA and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1, respectively.
What is his development roadmap for growing the sport?
“My vision is for Ontario Basketball to be the premier grassroots organization for players, coaches, officials and upper management,” said the former financial adviser. “What that means is that we want everyone in those spaces to reach the next level. When it comes to players, not everyone will get to the NBA or WNBA. We are going to provide pathways for them beyond just playing the sport. They could be coaches, referees or work behind the scenes in video rooms.
“Why not make a living in the sport you have a passion for? The reality is very few will play in the NBA or WNBA.”
Besides helping players advance in the sport, Nembhard acknowledges Ontario Basketball has some responsibility to ensure they receive post-secondary education that will lead to certification to apply for executive positions.
“We will create a foundation to help groups in under-served communities understand there are pathways for them to get to where they want to,” he said. “When I was asked to serve on an interim basis in the role I now occupy, I was nervous as I
was not used to this space. It then dawned on me that I had passed through every program Ontario Basketball provided for me to get to where I am. I did all the work necessary and have the experience.
“I promise we will make a conscious effort to give everyone who wants to stay in this sport and contribute at the highest level an opportunity to do so.”
There are a few Black Canadians in NBA front offices.
Marc Eversley, who attended Cardinal Leger Secondary School in Brampton, was an assistant general manager with the
Toronto Raptors, the Washington Wizards Vice-President of Player Personnel and the Vice-President of the Philadelphia 76ers Player Staff before becoming the Chicago Bulls first Black General Manager in 2020.
Courtney Charles and John Wiggins are Toronto Raptors Vice-Presidents.
Teamwork boosts productivity and Nembhard is relying on the people around him for that essential support.
“We have a very good team here,” the former Ontario Basketball Diversity, Equity & Inclusion chair said. “I see myself as the coach to ensure everyone is on the same page working towards one vision.”
Former Ontario Basketball President Kirk Mark has high expectations for the new CEO and his team. They include engaging local professional/semi-professional teams to assist with grassroots development, ranging from camps to seminars.
“Liaising with K-12 schools on an ongoing basis by providing financial and technical assistance without undue financial hardship, facilitating student-athlete scholarships for youths, especially those in under-served communities, providing equitable spaces for all youth, older athlete and senior athletes inclusive of those in the Master’s category to participate without undue financial burdens and developing See NEMBHARD Pg. 15
Empoweringyouththroughsportandeducation
Around Scotiabank Arena, which is the home of the Toronto Raptors, Vice-President John Wiggins Jr. greets Paul Jones with ‘Hello Coach’ whenever he runs into the team’s longtime broadcaster.
When employees inquire about the greeting, Wiggins quickly reminds them that ‘Jonesy’ was his Grade 7 basketball coach at Arlington Middle School.
Jones spent 22 years with the Toronto District School Board, rising to principal
before taking a two-year leave of absence in 2004 and then resigning two years later to become the Raptors play-by-play voice on the Fan 590 radio broadcasts.
A high school standout at Oakwood Collegiate where he graduated at age 17 which was a year younger than the rest of the graduating class, Jones was the Most Valuable Player on York’s Ontario Universities Athletic Association championship side, a two-time Canadian representative at international tournaments and an assistant coach for three years at Western University where he acquired his Master’s in Sports Psychology.
“Because I was a late developer, I didn’t cut kids,” he said. “We ran our practices like clinics and I taught the fundamentals. I knew who the 10 best players were because they are the ones that played. Just imagine if I had cut John Wiggins. That would have left a bad taste in his mouth.”
After the George Floyd murder in May 2020, Wiggins, who was then Vice President of Raptors 905, the team’s National Basketball Association G League, suggested at a Raptors town hall meeting that the organization and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment could do more to champion social change.
He later sent an e-mail to Raptors President Masai Ujiri indicating some of the things the organization could do to fight racism and that he could be the person to lead that.
Ujiri obliged and Wiggins was hired for a new role – Vice-President of Organizational Culture & Inclusion.
“I am so proud of what John has achieved,” said Jones at the fifth annual Golf for Hoops fundraiser on June 21 at Hidden Lake Golf Club in Burlington.
Because of basketball-related activities, the avid golfer was unable to attend the previous tournaments.
“At this time of year, I have to go to draft workouts and get ready for summer league,” said Jones. “Very early, I put this date in my calendar and committed to this event.” Golf for Hoops is the signature event of Focused Dreams Forward (FDF) founded in 2019 by Wiggins and his sister, Tracy Wiggins, who resides in England.
“Golf is a great way to bring people of different generations together,” Jones said. “I really love what John and his team are doing to raise funds for the empowerment of young people.”
Leon Agyei has supported the charity from the inception.
“I have known John since I was 19 and I believe in his dream and vision of not only creating a bigger purpose here in Canada, but influencing young people in the Caribbean,” said the entrepreneur. “This is something easy for me to support.”
The WIGGINS family, from left, JOHN Jr , RUTH, JOHN Sr and TRACY
CLAUDE NEMBHARD
‘Panazz: TheStory’ documents history of pioneering steelband
By RON FANFAIR
Finbar ‘Barry’ Bartholomew was unprepared for his nephew’s surprise phone call in March 2023.
In a dual degree program at Harvard-Berklee, Adam Bartholomew is studying Molecular & Cellular Biology at Harvard University and Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music.
“He told me about his professor asking the class to select a band that pushed boundaries and changed perspectives after the Second World War and he chose to explore Panazz Players,” the group’s Dublin-born co-founder and co-arranger said.
Formed in 1992, the small steelpan ensemble – whose name is derived from pan and jazz – won four consecutive Pan Ramajay titles and performed at several high-profile events.
They included the Boston Celebrity Series at the Symphony Hall, the World Travel Exposition at Earl’s Court in London, the Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival in Memphis, Tennessee, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, the inaugural Midem Latin America & Caribbean Music Market in Miami Beach in 1997 and for the United Nations in Japan during its 10-year existence.
“Adam was not around because he wasn’t born yet, but he watched a lot of videos and has so much that he is fascinated by the whole thing,” said his uncle.
“When he called me, I was not having a good day and was in no mood to absorb what he was telling me.”
Four days later, the student travelled to Trinidad during Spring Break to start the project.
“He came with a laptop computer and I asked him what was happening,” said the older Bartholomew. “He was very excited, but I was not in the best frame of mind at the time to represent Panazz.”
Before giving his nephew his full attention, the classically trained chef took a shot of vodka.
“That calmed me a bit and Adam started to ask questions about the band,” he said. “As what he was telling me started to
make sense, my interest peaked and I thought I could bring a few people who were with the band for him to interact with and see where that goes.”
In addition to his uncle, the younger Bartholomew interviewed some band members, including tenor player Dane Gultson and pannists Natasha Joseph and Donnell Thomas (he was a seven-year-old playing bass) before returning to Harvard.
In the next four weeks, his
uncle dug up every clipping and video he could get his hands on to enhance the documentary content.
“About a month after I sent the material to him, he called me while I was driving, saying, ‘Uncle Barry, I want you to watch the movie and tell me what you think’,” he recalled. “I asked him what movie he was referring to and his response was ‘I just finished it’. I figured he wanted to surprise me which he did be-
cause I didn’t think he could put all this stuff together so quickly. I was an emotional wreck after watching the first minute. I remember telling him this was too much and I would watch the rest when I get home.”
‘Panazz: The Story’ premiered in Toronto on August 6 to kick off events to commemorate World Steelpan Day activities in the city five days later.
Acknowledging that the steelpan promotes inclusive societies, sustainable communities and the creative economy and can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, gender equality and youth empowerment, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed August 11 World Steelpan Day.
“The declaration of World Steelpan Day last year gave us something to rally around on an annual basis in August and, lately, we have seen the official declaration of the steelpan as the National Musical Instrument of Trinidad & Tobago,” said Tracey Ramsubagh-Mannette, T & T’s Acting Consul General in Toronto. “Pioneering groups like Panazz were and still are the true ambassadors for steelpan. This film allows the legacy to live on.”
The documentary is a captivating tale of the defunct Trinidad & Tobago pan ensemble that produced genre-blending albums and performed in renowned concert halls around the world.
The Panazz Players hit songs include ‘Pull the Bull’, ‘Portrait of Trinidad & Tobago’ and ‘Misty’ which earned them their first Ramajay crown in 1992.
“I grew up listening to the
Brampton’soutdoormemorialatributetoEmancipation
The City of Brampton unveiled its newest permanent outdoor memorial in its Emancipation Park, located south of Highway 407 at 7599 Dixie Road, Brampton last week.
In collaboration with AstroSankofa Arts Initiative, the City of Brampton held an open call for art submissions. Of the 50 submissions received, a selection committee comprising local and regional Black artists along with local leaders in the Black Community of Brampton chose the design submitted by Kanisha Dabreo, founder of Artistic Perception (Brampton) for her art installation titled, “Fah-who-dis? AstroBlack Joy!”
“This artwork stands as a symbol of hope and the unbreakable spirit of our community,” says Dabreo, the project’s lead artist. “With the unveiling of Fah-whodis? Astro-Black Joy? we honour the legacy of those who fought tirelessly for freedom and justice, and we commemorate their strength and resilience.
Through visual storytelling, its presence underscores the significance of acknowledging and
commemorating our history, resilience and contributions of past and present while envisioning and collaboratively working toward a future founded on equity and justice.
“Stand with pride knowing you are a part of this rich history.”
Dabreo’s winning submission was a collaborative effort with fellow artists Jason O’Brien, Jamera DaCosta and Komi Olafimihan. Additional design assistance was provided by four local aspiring youth creatives Malachi Watson-Narcisse, Rihanna G., AY Johnson, and Denee Rudder. The project’s artist team mentored them.
“Fah-who-dis? AstroBlack Joy!” is composed of two structures that are meant to symbolize a dialogue. Standing 10ft wide and 10ft high, the south-west structure represents the “Global South” (pre-1867). The northeast structure signifies Canada where emancipation was actualized. Both structures share a famous quote by Marcus Garvey, split into two, emphasizing the responsibility and empowerment tied to emancipation: “Emanci-
pate yourself from mental slavery,” and “None but ourselves
held a local community consultation on February 29, 2024. From this meeting, the winning art project’s themes were decided: unity, empowerment, Black liberation, resilience as well as the legacy and connections to Marcus Garvey and his Black empowerment efforts; and Caribbean emancipation legacies (www.youtube.com/ watch?v=QQx8cvFXxJ4).
About Dabreo’s Afrofuturistic installation, Quentin VerCetty, founder and director of AstroSankofa Arts Initiative says, “There is no future without acknowledging the work, the fight and everything that our ancestors went through.”
“We are thrilled to unveil AstroBlack Joy as a part of Brampton’s public art collection,” says Kelly Stahl, Director, Cultural Services, City of Brampton. “This memorial embodies the collaborative spirit of our community and the incredible talent of our artists. It is a vibrant and thought-provoking piece that will inspire conversations and reflections on Emancipation Day and beyond.”
The Panazz Players. (Photo contributed)
can free our minds.” AstroSankofa
KANISHA DABREO and the artistic team behind the new installation at Brampton Emancipation Park, ‘FAH WHO DIS…ASTROBLACK JOY’
Roberts ‘has that star quality that nobody can learn’
Circle – a group of young singers and dancers directed by Lois Lilienstein of Sharon, Lois & Bram, and her partner Louise.
The ensemble toured locally, singing folk songs at schools and festivals.
“We taught songs and dances and performed at Mariposa,” she said. “So even at a young age, I was having fun, enjoying something I love doing.”
After attending a drama lab at age 12 at the University of Toronto and graduating from C.W. Jeffreys Collegiate Institute, Roberts – who spent time in Earl Haigh Secondary School’s gifted program and was in Claude Watson School for the Arts
Acting stream – was at Western University for two years, majoring in Political Science with aspirations to become a lawyer.
In need of credits because of skipped classes, she took a summer course at York University taught by the Chair of the Theatre department and then transferred to the university.
Golftournamentraisesfundstoempoweryouth
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 8
St. Lucia’s Consul General in Toronto, Henry Mangal, led a five-member team in the tournament.
Wiggins parents are immigrants from the eastern Caribbean island.
“Targeting specifically Caribbean countries, including St. Lucia, the foundation is doing good work,” said the diplomat whose brother, Tim Mangal, is a golf pro. “He encouraged me to take part and assisted me in putting together a team.”
The other team members were Charmaine Williams, Brent Celestine, John Verneuil and Ed Rock.
The annual tournament has raised over $50,000 to empower youth through sport and education.
“These funds are literally transporting us to the Caribbean through our certified Canadian coaches,” said John Wiggins. “The money is used to purchase equipment, tools and the development pieces we use when we are there. Every kid gets a ball and every coach gets a development package. We also support local businesses in the Caribbean by buying food and other supplies from them. It also allows us to take what we do best and impact both the young people and the community leaders in the region by sharing our knowledge and expertise. The funds are going directly back to every island we visit.”
He said the organization’s aim is for the Caribbean to be seen more than just a holiday destination.
“The region is populated by youth with high potential who are historically neglected and without the access and network to positively change their outlook,” Wiggins said.
“Our intention is to get to every country in the Caribbean and see how we can help them.”
Wiggins and his team were in Trinidad last February, delivering camps and education programs.
“We believe that sport provides so much more than just a game,” he added. “It fosters resilience and a sense of belonging, teaching life lessons both on and off the court. Sport has the power to inspire youth and unite communities.”
Through its virtual mentorship program, GAME Plan, certified Canadian-Caribbean youth mentors with an interest in sport are matched with Caribbean youth participants. There were nearly 120 participants at this year’s golf tournament.
For Tracy Wiggins who graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science in Toxicology and King’s College London with a Master of Science in Pharmacology, the growth is pleasing.
From 40 participants in the inaugural year, the numbers have increased steadily and approximately 30 per cent are women.
“This shows that people want to do more and they want to be able to connect with their own culture and roots or be proper allies,” said the management consultancy firm’s associate director. “I think that is why we have such a diverse group of people.”
As of next year, the event will bear the name of the family patriarch, John Wiggins Sr.
“Our dad is a quiet king,” said his son. “He deserves to have his name embodied in that kind of legacy. He has given a lot without receiving recognition.”
John Wiggins Sr. and his wife Ruth Wig-
In her first year, Roberts met Diane Roberts who became The Company of Sirens stage manager.
“Diane suggested I audition for a play directed by ahdri zhina mandiela,” she said. “I met ahdri’s daughter who played Chantay Black in ‘Degrassi’ and she took a liking to me. She asked if I could do a piece which I did and ahdri, who was very impressed, requested I start right away.”
A co-founder of Obsidian Theatre Company started in her home, Roberts narrated and performed ‘The Book of Negroes’ for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s podcast ‘Between the Covers’
While shooting ‘In the Company of Spies’ in 1999, she became one of the first actors to shoot a scene inside CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
gins are big supporters of FDF and the golf fundraiser which they attended.
“From a legacy standpoint, it is important to pay forward when it comes to our culture,” said John Wiggins. “Our parents have done a lot to teach us about Caribbean culture and history, to connect us to where they came from and why they are the way they are.”
Ruth Wiggins was a York School Board and Toronto District School Board community liaison officer.
“Having mom as a role model without even knowing what that was, meant that everything was available,” said Tracy Wiggins. “If you worked hard and had an idea, you could do it; she never looked for excuses not to do something.
“Though John has my dad’s first name, I am still dad’s little girl and I cherish that. Our parents have given us a strong sense of identity and we are proud of who we are. Everything here is about family. It has always been about the four of us and that is what makes us strong.”
A donation of $55 will give a young person the ball they need to get into the game, a $100 donation will provide a youth with a mentor that increases their academic engagement and a donation of $200 will give a youth a camp to build on life skills that can develop sport.
Donors contributing $20 or more will receive an electronic tax receipt.
Donations to FDF can be made through https://www.focuseddreamsforward.org/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63658d0d2ff5e829c3167544. FANFAIR
It was the first and only movie the CIA approved. In addition to allowing the filmmakers to shoot at their headquarters, they provided 60 off-duty employees to serve as extras.
With over 200 credits in the last three decades, Roberts has enjoyed a lengthy and distinguished career.
What has been the highlight?
“Working consistently,” she said without hesitation. “There has never been a time when I was not working and I am grateful for that. Maybe, being single is what has kept me propelled. I am always doing something interesting.”
In 2014, Roberts received a Reelworld Trailblazer Award.
Tonya Williams, the film festival’s founder, said the veteran actress is a dynamo.
“Kim has that star quality that no one can learn,” she said. “You have it or you don’t and she has it in spades. She has talent oozing from every pore. From the minute she walks into a room, appears on camera or steps onto the stage, the eyes of the audience train to her and her alone. She has single-handedly carved out a career that only she could have.”
Williams noted that Roberts redefined beauty and sexiness in an industry that claimed skinny is the only way.
“She unapologetically owned her voluptuous body and proved to the world that this stereotype is false,” added the 2023 Changemaker Award recipient. “I am thrilled that Stratford has welcomed Kim and is presenting her to a new audience that will be entertained by this amazing actress.”
Chef wanted to do something different for customers
own. I thought if he was this good doing this for others, why not do it for yourself? My mom told me to get an education and, if possible, work for yourself because nobody can take that from you. I felt that Chris was at a stage where he would be far better off if he were on his own instead of toiling in other kitchens.”
To prepare for the new challenge, Taylor took a few culinary and business courses and found mentors, including former Mississauga Board of Trade’s executive chef Frederick Roberts who owns Freddy’s Kitchen in Mississauga.
Born in St. Thomas, Jamaica, he came to Canada at age 10.
“Fred is someone I admire and tried to follow his footsteps,” he said. “For the most part, the mentors did not tell me what to do or what I should not do. They gave me the space to observe what they were doing. That along with trial and error enhanced my culinary skills.”
While working at Me Va Me which specializes in Mediterranean dishes, Taylor learned how to build a Shawarma.
“I remember Chris saying how cool it would be to do a Jerk Shawarma and I told him not tell anyone else about his ideas,” said his wife. “I wanted him to get a restaurant and do his thing. Of course, you have to make money to run a successful business. Chris understands that, but there is something about feeding people and seeing them enjoy their meal that fulfils him.”
After about 18 months co-owning a restaurant, Taylor took the plunge. The majority of the money from the split was
used to open their first restaurant 11 years ago during the ice storm that paralyzed most of the city.
Starting a business involves risks. It also requires a lot of planning, dedication and hard work as the Taylors found out.
“We did a lot of the groundwork to get it up and running,” Horton-Taylor said. “At the start, we tried to figure out how many customers we had to get every month to make the rent. Once we reached that threshold, we were able to relax just a little bit. We worked around the clock. After finishing cleaning up around 2 in the morning, we were back at it about three hours later preparing for that day.”
The Jerk Chicken Shawarma served on poutine with regular or sweet potato fries is the restaurant’s signature dish.
Oxtail, curry goat, jerk salmon, snapper and kingfish served with basmati rice and steamed vegetables along with vegetarian meals, including callaloo or steamed vegetables with curried chicken peas or just a wrap are popular menu items.
“I wanted to do something different,” said Taylor. “I don’t feel that every Jamaican restaurant has to be the same.”
Married nearly 26 years ago, their first meeting in the summer of 1995 at a downtown club was fortuitous.
“I am not a party person, but my friend begged me to accompany her,” Horton-Taylor recalled. “Chris was there helping his friend promote an upcoming party.”
Invited to hang out at his Rexdale apartment after their first meeting, Horton-Taylor instantly fell in love with his food.
“Honestly, it was so delicious,” she said. “When he said his dream was to have his
own food business, I suggested he could get a jerk drum and sell jerk chicken on Friday nights to people who hung out around his Martingrove Rd. & Finch Ave. W. housing complex.”
Horton-Taylor also kept her promise to be his first customer.
In a diverse city like Toronto where there is a demand for multicultural food, Taylor feels there is an opportunity for Black boys to thrive if they choose to enter the culinary profession.
In fact, he created a tagline, ‘Tongs over Guns’.
“That’s a program I want to get off the ground where I can teach them how to use tongs to cook,” said Taylor. “They will get jobs because there is always a need for a good chef. Some of them can even go on to become owners of restaurants. Far too many of our boys are out there throwing away their lives instead of finding something productive to do.”
Interestingtimes,indeed
Here, at home, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tenure as leader of the Liberal Party appears to be facing some challenges, especially since the loss of the St. Paul’s byelection in Toronto. He has however indicated that he plans to take the party into the next election. Polls and pundits seem to indicate that he will be replaced as prime minister after the next election by the Conservative Party’s Pierre Poilievre, who appears to be an empty shell.
Then, there is our favourite premier, Doug Ford, whose position as premier on some current issues seems to be: “I want to move the Science Centre to Ontario Place. Oh, you oppose that idea? Well, it’s going to
happen. In fact, I’m going to close it down now because it’s in disrepair. How do you like them apples?
“Oh, and one more thing, I’m going to make booze and beer available at your corner store. Isn’t that nice of me? Hey, I’m premier. I can do whatever I want.”
Interesting times, indeed.
Finally, there is one good news that emerged during the last few weeks. York University awarded the publisher and editor of Share, Arnold Auguste, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Big congratulations, Arnold. This publication has meant, and continue to mean, a lot to the community. It is to say: We are here too!
Email: patrick.hunter11@gmail.com
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 6
August
11 - 17, 2024
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Emotions and money won’t mix well on the 11th and 12th. Legal and medical matters will require you to get a second opinion or to have someone you trust take notes and offer advice or a different perspective regarding the information you receive. You’ll get an embellished version of a situation on the 13th, 14th and 15th. Keep busy; physical activity will help blow off steam. Say no to temptation and yes to educational pursuits and gaining experience that will help you define your purpose and direction. Take care of business on the 16th and 17th before participating in social events. You’ll enjoy your downtime more without stressing over unfinished business. A heart-to-heart talk will put your mind at ease.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): On the 11th and 12th, take time to develop a plan. Refrain from rushing into something if uncertainty haunts you. Pay more attention to dialogue and gestures when in social settings. Someone will give you a reason to worry or question, pointing you toward a favourable corridor. Rethink offers, investments and medical suggestions on the 13th, 14th and 15th. Joint ventures are not likely to pan out. Don’t share personal information or buy into someone’s sob story or plea for support. Say no to temptation and abide by the rules. Be quick to devise an innovative alternative on the 16th and 17th if you aren’t happy with the options available. Take control and do what serves you best. Romance is on the rise.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Ask questions on the 11th and 12th and consider options before you let anyone guilt you into donating or participating in an event. Pick and choose your venues and associates carefully and gravitate toward like-minded people, not those trying to take advantage of you. Partnerships will require attention on the 13th, 14th and 15th. Before you overreact or let your emotions run the show, establish your position and how it will influence your lifestyle or prospects. Refuse to let anyone play mind games with you. Gather the facts and stick to what works best for you. Get out on the 16th and 17th; socialize, share your thoughts and inch forward with your plans. Details will be important.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Beautify and satisfy on the 11th and 12th. Make your surroundings comfortable; relax and enjoy what you have worked so hard to achieve. Share your stories with people you love, reflect on the good and positive in your life, and distance yourself from negative thoughts and people who bring you down. Tidy up loose ends on the 13th, 14th and 15th. Update documents, deal with bureaucracy and institutions, and get the lowdown regarding options and accessibility. Make romance, family, comfort and convenience your priorities. Address issues that cause problems at home or work on the 16th and 17th. It may be necessary to combine business with pleasure to please everyone.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): On the 11th and 12th, walk away from impossible situations and find your happy place. By distancing yourself, you will discover how to readdress issues positively. Learn from the experience, and it will discourage a repeat performance. Follow your heart and do something on the 13th, 14th and 15th that is effective, within your means, and helps someone or a cause you feel indebted to support. A kind gesture will improve your profile and encourage you to let go of what’s holding you back or bringing you down. Evaluate emotional situations before you act on the 16th and 17th. Absorb information and verify facts first, and you’ll avoid a costly mistake. Once you gain clarity of a situation, you’ll be most effective.
benefits others more than you. Say no to temptation and yes to self-preservation. Take a breather on the 16th and 17th and do something that makes you feel good about yourself. Live in the moment, learn something new or promise to treat yourself more respectfully.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Think big on the 11th and 12th but proceed cautiously. Your enthusiasm will draw support; however, if you take on more than you can handle, you’ll fall short of your expectations. Learn from experts and let their experiences and mistakes help you advance. Discussions will lead to opportunities on the 13th, 14th and 15th. Open your mind to the possibilities and suggestions but implement only what’s affordable. Refuse to let anyone back you into a corner or take advantage of you. Short trips, educational pursuits and observation will help you stay on track. Think before you act on the 16th and 17th. Change what’s necessary, and when you act, do so for the right reason. Focus on home, family, comfort and peace of mind.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Enhance your skills and attributes on the 11th and 12th to fit today’s market. What you discover and the people you meet will change how you do things and perceive yourself moving forward. An optimistic attitude will rub off on those you encounter. There is likely to be a discrepancy on the 13th, 14th and 15th between what you think you’re responsible for and what others expect of you. Ask questions, take notes and get written agreements to protect yourself and your reputation. Once you’ve established a result, let your imagination and skills complete your mission. Energy and emotion combined on the 16th and 17th will get you where you want to go. Take a deep breath and carry on until you finish what you start.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Size up situations and be direct about what you want on the 11th and 12th. Refuse to let anyone intervene or coax you to take on something that doesn’t interest you. Incorporate change that makes your life easier and offers comfort and joy. Listen carefully on the 13th, 14th and 15th. Take nothing for granted, and don’t hold back if you aren’t happy with what transpires. Being accommodating will give someone the green light to take advantage of you. Walk away; anger will turn an emotional incident into a battle if it escalates. Take care of personal matters on the 16th and 17th. Assess how you manage your money, health and time to ensure you don’t fall short or miss an opportunity to flourish.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-January 19): Weigh the pros and cons along with the costs on the 11th and 12th before you sign up for something unfamiliar. Don’t rely on second-hand information; go directly to the source and decide what’s legitimate or worthwhile. Keep a low profile on the 13th, 14th and 15th. Your best behaviour will be necessary when dealing with institutions or authority figures. Stick to the truth, and enforce discipline when temptation comes your way. Keep your ideas and investments a secret. You can make some smooth moves on the 16th and 17th if you listen, observe and put your plans in motion. Regarding health and affairs of the heart, avoiding reckless courage is best. Know when to say no.
ed on the 16th and 17th. Get a quote in writing and do extensive research to ensure there are no hidden costs before you begin.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t waste time on trivialities or nonsense on the 11th and 12th. Put your heart and soul into something that moves and motivates you to do your best and to follow your dreams. Keep life simple, be direct and avoid temptation. Be careful what you share and with whom on the 13th, 14th and 15th; someone will embellish what you have to say and get you in trouble. Discipline is necessary if you want to avoid conflicts and maintain a stellar reputation. Put your energy where it will benefit most on the 16th and 17th. You can make a difference without breaking the bank by offering your skills or time instead of cash.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Tie up loose ends on the 11th and 12th, and it will give you freedom to explore possibilities. A change will boost your ego and give you the confidence to turn your ideas into something tangible. Refuse to let anyone discourage or steal your thunder. It’s your turn to shine. An opportunity someone offers on the 13th, 14th and 15th will be an illusion. Don’t fall for the hype or let compliments woo you into something that
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Wait for emotions to settle down before you act on the 11th and 12th. Timing is everything; if you are too quick or slow, you’ll slip between the cracks and miss an opportunity. Pay attention to detail and be on high alert. You can reach out for support on the 13th, 14th and 15th, but be ready to do the work yourself. Put your energy where it counts, and don’t rely on anyone to do as much as you. A change at home will play in your favour if you offer someone an incentive for their service. Personal improvements or updates will cost more than anticipat-
UNIVERSAL SUNDAY CROSSWORD
Proud to part of an extraordinary community
“TMU always challenges the status quo with bold and innovative action, responding to the needs of learners in an ever-changing world,” said Chin-Loy Chang who is a Toronto International Film Festival and BlackNorth Initiative Board director. “I look forward to this role and am proud to be part of an extraordinary community that truly values experience, equity and reconciliation.”
She served on the Faculty of Community Services Dean Advisory Board and was a member of the university’s renaming committee.
Becoming Chancellor is a full circle moment for ChinLoy Chang who has honorary degrees from TMU and the University of the West Indies (UWI).
While enrolled at the university, she wrote for the campus newspaper and worked part-time in the admissions office.
“This was quite an eye-opener about students and other learning institutions,” Chin-Loy Chang recalled. “Part of my job was filing and cross-referencing student admissions. I found out that even with first degrees, people wanted to attend an institution that prepared them for the real world.”
Seeking employment after graduation, she often visited a Manpower staffing agency.
“One day while there and inquiring if anything had come up that fitted my resume, the staffing officer told me: ‘I have this one thing, but you need to have a Caribbean background’,” said Chin-Loy Chang. “I looked at the lady and asked: ‘Where do you think I am from?’ I had become her friend, but she had no idea where I was from.”
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In her three years at Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio as a freelancer, she conducted interviews with several prominent personalities, including Ontario Black History Society co-founder Dr. Daniel Hill who served as the province’s third Ombudsman.
That interview was memorable.
“When I asked him if his
appointment would be seen as a token, his response was ‘My dear, you need a token to ride the subway’,” she said. “I thought that is deep, but I got it.”
When an opportunity arose in 1984 to return to Jamaica, Chin-Loy Chang jumped at it.
Ruder Finn & Rotman, one of America’s largest and most respected public relations firm, headhunted her for their client, The Jamaican government.
Assigned to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), she reported to late executive director Winnifred ‘Winnie’ Risden-Hunter who was also late Prime Minister Edward Seaga’s press secretary.
Chin-Loy Chang went on to become head of JIS Radio, setting policies and guidelines and settling issues.
While enjoying being back home with her parents (mom was on the island then), she had to contend with resentment from staff members, some of whom believed she was there to take their jobs.
“A few didn’t understand why a ‘foreigner’ was brought in,” she said. “A very senior and well-educated person questioned why I didn’t have children. Despite this, I loved what I was doing. In retrospect, I learned a lot during my time there and I am happy I got the opportunity to go back to the Caribbean.”
After her three-year contract with JIS concluded, ChinLoy Chang spent three years heading Musson Jamaica’s marketing department and freelanced with Dunlop Corbin Compton before launching Donette Chin Loy & Associates.
“Life was great,” she said. “I was more or less resigned to singlehood. My life was enmeshed with the lives of clients who always needed one more cocktail party or opening event when you were organizing dozens for clients.”
Shortly after her father’s death in 1998, Chin-Loy Chang met Ray Chang at a St. George’s College event in downtown Kingston. He graduated from St. George’s in 1966 and studied Engineering briefly at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York before coming to Toronto in 1967.
“Two family friends, who went to St. George’s, were staying at our home and one of them invited me to the event,” the former UWI Faculty of Mass Communications Visiting Lecturer said. “After declining the invitation at first, I later accepted and insisted I would drive. He told me that his friend, Ray, would pick us up and I agreed.”
When Chang failed to show up an hour after the pick-up time, Chin-Loy Chang drove them to the event.
“During dinner, this tall good-looking man walked in and I was instantly bowled over by his smile, a smile that somehow communicated ‘I own the room’,” she said. “But you know, in a nice way. Over the ensuring years, I would be smitten by that smile and that presence which never
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 6
The jury acquitted the Andrews men on May 19, 1801. Mary Andrews (the wife of Samuel Andrews Sr.) was also indicted but was not tried.
This history of brutality against enslaved Africans in Canada is not well known. Many Canadians do not know why August 1 is a national holiday. We need Critical Race Theory taught in Canadian secondary and post-secondary institutions.
The United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD 2015-2024) was declared in 2014 – with the themes Recognition, Justice and Development with the overall goal – to promote and protect human rights.
In October 2016, the UN “Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent” visited Canada. They met with non-governmental organizations, academics, federal and provincial government agencies including Global Affairs, Statistics Canada, Immigration, Public Safety, RCMP, National Defence, Correctional Services and the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
In August 2017, their report included 41 recommendations related to education, employment, housing, healthcare, justice systems and policing of African Canadians.
The report concluded: “Despite Canada’s reputation for promoting multiculturalism and diversity and the positive measures taken to address racial discrimination, the Working Group is deeply concerned about the human rights situation of African Canadians.
“Canada’s history of enslavement, racial segregation
sucked the air out of the room, but rather gave everyone oxygen to breathe. Ray was self-assured, shy and, if you can believe, six feet tall.
“You don’t find that many tall Jamaican Chiney man.”
In 2000, Chin-Loy Chang returned to Canada to join Chang who was Chair of the then third largest mutual funds company in Canada.
One thing they shared in common was their generosity.
Frugal on himself to the point that he preferred Winners label suits to tailored outfits and Comfort Inn hotels over five-star lodgings, Chang donated millions to charitable causes.
Raised by a family that embraces philanthropy, his widow ‘gives until it hurts’.
Chin-Loy Chang often relates the story of a young man showing up at her father’s business, asking for a job.
‘Have you eaten?’ were the first words out of dad’s mouth,” said the Co-Patron of the UWI Toronto Benefit Awards. “After feeding the man, he hired the guy and paid for his boxing lessons because he loved the sport. He lived above our recording studio and became our family’s bodyguard before migrating to the United States where he managed a boutique hotel.”
That episode had a profound impact on Chin-Loy Chang.
“What is the point of having the ability and resources and not sharing to make other people better,” the former Food for the Poor Canada Co-Chair said. “I saw my parents and grandmother giving back to individuals and then to communities, so giving back has been embedded in my psyche. They treated everyone equally. Giving is second nature and getting is never expected because it is in the giving that you create joy, satisfaction and love, seeing another person thrive.”
In 2000, Chin-Loy Chang collaborated with fellow TMU alumna Lucy La Grassa to establish La Grassa Chin Loy Communications that is now defunct.
“Donette was a whirlwind of enthusiasm and curiosity when we met in first year Journalism at TMU,” said the former CBC Radio Canada International reporter who is an entrepreneur and consultant. “She taught me about patois, Jamaican rum, jerk chicken and authentic Chinese cuisine. There was a ‘newness’ about university life that we shared and explored together.
“Whether it was working on a broadcast story, a magazine article or being on the same newspaper masthead, we were both driven by success and ambition and TMU was our gateway.
“Her love and appreciation for what TMU gave us has never wavered.”
and marginalization has had a deleterious impact on people of African descent, which must be addressed in partnership with communities.”
As we meander through the last year of the IDPAD we need to reflect on where we go from here, 190 years after our ancestors gained freedom from the brutal institution of chattel slavery.
We must educate and organize.
tiakoma@hotmail.com
Documentary tells the history of pioneering steelband
music,” said the younger Bartholomew who plays the cello, pan and piano. “I heard all the stories of the band from Uncle Barry and other family members. When the assignment was given for the class I was taking to choose a musical artiste or ensemble that has pushed boundaries in society, my mind went to Panazz because I knew of their impact in taking pan music across the globe and helping to elevate the status of our national instrument.
“With my uncle having all the rights to the music made it easy for me to do this documentary.”
A few weeks before getting the class project, he attended a concert at Boston Symphony Hall featuring British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and shared some of the photos in his family’s group chat.
“When Uncle Barry told me for the first time that Panazz played in that hall, I was blown away,” said the former Fatima College student who participated in the annual Ceol Na Mara Summer School for Strings program at Kylemore Abbey in Ireland in 2018 and 2019. “Being in that prestigious hall and knowing Panazz performed there made me realize the ensemble was different. To make a documentary about them was not only necessary, but really special for me.”
The recipient of the 2022 College of Our Lady of Fatima Cup awarded to the student that best exemplifies the school’s
ideals received an ‘A’ for the class project.
Anne Shreffler, a Professor of Music at Harvard, met the young man when he took her Music History Class – Music Since 1945: Contested Boundaries, Alternate Visions – in last year’s spring semester.
“In the course, we examine music that pushes boundaries and innovates, whether breaking the mould or building on tradition,” she said. “Adam was only a freshman and the class was geared to upper-level and music majors. He, however, has such extraordinary musical skills that he did great in the course.”
Shreffler encourages students to choose original topics for their final project which can be in multi-media formats as well as prose.
“For his final project, Adam chose to do a video documentary of Panazz which he has expanded to create the final version that we now know,” she said. “But the version he prepared for my course was already quite polished. It was one of the most impressive undergraduate projects I have seen in 21 years teaching at Harvard.”
The former American Musicological Society Vice-President saw the screening of the final version of ‘Panazz: The Story’ at Harvard’s Adams House last November.
“I love how Adam’s documentary highlights the achievements of the amazing steel pan band and weaves it into his family story,” added Shreffler.
The older Bartholomew is still in awe.
“I did not expect that level of professionalism from Adam,” the documentary’s Producer/Co-Director said. “The editing was amazing and the chronological order was almost perfect.”
Making its premiere at the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival last September, the documentary won the People’s Choice Award.
It was refined and remastered with a release that started the Diaspora Carnival screenings in Boston last June. It will be screened in London later this month.
Toronto-based Actor/Director Rhoma Spencer saw the documentary in Trinidad last year.
“I have known of Panazz as the only steelband ensemble in Trinidad & Tobago that was doing jazz and putting their improvisational spin on this music while touring internationally,” she said. “Through the documentary, I have learned so much more about the group. I feel they are responsible for steelpan music becoming popular in Japan because they also taught it in schools there. This was a very professional outfit that demanded the best in return for stellar performances. Seeing the documentary was a learning experience. This is a feelgood story about a steelpan ensemble coming out of T & T that the Caribbean Diaspora in Canada needs to see.”
Spencer founded the Canadian-Caribbean Arts Network (C-CAN) that, with Borden Place and iFEED, are presenting the Toronto premiere.
This was the first time the documentary was presented in surround sound.
The older Bartholomew was in Toronto for the screening while his nephew attended virtually.
It was his first time back in Canada after spending a year in Montreal in the late 1960s with family members, including his late father, Dr. Courtenay Bartholomew, who did a Gastroenterology fellowship at Royal Victoria Hospital at McGill University where he was an external examiner.
The eminent scientist/physician, who died three years ago at age 89, diagnosed the first case of AIDS in the English-speaking Caribbean in 1983.
“Dad was an inspiration for the formation of Panazz,” he said. “He had a huge jazz collection and he hosted jazz get-togethers in the family’s living room with the late Sir Ellis Clarke (T & T’s first President) and other friends. Our pan yard was at the back of his office.”
Dr. Courtenay Bartholomew was the nephew of Dr. Ethelbert Bartholomew who was one of 15 Black medical students – the majority from the Caribbean – expelled from Queen’s University Faculty of Medicine in 1918.
In 2019, the university formally apologized to the students and Bartholomew – who completed the first three years and was succeeding in his fourth which was the last of the academic years – was awarded a posthumous degree 101 years after he was expelled.
NembhardrightpersontoleadOntariobasketball
basketball parent councils to assist with the development and implementation of relevant programs are some of the things I think could assist with the growth of the sport in the province,” added the retired Toronto Catholic District School Board administrator.
Under Mark’s leadership in the late 1980s and early 1990s, three-on-three basketball developed in the province and the 6’ 4” league evolved with NBA Hall-of-Famer Bob Cousy holding tryouts at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus. His executive also facilitated the rise of the NBA in Toronto.
An Ontario Basketball Board member for five years, Nembhard also served as interim director during the COVID-19 pandemic before stepping into the CEO role.
“It is an exciting time for basketball, not only in this province but the country,” said Ontario Basketball Board member Ryan Xavier. “OBA are the leaders in grassroots development in Canada and I am thrilled that with the hiring of Nembhard, we will be able to elevate this organization to new heights.”
As part of Ontario Basketball’s new strategic direction, the organization has reinstated the Provincial Advisory Council which is expected to enhance the game’s growth in the province. The group includes Canada Basketball President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Bartlett, Tony Simms who represented Canada at the 1984 Olympic Games and longtime Raptors broadcaster Paul Jones.
“Canada Basketball is excited to continue collaborating with Ontario Basketball and all our Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization partners across Canada,” said Bartlett. “With Claude and his staff, we will continue to work together to achieve our shared ambition of developing athletes,
coaches and officials while ensuring the game of basketball is the most unified, inclusive and safe sport in Canada.”
Though Nembhard was a first year cut at York University, most of his life has revolved around the sport.
With the birth of his sons, basketball became an obsession.
“I am blessed to have two boys who love the game,” said Nembhard.
Andrew Nembhard, who was drafted in the second round by the Indiana Pacers in 2022, caught his father’s attention while in Canada Basketball’s Junior Academy Program.
“He was in Grade Seven and one of the better players and I thought I should try to get a scholarship for him,” said Nembhard, who was a standout basketball player and Student Council member at York Mills Collegiate Institute.
On summer visits to Boston where his brother-in-law (Sean McCann captained the Harvard Hockey team and was taken first in the defunct supplemental draft by Florida Panthers before becoming a Harvard assistant coach) resided with his family, Nembhard envisioned his sons attending the Ivy League school.
“But as they progressed and got better at the sport, it became a secondary goal even though we made sure that their academic marks didn’t drop,” he said.
Last season, Andrew averaged 14.9 points and 5.6 assists in the playoffs while his younger brother is going into his senior season at Gonzaga University.
A big fan of Canadian Cory Joseph who was a first-round NBA draft pick in 2011, Nembhard tried to pattern his older son’s game after the former Toronto Raptors point guard.
“When I first came on the basketball scene, Cory and his brother Devoe were at
Pickering High School and everyone was talking about Devoe,” he said. “I saw an OFSSA game they played against Sacred Heart and Devoe was hitting three-pointers from everywhere in the gym. Cory, on the other hand, was doing everything. He was boxing out and making the right plays. I modelled Andrew’s game after him.”
Always seeking the best coaching for his sons, Nembhard gravitated to programs that supported his children.
Asked about some of the people on whose shoulders he stands, Lionel and Michelle Howell were the first names mentioned.
Nembhard coached the Vaughan Panthers Rep team affiliated with Vaughan Basketball Association founded 18 years ago by Lionel Howell Jr. who passed away in August 2019.
“Lionel and his wife (Michelle) were very good to me,” he recalled. “They allowed me to do what I wanted to do with the program. That was where I got my feet wet.”
At Vaughan Secondary School where he also coached, Nembhard met Gus Gymnopoulos who coached his two sons and Canadian NBA players Andrew Wiggins and Nickeil Alexander-Walker when they attended that school.
“Gus is a great coach and mentor to me,” he said. “I learned a lot from him.”
Dave Smart, one of Canada’s most successful college basketball coaches, along with Kevin Boyle and Mark Few who coached his sons at Montverde Academy and Gonzaga respectively, are
also high on the list of people he admires and respects.
“My kids have been blessed to be around the best,” said Nembhard. “That is what I want to bring to Ontario Basketball. If we can’t do it, let’s find the best to help us do it for the membership. I have been around a lot of good people in this space and I have used them to help myself and my kids.”
Raised in North York and Mississauga, Nembhard and his wife, Mary, met when he worked part-time at Canada Trust.
They moved to Aurora on January 15, 2000.
The date is etched in his memory because his wife’s water broke that night and Andrew was born the next day.
Married for 25 years, she is the rock of the family.
“I coached a lot when our sons were younger and I was out a lot, but I always had the boys with me and she was very supportive,” said Nembhard who attended most of his older son’s NBA playoff games this year. “When it came to schoolwork and discipline, she ensured that our children didn’t slip up. This would not have worked without her.”
