The Christmas Holidays allow us to pause and reflect as we mark the birth of our Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. It is also an opportunity to reflect on our blessings as we look forward to the new year. Merry Christmas to our readers, advertisers and supporters. See Editorial on page 6. Cover photo by Arnold A. Auguste
By HOLLINSWORTH AUGUSTE
The Ontario New Democratic Party (ONDP), serving as the province’s Official Opposition, celebrated the launch of the Rosemary Brown Racial Justice Awards with a reception at Queen's Park recently.
The event brought together community leaders, activists, politicians and supporters to honour the remarkable life and legacy of Rosemary Brown while highlighting ongoing efforts to combat racial discrimination in Ontario.
Formerly known as the J.S. Woodsworth Human Rights and Equity Awards, the program was renamed to commemorate Brown, a trailblazer whose lifelong dedication to fighting sexism, racism and poverty continues to inspire.
Brown’s advocacy transcended national borders, championing women’s political, economic and social advancement globally, especially in developing nations.
Elise Aymer, co-chair of the ONDP Ethno-Racial Equity Committee, welcomed
attendees and introduced the awards. She emphasized their profound significance in celebrating those who tirelessly combat racism.
"The awards are really important and, for me personally, they're usually quite moving," she said. "Often people are doing this work unsung... it brings a tear to my
eye to see just the joy in the
the support from their communities."
By RON FANFAIR
History is a study of the past and a recognition of those who have made lasting contributions.
As the first Black professor to receive the Governor General’s History Award for Scholarly Research, Dr. Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey (Nii Laryea Osabu I, Atrékor Wé Oblahii kè Oblayéé Mantsè) marked the notable event by having retired Justice of the Peace Arthur Downes accompany him to the celebration in Winnipeg last month.
“He is a beloved friend, confidante and comrade,” said the first-generation high school attendant and graduate. “It was important for me to share the occasion with him and, by extension, our African Canadian elders to whom Canadian society denied basic rights that it afforded other groups, ensuring their social mobility on one hand and our marginalization on the other.”
The son of Caribbean immigrants, 97-year-old Downes was also a Humber College lecturer and Republic of Guinea Honorary Consul for 16 years until 2009. He served on several boards supporting service organizations, including the Doctor’s Hospital Foundation (now Kensington Foundation) where he was the inaugural Board of Directors Chair, the Hospital Council of Metro Toronto, the Ontario Hospital Association and St. Michael’s Day Care Centre for Children.
With the support of then National Black Coalition Regional Chair Kay Livingstone, he joined late research chemist Thomas Massiah and historian/curator Dr. Sheldon Taylor in making a presentation on behalf of the Black community to Toronto Police in 1972. They were the first community
members to develop and implement liaison committees between the Black community and Toronto Police Service.
Downes, whose family has a street in the Lower Yonge Precinct bearing their name, thinks highly of Adjetey who, in 2018, was the first Ghanaian-born to matriculate from Yale University with a PhD in history.
“That is why I accepted his invitation,” he said. “We talk on a regular basis and have collaborated on a few things for his book. It was a humbling experience and an opportunity for me to see the greatness of the country.”
Administered by Canada’s National History Society with the support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, and Power Corporation of Canada, the Governor General’s History Awards celebrate the best in Canadian achievements to ensure
the country’s national past has a vibrant presence in society.
Adjetey was recognized for his book, ‘Cross-Border Cosmopolitans: The Making of Pan-African North America’ , that explores the pivotal role of Pan-African thought in shaping African American history from 1900 to 2000 and its influence on United States foreign policy.
“This book looks at the 20th century span of the ways Black people in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and Africa navigated systems of colonization, imperialism, inequality and the instruments of warfare directed at ensuring that they were kept in a subordinated and subjugated class,” he said. “It sheds light on a chapter of Canada’s past that is very seldom acknowledged or documented.”
A young Canadian, Nebiyou Timotewos, aged 20, has been recognized with the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts – The Diana Award.
Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons, Prince William, The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.
Timotewos began social work at the age of 15 with the Secord Youth Council, aiding homeless individuals with food, clothing and gardening services.
Overcoming personal hardship, including Yemen war displacement and living in a Canadian shelter, he embraced the motto: “There Is a Power in Kindness.”
At university, he founded two non-profit organizations: ‘Brothers4Brothers’, a mentorship program for young men’s mental health, and ‘Communities Care’, which has supported over 1,500 youth in Canada and Ethiopia with essential items and workshops.
His “Kindness Tour” inspired more than 10,000 people and raised funds for orphans. Now on his “Stronger Together” world tour, he raises funds for scholarships to help African street youth transition into classrooms.
Just nine months after becoming a Canadian citizen in February 2024, he has earned the highest and most prestigious award a young person can achieve worldwide.
“I know my mother, in whose memory you receive the Diana Award today, would be immensely proud of you. I hope this award helps you to further champion your cause and support those around you,” Prince William said to the award recip-
positive contribution to society. All Diana Award recipients have dedicated a minimum of 12 months to leading positive social change through a variety of activities from campaigning and educating, to fundraising to delivering services.
In 2024, there was over 80 volunteers representing over 30 countries, who came together in panels, read through and marked each nomination against five key criteria: vision, social impact, inspiring others, youth leadership and social action journey.
Each judging panel consisted of at least three judges who understand the value of young people, including one young person representative. The panels have an important main purpose: to determine which nominations will receive the Diana Award.
This year The Diana Award received over 1700 nomination submissions, mak-
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
Dr. Jean Augustine, known by some primarily for her political involvement as the first Black woman elected to the parliament of Canada, was a school educator before embarking on her political career.
She earned a Master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto (U of T) that said Augustine – as a teacher, principal and supervisory officer – “demonstrated activism and innovation in empowering those she taught and collaborated with”.
The university’s comment was published as it announced plans to honour Augustine at Victoria University, which is part of U of T. Victoria University will be the
home of the newly established Dr. Jean Augustine Professorship in Transformative Education. Funding, in support of the program, is now ongoing.
“Once fully funded,” according to Victoria University officials, “the professorship will help to foster a learning environment which works to advance equity, accessibility and social justice in education, through transformative practices that will ultimately contribute to creating a more equitable and more inclusive society.”
Grenada-born Augustine, who was MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore from 1993 to 2006, served as parliamentary secretary to then Prime Minister Jean Chretien, as well as Minister of State
for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women.
Augustine, 87, is also well-known for her support and advocacy on is sues of equity, justice, human rights and diversity.
The professorship in her name was the focus of discussions at a special luncheon meeting on Monday hosted by Trinidad-born Dr. Rhonda McEw en, president and vice chancellor of Victoria University.
Augustine has made “awesome contributions” to Canadian society as an “inspirational trailblazer across multiple disciplines”, said diplomat Gerry Hopkin who attended the meeting.
took the stage to honour the impact and influence of Brown, the pioneer who shattered barriers in Canadian politics.
"Rosemary Brown was the first Black woman to become an elected member of any provincial legislature in Canada," Stiles said. "She went on to run for the federal NDP leadership... she was the first woman ever to run for the leadership of any federal party in Canada."
Stiles underscored the enduring relevance of Brown's work in today's struggle against racial injustice. Sharing a personal anecdote, she spoke of the Sistering organization in her riding, where Brown's powerful words adorn the building:
"Until all of us have made it, none of us have made it."
"Every day, when somebody enters Sistering, they see that quote... and learn a little bit about Rosemary Brown and what
an incredible woman she was," said Stiles.
Brown was a social worker, politician and advocate for social justice. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she immigrated to Canada in 1951 to pursue social work studies at McGill University and the University of British Columbia, where she faced sexism and racism firsthand. She served as an NDP Member of the Legislative Assembly in British Columbia from 1972 to 1988. Beyond politics, she led international efforts to advance women's rights as CEO of MATCH International Women's Fund and as chief commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
Brown’s lifelong commitment to equity earned her numerous accolades, including the Order of Canada, 15 honorary doctorates and a commemorative Canada Post stamp. Her autobiography, Being Brown: A Very Public Life, chronicles her extraordinary contributions to dismantling racial
and gender barriers in Canada and beyond.
Heather Douglas, Acting Director of Outreach & External Relations for the ONDP, orchestrated the event and is spearheading the award activities. Douglas was instrumental in reaching out to Rosemary Brown's family, ensuring that the awards honour her legacy authentically. Recognizing Douglas's efforts, Stiles said, "I want to also mention Heather Douglas... thank you for doing that."
In the spirit of Rosemary Brown's activism and impact, the awards honour individuals and organizations that demonstrate significant contributions toward eliminating racial discrimination in society. The awards commemorate the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, marking the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa over 60 years ago during the struggle to eliminate apartheid.
There are four categories for the awards: Individual, Group, Women and Youth (under 25). Any individual resident in Ontario, or Ontario-based organization or group, may be nominated.
Stiles encouraged attendees to participate actively in the nomination process.
"Please go out there, nominate people, identify the folks that you think are sometimes... the unsung heroes in our communities," she said. "Bring their names forward and give us all an opportunity to celebrate the folks who are doing the extremely hard work here in the province of Ontario."
The awards ceremony will take place in February 2025, with nominations closing on January 24, 2025. To nominate an individual or organization, the nomination form is available at ondpcaucus.com/rosemary_brown_awards.
For additional details, contact Heather Douglas at outreach@ndp.on.ca.
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 1
What motivated the William Dawson associate professor of History in the Department of History & Classical Studies at McGill University to write the book?
tives of communities that have been ignored for far too long. I also feel that Canadians really want to learn about the history they were never taught.
The case received global coverage and petitions were sent demanding the overturn of the death sentence. Wilson was paroled in 1973 after serving 16 years in prison. CONTINUED FROM Pg. 1
“In my early to mid-20s, I did a lot of mostly gang-intervention work in North Toronto supporting and advocating for young Black men who had been to prison,” said Adjetey who was a runner-up for the Frederick Jackson Turner Prize from the American Historical Association, honouring the best book in American History by a first-time author.
“The questions that I asked of the elders in the community were to get a better grasp of what was happening and why was it that certain issues afflict Black people in Metropolitan Toronto more than any other group. They gave me some good answers, but not the totality of responses I desired. That is why I went to the United States to pursue my doctorate because I could see some strong parallels between what was happening in inner cities in Toronto and the United States.”
He was a case manager in the Jane-Finch community with the $5 million federally funded Prevention Intervention Toronto program aimed at steering young people in the city’s designated priority neighbourhoods away from gang culture.
Following an increase in gun violence in the city in 2005, Adjetey started the Forster Terrace after-school program for young people residing in challenged communities. Through role playing, film and professional workshops, he taught non-violent conflict resolution techniques to the youths.
Governor General Mary Simon presented the awards to Adjetey and the other recipients on November 20.
“In colleges and universities across Canada, history courses are challenging the traditional narratives of stories,” she said. “They are focusing on a greater diversity of perspectives from the past – on the perspec-
“Just think about the wave of compassion that emerged after the release of testimonies from survivors of the residential school system. People were deeply moved to discover this dark chapter of our national history and I believe they are eager to learn more.
“Your work helps to present the diverse stories that have shaped the country we know today.”
The weight of being the first Black person to earn the Governor General’s History Award, said Adjetey, is humbling.
“While thrilled, a big part of all of this is knowing that we have much work to do in this country still to ensure that our history is recognized and acknowledged as being integral to the foundations of this country as well as the United States and the Western World in general,” the 2010 DiversCity Fellow said.
Spending the first seven years of his life in a slum just outside Accra where most young people are unable to attend high school because of its unaffordability, Adjetey completed his undergraduate degree in International Relations and History and a master’s in political science at the University of Toronto.
As an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, he took 16 young people to the St. George campus to meet Dr. Sheldon Taylor and late Superior Court Judge Romain Pitt to show the youths they belonged there.
In 2014, Adjetey was the recipient of a Trudeau Scholarship that supports outstanding doctoral students who are committed to solving issues of critical importance to Canada and the world. A year earlier, the scholar was awarded the Canadian Studies Prize for graduate students for his essay, ‘Saving Jimmy Wilson: Canadian Racial Consciousness and Alabama Justice 1958.’
Born in either 1903 or 1904, Wilson – an illiterate
Black handyman who was convicted of stealing $1.95 from an 82-year-old White woman – was sentenced in 1958 to death by an all-White jury in an Alabama court. An appeal against the death sentence was unsuccessful at the state Supreme Court
which held that ‘the amount of the money taken is immaterial’.
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 3
“Having Dr. Jean Augustine’s name attached to this professorship in transformative education is indeed most appropriate, given her excellent record of accomplishments which continue to be a source of pride and of inspiration for Grenadians, Caribbeans and Africans in particular, and for the entire immigrant community here in Canada,” said Hopkin, Grenada’s consul general in Toronto.
It’s the first time in U of T’s history that a professorship is being named in honour of a Black woman.
U of T and Victoria University, in a review of Augustine’s resume as a professional and volunteer, stated that she has “championed the values of fairness and justice throughout her life. Growing up in Grenada, she learned the important qualities of belonging, service, sharing and giving back. Her focus on community engagement and social causes led her to a long and successful career working in education and government.
“As an activist, she has devoted herself to making improvements to society and to seeking out others in the community with whom she could work to advocate for mutually important causes”.
They added that, the Dr. Jean Augustine Professorship in Transformative Education will enable Victoria University and the Education & Society and Vic One Education Streams programs to engage a leading scholar with a program of research that fosters transformative practices, with the goal of addressing challenges facing Black Canadians and other communities that have been historically marginalized within Canada’s education system”.
Augustine has welcomed the initiative, which is expected to continue into perpetuity
at Victoria University.
“This professorship honours me, and I feel humbled by it,” she said. “The fact that it will stay in perpetuity when so many things are fragile and passing, and that it’s here in this place of learning and teaching, makes me very happy.”
The formal launch of the funding campaign for the professorship will be in February next year during Black History Month observances.
In the meantime, though, donations are being solicited. Contributions to the professorship can be made by calling 416-585-4502 or 416-585-4501.
“Please consider a donation in support of The Dr. Jean Augustine Professorship in Transformative Education at Victoria University,” officials appealed. “Our goal is to raise $2.5 million by April 30, 2025 and, to date, $500,000 has been raised. All gifts will receive a full charitable receipt and will be recognized in a special campaign listing. All donors with gifts of $50,000 or more will receive an annual accountability report on the professorship.”
Victoria University has said that the “anticipated outcomes” of the professorship will include “progressive curriculum development, new course offerings, new community partnerships, and other innovative solutions and transformative practices with strong societal impact to address the marked inequalities that exist in our communities”.
This is the second long-term university-based program in Augustine’s name. The Jean Augustine Chair (JAC) in Education, Community and Diaspora at York University has been in existence since 2008.
The JAC is fully funded through private and public sector donations, including $1.5 million from the federal government.
By RON FANFAIR
In running gear after completing an eight-kilometre road race in 1971, Lawrence Hill hurried to the University of Toronto Schools (UTS) to write the entrance exam.
“I remember my father saying, ‘You are not getting into that school’,” the best-selling and critically acclaimed author and educator recounted. “I was not quite sure whether there was a measure of meanness in that or he just didn’t think they would take a Black student. What he said, however, made me more determined to get in there.”
Who could blame the late Daniel Hill Sr. for thinking that the younger of his two sons would not be admitted to the then mainly White independent school?
There were no Black students at the time and just one during Hill’s four years.
“It was quite a journey,” said the recipient of this year’s H.J. Crawford (he was the first principal from 1910 to 1923) Award that recognizes significant contributions to the advancement of UTS by an individual or group. “I was the only Black student in my Grade and often the only one in the school. When I started returning to volunteer at UTS several years after graduating, I found it particularly moving to see how much the school had been succeeding in bringing in students who traditionally had been excluded from the UTS community.
“I was also happy to see that the school
is fully integrated because when I started, it was boys-only. A lot more, however, can change to bring girls into the school.”
School Principal Dr. Leanne Foster and Deputy Principal Dr. Kimberley Tavares presented the award to Hill at the annual Alumni Reunion on November 2.
“He has been a vital member of the UTS community from his days as a student and school captain to his recent work with our students,” said Foster. “He has been a classroom and assembly speaker, he has worked with our Writer’s Craft students and
has supported our students Black Equity Committee.”
As the Campaign Co-Chair for the ‘Building the Future’ campaign, Hill also supported the building renewal and was the inaugural speaker at the Building the Future Speaker Series.
“Larry’s commitment to these initiatives has made a profound impact on our community and has significantly advanced the strategic goals of UTS,” Foster said.
In conversation with UTS Black Equity Committee Co-presidents and Grade 12
Asked to deliver the thank you speech in Creole after an arts group celebration in Guyana over 50 years ago, Pauline ‘Auntie Comesee’ Thomas was besieged with requests to use a mixture of different lan guages more often.
A radio station even allotted her space for a show that aired three times a week in the 1970s.
“When I started doing Auntie Comesee, one of my friends asked, ‘Why must Pau line get on like that?” recounted Thomas who will celebrate her 104th birthday next February. “My argument was and still is that we should not discourage Creolese. It is an important means of communication that should be understood and employed when necessary. If a woman goes to the doctor and she says, ‘Doctor, meh foot hurting me’, he would start to look at an area below her ankle. In Creolese, she means the whole leg.”
Through her extensive work in the performing arts, Thomas was a popular cultural personality in Guyana before migrating to Canada.
ing people laugh while provoking thoughtful reflection.
“As a storyteller, Pauline Thomas stands as one of the most influential figures in preserving Guyanese folklore. She emphasized that Guyanese Creolese, though often marginalized, should be cherished and shared with the world.
“She used her influence to accompany this and extended her voice far beyond the confines of the studio or stage, leaving
See RECOGNITION Pg. 9
students Cici Sutherland and Tyen Tesfaye, Hill reflected on his time at the institution and how it shaped him.
“One of the most terrifying yet exhilarating and stimulating things was that we were required to come up on stage and speak extemporaneously in front of the entire school,” he recalled. “The first time, I was terrified and paralyzed and I am sure I did a horrible job. You were given a piece of paper with half a phrase and you were given two minutes to prepare before speaking. It was a fantastic way to learn how to speak and it helped you gain confidence. I was part of the Debating Club which I loved…I was encouraged to write even though most of my peers were interested in the sciences.”
The author of 11 books, Hill has 10 honorary doctorates from Canadian universities and is a Professor of Creative Writing at the School of English & Creative Studies at the University of Guelph.
Born in Newmarket where his interracial parents moved to from the United States the day after they married in 1953, the family relocated to Don Mills eight years later.
Growing up in the suburban Toronto neighbourhood, he was the only Black on his track club and hockey teams in the 1970s.
“We had to stretch to find and connect with Black people,” the 2015 Order of Canada appointee said. “I had to bring that effort through reading and travels. Growing up in the crucible of racial ambiguity drove me to write and make sense of the world and my place in it. In a way, I am grateful for that.”
In response to a question about book bans, particularly those that attempt to systematically and disproportionately impact Black youth who would benefit from the literary work’s interrogation of society as they shape their understanding of their people’s history, Hill reminded the audience that a Dutch group burned the cover of his award-winning bestseller, ‘The Book of Negroes’, in Amsterdam in 2011 because of its title.
“I don’t believe in banning books,” he said. “If you happen to be a 17-year-old high school student and want to understand genocide, you might have to read ‘Mein Kampf’ written by Hitler to grasp what led him to propagate one of the worst genocides in the world. Banning books is a gross
See UTS Pg. 14
The centenarian, who resides in a longterm care home in the Greater Toronto Area, was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Excellence in Arts & Letters by the University of Guyana on November 8.
“Thanks a million for this honour,” she said in the virtual acceptance speech. “Having spent a lot of time and effort training and singing as a Classical Sopranist, I can’t believe that it is Comesee who gets the nod for just studying our people. I noted their mannerisms, gestures and language.”
In the citation, Bonita Hunter, Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Education & Humanities, said Thomas’ childhood upbringing marked by Guyana’s vibrant cultural heritage laid the foundation for her stellar work in the arts and advocacy.
“She used her talent as a storyteller, comedian and singer to shape the cultural landscape of Guyana,’ she said. “She is a living legend whose name resonates deeply within the realms of storytelling, folklore and cultural preservation. Her legacy has not only enriched the artistic community in Guyana but has also influenced the Diaspora.”
“Her captivating performances at the Theatre Guild set a standard for stage acting in the country, earning her widespread admiration for her ability to blend humour, pathos and cultural nuances in her roles,” Hunter said. “Her mastery of the craft was evident as she brought to life stories that reflected the daily life struggles and humour of ordinary Guyanese people.”
However, it was the creation of the character, Auntie Comesee in the 1970s, that solidified Thomas’ status as a national icon.
Her creole skits were aired three times a week on the since defunct Guyana Broadcasting Corporation.
“These radio programs were merely not entertainment,” Hunter said. “They were a celebration of Guyanese language, identity and resilience. Each episode of her Creolese comedy program was eagerly anticipated by thousands of listeners who tuned in to hear her witty take on social issues all delivered in distinct and melodic rhythms of the Guyanese Creole language. Her talent for using humour to shed light on societal issues was unparalleled. Her performances captured the essence of Guyanese experiences, mak-
658 Vaughan Rd., Toronto, Ont. M6E 2Y5 Tel. (416) 656-3400 • Fax: (416) 656-3711
Internet: www.sharenews.com • E-mail: share@interlog.com
• Readership 130,000 each week (estimated) • Founded January, 1978 • Member of the Ethnic Press Council of Canada, Inc.
By ARNOLD A. AUGUSTE, Publisher/Senior Editor
Christmas means different things to different people.
For most, it is a time to get together with family and loved ones. And folks will travel long distances to be home for Christmas. Children away at school, parents longing to see their children, grandparents for whom this might be the only opportunity during the year to get together with everyone.
They will willingly endure crowded airports, snowstorms or challenging cross-country travel so they could enjoy the warmth and comfort of family and share memories of long-ago times.
For the children, it is the toys, looking forward to Christmas morning so they can see what has been left for them under the Christmas tree, while adoring parents look on hoping that their choices have hit the mark.
But there are those of us for whom the season still resonates with the message of salvation, the good news that the Lord Jesus Christ was born and the comfort that message brings.
Christmastime brings with it a special sense of caring, of kindness, of wanting to reach out to others, to share with those less fortunate than us, especially the children.
Some host dinners for the needy, toy drives so that every child will wake up on Christmas morning with a special gift, in spite of their circumstances.
There are those who adopt families for Christmas, taking on the responsibility of attending to many of the family’s needs over the holidays.
That is the kindness of Christmas.
Many of us have such stories, of times when we were in need and others showed up for us; of times when as new immigrants we were alone and missing home when someone knocked on our door to bring us cheer and to warm our hearts with their friendship.
There are those of us who might have become jaded over the years, burdened down with our own sorrow, our own loss, our own displacement and our hearts break for you. But you don’t have to be alone. Seek out community; seek out friends who might not be aware of your situation. Be proactive. There is a lot to enjoy and to share during this holiday season, don’t allow the darkness to overcome you.
As wealthy as our country is, as advanced as we might be, there are still so many of us who are falling through the cracks, who are being left behind, who are not able to share in our success as a nation. To reach out to them must be a challenge for all of us as we face the new year.
By MURPHY BROWN
It’s beginning to look a lot like Kwanzaa. Yes, African people it is that time of year again!
In his 1977 released song “African” Peter Tosh sang: “No matter where you come from as long as you’re a Black man you’re an African” so yes, I am talking to you “African” as long as you are a Black man or woman.
Even if, heaven help us, you still think you are a Negro or Coloured you are included.
In his song Peter Tosh covered much of the perceived differences among us African people. Tosh sang: “No mind your nationality, you have got the identity of an African.” He also sang: “Don’t mind your complexion, there is no rejection, you’re an African.”
So let us celebrate, celebrate, celebrate Kwanzaa! For those who are not familiar with the celebration there are books that you can borrow from the library or buy from any African Canadian Caribbean (Black) owned bookstore in Toronto.
During the Kwanzaa celebration we practice the Nguzo saba (seven principles) of Kwanzaa. Ideally, we should be living the Nguzo saba every day but at least during the Kwanzaa celebration (December 26 to January 1) we can make a start and go from there. The fourth Kwanzaa principle is Ujamaa (co-operative economics) which means supporting the businesses in our community first.
To receive the correct information about celebrating Kwanzaa read the book written by the man credited with the establishing of the celebration. The book, “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture”, written by Dr. Maulana Karenga is available at the Toronto Public Library (TPL) with one copy listed on its website even though there are 100 branches in the TPL system.
All books published about Kwanzaa are not equal; it is shocking the misinformation in some books folks have written about the celebration of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is a 58-year-old celebration and now seems to mean different things to different people. Celebrations have morphed over the years.
Since there is only one copy of Dr. Maulana Karenga’s book “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture” (Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection) at the Parkdale branch of the TPL, buying the book would be ideal as a zawadi/gift for Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is a Pan-African seven-day celebration from December 26 to January 1 to reconnect Africans in the Diaspora to African culture and to celebrate family, community and culture.
Kwanzaa is a celebration for all Africans regardless of their religion or country of birth. It is a time to celebrate our culture, learn about our history, honour African ancestors and traditions, spend time with family and friends and look to our future as a people.
The Kwanzaa celebration inspired racial pride in African Americans (it was established in the U.S.) who, like other Africans in the Diaspora had been brainwashed into thinking that European culture was superior.
The values articulated in the seven Kwanzaa principles “Nguzo saba” resonate with Africans and the celebration which began with a few people in the USA in 1966 is now an international celebration.
Kiswahili, the most widely spoken African language is used during the celebration of Kwanzaa which comes from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” meaning “first fruits of the harvest”.
Decorating the Kwanzaa table is an opportunity to learn some Kiswahili words. There are seven symbols that make up the table setting for a Kwanzaa celebration. The mkeka (mat) is the foundation upon which the other symbols are placed. The kinara (candle holder) holds the mishumaa saba (seven candles). The kikombe cha umoja (unity cup), mazao (fruits and vegetables), muhindi/vibunzi (corn) and zawadi (gifts) are placed on the mkeka. To the greeting/question, “Habari gani?” the answer is the principle of the day.
While our political leaders focus on their vanity projects which will only bring glory to themselves, our parks fill up with the tents of the poor; the numbers of our neighbours needing assistance from the food banks rise and so many among us are unable to meet their daily needs.
We can do better. We have to do better.
As we celebrate Christmas and look forward to the new year, let us commit ourselves to be more compassionate, let us be more outwardly looking and find ways to make a positive difference in our community and in our nation.
May I take this opportunity to wish our loyal readers, advertisers, friends and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. There is no us without you!
By PATRICK HUNTER
The United States of America appears to have set a new standard for whom they consider to be the ideal leader of their country as president. Before November 5, I did not think it would be possible for Donald J. Trump to win the race for the presidency. I am still shaking my head.
In the not-so-distant past, potential candidates for the presidency have had to withdraw from the challenge due to certain character failings. Whether it was for an illicit affair, for hiring undocumented workers or the misuse of funds. Not so for Trump.
Face it, no one is perfect. But we expect the person or persons who seek to be leaders to have a relatively clean record and not a history of questionable judgement in their pre-public life that could disqualify them on the basis of a character flaw. Not so for Trump.
Many of Trump’s indiscretions have been widely known for some time. After all, he was the president for a term. When he launched his previous campaign, his characterization of migrants from Latin America was out-and-out racist, branding them as rapists and criminals. Then there was recording that clearly pointed to his disrespect for women. Yet, he went on to win.
For this election, in my mind, the case for his defeat was so significant that one kept on thinking: “Why is this man in the race?” When he lost the 2020 election, he encouraged his followers to storm the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results. His mishandling of the COVID crisis, his apparent adoration for Russian leader,
Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim, his two impeachments and the revolving door of many of his advisors should have been significant enough reasons why he should not have been in the race.
Then, there were the 34 felony convictions, the lawsuit in which he was found liable for sexual assault, the “hush money” case in which he paid to keep an extramarital affair quiet and, of course, the case of the secret documents which he had taken with him to his home in Florida.
And there is a lot more which should have convinced Americans that this man should never again be president.
The Americans had who could conceivably be considered the exact opposite to Trump and whose history and character were as different as day to night. Kamala Harris should have won the election, hands down. She didn’t.
As one would expect, there has been a lot of soul-searching and theories put forward by the Democratic Party and others as to why she lost the election. Some of these theories make sense. Harris did not have the length of time to sell her own program to the voters. She was also placed in the position of not being able or willing to distance herself from the policies of President Joe Biden. After all, she is his vice-president. For her to do that would have had its own problems, perhaps demonstrating that she had many disagreements with Biden’s policies.
It is also impossible to omit the fact that racism played a part in the election. Although Harris refused to “highlight” the fact that she is a Black and Asian woman seeking the office of the most powerful leader in the world – after all, it should be obvious so why make it an See THE NGUZO SABA Pg. 14
By RON FANFAIR
As a child, Noah Rudder yearned to be a professional actor.
Earning a scholarship to attend a prestigious overseas university, he figured, would be the ticket to realize his dream.
Good things come to those who wait as Rudder – the son of renowned calypso and soca artiste David Rudder – found out after zeroing in on academics and artistry.
The Victoria University student is among 11 Canadians heading to Oxford University next fall to join a class of more than 100 scholars from around the world who will undertake fully sponsored post-graduate studies and become part of a global community of leaders and change makers.
Victoria University is a federated college of the University of Toronto.
“Our 11 Rhodes Scholars deeply impressed the Selection Committee with their intelligence, passion and, most importantly, their humanity,” said Richard Pan who is the Canadian Secretary for the Rhodes Trust and the Rhodes Scholarships in Canada Chair. “We need leaders and doers like these in the world. They each carry a profound sense of responsibility to the communities around them and the will to make a difference. As proud as we are of our scholars’ achievements to date, we are even more excited for their contributions to come.”
As a Trinbagonian, Victoria University President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rhonda McEwen grew up listening to David Rudder and invited him to perform at her installation in October 2022. He sang ‘The Ganges and The Nile’.
“I am very proud to be here to support all my students, especially Noah, who has Trinidadian roots,” said McEwen.
Passionate about acting, it was fitting that he received the good news while rehearsing
for ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ at the U of T’s Hart House Theatre last month.
“I was praying and hoping that if I was lucky enough to be granted an interview, it would not be during the week of the show,” said Rudder who played Detective Hercule Poirot. “My prayers were answered and I had the interview during a dress rehearsal. My director permitted me to have my phone with me during the period as I was told to expect a call which I got shortly after the interview.”
Keeping the news to himself until there was a break, he broke it with his family in a family group chat.
“I was in the kitchen cooking when David started screaming,” said Christine Ming Rudder. “I could not understand what he was saying and doing and I became a bit scared as I thought something terrible had happened to him or someone we know. David was very emotional and when he said
a moment to soak it in. When he finished his rehearsal around midnight, everyone had to drop what they were doing for us to have a FaceTime family chat because that is how we do things in our home.”
Rudder will pursue a Master of Public Policy at Oxford.
“That is the next step and a way for me to keep honing my ability to problem solve and think about the world’s most complex issues and different and creative ways to come up with solutions,” said the fourthyear student who is doing a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice and Drama. “I want to be a changemaker and someone who has a voice in the future and will fight for the things I believe in and the world needs.”
Reminded by his mother that he had to declare a major before the end of his first year at Victoria University, Rudder said he didn’t know what to do.
“I told him he had a little time to start thinking about it,” Ming Rudder said. “He came back to me asking what his sister was taking (her undergraduate degree is in Peace, Conflict & Justice), and I told him that is not how it works. His response was, ‘I think I better do something important’. When I inquired what he knew about peace, conflict & justice, he said ‘Nothing, but I am going to learn’. The rest is history.”
Intending to also pursue a Master of Fine Arts at Oxford, Rudder recently learned that the program is mainly for visual artists.
He is considering pivoting to a Master’s in Global Governance & Diplomacy program that investigates a broad range of policy issues related
to the institutions and processes of global governance and diplomacy at international, transnational, state and domestic levels.
“I am researching and learning about different ways in which I could help the population in the Greater Toronto Area and globally,” said the Pickering High School graduate and Ajax resident. “My love for the arts will never go away and I will keep acting for the rest of my life. One day, I will be able to pursue a Master of Fine Arts and get some Conservatory-style training because I want to hone my technical skills and take my artistry to the next level.”
Ken Gass, who teaches Performance at the U of T Centre for Drama, is a big fan of Rudder who has written and performed in the Toronto Fringe Festival and various U of T productions.
“It is not just for his achievement within the Performance classes I teach, but his sensitivity towards group dynamics and his generosity of spirit along with his overall compassion for others who may have been struggling with various issues,” said the Factory Theatre’s founding artistic director.
By RON FANFAIR
Manitoba is more than just Canada’s coldest province in winter. It has the biggest mating dens in the world.
Wapusk National Park in the north is the world’s largest denning site for polar bears, there are over 25,000 beluga whales in the Hudson Bay and the approximately 100,000 lakes and waterfalls are the perfect lure for anglers seeking some of the continent’s largest fish.
Canada’s largest indoor waterfall – The Leaf – reaching nearly six sto-
reys, is in Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg.
As Travel Manitoba’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) since June 2022, Angela Cassie oversees business operations and leads the development of innovative ideas to expand and improve the diversity of tourism experiences offered in Canada’s eighth-largest province.
“It might be challenging for people to see Winnipeg and Manitoba as a destination, but they leave as ambassadors once they have experienced it,” the 100 Accomplished Black Ca -
nadian women honouree said. “We are a four-season destination because of the scenic mix of urban, rural and wild settings.
“There is an incredible product here for people to experience. We are also working on ensuring a high calibre and high quality of export-ready products.
“We collaborate with large and small operators across the province to help them get market ready. It is about enhancing and developing the products and services we have to offer in the province.”
Manitoba is also widely
recognized for its diversity of food and culinary experiences.
Three Winnipeg restaurants – Deer + Almond, Yujiro and Clementine –made this year’s Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants List.
Locals and visitors can also indulge in fine cuisine on Winnipeg’s frozen rivers at the winter-inspired popup RAW: almond where Canadian and American chefs create unique dishes over three weeks in the winter.
“Not only is the food incredible, but some of the experiences where you can eat that food are unique as well,” said Cassie whose office is close to Bindy’s Caribbean Delights Eatery.
Travel Manitoba has also collaborated with the National Indigenous Residential School Museum in Portage la Prairie to help them broaden their scope.
“We are working with them to see how they can expand their reach nationally and internationally, recognizing that Canadians and people around the world are interested in learning more about Indigenous residential schools and contributing to the journey of reconciliation,” added Cassie.
In the mid-1990s while pursuing a degree in Political Science & History at the University of Winnipeg with the intention of going to Law school, she was turned on to Communications.
After finishing her undergraduate certification, Cassie joined the Department of Canadian Heritage in 1998 as a Regional Director of Communications & Executive Services (Prairies & Northern Region).
In 2008, she moved to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) as Director of Communications & External Relations.
As a member of the Museum’s inaugural leadership team, Cassie played a lead role in the establishment of the first national museum since 1967, leading communications, public and community engagement, government relations and partnership development efforts. As one of the Museum’s primary spokespeople, she led exhaustive cross-Canada consultations that travelled to 10 provinces and territories to raise awareness and identify stories and issues to populate the institution’s content.
After 11 years in progressively senior roles at the CMHR in Winnipeg, she stepped down in 2019 as Senior Vice-President with responsibility for Programs, Exhibitions & Public Affairs to pursue a miniMBA at McGill Executive Institute.
Cassie spent a year in Ottawa at the National Gallery of Canada as Interim Director and Chief Executive Officer before returning home to become Travel Manitoba’s COO.
Her father migrated from Haiti in 1976 and her mom was born to stateless Ukrainian parents who settled in Paraguay. The family matriarch came to Canada at age 10.
In the company of a celebrated group of Black Canadian women, Elizabeth Moses could hardly
contain her emotions.
Just over two decades ago, she and her family came to Canada as refugees from South Sudan.
“It was a phenomenal feeling to be among so many talented women who are thriving,” Moses said.
In Grade 10 at Assumption College Catholic High School in Windsor, she was placed in a woodworking class and loved it.
“I was one of the few girls there in a place I didn’t want to be,” said Moses who enjoys drawing. “Over time, I realized I was good at what I was doing with my hands. The woodwork and robotics teacher also saw that and invited me to present at First Robotics of Canada competitions. For three years, I built robots for competitions across the country and, in the process, I saw an opportunity to work in the trades.”
With her family struggling to make ends meet in a new country, she didn’t want to burden them with finding tuition costs.
Instead, Moses did a free precision metal cutting pre-apprenticeship at St. Clair College.
“My education and tools were taken care of and I got my sheet metal certification when I completed that,” she said.
Two years ago, Moses moved to British Columbia to start an apprenticeship in construction as a Sheet Metal Worker.
“I am learning about heating, ventilation, air and cooling,” she said. “Working in sheet metal, we make the ventilation air cooling systems for buildings.”
In her second year of apprenticeship with Local 280, Moses is the apprentice liaison to the union, representing more than 600 apprentices, a SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation) Army ambassador and the co-chair of Build TogethHER BC that is the BC Building Trades Women’s Committee.
By RON FANFAIR
In 1946, Viola Desmond refused to leave a New Glasgow theatre balcony that was reserved for Whites.
Her actions inspired the Civil Rights Movement in Canada, motivating Blacks to fight for their human rights. Just over seven decades later, Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) annual awards celebrating Desmond’s courage and militant stand took place for the first time in a theatre – The Elgin & Winter Garden in downtown Toronto
– that donated the space.
“Viola Desmond made it possible for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Colour) women to sit in theatre seats they pay for,” said TMU Chancellor Donette Chin-Loy Chang who pledged $5,000 to a student bursary. “And it is ironic
an indelible mark on how Guyanese stories are told and valued, affirming the significance. Without a doubt, she showcased her versatility and commitment to the arts, creating a lasting impact on the people with whom she communicated.
“Her powerful voice, honed through years of dedication and passion, not only delighted audiences, but served as a symbol of Guyanese excellence in the arts…Her voice, once a staple in Guyanese households, now serves as a symbol of resilience, cultural pride and a transformative power of art.”
The legacy of her work can be found in the Guyanese Languages Unit which is part of the University of Guyana Department of Language and Cultural Studies.
“Language is deeply tied to how we make our way in the world, how we relate to each other and to the landscapes that give us life,” said Dr. Alissa Trotz who teaches Caribbean Studies at New College and Caribbean and Women & Gender Studies at the University
of Toronto. “This recognition of Auntie Comesee for her decades of disciplined commitment to storying Guyanese culture in our nation’s language is long overdue. So many of us grew up anticipating Aunty Comesee’s stories broadcast on the radio. It is a fitting honour for the university to recognize her as part of a generation of Creolese wordsmiths from Guyana who give us back to ourselves in a vocabulary that honours our long and connected histories.”
Award-winning author and storyteller Peter Jailall, who resides in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), attended the convocation ceremony in Guyana.
He read poetry with Thomas on several occasions in the GTA.
“Her brilliant performances began at the Theatre Guild in Guyana, but it was popularized by local audiences that propelled her to be a national icon in Guyana,” he said. “She continued her performances for the Guyanese Diaspora in Canada.”
Born in Friendship, East
Coast Demerara, Thomas – the eldest of eight children – attended Expo ’67 in Montreal and, with Dolly London-Williams and Evelyn John, accompanied the Guyana Police Male Voice Choir.
Her daughter, Dawn McKenzie-Williams, also performed interpretative dance at the event.
Thomas later showcased her talent on stage with late Jamaican cultural icon Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou) at the inaugural Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) in Guyana in 1972.
Before coming to Canada in 1980, she was a secondary school teacher, child welfare officer, National Insurance Service inspector and a member of the Woodside Choir for nearly two decades.
She also made an appearance on the popular Guyanese comedy show, ‘The Link’.
Thomas graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music and was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Markham.
FANFAIR
that this theatre we are in now is the venue for this event because it opened the same year, 1913, as the Roseland Theatre in Nova Scotia which denied Viola ‘a good seat’ that she paid for.”
This was Chin-Loy Chang’s first community event since her instalment as TMU’s sixth Chancellor last month.
“Viola Desmond’s story is close to my heart,” she said. “While checking out of a supermarket recently, I pulled out a $10 bill to pay and asked the cashier if she knew whose photo was on the bill. She had no clue. When I told her, she was fascinated by the story of this Canadian legend.
“Events like the Viola Desmond Awards bring
our community together by celebrating the achievements of Black women and gender-diverse people
holiday season don’t let waste sorting stress you out!
Here are some simple tips to reduce waste:
• Use reuseable cutlery and glassware and avoid single-use plastics.
• Dispose of paper napkins in your green bin.
• Freeze leftovers or toss them in your green bin
• Consider using reusable fabric bows and ribbon when wrapping gifts.
• Consider reusable/refillable gift items.
For more information on how to sort your waste, check peelregion.ca/waste/sorter
PS: Happy Holidays!
WMG-1016_14 24/11
By RON FANFAIR
Bowing to friends who encouraged him in 1996 to take part in calypso competitions, Dennis James Sr. became very successful in the art form.
The first St. Lucian-Canadian to win the Calypso Monarch title in Toronto 23 years ago died in Montreal in early December after a brief illness.
He was 76.
After finishing runner-up in 2000 to Guney, James captured the Organization of Calypso Performing Artists (OCPA) crown the following year with ‘Caribbean Man’ writ-
ten by himself and the late Jayson and ‘Thank You Toronto’ penned by Jayson.
“This is the greatest moment in my life because I have never won a major competition in all my years of show business,” he said after the show. “It feels really good and I intend to wear my crown proudly.”
James performed in calypso competitions in 1997 and 1998 in his hometown Montreal before participating for the first time in Toronto in 2000, placing sixth.
He repeated in 2002 and clinched his final Calypso title in the city in 2006.
“Dennis meant a lot to us in calypso,” said OCPA President Henry Gomez aka King Cosmos. “Noted for his sartorial elegance,
Exposed to dance and music at a young age, it was not surprising that Patrick Parson excelled in the art forms.
The Ballet Creole founder died on November 20 after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 66.
His mother, Viola Parson, was rated Trinidad & Tobago’s unofficial limbo dance queen in the 1970s and his dad – Patrick Parson – was a bass guitarist.
“I was raised in an environment that embraced culture, so it is not surprising that it has consumed
my life,” he told Share in a 1999 interview. “I was imbued with a passion for the cultural arts and inspired to explore ways of bringing cultures together through dance and music.”
After graduating from Tranquility Secondary School, Parson came to Canada in 1988 to pursue dance and administrative studies.
When he discovered that there were no professional dance companies in Toronto like The Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre he performed with in Trinidad & Tobago, he
By RON FANFAIR
In his acceptance speech at last April’s Scarborough Walk of Fame induction ceremony, Canadian Men’s Basketball team’s General Manager Rowan Barrett acknowledged his family and others for their support.
That was expected. He, however, went a step further, profusely thanking Richard Dean who coached him at West Hill Collegiate Institute.
“There are many people who poured into me, but none more in my young life than Richard Dean,” he said. “So many of us have had productive lives because of his time and effort. He came into our home and told my mother he would not let me fail on his watch. He devised a plan to get me where I needed to go and helped me hone my skills. He promised my mom I would do my schoolwork.
“He took me to elementary schools when I was in high school to speak to kids, he helped me manage the expectations of being the number one player in Canada and the 65 scholarship offers that came from schools across North America. He protected me from all the adults that came, some with good intentions, some with bad. He always told me the truth without sugarcoating it. He did everything he told me and my mom he would do and I accomplished all the things he said I would.
“Thank you Coach.”
After graduating from the University of Ottawa in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Dean returned to the Greater Toronto Area and was encouraged by West Hill Coach Jack Eisenmann to consider coaching.
“Jack asked me if I had ever thought about it and when I said ‘no’, he told me I could come to his school to be his assistant,” he said. “That is where my love affair with coaching began. More than just coaching, I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to make young people aware that there is more in life than just playing basketball.”
When Eisenmann left after two years to coach Lebanon, Dean took over a team that included Barrett and Alex Beason.
“In Grade Nine, Rowan was hanging with the wrong guys and could have easily gone the other way,” he said. “But his strong family support and basketball brought him back on track. It was obvious that he would become an outstanding basketball player, but his biggest goal at the time was to make the national team. While talking to him recently, he told me his son (R.J.) was thinking about making the NBA from a very young age.”
After a year at the Scarborough high school, Beason transferred to Bathurst Heights and became a standout player. He played three years in the United States and was the leading scorer a season at Southeast Missouri State Division One team.
Beason’s basketball progress was, however, derailed, by run-ins with the law.
“Alex was off the track in high school, but he didn’t have the support that Rowan had,” said Dean. “He was a very smart guy. There was a time when he could not play for Bathurst because his marks were low. He buckled down for a few weeks and got them back up.”
While an assistant coach at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), he helped secure Beason’s early release from prison and enrolment at the university where he played basketball.
“This guy was one of our hardest working players and a leader,” recalled Dean.
“He was very committed to our program.”
About six years ago, the coach was walking down Gerrard St. at night when a van pulled up next to him.
“Someone jumped out and said, ‘Coach’,” said Dean. “It was Alex who I had not seen in years. He introduced me to his partner sitting in the front passenger seat and his three boys at the back.”
That moment encapsulates the high esteem in which the coach is held by ex-players and peers in the basketball community.
When Dean retired from TMU last January after more than three decades, the university celebrated him.
For 17 years, he coached varsity basketball teams and 17 were spent facilitating operational, infrastructure and development processes on the campus that houses 38 buildings.
“I was surprised, yet appreciative of the big farewell they put on,” he said. “In addition to doing my assigned tasks, those who got to know me would ask for other things like how their daughter could get into a program and who they could talk to. I relished my time there.”
Born out of wedlock to biracial parents 72 years ago in Orangeville, Dean started playing basketball in Grade Six at Victoria Public School in Kingston which was later remodelled as Queen’s University School of Business.
Gym teacher Neal Neasmith, the grandson of Canadian James Naismith who invented the sport in 1891, introduced him to the game.
“That was the first time I learned about the game and was shown how to play it,” said Dean. “Now, the kids learn to play at ages three and four.”
Not good enough to make the team in Grades 7 and 8 at Fern Ave. Junior & Senior Public School in Toronto and Grade 9 at Colonel Irvine Public School in Calgary, he got his opportunity in Grade 10 in Banff and Grade 13 at Georges S. Henry Academy in North York.
“I was a late starter, so it was difficult to break into teams earlier,” he said. “I had to work hard in the gym and bide my time.”
From Austria known for its mountains, Dean’s single mother, who passed away in 1998, was drawn to mountainous Alberta where she spent a few years.
While ‘hacking’ around a few years later in the gym at George Brown College, the late Vince Drake who played in the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles before becoming the athletic director at the college when it became
one of the original seven Ontario Athletic Colleges Athletic Association founders, recruited Dean to play at the downtown Toronto college.
During his two years, the team was unbeaten, capturing the inaugural Community Colleges national men’s title in 1974-75 with a convincing 91-71 win over the Langara Falcons from Vancouver, British Columbia.
The championship teams included guard Val Pozzan and forward Marv Snowden whose jerseys were retired in October 2014.
“We had phenomenal players who could do it all,” said Dean. “Vince was not an X’s and O’s coach. He was a motivator and the players responded to him. Being around a winning program inspired me.”
Off the court, the basketball players competed in the two-year Fitness Instructor program and a few interned at the now defunct Vic Tanny gym.
After the internship, Dean spent seven years with Sport Canada as a Fitness Evaluator.
“I was part of a team that conducted fitness levels across the country,” he said. “I also got the opportunity to work with Harry Jerome who came to my high school in Banff and was my hero.”
Jerome set seven world records in track and field and helped create Canada’s sports ministry. He was slated to be the keynote speaker at a celebration to mark the record performances of Canada’s athletes at the 1982 Commonwealth Games when he died suddenly.
“Harry was easy to communicate with and an all-around great guy,” Dean said. “I enjoyed being around him because there were not a lot of ‘brothers’ around then in that circle. He left us way too soon.”
While at Sport Canada, Dean kept a promise to his mother to attend university.
“I just concentrated on my studies because I was not disciplined enough to do that and play hoops,” he said.
In preparation for retirement from TMU, Dean transferred his basketball coaching skills to the business world.
As a Business Startup Coach, he has been helping individuals get their businesses off the ground using the subscription economy that is fuelled by evolving consumer preferences in the digital age. By offering customized experiences, constant updates and adaptable services, these models are setting the stage for businesses to build lasting relationships while securing predictable and stable revenue streams.
“I am coaching people the same way I did on the court,” said Dean whose late father, Marvin Whaley, was a member of the Toronto Argos team that won the Canadian Football League 1950 ‘Mud Bowl’ Grey Cup at Varsity Stadium. “If you are committed, consistent and coachable, I can help you get to where you want to go. I can help you to be successful, whether you want to make $300 extra monthly or $10,000.”
Last summer, he relocated to Portugal and is working virtually with clients around the world.
Thirteen-year-old Ava Sanicharan, a young tennis player with Guyanese roots, recently participated in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) Junior Tournament in Barbados, where her steady performances stood out on a competitive stage.
In the singles draw, Sanicharan faced Trinidad and Tobago’s Shiloh Walker, showing composure and focus to advance into the quarterfinals, 6-1,6-0.
Sanicharan then teamed up with Canadian partner Camille Michel, played a steady game in the doubles draw, overcoming Walker again and Colombian Maria Sanchez with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win in the first round.
Ava’s connection to Guyana is a point of pride for her family and the wider Caribbean community, as her participation in such events highlights the region’s representation in international tennis. Her quiet determination and passion for the sport serve as an example for other aspiring athletes from Guyana and the Caribbean.
As Ava continues to grow and develop her skills, she remains grounded, taking each opportunity as a step forward in her tennis journey. Her achievements reflect not just her talent but also the support of her family and her dedication to the sport.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make your voice heard on the 15th. Communication is your best route forward. Speak from the heart, listen respectfully and find common ground. Follow through by living up to your promises. Silence is golden on the 16th and 17th, and observation will be enlightening. Focus on preparing for upcoming events or making lifestyle adjustments to suit your needs. Simplicity and moderation will help you avoid indulgent behaviour. Enjoy activities going on in your neighbourhood on the 18th and 19th. Do your part to make those less fortunate find peace of mind and joy. Donate your time and items you no longer need. Honesty is the best policy on the 20th and 21st. Visiting friends and family or attending a reunion will be eye-opening and make you feel grateful.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Joint ventures and shared expenses will cause emotional stress on the 15th. Be clear regarding what you are willing to contribute to avoid misunderstandings or arguments that can impact a meaningful relationship. A change of heart on the 16th and 17th will alter your plans. Refrain from labouring over a situation that requires immediate attention to avoid long-term effects. Take control instead of giving someone jurisdiction over what you can do. On the 18th and 19th, keep your plans doable to avoid repercussions. Tally up how much you spend and any updates or payments you must take care of before the year ends. You will enjoy the festivities on the 20th and 21st more if you pace yourself. Indulgence will offer sour after-effects emotionally, physically and financially.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Emotions will surface on the 15th if you can’t work alongside others peacefully. Take care of responsibilities and avoid heavy discussions with someone who doesn’t see things your way. Choose peace and love over discord and chaos. Sign up to volunteer or donate to a cause you believe in on the 16th and 17th, and you’ll feel good about yourself and encounter someone you enjoy working alongside. Maintain an open mind and a grateful attitude. Stick to your plans on the 18th and 19th, regardless of what others do. Travel, preparation and spending time with someone you love will lead to fond memories. An emotional matter will surface on the 20th and 21st. Show your feelings and do your best to comfort anyone going through troubled times.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Keep your thoughts to yourself and pay attention to detail and the likes and dislikes of others on the 15th. An attentive approach to those dear to your heart will encourage better relationships. Tidy up loose ends on the 16th and 17th, and it will ease stress and give you a chance to enjoy the festivities. A special treat for someone you love will excite you as much as it does your recipient. An impromptu decision on the 18th and 19th will backfire. Think matters through before you let your emotions take over and lead you astray. You can’t buy love. You’ll find it difficult to contain your feelings on the 20th and 21st. Don’t take on too much; have a plan and schedule, and leave nothing to chance.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Refuse to let anyone trick you into something you don’t need or want on the 15th. Focus more on personal growth, looking and feeling your best, and getting yourself ready to tie up loose ends and prepare for new beginnings. Put more time, effort and faith in yourself and your ability to stick to a budget and finish things on time. Concentrate on what’s important, and don’t stop until your results satisfy you. Keep an open mind on the 18th and 19th, but don’t let anyone railroad you into a premature decision. Speak your mind and stick to your plans. Review how you earn your living, handle your money and use your skills on the 20th and 21st, and you’ll discover an exciting way to put your talents to better use.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Avoid indulgence on the 15th. It will be easy to get swept up in the moment and spend, eat or drink excessively. Live and learn from past mistakes, and you’ll make better choices. Keep your
and consideration. The joy of giving to those less fortunate is the greatest gift of all. Set a budget and do the prep work for upcoming events on the 18th and 19th, which will ease your mind and open time to enjoy the ones you love. Share some joy with friends and family on the 20th and 21st, and set the mood for love and romance. Sharing feelings will lead to a better future.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep an open mind and listen to others on the 15th. Hunting for a unique gift for someone you love or indulging in a romantic evening will bring you joy. Refuse to let someone you encounter at work or in your personal life upset you on the 16th and 17th. Keep a positive attitude, and you’ll ward off anyone who tosses out negative complaints. On the 18th and 19th, it’s time to do a last-minute sprint to ensure you leave nothing undone as the end of the year approaches. Go over documents ready to expire or sign up for events you want to attend before they are sold out. You may face opposition on the 20th and 21st if you don’t consult with loved ones before committing to something that affects others.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Acting hastily will backfire on the 15th. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Overspending will lead to stress and undermine your plans. Focus on budget, moderation and personal growth. You’ll learn something on the 16th and 17th if you attend an event that offers insight into using your skills, talents and experience in new, efficient and profitable ways. Don’t take risks that put you in jeopardy emotionally, physically or financially. On the 18th and 19th, you’ll discover something that changes your feelings or gives you a reason to reverse a decision about something you are considering. When in doubt, sit tight, observe and review. Tally up your financial situation on the 20th and 21st. Set a budget and evaluate your options regarding investments, professional opportunities and a less stressful lifestyle.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Explore the possibilities and set plans in motion on the 15th. Confront someone who can influence how you proceed to ensure you are heading in a similar direction. Put more emphasis on finances, home and what you can do to ease stress on the 16th and 17th. Someone you love will create temptation, encouraging excessive or indulgent behaviour. Be ready to say no. On the 18th and 19th, challenge yourself to pay more attention to health, fitness and how you present yourself to the world. A new look or routine and paying attention to detail will point you in the right direction. Dealing with emotional memories, older relatives and being able to do as you please will be difficult on the 20th and 21st if you aren’t willing to compromise.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Question your every move on the 15th. Verify the information you gather, and set boundaries and guidelines to ensure you don’t make a costly mistake or infringe on someone’s rights. Follow your heart on the 16th and 17th, and share your thoughts and feelings. Communication will help you make better choices and keep the peace with those who count. An unusual opportunity will give you something to look forward to in the new year. On the 18th and 19th, a change at home will cause turmoil if it goes over budget. Get everything in writing before you initiate your plans. Take control on the 20th and 21st. Pay attention to detail, stick to your plans and refuse to let anyone talk you into something that makes you vulnerable.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Plan to have fun on the 15th. Get together with friends and catch up. The information you receive will offer insight into something or someone of interest. A passionate opportunity is apparent. Consider the cost of items before you pull out your wallet on the 16th and 17th. You will make a better impression if you are thoughtful and kind with your gestures and words rather than spending on something
to implement a healthy routine. Staying fit and healthy will make you feel good about yourself. Romance is on the rise. Recap your household expenditures on the 20th and 21st, and prepare a budget to lower your overhead. Refrain from letting anyone talk you into something you don’t need.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take a moment to review small but essential details on the 15th, and you’ll avoid spending too much on something. An emotional incident will arise if you or someone close to you is indulgent. Use your imagination on the 16th and 17th, and you’ll create the perfect plan or offering for someone you love. A social event or community activity that helps those less fortunate will help you put your life in perspective. Slow down on the 18th and 19th, or mistakes will happen. Refuse to let others make choices for you. Implement only what you can afford and are capable of honouring. On the 20th and 21st, discipline will be necessary if you want to achieve your goals without setting yourself back emotionally or financially.
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 5
insult to our intelligence and we need to leave it to readers to figure out how to understand things.
“No one should be deprived of full access to literature. The people who seek to do so fear the power of literature and are therefore attempting to control or stymie it.”
Tavares said it was important for members of the Black Equity Committee to engage Hill in dialogue.
Often, he addresses his family history and the journey to claim his identity.
“UTS is known for its academics and high achievement,” said Tavares who was promoted to Deputy Principal last April. “So, there is a way that we ignore conversations related to equity because there could be this misguided belief that it is not something that needs to be attended to at the school. Despite what Lawrence Hill got from this school and his amazing accolades, he is also committed to ensuring that we are not avoiding or ignoring the reality that racism and discrimination take place, especially when you are young and trying to navigate school.
I BUY VINYLRECORDS
CA$H PAID FOR YOUR RECORDS! REGGAE, CALYPSO, SOUL, JAZZ - OLDIES (LP’s , 12” & 45’s ) CALL (647) 819 7659
“To do better, we have to talk about it.
“The work of the Black Equity Committee is integral to our broader commitment to anti-racism, equity, diversity & inclusion. This student committee along with other student-led initiatives is pivotal in fostering a more inclusive community and contributing to a more representative school community.”
Since 2022, UTS has celebrated Black History Month as Black Futures Month.
Black Equity Committee students intentionally decided to make the month more future-focused and forward-thinking. In doing so, they highlight the school’s commitment to grasping and acknowledg-
ing past and present injustices while celebrating the contributions made by Black people and cultures to Canada’s development.
Established in 1910 as a ‘practice school’ and a laboratory school for the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Education, UTS became an ancillary unit of U of T two decades ago, separate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
In 2021, UTS commissioned Dr. Avis Glaze to review its policies and practices and engage stakeholders in focus groups to provide recommendations on making the school more diverse and inclusive.
“Over the years, UTS has produced outstanding graduates who have served
their communities with distinction in a variety of occupations,” the international education adviser said. “I was very happy when the Board and then Principal Rosemary Evans asked me to conduct a review of the school. It certainly was one of the most enjoyable activities in my consulting career. I left feeling that if I had a son or daughter, I would certainly have considered the school because of its teaching staff, high standards, engaged parents and commitment to diversity, inclusion and holistic education.”
In 2022, Glaze delivered her report that outlines 57 recommendations for positive change and takes practical steps to address racism,
improve diversity and engender a sense of inclusion and meaningful belonging for students and staff from under-represented groups.
UTS acted immediately.
“I was very pleased with the swift response to my recommendations and the implementation plan they created,” added Glaze who is a former Ontario Education Commissioner. “Thanks to the Board, as a result of the steadfast commitment and seriousness of purpose, the parents, staff and students are already realizing the results they have worked assiduously to achieve.
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 6
The Nguzo Saba (seven principles) are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (SelfDetermination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).
Each principle is represented by a candle (mshumaa). The colours used during Kwanzaa (red, black and green) are the Pan-African colours.
The Pan-African colours were chosen by the Honourable Marcus Mosiah
Garvey on August 13, 1920. Black represents the African people; red represents the blood shed in our struggle for freedom and green is the symbol of our future and the richness of the African continent.
The Mishumaa saba (seven candles) are red, black and green. The black candle is placed in the centre of the kinara, the three red candles to the left of the black candle and the three green candles to the right.
On the first day of Kwanzaa, December 26, the black candle, representing umoja (unity) is lit. On the second day of Kwanzaa, the first red candle next to the black candle, representing kujichagulia (self-determination) is lit. On the third day of Kwanzaa, the first green candle, next to the black candle, representing ujima (collective work and
The first step was creating the position of Coordinating Vice-Principal with responsibility for Anti-Racism, Equity, Inclusion & Admissions to embed progress within the school’s administration.
Tavares, who completed a PhD in Education at York University in 2013 and taught kindergarten to Grade 12 in addition to being a course instructor at Queen’s University and a senior lecturer at Niagara University in Ontario, was appointed to fill the role.
READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AT SHARENEWS.COM
“As someone who has worked with schools in some 50 jurisdictions worldwide, I consider UTS to be an excellent school that provides a world-class education preparing their graduates to be successful anywhere in the world.”
responsibility) is lit. The candles are lit in this alternating pattern until the last green candle, representing Imani (faith) is lit on the last day of the Kwanzaa celebration January 1.
December 2024 heralds the end of the first United Nations (UN) declared “International Decade for People of African Descent” (2015-2024).
On January 30, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau endorsed the Decade in Canada committing “to learn more about issues of Black communities in Canada, improving research and data collection, working with community organizations to advance positive change”.
As the year nears its end, the Canadian government has reportedly spent almost 10 million dollars fighting The Black Class
Errol’s Moving, Delivery and Garbage Removal. 416-3332464.
Immaculate, furnished room and kitchen, near bus stop. Steeles/Islington. Just renovated, no pets, nonsmokers, ready to occupy. Call Keith: 416-650-9558.
Action Secretariat in court.
“The Black Class Action Secretariat is a non-profit organization committed to dismantling systemic discrimination in Canada’s public service institutions and organizations. The Secretariat is presently leading the landmark class action lawsuit (Thompson Vs. Her Majesty) against the entire federal public service.”
The lawsuit seeks justice for Black employees who have faced discriminatory hiring and promotion practices in government roles since 1970.
This fight is being led by Nicholas Marcus Thompson, “a Trinidadian Canadian human rights advocate, union leader,” who has worked tirelessly in this endeavour. It will be interesting to see how this “David vs Goliath” fight is “resolved” in 2025. The name Nicholas Marcus Thompson will be as recognizable as our freedom fighters of yesteryear. Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri! and Merry Christmas! to all who celebrate during this festive season. tiakoma@hotmail.com
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 9
that legacy lives every day in our deep commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion.”
Over 160 women have received awards and bursaries in Viola Desmond’s name in the last 16 years.
The recipient of the TMU Alumni Award, Ashley Jane Lewis, learned about the trailblazer in Grade 6 while being one of two Black students in high school in Aurora.
“This honour is enormous because Viola Desmond’s actions have triggered some incredible changes that have led to the freedoms I and many others enjoy in this country,” said the New Media Artist & Creative Technologist who is in the Black Scholars Institute inaugural cohort.
“The idea that there is some semblance of connection between her legacy and my work is very touching.”
Lewis’ work, which focuses on interactive installations, bio-art, social justice and speculative design, offers a model that Black communities can adopt to deepen relationships to mutual aid, networked information and resource distribution.
She draws inspiration from living organisms like slime mould, mycelium and other organic cultures to explore pathways to a more equitable future.
During her undergraduate studies at TMU, Lewis designed The Obama Board, a keyboard that swaps the sound of the note with a word from Barack Obama’s inauguration speech in 2009.
Second-year Journalism and LGBTQ+ Studies student Cris Nippard was the recipient of the Student Award.
“The award is a big deal for me, particularly in the political climate we are seeing in the West with a lot of hatred towards women and people of colour,” said the 19-year-old who is the Programming Outreach Support Lead at the Toronto Met Students’ Union Queer Space. “It is nice to see there are still these spaces where we are celebrating diverse members of our community who are putting in the hard work.”
Growing up in Scarborough was challenging for Nippard who is passionate about human rights and social justice, particularly for racialized queer and trans people.
“Being young, Black and gay was confusing for me as I didn’t see a lot of representation,” she said. “With Gen-Z Media, I realized I could get people to listen to the things that are important to
me. I figured I could be the change I want to see in the world.”
TMU student bursaries were presented to Hermela Taye, Titilayo Coker-Oshiwoga and 2024 RTA School of Media Studies graduates Faith-Ann Clarke and Chelsi Campbell.
“I understand how much media can impact how we view ourselves, how we view others and how we treat other people,” said Campbell who is a first-generation Canadian. “I want to contribute to authentic and accurate representations of Black women…To be recognized with an award that honours such a pivotal change maker in Black Canadian history is very meaningful to me.”
She was among the second cohort in the Onyx Scholarship program which includes personalized training and career coaching, mentorship, interview preparation and other job-readiness resources.
From a young age, Clarke has had a passion for media production and storytelling.
“Active participation in joining and creating Black-led clubs, creating authentic media featuring underrepresented communities and addressing systemic issues Black Canadians face reflect her commitment to advocacy, positive change and her resilience and leadership that have helped her navigate the educational system despite its inherent challenges,” said her nominator. “Faith-Ann embodies Viola Desmond’s legacy of resilience by employing her problem-solving skills and maintaining courage and strength in the face of barriers and challenges throughout her post-secondary career.”
Learning about Desmond in elementary school inspired Clarke who is a Bell Media floor director.
“She had courage and resilience and I always wanted to use my voice to follow in her footsteps,” she said.
This was the first time TMU’s Office of the Vice-President, Equity & Community Inclusion (OVPECI) partnered with a Faculty to host the event.
“For me and our office, this is one of the important lights of the year,” said Tanya ‘Toni’ De Mello who is the OVPECI ViceChair. “It is an important and wonderful celebration where we get to showcase our Black women and gender diverse people on our campus who are demonstrating excellence and, more than that, are making a contribution to change our entire community.…What the Viola Desmond Awards are about is to make sure
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 10
excellent tenor voice and quiet but fierce competitive spirit, he electrified many at our calypso competitions. He was always a crowd-pleaser and a big hit with audiences.”
Friends pushed James to enter the calypso competition in Montreal to challenge then-reigning champion Skippy.
“The guy just had to appear and he would be crowned,” James recounted in 2001. “Some of my friends thought he ought to be challenged and urged me to take him on.”
He was runner-up in his first competition.
In 1967, James and a group of young St. Lucian musicians recorded at the Carina Recording Studio in Barbados with several legendary singers, including the late Jackie Opel. That same year, he also performed at Expo’ 67 in Grenada.
He was a member of the now defunct Ndees calypso/reggae band before relocating to New York where he spent six years prior to migrating to Canada in 1978.
James released his first gospel album, ‘I’m A Different Man’, in 2008.
that the Black women and gender-diverse people who are making those changes today in our community are not invisible, that they are up on a stage, that they are in light and that we say we see you and we recognize you. You matter.”
TMU’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law put their hand up to be the inaugural host partner.
“This TMU signature initiative is, not surprisingly, very much aligned with our values at the Law school,” noted Donna Young who is the inaugural Dean. “At Lincoln Alexander Law, we are training future lawyers how to adapt to an increasingly innovative innovation-based economy and how to design solutions for evolving societal changes, including equity, inclusion and access to justice.
“Our faculty and staff bear a collective responsibility not only to prepare our stu-
dents to become skilled professionals, but to inspire their development to become engaged, informed and passionate citizens who are committed to serving their communities.
“Tonight is an important opportunity to gather as a community and to learn about the formidable Black women and gender-diverse people who are truly making a difference in their professional and personal lives. I can’t wait for all of you to hear more about them and come away inspired to take meaningful actions in service of a more inclusive, equitable and stronger future for all of us.”
The Law School launched the Viola Desmond Community Leader Awards that were presented to Charlene Theodore, Luanda Campbell and Safia Thompson.
READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AT SHARENEWS.COM
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 6
issue – when the voters made their mark, one has to believe that it played a part in the decision not to vote for her. Bear in mind that the American voters denied Hilary Clinton’s presidential run as well. Gender does play a part in the American psyche.
Of course, the U.S. presidential election is so confusing that one wonders how many understand it. The voters do not directly elect the president. They elect delegates to the Electoral College which then elects the president, to be certified by Congress on January 6.
There is, however, one theory that made sense to me, in part. The team that directed Harris’ campaign was established to direct Biden’s campaign for re-election. When Biden dropped out of the race, it would have been difficult for Harris to establish her own team, so she relied on the team, and much of its focus, that was in place for the Biden run. It is my belief that that state of mind convinced Harris not to allow a pro-Palestinian speaker at her nominating convention.
Will Harris seek the nomination again in four years? That is hard to tell at this point. She has not given an indication that she will. I think she should. Of course, she will have many contenders, probably mostly men, for the Democratic primaries which determines the eventual candidate. It was not the first time she sought the presidency. She was a primary challenger to Biden himself but failed to make the necessary impact. I believe she has learned a lot from these experiences that will make her candidacy more independent (from Biden).
In the meantime, the next four years will have us – the rest of world – on tenterhooks to see where Trump will take the country, and in fact the rest of the world. We heard a lot about the “guardrails” that kept him from doing some bad things during his first term. This time there doesn’t seem to be any, given the people he has appointed thus far for his cabinet.
I guess we just have to hold our collective breath and wait and see.
Email: patrick.hunter11@gmail.com
Parson saw dance as ‘catalyst for societal change’
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 10
very important to me because it has also allowed me to express myself,” the 1999 New Pioneer Award honouree once said.
While managing the dance company with a minimal budget, Parson still found time to further his education, completing his master’s in Dance Ethnology at York University.
The thesis revolved around the cultural and ritual dance and music forms in the African Diaspora.
“Patrick Parson was a visionary,” said renowned dancer/choreographer Kevin Ormsby. “He understood that dance and the arts are powerful catalysts for
societal change and he pushed forward connective perspectives on why the arts matter. Through his mentorship, artistes like Monica Pain, who went on to become the Dance Programmer at Flato Markham Theatre and later the Director of Programming and Operations at the York Region Arts Council, were able to broaden their skills while exploring their creativity. He also seeded a ripple effect through dancers. Some now run organizations, direct programs and shape the future of dance in Canada.”
Parson is survived by his mother and six children.
FANFAIR
