Reverend RHONDA BRITTON became the first female Baptist minister in Nova Scotia when she accepted the pastoral post at Second United Baptist Church some two decades ago. During her pastoral tenure she was very outspoken on discrimination, youth violence and current issues. Now she will focus on completing her autobiography. See story on page 7. Photo contributed
By HOLLINSWORTH AUGUSTE
On a snowy evening in December, members of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) assembled at the headquarters of CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) in Markham, Ontario – some around the boardroom table, others connecting via Zoom.
It marked the first election of executives since the COVID pandemic, and a quiet yet unmistakable sense of anticipation took hold.
By night’s end, the election of a new executive committee would chart a fresh path for Black and Caribbean workers across Ontario and Canada, building on CBTU’s enduring legacy of advocacy, resilience and hope.
Before the evening’s formalities began, Share spoke with Ahmad Gaied, a CBTU member whose passion for the organization – and its longstanding partnership with the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) –was unmistakable.
“CBTU isn’t just about labour; it’s
about life,” he said. “It’s about creating opportunities where there were none and inspiring the next generation to believe in their potential. But to do that, you need real
partnerships. If you want to do something for the community, you have to go to the community.”
That belief – that meaningful change
happens when large federations and Blackled organizations work together – lies at the core of the OFL-CBTU relationship. It
By RON FANFAIR
Pregnant at 18 just after becoming the first in her family to complete high school, Camille Orridge had her mother’s support.
“I clearly remember her saying it is not about this pregnancy and the child, but what you are going to do with the rest of your life,” she said in 2012. “While it was not the end of the world, what she was saying was that I would have to make sacrifices at a young age and work hard to achieve my goals while being a single parent.”
Orridge, who came to Canada two years later in 1967 to join her mother, Lillian Orridge, and an aunt, Sylvia Morgan, followed the sound advice and it paid off.
She became the first in her family to attend university and earn a degree.
Now retired after almost five decades championing equity in health care, Orridge
was recognized at the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) Racial Justice Awards gala in Scarborough on December 7.
“It is an honour to receive an award from my community,” she said. “I am particularly impressed with how this organization has evolved over the years where young people have stepped forward to move the agenda. That gives us a lot of hope for the future. What also stands out for me is that the youths are doing the work together across race, sexual orientation and religion. Most movements have not operated in this way.”
After working as a ward maid at Toronto General Hospital and in a clerical role at Toronto Western Hospital, Orridge returned to Jamaica briefly in 1972. She studied Records Administration in the United States before coming back to Canada and earning
a master’s in health administration from the University of Toronto which awarded her an honorary doctorate in June 2022.
Very community-oriented, she co-founded Pathways to Education in 2001 to help young Black students stay in school, the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention and the Canadian Home Care Association.
Orridge also led the development of a code of ethics for care in the community while serving with the Joint Centre for Bioethics and was a member of the provincial Emergency Room/Alternate Level-of-Care Expert Panel, the Business Lead for the Resource Matching & Referral project and Co-Chair of the Aging at Home Council and the Integrated Care for Complex Populations Task Force at the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
Where did the passion for community engagement and advocating for social
change come from?
“My mom, my aunt (Beryl Nelson) and teachers at Camperdown High School in Jamaica,” Orridge said without hesitation. “They gave me a sense of security. I always knew I could go home…Back in the day, not much was expected from us as the first group of Black kids to get scholarships. But we had some great teachers like Winifred Smith and Pamela Mordecai who told us we could … make a difference and that it was not only what you do, but how you use what you do to make a difference for others.
“That was my inspiration for community engagement.”
Becoming Toronto Central LHIN Chief Executive Officer in 2010, she led the organization with an annual budget of $175 million, serving close to 19,000
annually.
By RON FANFAIR
Around 7.35 a.m. on December 3, 1949, the inaugural Air Canada – then Trans Canada Air Lines –flight landed in Barbados with 44 passengers and crew.
Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) hosted a cocktail reception on December 2 at Hotel X in Toronto to mark the occasion.
“This celebration is a testament to the enduring
bond between Barbados and Canada, a relationship that is built on trust, collaboration and mutual respect,” said Minister of Tourism & International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill. “It reflects the significance of air travel in fostering connectivity, cultural exchange and economic prosperity between our two nations. Tonight is also a moment to acknowledge the power of connecting the world
through joint travel.”
Air Canada established service to Barbados the same year that a terminal was built at Seawell Airport that was renamed Grantley Adams International Airport.
“This connection has led to Barbados being the longest-served destination in the Caribbean for Air Canada and has also played a vital role in shaping our tourism industry,” Gooding-Edghill said.
After COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted, Air Canada was the first airline to resume service to Barbados.
“This demonstrated a deep and unwavering commitment to our shared recovery and resilience,” said Gooding-Edghill. “This partnership is more than air routes. It is about creating opportunities, building bridges and ensuring that the joy of travel remains accessible and enriching.”
More than 74,000 Canadians visited Barbados in 2024. Approximately 2.7 million Canadians have visited between 1967 and 2023.
“Known for our unmatched hospitality, our Canadian visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends often returning to continue relationships that span generations,” Gooding-Edghill said. “What sets us apart is our ability
By HOLLINSWORTH AUGUSTE
The Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) and Rhema Christian Ministries joined forces to host a festive Christmas Day celebration that exemplified unity, compassion and the spirit of giving.
Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, guests from across the GTA gathered to share in a memorable day of
fellowship, food and festivities—perfectly capturing the essence of Christmas.
Rhema is a multi-ethnic, non-denominational organization rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Orim Meikle, the ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering spiritual growth, promoting economic empowerment and meeting
By RON FANFAIR
Zanana Akande, the first Black woman to be elected to the province’s legislative assembly and to serve as a cabinet minister in Ontario; award-winning journalist Royson James; retired banking executive Winston Kassim and retired Canadian Armed Services reservist Kevin Junor have been appointed to the Order of Ontario.
The daughter of St. Lucian and Barbadian immigrants, Akande was a school principal before entering politics. She won the St. Andrew-St. Patrick riding for the New Democratic Party in 1990 and was appointed Minister of Community & Social Services.
After serving as Bob Rae’s parliamentary secretary for two years, she quit politics but continued to advocate for the community.
Captain KEVIN JUNOR
Graduating from Andrews University in Michigan, Jamaican-born James spent two years with the now-defunct community newspaper before joining the Toronto Star in 1981.
Starting as a reporter covering municipal politics in Scarborough, North York and Toronto before amalga mation, James was the To ronto Star’s city hall bureau chief and an editorial board member before becoming the municipal affairs colum nist in 1998.
Kassim, who spent over three decades with RBC and volunteered with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, co-chairs the Guy ana-Canada Chamber of Commerce.
He was appointed to the
Order of Canada in 2009. Junor joined the Canadian Forces Reserves in 1980 as an infantry soldier in the Toronto Scottish Regiment. He was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer in 1998 and then Regimental Sergeant Major.
Deployed as a Senior Military Advisor to the Republic of Sierra Leone’s Armed Forces in 2007 and later Jordan, he was the first Black Regimental Sergeant Major for the Toronto Scottish Regiment.
Junor was commissioned as a Captain with The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.
I choose my food, my partner, my career —so why not my treatment?
HIV meds aren’t one-size-fits-all. There are more options than ever, from daily pills to long-acting injections. And if your meds aren’t working, you can choose to switch.
When you start HIV treatment, you’re in control.
By RON FANFAIR
Historian and cultural activist Afua Cooper has been appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia.
The former Halifax Poet Laureate and Dalhousie University professor has contributed to the fabric of Nova Scotia’s literary landscape, serving as an accessible exemplar to emerging Nova Scotian writers from a diverse range of backgrounds.
For more than 25 years, Cooper has dedicated herself to the research, study, teaching and celebration of Black Canadian life. She has been instrumental in the creation and definition of the emerging field of Black Canadian Studies.
Cooper has played a central role in
building upon the previous generation of scholars of Black Canada to move the subject to the centre stage of scholarship across multiple disciplines.
Her mentorship of faculty and students, including Black and racialized students, and her leadership among African Ca nadian arts, community and academic organizations, has helped to establish new groups to work for positive change.
Cooper has reimagined history through engagement with literary arts, perfor mance, education and human rights. Through critical, creative practices, she has shed new light on the histories of African peoples previously underrepre sented in scholarship, public memory and
education. Her pioneering work in history and dub poetry, arising from her Jamaican ancestry exemplifies a life lived with the deepest integrity.
As a public intellectual, she has been a strong advocate for Black youth and for the Black community, breaking down barriers in teaching, research and knowledge production. Her efforts in the area of anti-discrimination and inclusion have made her one of the exemplary leaders in the field and an outstanding Nova Scotian.
An investiture ceremony will take place at Government House in the spring when Lieutenant Governor Savage presents the new members with their insignia and appointment scroll.
CHARLESTOWN: The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) is set to commence a transformative expansion project at the Vance W. Amory International Airport in early 2025.
Premier and Minister of Tourism, Mark Brantley, gave an update on the plans during a recent press conference in which he revealed that financing related to the runway expansion has been secured through a funding mechanism with the St. Kitts government.
“In terms of the financing on it I’m hopeful that by the time I get to the Budget discussions I’ll be able to announce concrete plans on the financing, but I can say that we are satisfied that we should be able to commence this project very early in 2025.
“Even if we have to ultimately do this project in phases, we have secured the financing to deal with the runway expansion, what we call the airside facilities, through the assis-
tance of Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew in St. Kitts for the land acquisition that is necessary,” he said, expressing his government’s gratitude to landowners for their cooperation.
The expansion will involve extending the runway in both directions – toward Nisbet Plantation and Hurricane Hill – to accommodate larger commercial and private aircraft.
“So planes now can go right up under Hurricane Hill during take off, giving them far more length of runway to maneuver. With that, we will be able to accommodate the Embraer Commercial aircraft that American Airlines is now operating from Miami into Anguilla, for example, direct from Miami fully loaded.
“Bear in mind, that that is our target market, private jet traffic. Hopefully, we can get American Airlines to come directly from Miami and we can get regional traffic coming into our airport. That’s the ambition at this point,” Brantley said.
The comprehensive $37 million project, led by Perez Engineering Consulting Services Ltd., also includes the following:
- New parking facilities for private jets and a hangar
- Upgraded lighting and perimeter fencing
- A fuel farm to address the current unavailability of fuel at the airport
- Enhanced air traffic control tower and a new fire station
- Expanded terminal wings to better handle passenger traffic
- Resurfaced vehicle parking apron
During a live-streamed public consultation held earlier at the Pond Hill Community Centre, consultant Daniel Cassell outlined the results of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted on the project.
The EIA concluded that all construction-related impacts, including air quality, noise, waste and hydrology are moderate,
temporary and reversible in the medium term.
The 100-page EIA report is available for public review at the Charlestown Public Library, a level of openness which demonstrates the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM)-led NIA’s commitment to transparency and to including public concerns and considerations in this significant undertaking. Cassell also addressed concerns about potential noise impacts, particularly for nearby properties like the inoperative Nisbet Plantation Inn, which is earmarked for future redevelopment by private investors. He clarified that flight patterns would direct larger aircraft over the sea away from the property, minimizing noise disruption.
Brantley said that the expanded airport will be a vital asset for all of Nevis, having significant positive impact on the island’s economy and its ability to enhance global connectivity.
to make every visitor feel like they are coming home.”
Air Canada serves Barbados daily through Lester B Pearson International Airport in Toronto. During the winter, Canada’s national airline flies four times weekly between Montreal and Barbados.
“Air Canada’s dedication to service, safety and reliability has been a cornerstone for our success,” said Gooding-Edghill. “We deeply value our partnership and are committed to continuing this journey together, fostering innovation, collaboration and excellence in travel.”
Leaving Montreal and stopping in Bermuda, where it was delayed by a storm, and Jamaica, the inaugural flight on the Canadair DC-4M North Star propeller plane took about 15 hours. Direct flights now last
just over five hours.
Serving Barbados continuously for 75 years, said BTMI Chief Executive Officer Andrea Franklin, is an incredible milestone.
“This remarkable partnership has connected people across borders and fostered strong cultural, economic and tourism ties between our two nations,” she said. “Over the decades, Air Canada has played a pivotal role in bringing visitors to our island to experience its vibrant heritage, sunny landscapes and hospitality. As we reflect on this shared journey, we look forward to celebrating this bond and building even greater opportunities for collaboration in the years to come.
“We will continue to offer Canadian visitors an immersive experience on the island where you are free to explore the authentic Bajan experience, whether it is romance, culinary, heritage, sports or seascape adventures,” said Franklin. “You will land in Barbados for the first time as a visitor and we welcome you back as family and friends.”
The largest percentage of repeat visitors to Barbados is from Canada.
Gline Clarke, Barbados’ Ambassador to Canada, thanked Air Canada for its first-class service and commitment to the island which gained its independence in November 1966.
“Air Canada would have been convinced to place its trust in our newly minted democracy,” he said. “I think we can all agree that fate has led to tremendous benefits for both Barbados and Air Canada. Here, I speak not only of business, but also of the friendship and support that Canada has had towards Barbados over the years.
“The direct people-to-people contact cannot be undervalued.”
While travelling across Canada as Barbados’ top diplomat in Canada, Clarke said Bajans in other provinces frequently inquire about Air Canada starting a service from their provinces to the Caribbean island.
Given the uncertainty in regional air services, he also encouraged Air Canada
to consider creating an express service using Barbados as a hub to serve the Caribbean region.
“This will surely encourage more inter-regional travel as well as Canadian travel,” Clarke said. “Though we have excellent service from Air Canada, I believe there is an opportunity to improve from where we are to ensure that this relationship could be enhanced and deepened.”
Clarke joined Gooding-Edghill in acknowledging the BTMI team in Canada for going the extra mile in promoting Barbados as a destination of choice.
Ryan Forde, the Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association, also congratulated Air Canada for its excellent service over the decades.
“We have seen success throughout the years in our properties, attractions, experiences and culinary offerings,” he said.
Forde also noted that Canadians were the highest real estate purchasers in Barbados last year.
“They don’t just come for vacation,” he added. “They are investing in Barbados.”
The Government of Canada has committed to supporting Black communities by putting forward transformational investments and initiatives that empower people of African descent, combat anti-Black racism and address longstanding and systemic barriers to their social and economic inclusion.
The Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, welcomed a second International Decade for People of African Descent that was adopted on December 17. Canada co-sponsored this proposal, which will span from January 2025 to December 2034 and serve as an opportunity to further Canada's efforts to empower and improve the wellbeing of Black communities.
In 2018, Canada endorsed the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, serving as a roadmap for investing in Black-led and Black-serving initiatives across the country. Since then, Canada has made transformative investments, committing up to $872 million to Black-focused initiatives, ranging from racial justice and entrepreneurship to economic dignity.
The government’s 2024 Fall Economic Statement proposed to invest:
* $36 million in 2025-26 to extend the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative;
* $189 million over five years, starting in 2025-26, for the Black Entrepreneurship Program to help Black entrepreneurs and
business owners thrive;
* $9.5 million over two years, starting in 2025-26, to help Black youth overcome employment barriers through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program;
* $77.9 million over two years, starting in 2025-26, to launch Canada's Black Justice Strategy.
These proposed new investments bring the total investment to improve the social and economic welfare of Black Canadians and to tackle systemic inequities impacting Black communities to over a billion dollars.
As the second Decade begins, the Government of Canada will continue to build on these efforts, fostering a country where all Canadians can succeed and where Black Canadians can thrive.
"Inclusion makes Canada stronger,” Khera said following the announcement.
“The first United Nations International Decade for people of African Descent provided a roadmap for our government to work alongside Black communities on the issues that matter the most to them.
With the proposed investments in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, our government has committed over a billion dollars to support Black Canadians, Black-focused organizations, and tackle the longstanding barriers they continue to face.
“While we have made real progress, we know there is still much more to do.
“During this second Decade, we will continue building on the work we have
started to create a country where all Canadians can succeed.”
In 2018, Canada endorsed the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, which spanned from 2015 to 2024. On February 7, 2024, the Prime Minister announced a domestic extension, until 2028 of the federal government's efforts, to promote equity, empower Black Canadians and strengthen their leadership in business, social justice and community.
Last April, Canada announced its commitment to support the call for a second international decade.
Since endorsing the Decade in 2018, the Government of Canada has committed up to $872 million to Black-focused initiatives—from racial justice to entrepreneurship to economic dignity. Programs and investments made include:
* The Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI).
Since 2019, more than $175 million has been invested through SBCCI to celebrate, share knowledge and build capacity in Canada's vibrant Black Canadian communities. Budget 2023 committed an additional $25 million for 2024-25, extending the program for an additional year and bringing the total commitment up to $200 million.
SBCCI has funded more than 2,600 projects to grow charities and non-profit organizations led by Black people, to benefit Black communities.
* The Black Entrepreneurship Program
real-world needs.
In tandem with Pastor Meikle’s guidance, Valentine Akuazaoku, Rhema’s CEO, oversees a strong team dedicated to fulfilling Rhema’s mission of “Changing & Affecting Lives”. Through programs such as the Rhema Food Bank—which provides much-needed assistance to about 500 families weekly—Rhema also undertakes medical and humanitarian missions in places like Afghanistan and Rwanda, underscoring its global reach and impact.
The JCA has served as a vital community hub since 1962, delivering programs, services and advocacy for Jamaican, Caribbean and African Canadian communities. Whether through educational initiatives or cultural celebrations, the JCA remains committed to its mission to improve well-being, foster equity and strengthen community ties.
Under the skillful coordination of Grace Williams—wife of JCA founding President Roy Williams—this year’s Christmas Day event welcomed guests of all ages, from children to seniors.
Audrey Campbell, former JCA president, took on the role of emcee, guiding the day’s program with humour and insight while David Betty, current JCA president, officially welcomed attendees and expressed his gratitude to all volunteers and sponsors who had contributed their time and efforts to make the celebration a success.
Another highlight of the gathering was the presence of Jamaica’s Consul General in Toronto, Kurt Davis, who delivered
heartfelt Christmas greetings. Emphasizing that Christmas is about more than festive lights and gifts, Davis reminded attendees of the birth of Jesus as the true reason for the season. He encouraged community members to offer “gifts of love”, such as checking in on neighbours, friends and especially elders or those who may be alone. Following his remarks, Davis introduced his son, James Davis, who performed a moving musical piece while guests sang along filling the hall with warmth, joy and harmony.
During the event, Roy Williams was recognized for his longstanding dedication to the organization and his enduring support for the community. His pioneering work set the foundation upon which the JCA continues to thrive.
Officers from Toronto Police Services 31 Division also joined the festivities, mingling with attendees and underlining their commitment to building trust within the neighbourhoods they serve. They spoke about the importance of nurturing strong community relationships, noting how ongoing collaboration, open dialogue and mutual support between law enforcement and local residents can create safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone. Their presence at the celebration further emphasized a collective goal: working hand-in-hand—across community, faith, and civic institutions—to foster unity and understanding.
By centering the true spirit of Christmas—a spirit of selfless generosity, unity and faith—organizers and attendees alike demonstrated that when communities come together, they can uplift one another
(the Program). With up to $265 million invested to support thousands of Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country, the program is an important step forward in building the foundation for long-term, lasting change and making a real difference in the lives of Black entrepreneurs across the country for years to come.
* The Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund (the Fund).
Budget 2021 committed up to $200 million to establish the Fund. In March 2023, the Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC) – a national Black-led and Black-serving organization – was named to administer the Fund. The FFBC issued its second call for proposals in October 2024.
* The development of Canada's Black Justice Strategy is part of the federal government's response to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination that has led to the over-representation of Black communities in the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime.
* The Government of Canada has also invested $10 million in the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund to support the mental health of Black individuals and communities, with the aim of supporting more culturally focused knowledge, capacity and programs that address mental health and its social determinants for Black people in Canada.
Since 2018, the Fund has supported 23 community and Black-led projects across Canada.
* $7.25 million to establish the National Institute for People of African Descent, a first of its kind in Canada. This institute will support Canada's efforts to tackle racism and discrimination by serving as a centre for research, knowledge and community engagement.
in ways that truly make a difference.
With the partnership of the JCA and Rhema, this year’s Christmas celebration proved that shared dedication to service can transform an event into an extraordinary show of community and care.
In the words of Grace Williams, “It’s in working together and supporting each other that we make our community stronger every day.”
* Earlier this year, Canada launched its new Anti-Racism Strategy. Building on the lessons and accomplishments of the first strategy, it aims to combat systemic racism, including anti-Black racism, under the leadership of a new Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat. As part of the Strategy, the government continues to provide resources to communities and organizations to eliminate inequities and tackle racism.
* The Government of Canada honours Canadians of African descent through its annual Black History Month campaign.
MURPHY BROWNE
By MURPHY BROWN
Happy New Year 2025.
In North America we said goodbye to 2024 at midnight on December 31, 2024. By then, some other countries were already hours into the new year, 2025.
The New Year was first celebrated in the South Pacific Island states of Samoa and Christmas Island/Kiribati.
Australians and New Zealanders were next in welcoming 2025. They were followed by several Asian countries, including Thailand, Japan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Then 2025 was welcomed in the Middle East and Europe before moving on to countries on the African continent including Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Somalia.
The Americas (Central America, North America, South America) and the Caribbean islands were next.
American Samoa was the last country to ring in the New Year 2025.
As I watched the famous “ball drop” at midnight on December 31, 2024, a song from my childhood came to mind. It was a song that I had heard sung by older relatives. Now, in 2025, my siblings, cousins and I are those older relatives.
I remember watching some “old people” weeping as they sang:
“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?”
As an adult I learned the meaning of the words and the sentiment. My elderly relatives were remembering their elderly relatives who had transitioned to the ancestral realm. They were also moving forward into the new year while looking back at lessons learned from the old year, like the Sankofa bird from the Ghanaian Adinkra symbols.
The New Year is a time of excitement and joy as most people welcome the start of a new calendar year. It is a time to reflect on the past, set new goals and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Many people make resolutions to learn from the year past in an attempt to improve their lives in various ways during the new year.
The New Year brings hope, joy and excitement as youth and adults around the world bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new year.
There are various traditions observed to welcome the New Year. The way people celebrate the New Year varies across cultures. In the United States, people gather to watch – or watch on television – the “Times Square Ball Drop”. More than a million people gathered in Times Square to ring in 2025.
The tradition of gathering at Times Square in New York City to watch the popular “ball drop” began on December 31, 1907, to welcome the year 1908. On December
By PATRICK HUNTER
And so, another year begins. One thing for sure is that, at the end of the year, we will have celebrated another birthday – we will have been one year older.
We of the post-war generation, the boomers, will continue to complain about the aches and pains but secretly welcome the fact that we are still alive.
Our world is undergoing significant changes. The frequency and devastating weather conditions are among some of the more obvious indicators.
This past year has seen many countries witnessing flooding, fires and multiple hurricanes that have left them, to say the least, in complete disarray.
Developing nations held out for better assistance from the rich countries at the recent COP meeting (Conference of Parties – a UN sponsored climate change convention) in dealing with sea level increases and other devastating effects they are now facing. Whether they get it or not is another question. There are some of the rich countries and their governments which have not bought into their role in trying to slow climate change.
There were a number of elections towards the latter part of last year, and there will be more to come. There is a distinct momentum shift in many of these countries towards the political right. Many European countries have started down that road, and so has the United States, as we have seen with the election of Donald Trump to the Presidency and the Congress going all Republican.
We, here in Canada, are facing our own upheaval with the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Should we call it a crisis?
The tipping point came when Trudeau decided that he was going to relieve Chrystia Freeland of her position as finance minister and, I guess, deputy prime minister. Freeland was having none of it. In a very public way, she decided to quit the post on the very day she was supposed to present an update on the state of the economy. If nothing else, that act alone declared in a forceful way that confidence in the Prime Minister had waned.
Many of us will remember that his father, Pierre, when he faced challenges from his caucus and the electorate, decided to “take a walk in the snow” one February morning and made the decision to resign.
I have to throw this in. Trudeau decided to make a trip to Mar-a-Lago, the home of President-elect Donald Trump. He was trying, I guess, to dissuade the president-elect from following up on his promise to impose tariffs on Canadian imports to the U.S. It is unclear whether he achieved anything with the possible exception of Trump’s mockery. Following that meeting, Trump teased that Trudeau was down to see him in about 15 seconds, or words to that effect. I thought
that this was an undignified undertaking by the prime minister of Canada. It is no wonder that Trump can insultingly suggest that Canada should become the 51st state.
Who will succeed Trudeau as Liberal leader? So far, two names seemed to be surfacing. Mark Carney, the former Bank of Canada governor and former governor of the Bank of England, is one that has been talked about. It is said that he was the one being proposed to take over from Freeland. The other name is Chrystia Freeland. It will be an interesting contest when the time comes.
Standing in the wings, waiting for an opportunity to take this country down a right-wing path, is Pierre Poilievre. Just about the only thing that Poilievre has indicated, if he wins,
is that he will cut the “carbon tax”.
At the beginning of any new year, we look forward to a change in our fortunes. That may not necessarily mean financially, although that may be a significant part of it. I think we hope that at the end of the new year, we can look back and say “that was a very good year”. That is probably a rarity. Nevertheless, there is a sense of hope that the incoming year will go smoothly, that our lives would not be too upended through unforeseen circumstances, and our families would be, if not happy, content.
Thank you, readers, for your continued support of Share Here’s hoping that this year will be fruitful.
Email: patrick.hunter11@gmail.com
Dear Editor:
Americans have typically complained over the years that the northern or Canadian weather has descended south, bringing unwelcome chills to them. With the recently elected Republican government in the U.S., the chills have an opposing or converse effect and have shifted direction.
The chills with the new origin of Washington, DC, come from the threat of a 25% tariff on all imported goods from both Mexico and Canada.
This bidirectional ground-shattering and aggressive new tactic forced on its neighbouring countries feels more like an earthquake, than a chill. The premier of Ontario adequately sums up this calamity stating that this proposed new tariff is like “ a family member stabbing you in the heart”.
Canada started trade relations with the U.S. in 1855 and is its largest trading partner; it also has a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S.
On January 1, 1989, Canada, Mexico and the U.S. formed a free-trade agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Considering the historically close relations between the U.S. and Canada, I find it ironic that the incoming President of the U.S. is referring to us as a potential 51st state, and referring to our Prime Minister as “the Governor of Canada”.
In a new development, the Premier of Ontario indicated that if push comes to shove, the electricity supply from Canada to some parts of the U.S. could be turned off. I am somewhat bewildered by the current state of affairs between our two nations and feel this rigidity is not fostering a positive outcome for both countries.
The second-largest country in the world, Canada is blessed with a plethora of natural resources. Not only do we produce an excess of electricity but there is a lot more. We produce aluminum, steel, gold, nickel, uranium, diamonds, lead, crude petroleum, wheat, potatoes, cars, aircraft, maple syrup, soybean products, corn and lumber. Let’s not forget Canadian bacon and more.
Canadian leaders at all levels need to take this 25% tariff situation seriously, especially in light of the fact that this was mentioned more than once. We also need to put our tariff in place to offset the onset of this indignation. All our provinces must present a united front to ensure that our natural resources serve all Canadians well.
Job creation and development in collaboration with the private sector in our vast, underdeveloped country should be a major priority. This will and should provide hope and encouragement for the young generation. Judicious population growth is essential for qualified individuals.
The taxes from the newly created businesses and citizens should be applied toward upgrading our military force.
We also need a strong federal government to provide vision, leadership and a cohesive front to propel us through this challenge.
For this unnecessary, unusual and unfamiliar problem to be resolved, calmer heads have to employ logic, common sense, fair play and wisdom before any drastic measures are applied or enforced.
Respectfully,
Linval Burke, Scarborough, Ontario
By RON FANFAIR
Reverend Rhonda Britton was anxious on her first visit to New Glasgow over two decades ago to interview for the pastoral post at Second United Baptist Church.
Who could blame her as travelling to new unfamiliar places anchors people in that moment.
Even after accepting the role, the plan was to spend about three years in Atlantic Canada and return to the United States.
In 2007, after five years as the first ordained woman to serve at the church, Britton moved to New Horizons Baptist Church, formerly Cornwallis Street Baptist Church, becoming the first woman senior pastor in its 193-year history.
On December 29, she preached her last sermon at the historically Black church which was established by Black refugees.
“My appointment marked a change in the understanding of who God called to carry the gospel
and the fact that God can use anybody,” said Britton, the first Black woman president of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. “For the church, it was a change in the traditional thinking that this was a man’s role. It was a new era in the church in terms of a greater understanding of how God works and being a part of how God moves.”
Soon after arriving in Halifax’s north end, she met Mi’kmaq elder, activist and historian Daniel Paul who succumbed to cancer in June 2023.
For almost three decades, he advocated for renaming landmarks named after Edward Cornwallis who founded Halifax in 1749 and was Nova Scotia’s governor for three years until 1752.
In 1993, Paul wrote a book portraying Cornwallis as a White supremacist responsible for the genocide of the Mi’kmaq people.
“Daniel wanted to educate me because I didn’t
know who Cornwallis was and his history,” said Britton who was a Moderator of the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia.
“He told me about the problems Mi’kmaq people had with this man who issued a bounty on the heads of their people.”
Now aware of Cornwallis’ controversial past, she approached the church’s Board chair to find out if members would be willing to sign a petition to change the street name.
“That was important because our church was named after the street,” said Britton who was born and raised in Jacksonville. “If the street name changed, it was logical that the church name would be changed because we would no longer be on Cornwallis St. There are members of our congregation who have longstanding relationships with First Nations people.
“We signed that petition, but nothing happened for nearly 10 years despite my writing to City Hall.”
In pushing for the name change, she was adamant that the new one should reflect a concept.
“I was thinking about names like Friendship Ave., Reconciliation Way or Harmony Blvd. because there is always going to be something in the life of a person that someone will take exception to no matter how good the person was or the exceptional things they did,” said Britton.
During talks to renovate
the church, the leadership discussed the possibility of changing the church name.
“That was to reflect better who we think we are as a body in Christ and what God has called us to do,” Britton said. “Having a refurbished building was a perfect time for a name change. For some people, it will always be Cornwallis St. no matter what you call it. When we had a public discussion in a church meeting, the support for the name change was overwhelming and that surprised me.”
The solicitation of names from congregation members took about two years.
“People had to come up with the rationale behind the names they proposed,” said Britton. “They had to state the meaning behind the name and why it would be good for the church.
We had a committee that vetted the names to see if there were other churches in the vicinity with that name. With a shortlist, we had three rounds of voting where names were eliminated.”
Nova Scotia’s Registry of Joint Stocks that approves and registers business names in the province endorsed New Horizons.
Six months after the renovated church re-opened, Cornwallis St. was officially renamed Nora Bernard St. in October 2023.
The renaming honours the Mi’kmaq activist who was instrumental in a class-action lawsuit against Canada on behalf of residential school survivors that was settled for over $5 billion in 2005.
An integral component
has announced the inauguration of a sea-
between Toronto and Grenada. To commemorate the milestone, WestJet and the Grenada Tourism Authority celebrated with live entertainment, including music by steelpannist Suzette Vidale, giveaways and formal remarks gate side at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
“Launching service between Grenada and Toronto – once a week until April 27, 2025 – reinforces the WestJet Group’s title as Canada’s leading leisure airline,” said Daniel Fajardo, WestJet Vice-President of Network and Schedule Planning. “This connection expands access to one of the most sought-after Caribbean destinations, offering guests a seamless gateway to Grenada’s stunning beaches,
By RON FANFAIR
Most ambitious people tend to seek opportunities for personal and professional development. For George Anderson, though, a political career was not on his radar.
But others recognized his excellent communication skills, wisdom, leadership, charisma, caring nature and humility and encouraged him to enter politics.
Anderson did and was elected to Nanaimo City Council during his freshman year at Vancouver Island University in 2011.
After three years on council, Anderson attended law school and practiced law for five years.
“People came back and asked if I would be willing to make another political run,” said the 34-year-old Class Valedictorian in high school and university. “The world faces several challenges, including high inflation and income inequality. Having spoken with enough people in my community, I put my name forward.”
Last October, the New Democratic Party (NDP) of British Columbia member became the third Black politician elected to the province’s Legislative Assembly after winning 52 per cent of the votes in the new Nanaimo-Lantzville riding which has a population of 56,881.
Born and raised in Nanaimo to Ghanaian immigrant parents who arrived in the urban city in the late 1980s, Anderson is excited to be part of a government that is committed to actively addressing climate change and building infrastructure, including roads, hospitals and schools.
The province is supporting the new Simon Fraser University Medical School at the Surrey campus through $33.7 million in capital funding for interim space with $27 million in operational funding through the 2024 budget.
The British Columbia government also provided $14 million for the startup and planning of the new school, the first in Western Canada in 55 years.
It is expected to open in 2026.
“The NDP has been very much focused on building back a system that has been neglected for many years,” said Anderson, the Parliamentary Secretary for Transit and Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole. “I am thrilled to be part of a government that is focused on all British
Columbians, particularly those on the margins. We need a government that is focused on everyday people to ensure that their quality of life is lifted.”
Blacks have been an integral part of British Columbia’s history since Guyanese-born James Douglas, considered the founding father of the western province, invited African Americans to become pioneers nearly 160 years ago.
They include tinsmith John Sullivan Deas who was the leading canner on the Fraser River in the 1870s. The tunnel on the south arm under the Fraser once bore his name but was renamed in 1967.
Aware of the province’s rich Black history, Anderson promises to shed light on some of the trailblazers, including Deas.
“I want to ensure there is some recognition of Deas so that he is not forgotten,” he said. “In my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Transit, I am fortunate to have that direct conduit to the Minister of Transportation to be able to talk about how we can ensure that portion of history is not erased.”
Anderson also plans to use his political clout to advance Hogan’s Alley revitalization.
Vancouver’s first Black church, co-founded in 1918 by American rock guitarist/singer Jimi Hendrix’s grandmother – Nora Hendrix – along with her workplace, Vie’s Chicken & Steak House, were central components of Vancouver Centre’s Black community in the Strathcona neighbourhood which was displaced over five decades ago by industry and the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts.
Many Black employees at the Great Northern Railway Station completed in 1916 also resided in the thriving Hogan’s Alley.
America’s first elected Black judge and abolitionist Mifflin Gibbs was Canada’s first Black politician, having been elected to Victoria City Council in 1866. He also built BC’s first railway, served as Victoria’s Deputy Mayor and played a pivotal role in the then colony’s entrance into the Canadian Confederation.
Midwife and Salt Spring Island resident, Sylvia Stark, delivered hundreds of babies and saw the island pass through its frontier stage to the modern era before passing away in 1944 at the age of 105.
Born in 1850 in the Danish West Indies,
which is now the United States Virgin Islands, John Freemont Smith lived in Victoria for a few years before moving to Kamloops in 1884. He owned a shoemaking business, served as an Indian agent, postmaster, secretary of the local board of trade and city assessor, wrote articles for mining and agriculture publications and was elected British Columbia’s first Black alderman in 1903.
“It is important that the stories of those Blacks who have made significant contributions in this province are incorporated in the very beautiful tapestry that is Canada,” said Anderson who spent a few months studying at the University of Gallen in Switzerland in 2017 as part of an academic exchange program during his third year at Osgoode Hall Law School.
The creation and implementation of laws are among politicians’ main duties. With a law degree, they have a better understanding of the law-making process and how ruling structures govern.
In Grade 3, Anderson drew a law school in a book that his parents recently showed him.
“That was a dream of mine and I am happy I got the opportunity to fulfil it,” said the youngest of four siblings and former Vancouver Island University Board of Governors Chair. “I was also thinking that
if I was going to be a public servant again, that knowledge would be beneficial for my constituents.”
As a teenager just completing high school in 2009, Anderson was urged to run in the 2011 municipal elections in British Columbia, representing Nanaimo where he was born and raised.
Recognizing that Blacks should be part of the decision-making process and that he could bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the political landscape, he threw his hat into the ring as a 19-yearold, relying on social media and door-todoor canvassing to get his message out.
Spending just under $5,000 on his campaign, Anderson’s message resonated with voters.
In the 2011 election, he made history as the youngest politician ever to secure a seat on city council after receiving the fourth-highest number of votes, 7,450.
A total of 26 candidates contested the election.
Finishing in the top tier guaranteed Anderson a spot on the 19-member Regional District Board that provides governance and services throughout Vancouver Island’s Central East Coast.
Then Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan felt that the young political neophyte should allow an older politician to take the position.
When Anderson explained that constituents voted for him, Ruttan responded by email telling the newcomer he had lots of time to make a difference and he should relax because the window for older city council members was rapidly closing.
On the day of the city council inauguration, Anderson told the veteran politician that if he were removed from the regional board, he would tell the media what transpired.
The former Port Authority Chairman backed down.
In the run-up to last October’s provincial election, Ruttan endorsed Anderson.
“I met George Anderson when he was elected to the City of Nanaimo Municipal Council,” he said. “At that time, I was just starting my second term as the Mayor of Nanaimo. George was quick to demonstrate his understanding of City issues and was able to discuss these often-complicated matters in detail. A gifted public speaker, George Anderson is a kind and
See ANDERSON Pg. 10
By RON FANFAIR
How can we represent contemporary art intersecting with hip-hop through a Canadian lens?
Curator Dr. Julie Crooks and her team had to consider the question when the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) was presented with the opportunity of hosting ‘The Culture: Hip-Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century’.
The exhibit is grounded in the origin of the music genre in the United States, with a focus on art and music for the last two decades.
Crooks ensured that some elements of Canada’s hip-hop culture are part of the exhibition.
“The show is very global in terms of the artistes that are represented, but the
only Canadian artiste is Stan Douglas (in the original exhibition),” she said at the exhibition’s media launch on December 4.
“I felt the show could not come to Toronto and not represent Toronto which has a deep relationship and history with hip-hop. To not be represented in this show would be disingenuous and simply not right. We had to think about how we do that while respecting the show’s vision.”
Douglas is among the nearly 65 artistes featured in the exhibit that brings together contemporary artistes, musicians, designers and stylists to tell the story of the art form and its global impact on visual culture.
While a fan of hip-hop, Crooks made it clear she is
not an expert on the popular music genre.
“It was important to talk to people which is what I love about curating,” said the 2014-16 Rebanks Postdoctoral Fellow who co-founded the Black Artistes Network Dialogue (BAND) with maxine bailey, Karen Carter and Karen Tyrell in 2009. “It is a collaborative venture. It is about reaching out to communities.
“There is a special moment in the show that some people in this room participated in and I think that brings together the essence of not only the show, but the power and history of hip-hop in Toronto.”
Some of the people Crooks reached out to included hip-hop educator Dr. Francesca D’Ami -
co-Cuthbert and photographers Ajani Charles and Patrick Nichols.
“I also have relationships with people like Master T (Tony Young) and a range of other individuals,” she added. “If I were organizing a show like this from Toronto, there are a range of scholars like Mark Campbell, Dalton Higgins and Francesca, influencers and radio personalities that we would gather around the table to try to figure out how best to do this in as much the same way as The Culture’s curatorial team did. You can’t do a show like this on your own. You need the experts when you are doing a show like this of a complicated and political genre that has changed over the 50 years of its existence.”
Co-curator Andrea Purnell said the four-member team engaged in extensive outreach and collaboration.
“It was important for us to be as genuine as possible, thinking about the grassroots of hip-hop,” said the St. Louis Art Museum Audience Development Manager. “Because of that, we talked to as many people as we could.
We formed a global advisory group that comprised fashion designers, people in hip-hop and other curators. We are building off their story of hip-hop. This is not the first hip-hop exhibition. We talked to the others to tell us how it happened, what went well and what didn’t.
“Once we got in a room and said this is our idea,
then we decided – even with the checklist – to make sure we spoke to as many of the artistes as we could to tell us how this work is hip-hop; and what hip-hop means to them.
“Some of the artistes said: ‘I know you are looking at this work and I know you are interested in the show, but actually I have grown up a bit and hip-hop has influenced my practice in this way and I want to make something new for you’.
“They got so excited. We had so many artistes make brand-new work when they heard about the premise of the show that we thought we might be on to something.”
Organized by the St. Louis and Baltimore Art
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
Just ahead of the second anniversary of the death of Rasheed Sultan-Khan— founding-president of the Trinidad & Tobago 50Plus and Seniors’ Association of Canada—the organization presented a number of awards in his memory.
The “Founders Awards” were presented at a recent 50Plus Ontario Chapter event in Scarborough that also combined as a fundraiser for the organization.
Master of Ceremony, Shane Suepaul, the association’s president, described the Trinidad & Tobago 50Plus and Seniors’ Association as a “great example of unity in diversity”, and said an examination was being taken of the group’s constitution to allow for even wider membership.
The non-profit Trinidad & Tobago 50Plus and Seniors’ Association was established in February 1996.
“Pulling Together” , a publication of the 50Plus group, has documented the history and biographies
of association members, including Sultan-Khan, who arrived in Canada in 1973 from Trinidad, where he had won an island-wide singing competition and was well-known as a tenor on a local radio station.
Sultan-Khan died on April 15, 2023, only one day before his 95th birthday.
Among his surviving relatives is his wife Feroza, a founding member of the 50Plus and Seniors’ Association and also a former president of the organization.
She presented the newly launched Founders Awards to recipients at the association’s fundraiser in Scarborough, whose patrons included Trinidad & Tobago’s Consul General in Toronto Tracy Ramsubagh-Mannette, Liberal MP for Scarborough North Shaun Chen and Toronto City Councillor Michael Thompson.
An award was presented in three categories which, according to Sultan-Khan, “continue to fulfill the values, ethics and spirit of the association”
and which cover areas such as the vision and promotion of the group, as well as social activities, information-sharing and the provision of assistance.
The Founder Award, encompassing vision, was presented to association member Yolanda Russell.
For “promoting and sharing”, the award recipient was June Straker.
Kenny Dayal, a former president who, at the launch of the 62-page “Pulling Together” in 2023, pledged that the association “all the time” will pay tribute to the late Sultan-Khan, was the recipient of the third award for “encouraging tolerance, training, education and understanding through active participation to bring the association forward in programs and projects”.
The 50Plus and Seniors’ Association, Dayal said at the tune while serving as president, “brings T&T citizens together to socialize and to provide resources to help seniors cope with aspects of old age”.
The association, he
dates back to the pioneering work of June Veecock, who served as both the OFL’s Director of Human Rights and the founding president of CBTU’s Ontario-Canada Chapter.
Veecock’s leadership sparked a synergy that would flourish under Janice Gairey, another OFL Human Rights director who later led CBTU and now holds the title of President Emeritus, and continues today with newly re-elected president, Yolanda McClean, the Secretary-Treasurer at CUPE and Executive Vice President at the OFL.
When Veecock first took the reins of the OFL’s Human Rights department, it was revolutionary. A Black woman holding such a key position not only broke barriers—it institutionalized a commitment to center the voices of Black and Caribbean workers in the broader labour movement.
Veecock brought that ethos to CBTU and the OFL-CBTU alliance matured, demonstrating that combining the OFL’s organizational reach with CBTU’s on-the-ground mobilization yielded broader impact. It became clear that each organization amplified the other’s voice – and each became more powerful, credible and effective as a result.
What truly sets CBTU apart – and makes it such a vital partner to the OFL – is its sense of community.
“CBTU’s like a family,” Gaied said. “You’ve got rank-and-file members and elected leaders all in one place, supporting each other. If someone faces a barrier in their union—maybe they don’t feel heard, or they’re trying to move into leadership—
they come to CBTU for help, connections or just a listening ear.”
Both Gaied and McClean emphasized that CBTU exists at the intersection of workplace advocacy and neighborhood-level empowerment.
“Every Black union member started as a community organizer,” McClean said, explaining that grassroots relationships are crucial. “Our labour is strengthened when we address core issues like violence, economic barriers and racial injustice right where people live.”
It was a decisive show of support at the December election when CBTU members re-elected McClean as president – a role she has held with unwavering dedication. As the final votes were tallied, applause and cheers filled the hall (and Zoom squares), embracing the newly formed leadership slate. This powerful new team represents the diversity of CBTU’s membership: from seasoned organizers to young activists stepping into leadership, from labour veterans to community advocates.
“Leadership is about touching someone every day so they can succeed,” McClean said. “Our role is to improve economic opportunities for Black workers and to break down the systemic barriers that hold us back.”
Under McClean’s leadership CBTU has formalized partnerships with groups like the Toronto Community Benefits Network and LiUNA (Labourers’ International Union of North America), working together to train young Black men transitioning from challenging circumstances into stable,
full-time jobs.
“We have to allow people to start where they are and help them grow,” McClean said, underscoring the organization’s intergenerational support.
Reflecting on her own journey – beginning as a library tech facing discrimination and rising through union activism – McClean insists that effective leadership demands an “intentional” approach to inclusion. “Change doesn’t happen by accident,” she said. “Without the concrete, consistent push for representation, we can’t achieve equity at the leadership level.”
CBTU’s commitment to developing younger activists—especially Black women—was exemplified by the promotion of the Under-40 Representative, Juanita Forde, to the position of First Vice President of CBTU.
“If we don’t actively make space,” McClean said, “we risk replicating the same exclusion we’re trying to fight.”
That same strategic mindset shaped CBTU’s 2025 plan to launch a dedicated education department:
Anti-Racism & Equity Training – Workshops that break down systemic racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination.
Environmental Justice – Addressing how environmental issues disproportionately affect Black and marginalized communities and exploring sustainable solutions.
Community Building – Fostering connections across racial and cultural lines, recognizing that “we can’t do this work alone”.
“When we integrate these programs,”
McClean said, “we’re not just reacting to the world; we’re shaping it for future generations.”
Looking to the future, McClean sees CBTU forging broader coalitions with organizations like the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA) and the Latin American Trade Unionists Coalition (LATUC), as well as other social justice groups.
“Racialized and Indigenous workers share many overlapping challenges,” she said. “Systemic barriers don’t just vanish if we stay siloed. That’s why CBTU’s role goes beyond workplace advocacy – our members are parents, neighbours and community leaders.”
She also highlighted emerging issues such as automation, the gig economy and AI-driven workplace changes.
“It’s coming, whether we’re ready or not. But as we deal with technology, we can’t lose sight of wage fairness, healthcare access and fundamental human rights. We have to fight for full-time jobs, real benefits and the security every worker deserves.”
From Veecock’s trailblazing Human Rights work at the OFL to McClean’s forward-thinking leadership, CBTU’s story is one of resilience and intentional action.
“We have a challenge, yes, but we also have an opportunity,” McClean said. “We’re showing people there’s a place for them in the labour movement, no matter their age or background. If we ensure everyone is seen, heard and given the chance to lead, we’ll leave a legacy that truly honours our ancestors’ struggles – and builds a stronger future for the generations to come.”
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 8
respectful person who will represent the Nanaimo North and Lantzville riding with charm, knowledge and experience.”
During his three years on city council, he chaired the Transportation Advisory Committee and helped pass a 40-year transportation master plan.
Anderson also won council’s approval for e-town hall meetings to allow residents to use social media to engage councillors with questions and successfully pitched a youth advisory council for young people to be engaged in civic issues.
As a Regional District director, he sat on the transit select and liquid waste advisory committees.
Pursued by the NDP, the Liberals and the Conservatives to run in the October 2014 provincial elections, Anderson declined and enrolled in law school at York University.
Late NDP members Emery Barnes and Rosemary Brown were the first Black politicians elected to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly in 1972. They were part of a political coalition that formed the first social democratic government in the province.
Jamaican-born Brown served for 14 years and also ran for the leadership of the federal NDP in 1975 with the slogan ‘Brown is Beautiful’.
Retiring from politics in 1988 to take a professorship in Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser University, she died in 2003 at age 72.
The first Black Speaker of a Canadian Legislature following his appointment in British Columbia in 1994, Barnes was an alternate high jump jumper for the United States at the 1952 Olympics and a 10th round pick in the 1954 National Football League draft. He played two games for the Green Bay Packers in 1956 before coming to Canada the next year and repre senting the British Columbia Lions.
Elected to the BC legisla ture in 1972, he was re-elect ed four consecutive times.
Barnes, the first presi dent of the British Columbia
Black Cultural Association, died in 1998. A park bearing his name was unveiled in 2012.
In his election victory speech, Anderson acknowledged that he stands on Barnes and Brown’s shoulders.
“I walk in the footsteps of these giants,” said the 2016 British Columbia Community Achievement Award recipient who volunteered with the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public School Foundation, Literacy Central Vancouver Island and the Canadian Bar Association’s Access to Justice Committee. “If it were not for them and others, I would not be in the legislature today. They tried to make life better for the average British Columbian in the same way I am attempting to do.”
Three years ago, Orridge was honoured with Ricoh Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to social change and healthcare equity.
In 1997, Dr. Ingrid Waldron was a UARR Board member and volunteer. It was with pride and gratitude that she stepped up to receive an award for her ground-breaking environmental racism work.
“It is an honour to receive an award from an organization that has been a true leader in addressing all forms of racism for decades,” said Waldron whose interest in the form of systemic racism started in 2012 when a White environmentalist approached her to take on a project. “This award would not have been possible without the relationships I have developed over the years with members of the Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities that invited me into their communities and homes and shared their stories with me.”
Environmental racism is the disproportionate location of industrial polluters such as landfills, trash incinerators, coal plants, toxic waste facilities and other environmentally hazardous activities near communities of colour and the working poor.
“I had never heard about environmental racism then and knew nothing about environmental issues,” Waldron said. “While I was hesitant to take on a project on an issue I knew very little about, I was a bit intrigued by the topic and thirsty for a new challenge that I thought could potentially have real impact in communities, particularly those in Nova Scotia where I started this work.”
Her newest book, ‘From the Enlightenment to Black Lives Matter: Tracing the Impacts of Racial Trauma in Black Communities from the Colonial Era to the Present’, is a wide-ranging exploration of the historical and ongoing impact of racism on the mental health of Black communities in Canada, the United States and England.
In 2012, Waldron started the ‘ENRICH Project’ that is a unique and innovative initiative addressing the health and socioeconomic effects of environmental racism in Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian communities. Three years later, the Project collaborated with New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Lenore Zann to develop the first Private Members Bill to address environmental racism in Canada.
The implementation of her first water testing projects in African Nova Scotian communities, her policy work with the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the 2016 collaboration with Shelburne community
members that resulted in the closure of their landfill were recognized by Dalhousie University in 2018 which honoured her with the President’s Research Award for Research Impact.
The project is an adaptation of her book, ‘There’s Something in the Water: Environmental Racism in Indigenous and Black Communities’, which was released six years ago.
The HOPE Chair in Peace & Health in McMaster University’s Global Peace & Social Justice program, Waldron was last July named among the inaugural Global 50 Women in Sustainability by SustainabilityX Magazine.
After 26 years with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Kirk Mark retired in 2017. He has been associated with the UARR for over three decades, serving on committees before becoming a Board member 25 years ago.
Mark was the recipient of the Agent of Change Award.
“To know that someone was paying attention when I was putting a variety of strategies in place in school boards and communities and working with students and parents is a great feeling,” said the president of the Canadian Alliance of Black Educators and founding director of Willowdale Community Legal Services.
Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, was the keynote speaker at the celebration.
“Your advocacy, your leadership and your commitment to making our communities safer and equitable for everyone is so inspiring and so necessary, especially as we do find ourselves in some bleak times,” she said. “As a journalist, advocate and labour union staffer, I had often been working side by side by many folks just like you to advocate for a Canada we can all be proud of where we work towards advancing truth and reconciliation and combatting systemic forms of racism and discrimination.
“While community solidarity is of incredible importance, not only must it be sustained but we must engage with political discourse. We must address the underlying grievances that are being weaponized against our collective solidarity and we have to work cleverly together at defending not only our pluralistic democracy, but also root such work within an anti-racist mindset that it acknowledges anti-racism and supports rehabilitation of our institutions.
“This means that we infuse our educational systems with critical thinking skills that our young people will need to navigate and understand this climate.”
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 7
culture and warm hospitality.
“We are thrilled to welcome WestJet’s inaugural flight from Toronto to Grenada, a development that underscores the strong demand for our beautiful island among Canadian travelers,” said Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority. “We look forward to introducing more Canadians to the wonders of Grenada.”
The introduction of this service adds to WestJet’s robust network of service offerings to and from the Caribbean.
“We are pleased to see WestJet continuing to increase connectivity to the Caribbean from Toronto Pearson,” said Kurush Minocher, Interim Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Director of Customer Experience and Airline Relations at Pearson.
Even before her appointment in January 2023, Elghawaby said she saw first-hand the deepening challenges faced by racialized and marginalized communities.
“Our country, with its lofty promise of diversity and inclusion, continues to confront an alarming rise in hate and discrimination, especially hate targeting racial and religious communities,” said the former Canadian Anti-Hate Network Board member.”
Hate crime incidents have spiked significantly since events in the Middle East unfolded in October 2023.
“Communities are facing a growing tide of hostility,” Elghawaby said. “This optic and hate is not merely an abstract problem. It is a harsh reality for far too many people in Canada. And, make no mistake, a country built on the disenfranchisement and oppression of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities was always going to struggle to meet the expectations it had set for itself. A house built on a damaged foundation would be in constant disrepair until the foundation is restored.
“For those of us who are settlers to these lands, we must fully understand this and do all we can to stand in allyship with our Indigenous brothers and sisters.”
She said it is critical to underscore the importance of how hate and polarization against any one group in society will directly or indirectly harm people’s well-being, particularly when it comes to exercising the rights and freedoms that everyone is supposedly guaranteed within provincial human rights codes and the Charter of Rights & Freedoms.
“Make no mistake but we have learned again and again that we cannot take these rights for granted,” added Elghawaby. “We must understand that at any point, our rights could be taken away and, at any moment, our lives can be changed if we let hate go unchecked in our society.”
Other award winners were writer, producer and television/radio host Amanda Parris, labour union activist Vanessa Stoby, multidisciplinary artist Hannia Cheng, educator Shannon Simpson and the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario.
Parris’ theatrical production, ‘Other Side of the Game’ was recognized with the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama and her short play, ‘The Death News’ won the 2022 Canadian Screen Award for Best Writing, Web Program or Series and
was published in the anthology 21 Black Futures.
Earlier this year, she released the six-part documentary series, ‘For the Culture with Amanda Parris’, that she created, executive produced and hosts.
A York Region Secondary School teacher for 14 years, Stoby’s dedication to equity is evident through her four-year tenure on the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation’s Equity Group where she created and delivered impactful workshops on racial justice, cultivating resilience and poverty and class bias.
With an inter-arts practice, Tea Base, operating out of Chinatown Centre since 2018, Cheng has a curiosity about ways of resilience and the speculative futures that exist in the greater unknown of our daily lives.
Simpson championed the recent Indigenous tuition initiative at the University of Toronto which covers the cost of tuition for members of nine neighbouring First Nations as well as offering domestic tuition rates to Indigenous students from provinces outside of Ontario and the continental United States.
The event featured spoken word artiste Yasmin Said, Tamil Dance Ensemble members Rithika & Jaya Jeristus, vocalist Kathleen Zaragosa and pannist Suzette Vidale.
Concerned about escalating hate-motivated violence in the city, the late Dr. Wilson Head and six other Torontonians met at a restaurant in May 1975 to discuss the issue. Out of that meeting emerged the UARR with a mandate to work to maintain stable, peaceful and harmonious relationships among various racial and ethnic groups in the Greater Toronto Area.
“I am humbled to be standing on the shoulders of those who have built the UARR and have been on this long journey, including Kirk Mark,” said President Nigel Barriffe. “As a caretaker, I am very happy to see that the organization is still relevant and doing the work to support community members who might sometimes feel there is no hope.”
To mark its 50th anniversary next year, the UARR will launch a 10-year strategy plan.
“We talked to a number of people through focus groups and surveys and are hoping that will be a phenomenal community collective effort,” said executive director Neethan Shan.
“This new route will provide travellers with direct access to another warm destination during cold months.”
“It’s a win for the many Grenadians, friends of Grenada and tourists, a win for Westjet, a win for Grenada’s economy, a win for the Government and people of Grenada, efficaciously represented by the team at the GTA – especially Canada sales officer, Sekou Stroude, CEO Petra Roach, Chairman Randall Dolland and Minister of Tourism, Adrian Thomas – all under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell,” said Grenada’s Consul General in Toronto, Gerry Hopkin.
Guests travelling to Grenada will benefit from convenient flight times, allowing them to connect seamlessly from Canadian destinations across WestJet’s network.
12 - 18, 2025
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Gather facts and gain leverage on the 12th and 13th. Keep your thoughts to yourself, and you’ll spare yourself grief. Emotions will surface, requiring positive input to promote peace and love instead of discord and chaos. Take time to listen, make suggestions and network on the 14th, 15th and 16th. Events you feel passionate about will offer insight into how you can help. Focus on laying the foundation for what you want to endorse and pursue. Choose to use charm, not pressure, to get your way. Retreat and refresh your message on the 17th and 18th; the outcome will be satisfactory. Getting along, showing leadership abilities and being willing to listen will help you gain ground. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll make lasting friendships. Make your surroundings more accommodating.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Let your creative imagination lead the way on the 12th and 13th, and you’ll discover how to make your life easier, make your surroundings convenient and make your lifestyle exciting. Choices you make while under emotional duress on the 14th, 15th and 16th will not pan out as planned. Distance yourself from whatever situation you face and reach out to someone you trust to offer sound advice. Change can be put in motion, but only after you clear the path of obstacles that can interfere with your chosen outcome. You’ll see situations from a different perspective on the 17th and 18th. Consider your reputation, position and professional goals before taking a leap of faith. Someone you encounter at a rally, workshop or event will offer a unique alternative.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take a break on the 12th and 13th; rethink your strategy and, when in doubt, look to experts for insight. Time is on your side, and getting a unique perspective will tweak your memory, helping you make fair choices that resolve unfinished business. Express your feelings on the 14th, 15th and 16th; it will help you bring about positive change at home and when dealing with friends, family and associates. A joint venture will help you build momentum quickly and efficiently, allowing you to accomplish your goals. Avoid destinations that pose a health risk. On the 17th and 18th, you’ll be walking a fine line if you exaggerate or overreact to a situation that requires secrecy. Gather information, verify facts and observe how others react before you make your next move.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Trust in yourself and what you can achieve on the 12th and 13th. Invest more time and money in your skills, education or certifications. Demonstrate your feelings and dedication to whatever you choose to pursue. Love and romance are in the stars, and sharing your perspective will enhance someone’s response. Refuse to let the choices others make on the 14th, 15th and 16th deter you from following through with your plans. Distance yourself from those heading down a path you don’t want to pursue. Pay your way, but don’t offer to pay for someone who wouldn’t do the same for you. You’re sitting in an excellent position on the 17th and 18th. Use your connections, creativity and energy to improve your domestic situation and surroundings.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Play your cards close to your chest on the 12th and 13th. The less others know about you, the easier it will be to turn your agenda into a reality and complete your mission. Don’t be tempted to overspend on a luxury item, something you don’t need or someone who takes advantage of your generosity. Put the past behind you on the 14th, 15th and 16th, and put your energy and enthusiasm into the prospects that help you climb your ladder to success. Stay focused on what’s important to you and refuse to let what others say or do stand between you and your goals. On the 17th and 18th, being a good listener will pay off. Gather facts and invest your time, energy and cash into something worthwhile.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.22): On the 12th and 13th, take more time to listen and to help others reach their goals, and you’ll build the support necessary to help achieve your dreams. A joint venture looks promising, and a
will try to dismantle your plans or cause an emotional scene if you aren’t up-front regarding the expense you take to achieve your goal. Be direct when it comes to the law of attraction. Ask direct questions and find out where you stand. Pay attention to detail on the 17th and 18th, especially concerning someone you love. The more attentive you are, the easier it will be to maintain peace, love and happiness.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): On the 12th and 13th, put your emotions on the back burner until you can mull over your options, how much it will cost and who the changes or decisions you make will affect. Do whatever is possible to minimize any fallout. Document every issue, conversation and promise you make and receive. On the 14th, 15th and 16th, participate in an event or activity that you feel passionate about, and you will gain ground. A lifestyle or residential change will help you financially but cause some emotional distress. Keep busy and stay fit to minimize feeling down or depressed. Dig in on the 17th and 18th, and don’t stop until you are happy with your results. Aim to lower your overhead by putting a cap on excess and indulgent behaviour.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take nothing for granted on the 12th and 13th. Dig deep, discover your options and put your muscles to good use. If you want something, it’s up to you to make it happen. Socialize, travel, reunite with old friends and follow through with your desires. Aggressive action or emotional manipulation will backfire on the 14th, 15th and 16th. Rethink your strategy, and consider using patience, understanding and kindness to get what you want. The wrong move or using force will end in rejection and loneliness. Focus more on what you can do for others, not personal gains at someone else’s expense. You are heading in the right direction on the 17th and 18th. Lend a helping hand; the rewards will help you realize your dreams. Romance and personal growth are favoured.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take a moment to gather your thoughts and consider your financial and medical condition on the 12th and 13th before you make promises you cannot keep. Joint ventures are not in your best interest. Someone will mislead you or withhold information pertinent to what’s in your best interest. Ask questions, follow the dots and discover what’s possible on the 14th, 15th and 16th. You’ll find it best to work alone and with a budget you can afford. Frustration will mount between you and someone you partner with personally or professionally. Pay attention to responsibilities on the 17th and 18th. Doing the best job will help ward off criticism or a costly error. Someone will take advantage of you using unorthodox means and will use compliments as bait.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Recapture moments that make you happy on the 12th and 13th and share them with someone you love. It will bring you closer together and encourage you to revamp your life to suit your needs. A partnership will dictate how positive a lifestyle change is and the happiness you gain by initiating a heartfelt vow. Make the effort to accommodate someone struggling on the 14th, 15th and 16th. It may not help you initially, but eventually, the favour will be reciprocated. Do your best to keep up and fine-tune your skills to ensure you are ready to take on any responsibility you are given. Pay attention to what’s trending on the 17th and 18th and how you can make your money work to your advantage. A commitment looks promising.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Weigh the pros and cons before you commit to something iffy on the 12th and 13th. If you act in haste, emotions will swell and mistakes will be made. Change only what’s necessary and within your budget. On the 14th, 15th and 16th, look for opportunities that make your life easier and your downtime more
will offer insight into what satisfies your soul. Leave nothing to chance, especially when dealing with affairs of the heart. On the 17th and 18th, avoid shared expenses, joint ventures and letting someone else handle your financial, medical or professional matters. Confusion will set in if you have too much input from unreliable sources. Put yourself first.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take advantage of an opportunity to meet people or engage in something you’ve always wanted to do on the 12th and 13th. The time spent will offer an incentive to participate in activities that encourage fitness and good health. On the 14th, 15th and 16th, using force to bring about change won’t work. You should not apply pressure; if you want something, pay for it with cash, incentives or initiative. Don’t wait for someone else to pave the way or take on your pursuit. On the 17th and 18th, a conversation with a loved one will take your relationship to a higher level. Talk about the future and your expectations; the feedback will encourage you to proceed. An unfamiliar location will spark your imagination and bring about positive change.
62 House worker, for short?
63 Winds down 64 *Like “sneaking” and “spearing”?
69 Like a dirty barbecue
“So ___ me!”
Super-
Opposite of chaos
NYSE debut
“You listening?”
GPS guess
Political adviser Karine Jean84 Remove barbs from
*Like “curtain”
Museums, the exhibition highlights the art form’s ongoing conceptual and material innovation.
Placing fashion, consumer marketing, music, videos and objects in dialogue with paintings, sculpture, poetry, photography and multi-media installations, it considers activism and racial identity, notions of blind swagger as well as gender, sexuality and feminism.
“This multidisciplinary exhibition probably tells you most that hip-hop can’t be boxed in,” said Purnell who is also an actor, writer, director and stage manager with the Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles. “There is no one way to get to hip-hop. It has truly influenced contemporary art which is what the show is all about.
“The ways in which that comes to life in the wigs that Lil Kim wore along with the grills and gold chains. All of this is paying homage to this limitless art form.”
‘The Culture’ explores a series of themes, emphasizing pressing issues in the hip-hop industry such as the complex relationship between capitalism, commodification and racial identity; hip-hop culture’s connection to gender, sexuality, feminism, appropriation and misogyny as well as hip hop’s relationship to the art world and the art market.
“We are talking about adornment, tradition, origin and how hip-hop all came to be,” Purnell said.
“But there is a quiet moment in the show called ‘Ascension’ where it is a reflection. It is a moment to stop and pause and think about those we have lost and those who are still here and are dealing with difficult situations. It
takes you into the cognitive space of hip-hop. It makes us think about the mental health of not only hiphop artistes, but those that are listening to the music. That is a space that is not touched on enough.”
What did she learn about hip-hop while curating the exhibit?
“How many lives have been touched by this art form,” was Purnell’s response. “I have had the pleasure of being along this journey, stopping along the way in each space that the show has been represented. I am forever amazed at how impactful hip-hop has been for the young and the not-so-young. It is colourless, ageless and classless.”
She and three other curators – Baltimore Museum of Art’s Director Asma
Naeem, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s Chief Education & Community Engagement Officer Gamynne Guillotte and St. Louis Art Museum’s Associate Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art Hannah Klemn – put together the exhibition to illuminate the depth of hiphop’s influence.
The first name they came up with for the exhibition was ‘All Eyez On Me’ that was the title of the late Tupac’s last studio album which was released before his death.
While endorsing the exhibit, Tupac’s estate kindly requested that the co-curators seek another title.
“We went back to the drawing board,” Purnell said. “As a team, we were always thinking about community and how im-
portant community is to hip-hop and how this all came to be with a Block Party in the Bronx and all of that. It was about the culture of hip-hop from the B-Boys and B-Girls to the dancing and fashion that is truly the tradition and everything that makes up the art form.
“That is how we landed on the name ‘The Culture’, but the origin was quite different.”
The exhibit was launched last year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop’s emergence.
“We knew that this needed to be celebrated,” said Purnell. “But we had no idea it could be this.”
Having four women curate the exhibit, said Master T who moderated the media launch, is a positive spin artistically on hip-hop.
“I think this is a different look,” said the X-Tendamix creator who interviewed some of hip-hop’s leading personalities, including Snoop Dogg, Master P and Tupac just days before he died in 1996. “We have been locked into seeing the five elements –MCing, DJing, Breakdance, Graffiti & Knowledge. This probably fits into the Knowledge category on an artistic level.”
He also lauded Crooks for her role in bringing the exhibition to Canada’s largest city.
In June 2017, she was added to the AGO’s ranks of internationally recognized scholars as part of the museum’s strategy to strengthen its role as a leader in art scholarship across a multitude of areas while generating a greater number of collection-based exhibitions and programs for audiences in Toronto and across the globe.
“Julie made sure that some of Toronto would be highlighted in this exhibition which is commendable,” Master T added.
On view on Level 5 of the AGO, the exhibition of more than 100 artworks and objects is set to an original ambient soundscape by producer and scholar Wendel Patrick.
‘The Culture’ is also accompanied by a 308-page catalogue on sale at the AGO for $79.
The exhibition runs until April 6.
of the church is the Richard Preston Centre of Excellence which provides young people tutoring, mentoring and other support services.
The Nova Scotia government invested $1.7 million to support the expansion of the essential community hub.
“Our church has always encouraged young people to get an education and the necessary skills to function in the evolving work environment,” said Britton. “We are very big on youth empowerment. The Richard Preston Society began as a non-profit arm of the church. Eventually, we started talking about the things we could do with the centre in terms of programming as that had to be part of the proposal that was submitted to the city to keep the property.”
Preston was a slave in Virginia who founded several Black churches in Nova Scotia and the African Baptist United Association in 1854.
The centre also provides artistic programming, seniors programs, technology training, family dynamics knowledge and grant writing tips.
During her pastoral tenure in Nova Scotia, Britton was very outspoken on discrimination, youth violence and current issues.
“I believe that is part of the mandate of the church,” she said. “We are called to bring injustice to the forefront, hoping that we can bring about change. It is part of what our faith teaches and what Jesus is as one who stands alongside the marginalized.
“God established the idea of equity and justice in the Old Testament…We are the ones who are called to speak truth to power and let governments know that people are not being cared for on an equitable basis. I believe it is important for a church to have a social conscience.”
Britton was also active outside her church community.
Believing that a proper burial is the most basic of human actions, she officiated a graveside service last June for a Black man who was executed in 1826.
Convicted for the murder of a White man at a boarding house, Labban Powell was hung in Kings County.
He was a medical skeleton for decades after family members didn’t claim the body.
Powell’s remains were laid to rest at Gibson Woods United Baptist Church Cemetery in Centreville.
“It is never too late to do the right thing,” said Britton. “A hundred and ninety-eight years ago, Mr. Powell was denied his humanity. Today, we gather to restore it. We gather to say Mr. Powell’s life mattered. We gather to bear witness and to right a horrible wrong.”
Baptized at age nine, Britton grew up with her grandmother in Green Cove Springs in northeast Florida and began praying earnestly for God’s guidance. At age 15, she experienced visions of preaching to large congregations.
“That was when the Lord called me to preach, but I didn’t embrace it because I didn’t understand it then,” she said. “A guest preacher came to our church and inquired during the sermon if we asked God what we wanted to do with our lives. I thought no because, as a teenager, I had made up my mind about what I wanted to do for a vocation. He challenged us to ask God and I did that. I took it seriously and prayed about it.
“While sitting on the front porch at home one day, I had a vision of myself speaking to a large crowd. At the time, we didn’t have any woman preachers, especially in the Baptist church. I had no
role models in terms of that and I didn’t know what to make of that vision. I tucked that away and went about my life.”
Leaving Florida to complete her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in New York, Britton was an usher, trustee and co-founder of the Women’s Ministry in her New York church.
While residing in New Jersey and working in the information technology sector, God called again and she accepted at age 44.
“It was time,” Britton said. “There were a couple of things I went through when that second call came that led me to accept it.”
She resigned from the full-time job she held for 20 years, enrolled in Princeton Theological Seminary where she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and entered full-time ministry.
Britton was an intern for two years at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Milltown, New Jersey, a summer intern at St. Columbia’s Presbyterian Church in Johannesburg, South Africa and a Pastoral Assistant at St. Philip’s Baptist Church in Staten Island for four years.
While at Princeton, she met Professor Emeritus Dr. Peter Paris who planted the seed in her head to consider coming north of the border.
“I knew he was Canadian, but I was not thinking about that,” Britton said. “When he reminded me that his home church needed a pastor, I did not take him seriously. After I saw him a few months later and he asked if I thought about it, I inquired if he was serious and he said ‘yes’ and asked if he could send them my resume.
“I gave him permission.”
Her first visit to Nova Scotia was inauspicious.
“Though I grew up in a small town in Florida, I just could not make sense of it,” she said. “There was no downtown, it didn’t seem to have much to offer in terms of arts and culture and it was far away from Halifax. While I didn’t like the town, I absolutely loved the people, ranging from those who met me at the airport to those who showed me around and invited me to social events.”
Though embraced by the community, Britton – who attended the Montreal Jazz Festival on a few occasions and a business meeting in Guelph while working in the corporate sector before going to Nova Scotia – was unsure she could reside in the urban town.
Back in the United States, she ran into another professor who mentioned he heard she was going to Paris’ church.
“When I told him I was undecided, he pulled me in a corner and said Peter had never asked anyone to pastor at his home church where his family worshipped,” said Britton who served on Corrections Canada’s Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy and Halifax’s Poverty Solutions Advisory Committee. “By asking me to go to his church, he said what Peter was saying is he is trusting his family to me for spiritual teaching and guidance. He told me to pray about it and I did.”
While spiritually uplifting others, she returned to university and completed her Doctor of Ministry at Acadia Divinity College (ADC) that, in November 2021, recognized her with an Alumni Distinguished Service Award for Christian leadership and a strong commitment to social justice.
“We are deeply grateful for her as an alumna who challenges our students and graduates to take up the cause of justice in the community as an essential part of what it means to share the good news of Jesus,” ADC President Anna Robbins said at the time.”
Retirement has been on Britton’s radar for a couple of years.
“It had always been my plan to stay for another year or two after the building renovation was completed to make sure the congregation settled in,” she said. “I didn’t plan to be here for this long.”
Dr. Carol Duncan, a professor in the Department of Religion & Culture at Wilfrid Laurier University, met Britton in her early days at New Horizons.
“Her commitment to the congregation and the wider community was immediately apparent,” said the 3M National Teaching Fellow whose research focuses on Black Church studies in Canada, Caribbean religions in transnational and diasporic contexts, religion and popular culture and women’s and gender studies. “She brought her passion for social justice and her love of people to her role as pastor. I have included references to Pastor Britton and her service to the church and community in my teaching on Black Churches in Canada.”
Retired Royal Canadian Navy Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Perry Colley started attending the church after meeting his wife, Sherri Borden Colley, who is an award-winning journalist and recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of King’s College last year.
“Her biggest impact is the leadership that was demonstrated during the reconstruction and keeping the historic legacy as part of the building which has been designated a National Historic Site,” said the former Unit Coxswain. “I also admired her for being out in the community talking loudly about the issues the Black community faces and the root causes that create poverty, youth violence and lack of opportunity.”
As Britton packs her belongings and prepares to sell her home, it’s a bittersweet farewell to a space filled with memories.
“This is the longest I have lived in one place as an adult,” she said.
Is there one highlight of her time in Nova Scotia?
“I don’t know if there is one,” said Britton who was the recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the King Charles III Coronation Medals. “Seeing the church through this renovation is a major piece of my legacy work here. I am always thrilled when the lightbulb comes on and people embrace Jesus Christ. Baptizing those people is a highlight for me in ministry.”
On her last Sunday preaching at New Horizons, she baptized three parishioners, including educator, civil and human rights activist and singer/songwriter Delvina Bernard who will release a photobook later this year about the Black churches in Nova Scotia that she photographed.
“I have always struggled with Christianity because of how it suppressed Black people, especially during slavery,” the doctoral candidate said. “So much of what that doctrine has been about has been at odds with my philosophy, beliefs and undying love for Black people.”
About eight years ago, Bernard got a calling from God after a singer spoke about her near-death experience at the church.
“That opened up my emotions and the power of prayer, church community and God,” she said. “I have always been inspired by Reverend Britton and I loved the fact that she was the first woman pastor, which was special for me.
“It was her touch and the singer’s testimony years ago that did it. Over time, I made my peace with my conflicts because I wanted to show my outward expression for being a part of the church family.
“If I was going to be baptized, it was going to be in a Black Baptist church because of how they have held the Black community together and how powerful women in that church organization have been. I could not think about anyone else that could dip me underwater than Reverend Britton.”
Britton intends to spend the first year of retirement relaxing and travelling. After that, she will focus on completing her autobiography.
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 6
31, 2024, the revelers who gathered in Times Square were following a 117-year tradition as they watched the 5,443-kilogram (12,000 pound) ball descend at the stroke of midnight to welcome 2025.
My New Year’s tradition is more than 117 years old. My ancestors traditionally welcomed the New Year with a pot of cook-up rice. I continue that tradition that began at least 217 years ago when the British abolished the slave trade on March 25, 1807. In what was then British Guiana (now the Co-operative Republic of Guyana), my enslaved African ancestors knew that eventual freedom from chattel slavery was possible. Although complete freedom was not a reality until August 1, 1838, the enslaved Africans lived in hope and celebrated the New Year by making a pot of cook-up rice with black-eye peas to welcome a new year of life.
Guyanese cook-up rice is not rice-andpeas, peas-and-rice or jollof rice. I have had some folks try to describe cook-up rice in those terms. Guyanese cook-up rice is a one-pot rice dish that traditionally
incorporates various meats with black-eye peas, simmered in coconut milk. Some Guyanese include callaloo (spinach) in their pot of cook-up rice. I prefer using channa (chickpeas) instead of black-eye peas.
Many of my old fashioned/traditional relatives still use black-eye peas in their cook-up rice.
January 1, 2025, was also the last day of Kwanzaa for the celebrants of the seven-day (December 26 to January 1) Pan-African celebration of African family values, culture and history. Faith/Imani, is the last Kwanzaa principle, celebrated on the first day of January.
On that first day of January, remembering that the faith our ancestors had in their humanity was important for their survival during slavery and colonization also encourages our faith.
Our faith encourages us to look forward to the future with optimism and joy.
Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a year filled with wellness, happiness and prosperity.
tiakoma@hotmail.com
