CANADA’S LARGEST ETHNIC NEWSPAPER CANADA’S LARGEST ETHNIC NEWSPAPER
Before November 2022, there were no Black women on Air Canada’s flight decks. That changed when ZOEY WILLIAMS broke the glass ceiling, becoming the first Black woman pilot on Canada’s largest airline where her dad, Captain ORRETT WILLIAMS is also a pilot. See story on page 11. Photo by Isel Williams.
This election is about our future - and our Canada A
s Canadians head into what may be the most consequential federal election of our lifetimes, we must confront a stark and urgent truth: the political choices we make now will shape the fate of this country for generations. This is not just an election – it is a referendum on the kind of nation we want to be and whether we are willing to defend it.
To the south, a dangerous brand of populism has taken hold. It has already gutted Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the United States – initiatives painstakingly created to level the playing field for Black and racialized communities after centuries of oppression, systemic discrimination and exclusionary economic practices. In the space of a few months, these hard-won reforms have been swept away with the stroke of a pen. This is a brazen retreat from the principles of equity and fairness – values that Canadians deeply cherish and must vigorously defend.
That same political force now looks north. With stunning disrespect, American leaders have referred to our Prime Minister as a “governor” and to Canada itself as “the 51st state”. These are not jokes. These are not missteps. These are declarations. These voices do not seek partnership with Canada – they seek power over Canada.
The American government has escalated its threats by announcing sweeping tariffs against Canada and nearly every major trading nation, sending world markets into shock. These tariffs are designed to destabilize our economy, weaken our industries and pressure our government into compliance. This is economic warfare dressed in diplomatic attire. With that as our backdrop, the stakes of this election could not be clearer. We need leadership that is serious, stable and unflinchingly committed to Canada’s sovereignty and future. We need a government that will stand for all Canadians – working to protect our economy, our
values and our ability to determine our own path. The Conservative leadership is not that government.
Despite their rhetoric, their track record and posture reveal a different story. Their admiration for American populism runs deep. They will court Washington, hat in hand, and trade our sovereignty for proximity to power. As many American conservatives have already done, they will wrap our national identity and economic independence in a ribbon and hand it over.
We cannot afford to hand this country to leaders who see Canada as a sidecar to a dangerous American movement. We cannot afford amateur populism at a moment of international economic peril. The next Prime Minister must be someone who not only understands the complexities of global trade and domestic resilience but who commands respect on the world stage.
That leader is Mark Carney. Carney has the gravitas, the experience
and the vision this moment demands. As a former Governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, he understands the global financial system and knows how to steer nations through economic crises. He will fight for Canadians, diversify our industries and forge strong, independent trade relationships around the globe. He will not bow to bullies, foreign or domestic.
He knows how serious this moment is. And he will treat it with the seriousness it demands.
Canada is not a colony. We are not a state. We are not someone else’s bargaining chip. We are a proud, multicultural nation with a unique voice in the world and it’s time to act like it.
This election is not business as usual. It is a call to protect everything that generations of old and new Canadians have built: our democracy, our independence and our right to define our future. This is our moment. Use your power. Cast your vote!
Grenadianscelebratewithawards,scholarships
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
For more than three decades, Mansfield Lambert has dedicated a considerable amount of his volunteer time to assisting Grenada in one particular area, which is healthcare.
Lambert has been playing a leadership role in the Grenada Hospitals Assistance Fund (GHAF), a Canadian federally registered non-profit charitable organization. He and the organization have been recognized with new awards recently unveiled by Gerry Hopkin, Grenada’s Consul General in Toronto.
Lambert is the recipient of the first “Community Leadership Award” and GHAF—which was established in 1993 “with the distinct purpose of raising funds to help improve the delivery of health care in Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique”—has received the “Community Service Organization Award”.
“We must recognize organizations that are making significant differences in our Diaspora and homeland communities. It’s an incentive to encourage more positive outputs by organizations,” Hopkin told Share in an interview.
The “Community Leadership Award”, which will continue into the future, will be presented to people who, “by their skills and organizing efforts, go the extra mile as leaders, and stand out and to have them as models to encourage others to do likewise”, Hopkin said.
The consulate general, as the office did in previous years, also sponsored three other awards, including one to west-end Toronto restaurateur Earla Thomas.
The founder and CEO of Earla’s Kitchen, Thomas received the “Professional Achievement Award”.
Janis Clarence and Clement Olive, both longtime volunteers, were recipients of “Community Service Awards”.
The awards were among several others handed out at a gala, held under the patronage of the consulate general, but organized by the Grenada Association Toronto (GAT).
The gala, which was attended by Grenada parliamentarian Tevin Andrews and more than 500 Grenadian Canadians and friends of Grenada, commemorated the Caribbean nation’s 51st anniversary of
independence.
Andrews, who delivered the keynote address, updated the audience on rebuilding work in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, which he represents in the Lower House as a Member of Parliament.
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has also appointed Andrews as Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government.
Carriacou and Petite Martinique, last July 1, was struck by Hurricane Beryl, which left about 98 per cent of properties damaged or destroyed, and wreaked near complete devastation and destruction of agriculture on the two islands.
In the immediate aftermath of the passage of Beryl, assistance was provided by individuals and groups in Canada and other countries, internationally and regionally.
One of the regional aid-providers was Guyana, which offered material assistance and workers, including members of the Guyana Defence Force.
Andrews thanked the Diaspora community for the hurricane help and expressed gratitude to the government and people of Guyana for their post-Beryl relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
GAT President UNISON JOSEPH, Minister TEVIN ANDREWS, Smiles GCP President VANESSA ALEXIS, award winner ANDY NATOO and Consul General GERRY HOPKIN Photo by Lincoln Depradine
Young chess player scores big in Jamaica
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
All the practice, coaching and tournament play of the last year prepared young Jayden Hylton for what his mother, Natoya Anderson, called “the big day”.
Jamaican-born Anderson’s “big day” was a reference to the recent Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) national championships in Kingston.
Anderson, who coaches her son, travelled with him from Toronto to Jamaica, where he won the Under-8 chess title.
“He did extremely well,” his mom conceded in an interview with Share. “He said it was extremely manageable. He didn’t meet any challenges and I think it’s because of the experience he has gathered over the period.”
Jayden began playing chess last year, after watching and learning from games played online on YouTube. He has also taken lessons at the Canadian Chess Institute in Toronto.
Jayden has journeyed outside of Canada to compete, including his first international tournament last July in Orlando, where he won two gold medals and a silver.
At the JCF championships, Jayden won all six games played in his age group. “They call that a perfect score,” his mother explained.
The competition, in various categories, brought together more than 400 Jamaican chess players.
Only two other players, in different age groups, registered a perfect score, Anderson said.
“Jayden went in with the mindset to come out as the official champion. I’m happy that he’s happy. He’s very obsessed over the game,” said Anderson, who her-
Jayden is expected to be among players at the World Cadet Chess Championship for Youth that opens on August 20.
self received an award as a top coach. She said her son will continue working hard to participate in other tournaments this year, and to move into a new age category for the 2026 JCF championships.
Jayden’s participation in tournaments is mostly financed through money from his mom and dad, real estate professional Andrew Hylton.
Player accommodation at international competitions often is covered by FIDE— the International Chess Federation.
“Almost everything, at this point, until sponsors come along, is out of pocket,” said Anderson.
“Winning the national championship,
“We will be going because Jayden has worked so hard. So, whether or not the support comes in, he will be there representing, God’s willing,” Anderson said.
Jayden Hylton aspires to become a Grandmaster— the highest rank in chess.
The world’s first Black Grandmaster was Maurice Ashley, a Jamaican who emigrated as a youngster to the United States.
JAYDEN HYLTON
IWD rally urges women to fight for housing, child care
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
The unfolding roll back in the United States of the gains of women and other historically disadvantaged groups, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, would not be allowed to happen in Canada, trade unionist Yolanda McClean has vowed.
“DEI is under attack, everything we value is under attack,” McClean said at an International Women’s Day (IWD) rally in Toronto.
“We have so much to lose if we allow those changes to spill into Canada. We must fight, not just in the streets but with boycotts. Shame on those companies who are pulling back on DEI initiatives; shame on them.”
The rally, in the auditorium of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, preceded a march by thousands of people through the streets of Toronto.
The theme of the rally and march was, “Fighting For Our Lives, Building Our Resistance”.
IWD participants—in speeches, chants, flyers and placards—protested against numerous issues including President Trump’s
posture towards Canada and the Israel-Gaza conflict, and also called on government authorities here to provide more and better social programs.
McClean, an IWD organizing committee
member and secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in Ontario, outlined some conditions that must be met by federal political parties seeking women’s vote at the next general election.
“If you want women’s vote, get back in the business of building permanently, affordable housing for those who need it (and) and expand affordable childcare,” said McClean, who is also a leader of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.
She said women and their allies, including the trade union movement, will not tolerate workplace harassment and discrimination, domestic violence, racism, poverty, homelessness and the implementation of right-wing policies like those being applied in the U.S. by Trump.
“We will not let that happen here,” McClean said. “This will not happen here today or forever more. We are fighting for our lives and we are building our resistance. Today, we march; we march for our communities.”
According to McClean, “in the face of Trump-style politics creeping across our borders, we cannot take our foot off the pedal. We must defend the True North, strong and free. We must fight for our culture and our values, where human rights triumphs above all. We have each other and when we support each other, we are formidable; when we act together, we are unstoppable”.
Committedtothehealthydevelopmentofchildren
By RON FANFAIR
To lose a parent is traumatic for children. At age four, Trician-Renee Edwards lost her Montserratian-born mother to lupus.
Becoming a medical practitioner was a career goal as she wanted to help people after witnessing her mom’s brief battle with the autoimmune disease.
“Being a pediatrician was something I was thinking about because I love children,”
said Edwards who was born and raised in Scarborough. “There is something in me that organically connects with kids and it has been easy for me to work with young people.”
While volunteering in a Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation summer camp program, she was hired full-time.
As time passed by, Edwards dedicated much of her time to educating and enter-
Guyana’s C-G recognized for his country’s support
FROM Pg. 1
He invited Guyana’s Consul General, Mani Singh, who was among dignitaries at the gala, to stand and be recognized in tribute to his country’s contribution to Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
The annual independence gala, in keeping with the tradition of the event, also was the occasion for the presentation of GAT-sponsored awards and scholarships.
Daniel George Trail, who is enrolled at York University, and Toronto Metropolitan University student, Savannah Greene, were winners of Grenada Association “Diaspora Scholarships”.
A third “Community College Scholarship” was awarded to Stephen Neptune, who lives in Grenada. He’s a student at Grenada’s T.A. Marryshow Community College.
For its “Community Engagement Awards”, the association chose Smiles Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique—a Canadian volunteer dental care organization, and Andy Natoo, a well-known disc jockey.
One more event, “Showcase Grenada”, is still to be held as part of the commemorative independence activities, whose theme is “The Next 50: Embracing a future of Development, Transformation and Unity”.
Inclement winter weather forced the postponement of the event that originally was scheduled for February 16.
Consul General Hopkin said “Showcase Grenada” now will be hosted on the Victoria Day holiday, Monday, May 19.
“It’s going to be all-things Grenada,” said Hopkin. “With the advantage of time, we intend to add a bit to the celebration; for example, by enhancing the cultural aspect of the program.”
Hopkin, who was appointed consul general less than two years ago, has maintained that his role goes beyond providing traditional consular services, but also encompasses “expanded community engagement”, while pushing for “increased investments in Grenada’s productive sectors, for more value-added exports from Grenada, and for expanded trade between Grenada and Canada”.
In his push for deeper engagement and harnessing of the resources of the Diaspora for the benefit of Grenada, Hopkin has also been encouraging and enabling Grenadians in Canada to consider “entrepreneurship as a path to financial empowerment that expands the capacity and the ability to contribute more to nation-building in Grenada”.
taining children.
She founded The Love & Light Collective and a YouTube channel that incorporates everyday lessons that are tailored to building the wholesome and healthy development of children between the ages of three and 12.
“I merged entertainment with education and what I do is centred on bringing back a love for literacy,” said the Humber College Radio Broadcast and University of Toronto English and Women & Gender Studies graduate. “If you ask a child now what their favourite book is, most of them can’t provide an answer. In bringing that love for literacy, I am focusing on Black history because, in my experience, I notice that when children know their history, their confidence is heightened and they tend to excel and block out things that society tells us about ourselves.”
Through custom-tailored workshops, Edwards reads books by Black authors with diverse images.
“The aim is to have children see themselves,” she said. “We have an informal discussion about the story and then I tie in a historical fact which could be about a person or place of significance. I also include some song, dance and free movement because that is a natural part of me having
danced professionally with Sandra Amodeo Dance Studio for 17 years and done formal training in piano, voice and pan.”
Edwards also provides entertainment for children at celebratory events.
“I run a bunch of games and do a dance routine, sing along and read aloud,” she said. “Anything is fun for children as long as they feel they are seen or included. For birthday parties, I ask about the theme and find a story, more likely historical, that meets that requirement. I keep it light, but try to find out how much they know about what we are talking about and I then supplement. That works well. I also recently released an extended playlist where I re-made a few nursery rhymes. What is interesting about that is that I created some of the songs specifically for birthday parties and people asked where they could buy them. That is when I decided to make recordings.”
For a group of up to 30 children, the price for the entertainment package is $300. For an additional $150, kids are provided a loot bag, containing a book by a Black author centred on the theme along with educational toys, colouring sheets and crayons.
Very shy growing up, Edwards credits dance with boosting her time management and confidence.
“I would rather be in a corner reading a book, listening to music or watching a movie,” she said. “But my dad (late Justice of the Peace Clem Edwards who migrated from Grenada in 1968 and died in September 2018) always instilled in me that I have to be at the front. I was an introvert who was taught how to be extroverted and that has helped me a lot.”
In 2008, Edwards was runner-up in the Miss Queen of the Islands pageant and the recipient of the Most Improved Contestant prize. The following year, she won the Miss Canada Globe title and represented Canada at the Miss Globe International Pageant in Türkiye in 2010. With her pageant experience, she co-managed the Miss Grenada Day pageant in 2016 and 2017.
Edwards can be reached at theloveandlightcollective.ca.
YOLANDA McCLEAN (right) with activist and fellow IWD organizing committee member CAROLYN EGAN
TRICIAN-RENEE EDWARDS
An interesting year as Share turns 47
By ARNOLD A. AUGUSTE, Publisher/Senior Editor
When I wrote a year ago that credit for the continuing existence of Share must be given to our readers that wasn’t an exaggeration. It was their persistence that caused us to re-start publishing in February last year after an absence of six months.
This year, I have to also give credit to our advertisers, not just for their business but also for their encouragement. And to all the outlets across the GTA that carry the paper, many of them taking a keen interest to make sure that they have enough supply for their customers.
It has been an interesting year. In April last year, I received a call from the president of York University with the news that I was selected to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. I am not big on awards and the publicity that goes with it but this was next level. My heart sank when I was told that I would have to give the Convocation address to close to 2,000 people. Something else that is not in my wheelhouse.
But the folks at York were amazing. They treated my family and I royally. It is something for which I will always be grateful.
In February, I got a call from one of my doctors following a visit a few days earlier urging me to go to emergency. Since I was feeling well and I had things to do I didn’t go. The next morning his office called to again
urge me to go to the hospital. Again, I had things to do, so I didn’t go. Later in the afternoon, they called again and this time I told my wife: “Let’s go.”
That was on a Thursday. The next day, on Friday, I was in the Operating Room for an emergency heart operation. Two operations, actually.
My doctor said that I could have died at any moment. That reminded me that my brother, one year younger than me, died suddenly 18 months earlier in West Virginia of a heart attack.
After I was discharged from the hospital there were complications and I was again admitted and underwent another operation.
For those of you who were asking why we didn’t publish an issue in March, that is why. I was fighting for my life.
I was not alone. A lot of people were praying for me including, I understand, a prayer group in Jamaica.
I am, by nature, a very private person. My tendency would have been to keep this all to myself. Even from my children.
But this past year has taught me some things. I remember the pride on the faces of my children when I received that degree from York. I remember my friend Lennox Farrell getting his daughter to drive him down to Toronto from Niagara Falls so he could be there with me.
I also remember how frail I was in the hospital. I have never seen myself like that before. How I had to depend on my wife to take care of me. How I had to seek the help of the nurses who were amazing.
Seriestoprovidehealthresourcesforseniors
The first session of the Healthy Senior Series will take place at the Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
The church is located at 65 Grand Marshall Drive in Toronto.
Doors open at 12:45 PM, with the event running from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
This free, three-part series is designed to support the growing number of seniors in our community by offering practical information and access to important health and wellness resources.
Part 1, titled Healthy Body, will focus on helping older adults take charge of their physical well-being through movement, nutrition and informed healthcare choices.
The session will include Tai Chi, light exercise activities and expert presentations on topics such as diet,
fitness and wellness strategies tailored specifically for seniors.
Whether you're looking to enhance your current routine or begin a new health journey, this event promises valuable tools and a welcoming space to connect with others.
Registration is required. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your health and well-being—join us for an afternoon of movement, learning, and community connection.
Register for this free event online at epochmentoring.com
So, yes, it was an interesting year and I feel that it is important for me to share my experiences with the Share family.
There are those who have been advising me that it is time to stop working, it is time to give up Share. But I also remember my drivers telling me how happy people were when they began delivering Share again. People were actually taking copies of the paper from their hands. And I think of our advertisers who use Share to grow their business.
Share has been an uncompromising voice for our community for the past 47 years. And, as long as the Lord allows us, we would like to continue to be that voice, to speak up and out for our community. We would like to continue to share our stories so that our children would know that we have a very dynamic and upwardly mobile community of which they should be proud.
One other thing that happened this year. Our printers for the past 25 years went out of business in February. So, we now have new printers, our fourth in our 47 years. Unfortunately, they are unable to provide us with the glossy newsprint that has become a staple over the years but we are glad to be working with them.
And, of course, our loyal and hardworking team will continue to provide you with the quality publication that you have come to expect from us.
So, thanks for your continued support.
PROFFESSIONAL GUIDANCE FOR UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEYS
$550.00 TOR TO BARBADOS
JUL 02 RETURN AUG 30
$599.00 TOR MONTEGO BAY
JUL08 RETURN SEP05
$740.00 TOR KINGSTON
JUL 05 RETURN SEP 07
$1140.00 TOR GRENADA
AUG 03 RETURN SEP30
MORE SPECIALS FLY HIGH WITH OUR TRAVEL EXPERTISE 420 OAKWOOD AVE/ TOR ON NORTH ROGERS SOUTH EGLINTON
FOR OUR FUTURE
Essential to have community media like Share
MURPHY
BROWNE
By By MURPHY BROWNE
Since April 1978, the publishing of Share Newspaper has been demonstrating the meaning of the African proverb “Until the lions have their own historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter.”
The proverb highlights the need for marginalized/racialized groups to seize the power of telling our stories from our perspective. Share Newspaper, for the past 47 years, has illustrated the power of historical narrative and the importance of marginalized/racialized groups telling their own stories.
The African proverb of the lion and the hunter metaphorically describes how dominant groups inscribe power through written and spoken narrative. The proverb speaks to the power of narrative and who controls the telling of history and community stories. The proverb suggests that until those who are historically marginalized could tell their own stories, the dominant narrative will always positively favour the perspective of the powerful to the detriment of the marginalized.
The proverb is often used to illustrate how history is often written from the perspective of the powerful victors, and how this can lead to the oppression of those who are not in power. It emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and the need to challenge dominant narratives. The proverb encourages marginalized groups to take control of their own narratives and to share their stories.
Share Newspaper has followed in the footsteps of historical newspapers like “The Voice of the Fugitive,” founded by Henry and Mary Bibb, “The Provincial Freeman” founded by Mary Ann Shadd-Cary, “The Dawn
of Tomorrow,” founded by James F. Jenkins and “The Canadian Observer” founded by J.R.B. Whitney.
There have been other community newspapers over the centuries that African Canadians have lived on this land. Some, like “The Clarion,” was founded in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, by Carrie Best in 1946 to publicize a specific need in the community.
Best established “The Clarion” to publicize the racist segregation policy of the Roseland Theatre. In 1941, two African Canadian girls were forcibly removed from the Roseland Theatre. Carrie Best and her 15-year-old son Calbert went to the theatre in December 1941, suffered the same fate and were charged with disturbing the peace. They were convicted and fined. Best filed a lawsuit (Best v. Mason and Roseland Theatre) based on racial discrimination against the theatre, which she lost.
In November 1946, following the arrest and conviction of Viola Desmond for a similar racist event at the Roseland Theatre, Best launched “The Clarion” and on the masthead below the newspaper’s name was the text “Published in the Interest of Colored Nova Scotians.”
Share Newspaper began as a weekly community newspaper which has served the African/Black community and the Caribbean community in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Ontario since April 9, 1978.
Share was founded by its publisher, Dr. Arnold A. Auguste, who began his journalism career as a columnist with a weekly publication in Toronto in 1972. He worked as a reporter while studying journalism at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and left that publication as managing editor in 1978 to establish Share
It is essential to have community media like Share Newspaper as representation matters in racialized com-
munities living as minorities in any system. South African singer and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba who used her music and platform to fight against apartheid and for the liberation of Africans in South African is credited with saying: “The conqueror writes history, they came, they conquered and they write. You don’t expect the people who came to invade us to tell the truth about us.”
As a child, growing up in Guyana, copies of Ebony Magazine and Jet Magazine were sources of wonder because of the photographs and the stories of the African American struggle for equality. Even these many decades later I remember the words from an advertisement: “Gayle Sayers was a Carnation baby, and baby look at him now,” as Carnation evaporated milk advertised their product in Ebony Magazine.
African American entrepreneur and magazine publisher John Harold Johnson had carved out a niche and revolutionized the publishing industry, not only in the USA, but internationally with the publishing of Ebony Magazine beginning in November 1945, and Jet Magazine in November 1950. Johnson had brought an important White company to realize that “Black Lives Matter” through his publications.
Share Newspaper over the years has brought the attention of business owners and politicians to the realization that we (racialized/marginalized communities) are rooted here and here to stay.
Congratulations to Dr. Auguste for almost 50 years of leading a stellar newspaper that has given a voice to the African, African Canadian, African Caribbean and Caribbean communities in the GTA, Canada and to those readers who read and interact with Share Newspaper on the Internet.
tiakoma@hotmail.com
PoliticalclimatedemandsthatBlacksberesilient
By PATRICK HUNTER
Over the past couple of weeks, with the concerns about the United States’ or President Trump’s, proposed tariffs cornering the news headlines, you may be forgiven if you missed the report that a federal judge has denied an attempt to bring a class-action suit against the federal government.
The subject of the suit was the existence of systemic racism within the federal government. Systemic racism which has denied persons of African descent, among others, promotions and other valid recognition.
The attempt to certify this claim as a class-action was launched five years ago. The federal government has been fighting it since then.
Two years ago, the CBC reported that the federal government had “spent more than $7.8 million in its challenge” of the proposed lawsuit up to that point.
The Black Class-Action Secretariat, the organization formed to manage the progress of the lawsuit, was seeking “$2.5 billion in compensation for workers dating back to 1970”.
To be sure, in her decision to deny the suit, Judge Jocelyne Gagné does not deny that there is a history of discrimination against Black people. She writes: “The Court does acknowledge the profoundly sad ongoing history of discrimination suffered by Black Canadians… But unfortunately, that was not the issue that the Court was tasked to assess”. In brief, the judge believed that the scope, the reach, of the proposed class was too broad,
therefore making “it unfit for a class procedure”.
Not being a lawyer, I cannot question the validity of the judge’s determination by not granting the class action. One also has to wonder whether the lawyers advising the Secretariat provided the right approach. As the judge remarked, in the translation of the French proverb, “he who grasp at too much holds little.”
The struggle, as the saying goes, continues.
So, we are in the middle of a federal election campaign to determine which party, and therefore which leader, will take over the leadership of the next government of Canada. There is no more Justin Trudeau. There is now Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre, and Jagmeet Singh and the dual leadership of the Green Party, Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault– the main national contenders. The leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet is mainly focused on Québec.
Not only are we in the middle of this campaign, but high on the issues list is the imposition of Donald Trump’s tariff campaign. Trump apparently has visions of an America, based on his massive imposition of tariffs against the rest of the world (including an island populated by penguins). His tactic is to beat all the other countries into submission so that they come begging to build their factories in the U.S. and he gets to be king, emperor – or whatever would put him on a higher plane as earth ruler.
Our leaders, not just here in Canada, but globally, are stressing to come up with solutions to combat the Trump onslaught. Caught in the middle are us, the ordinary people. And the leaders have been fairly honest in not “sugar-coating” the impact it will have on us, how the tariffs and their retaliation or response will affect us.
Jobs will be affected; the cost of living will be affected. And, if you live in the United States and you are Black or another non-White person, your freedom has been, and will be, affected. The reversal of civil and human rights has begun with the attack on anything resembling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). We are in for some hard life changes.
We, as Black communities, have seen many changes and reversals of fortunes here in Toronto and in Canada, generally. We have survived and I can’t say we have beaten these challenges altogether. But that is evidence of our resilience, handed down from our ancestors.
I remember a time when positive news in the major media about the Black communities in Toronto, was, at best, rare. We needed a change. We needed to let the rest of the city know that we were good people.
Share is celebrating its 47th year of publication, serving the Black community, a valid demonstration of that resilience. Granted, Share has gone from a weekly to a monthly publication, not surprisingly. News media, generally, have undergone many changes. Costs of production have increased and social media appears to be the choice of many for news.
“The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.” [Sydney J. Harris]
Share’s value to the community has been to provide both: informing the community of the issues of the times, of which there were many and communicating our resolve to challenge whatever was before us.
Email: patrick.hunter11@gmail.com
CBTU mobilizing Black communities for electoral power
By HOLLINSWORTH AUGUSTE
With a critical federal election officially underway, community leaders, activists and trade unionists recently gathered for a “Let My People Vote” workshop hosted by the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU).
The event underscored the enduring importance of Black and Caribbean participation in the electoral process, emphasizing the power and significance of every vote within our community.
Opening with a stirring tribute to ancestral wisdom, participants reflected deeply on historical struggles and victories that secured voting rights, honoring the sacrifices made by activists nearly 60 years ago in Selma, Alabama and South African demonstrators at Sharpeville in 1960.
“We do this work to honour and build upon the legacy of those elders and ancestors who risked everything simply because they wanted to exercise their right to vote,” said one speaker, invoking the powerful memory of freedom fighters who paved the way.
The seminar provided critical historical context, highlighting milestones in Black Canadian political history, such as the arrival of slavery in Canada in 1628, the abolition of slavery by Britain in 1834, Lincoln Alexander’s election as Canada’s first Black MP in 1968, Rosemary Brown’s groundbreaking tenure as the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature in British Columbia in 1972 and the closure of the last segregated school in Lincolnville, Nova Scotia in 1983.
“Our history of slavery and segregation actually lasted longer than Canada has existed,” said Christopher Wilson who
facilitated the seminar, underlining the profound legacy and continued impact of structural racism in Canada.
Participants engaged in honest, compelling conversations about the systemic barriers Black and Caribbean Canadians continue to face today, including economic inequality, employment discrimination, barriers to accessing quality education and healthcare, housing affordability and insufficient political representation.
A central theme was the necessity of accountability and genuine advocacy from political leaders. One attendee passionately called for authentic Black representation, noting: “We need Black candidates who genuinely represent our communi-
ties, people who live our experiences and can truly speak for our interests.”
Frustrations were openly expressed about political parties and their superficial gestures. Another participant said: “It’s not enough for politicians to wear a T-shirt and take a knee. We need concrete actions that align with our community’s real needs.”
The group emphasized that politicians must be held accountable, demanding clear policy commitments and actions that address issues affecting the Black community.
The workshop’s core objective was to empower attendees with practical strategies for meaningful electoral par-
ticipation. Suggested actions included voting strategically, supporting Black worker-friendly candidates, disseminating accurate political information, mobilizing voters through canvassing, organizing public demonstrations and leveraging social media for advocacy. Participants also highlighted the importance of education within unions to counteract voting patterns against collective interests.
As CBTU President Yolanda McClean said, “Healing requires disciplined collective action, and part of that is showing people that political engagement can produce real, tangible outcomes.”
Attendees further discussed building a
SHEDDING A SKIN
Members of the CBTU emphasizing the importance of voting, especially in the upcoming federal election.
Photo by Hollinsworth Auguste
Photo of Cherissa Richards by Kristen Sawatzky
Elder care focus of Walnut Foundation’s symposium
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
The Black and Caribbean community, like the rest of Canadian society, has many members that are aging and who will be depending more and more on the care of others, family and professional healthcare workers.
It’s against this background that The Walnut Foundation (TWF)—an educational and support group for Black men dealing with prostate health issues—decided to discuss “elder care” at its 2025 Black History Month symposium.
The hybrid event, held in-person at the Paul Palleschi Recreation Centre in Brampton and carried simultaneously online, was described as a success by Charles Estridge, an experienced health administrator and manager, who volunteers with TWF as secretary.
“Families are increasingly facing challenges related to loneliness, downsizing,
medication management, and transitioning loved ones from hospital to home or long-term care. These stress points are why we chose to focus on this issue in 2025,” said Estridge, who also was coordinator for the event titled, “Navigating the Health Care System to Long-Term Care (LTC) and Beyond.”
The symposium, Estridge added, “provided a comprehensive understanding of elderly health, healthcare navigation and planning for the future, with a focus on advocacy and support for those caring for the elderly in the Black community”.
TWF, in organizing the event, said “Black History Month is a time to reflect on the challenges and achievements of Black communities”, and that “expert speakers” were assembled to provide insights into such issues as the critical role of caregivers at home versus LTC, self-care strategies for caregivers, and end-of-life
planning.
While people are living longer, “they’re living longer with more healthcare needs”, said Elsie Osagie, a Nigerian Canadian doctor and a fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
“Most people want to remain at home as long as possible; people want to age at home. But the reality is that due to increasing health needs, home may not be the safest place or most practical place to do so and that is where LongTerm Care comes in,” said Osagie.
She advised that growing older and trying to prevent possible admission to
LTC require maintaining “physical, mental and social health to promote independence as long as possible”. Osagie was joined by other presenters with expertise and experience in
fields like homecare, social work and psychotherapy, with a perspective on long-term care transition shared by registered nurse
Jennifer Oteng, who holds a Master’s degree in Nursing
and Aging.
The hope, in hosting the symposium, is that it would lead to “better health outcomes and reduced stress for our community”, said Estridge.
“The symposium’s success was evident in the quality and depth of audience engagement. Attendees, both in-person and online, posed thoughtful and passionate questions, shared emotional testimonials, and provided overwhelmingly positive feedback.”
More information on The Walnut Foundation is available at https://thewalnutfoundation.com/ or by 905799-2759 or 416-568-7442.
ACHA’sPumpkinChallengewasafunevent
On the one hand, the African Canadian Heritage Association’s (ACHA) “Cook-off-Pumpkin Challenge” was a fun event of creative culinary skills. However, on a deeper level, it followed the principle of “Ujamaa” —cooperative economics.
“It might direct them to put money into Blackowned businesses, more so than they would have thought of doing it before,”
ACHA volunteer Lindis Collins-Bacchus told Share, in underscoring the significance of the Pumpkin Challenge.
Each year, for about a decade, ACHA has organized a “cook-off” in which participants are asked to create dishes and treats made of a food item that’s common to the diet of people of Caribbean and African background.
This year, the chosen item was pumpkin and the best dish winner was a pumpkin soup made by participant Farah Manigat-McLaughlin.
Other edibles included pumpkin smoothies and pumpkin bread.
“These cook-offs are always successful,” said Collins-Bacchus, who made a pumpkin ice-cream for the 2025 Pumpkin Challenge.
“We do an educational piece talking about that item, from a nutrition perspective, and how it is beneficial to our health,” she said.
“People like it because it’s educational. It gives them ideas about how to use the particular item, especially in this day and age where a lot of people do not actually cook and they do
not cook traditional Caribbean/African food items. It gives them an understanding of how to use that item and of different dishes that they can make with it,” added Collins-Bacchus, an
ACHA member for more than 25 years and a past president of the association.
“Even if they don’t make the food themselves, they now know to go to a West Indian or African store to buy something made from that item. It also could mean that they will go shopping, hopefully, at a West Indian or African store and buy those items, instead of going to a regular grocery store.”
ACHA, since 1969, has been providing programs for students—ages five to 18—featuring African history lessons, arts and crafts and a variety of special events.
Collins-Bacchus, an edu-
cation committee member of ACHA, said the young program participants will be engaged in activities such as creating their own business, and their work will be displayed at an open house of the association later this year.
“It will be an open house, awards’ day and entrepreneurs’ day,” Collins-Bacchus said. She said the upcoming event will be held on Saturday, May 10, at the Centre for Equity and Employment, 75 Thermos Road, Scarborough.
https://www.facebook. com/share/v/164UetqWmt/ DEPRADINE
CHARLES ESTRIDGE JENNIFER OTENG
LINDIS COLLINS-BACCHUS
Exhibit showcased the artistry of Black men’s hair
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
The struggle against the stereotyping of Black Canadians, including young people, has been a long, historical one that continues to this day.
The pushback on the stereotypes was the intent of a photography exhibition titled, “My Hair is Art, Please Don’t Judge”.
“We’re trying to shift the perception of young Black men,” photographer Jamal Burger, one of the exhibition’s organizers, told Share. “This project aims to empower young men and kill outdated stereotypes that still plague today’s society.”
The exhibition, hosted at the Oakwood Avenue-based Nia Centre for the Arts, was a joint partnership between Burger’s non-profit organization, Kickback Foundation, Montreal-based collective, La Rue Inspire, and hair artist Yodit Michele, who operates Yoyo’s Studio.
They describe the exhibition, of 12 youth sporting various hairstyles, as “raw, unfiltered versions of young Black men in their true essence and most authentic form”.
The 12, and many other youths, “navigate daily societal pressures while seeking their identity and role in the world”, they added.
“For Black youth, this journey is compounded by the unique scrutiny they face regarding their appearance, especially their hair.”
“Every single kid that’s featured in the exhibition, I’ve known for a few years at the very least,” said Burger, founder and executive director of the Kickback Foundation.
young Black men’s relationship with their hair and confront it in the most honest, most intentional, most truthful way,” Burger said. “The aim is to contrast what the outside world sees in them as against who I know them to be and having their hair styled in such a beautiful way. We want to celebrate this defining element of their identity that embodies resilience, power and beauty.”
The displayed hairstyles—including braids, twists, dreadlocks and afros— were the artistry of Michele, a trained hairstylist who has done “some incredible work”, said Burger.
Montreal-based Michele said that after receiving a description of the youth, including their personality, she sat with them and finalized the hairstyle for each.
“The narrative of Black hair is rooted in the art of storytelling and self-expression. I wanted to instill a sense of pride in their relationship with their crown while encouraging them to be confident in all spaces,” says Michele, who has earned a reputation for her expertise in Black hairstyling. “We celebrate the Blackness of our legacy,
history, present-day and visions for our future through our illustrious hair.”
In “My Hair is Art, Please Don’t Judge”, Black youth can “see themselves in these photos and get a sense of pride in their hair and feel more confident”, said Michele, whose mother was a hairstylist.
She said she hopes that viewers, who are not from the Black community, would think about “how they now look at people when their hair is styled a certain way and refrain from judging”.
Michele said she always knew she wanted to be a hairstylist, although her mother tried steering her away from the profession.
“My mother raised three girls. As a child, I witnessed her doing hair and that brought me into that world,” Michele said.
Burger said he wants the photographed youth to take the experience of participating in the exhibition and apply it to their lives and their career aspirations.
and have them on display. Then, after that, they could also benefit from being part of the process,” said Burger.
He said the photographs were shot in 2024 and the exhibition didn’t come to life for a year because of lack of funding.
“Funding in the arts space is like a needle in a haystack,” Burger said.
“The longest part for us was figuring out how to pay for the exhibition, until we put our heads and hearts together and we found a way to cover the cost.”
“It’s a lot to ask for a kid to open up and be vulnerable enough for us to go in and take their photos
My Hair is Art’ Exhibit
YODIT MICHELE and JAMAL BURGER Photos by Lincoln Depradine
Addressing health disparities in Black communities
By FELESETA KASSAYE WOLDTSADIQUE
At a recent Community Health & Wellness Fair hosted by EthioCan Bridge The Gap and TAIBU Community Health Center, Dr. Samra Sahlu challenged a common misconception, stating, “We Black people are not inherently less healthy than non-Black people.” Instead, she says, “Systemic racism and exclusion limit access to good food, healthcare, jobs and safe environments.”
These barriers are the main drivers behind the health disparities many Black communities face.
Health Disparities in Black Communities
Health disparities among minority communities in Canada stem from systemic racism. They are also the effect of socioeconomic inequality, as well as historical trauma and unequal treatment due to discrimination in healthcare. In addition, language, cultural differences and immigration status further restrict access to care. Poor housing and lack of ability to obtain healthy food compounds the effect on health. These issues stem from the under-representation of minority groups in healthcare. Extra obstacles exist to prevent
both mental health stigmas and support deficiencies. The lack of trust and neglect maintains a continual cycle. It prevents people of colour in Canada from receiving proper assistance.
Statistics show Black Canadians face significant health disparities. For example, Black Canadians are 14.2 per cent and White Canadians 11.3 per cent to report fair or poor health. Black Canadians are twice as likely to have chronic conditions such as diabetes.
Mental health disparities also exist. While 77.2 per cent of White girls report good or excellent mental health among girls aged 12 to 17, only 64 per cent of Black girls report such emotional state. The disparity is also present in access to mental health. Poor Black Canadians who accessed the services stood at 38.3 per cent, while the White Canadians stood at 50.8 per cent.
“Health is shaped by more than just physical factors,” says Liben Gebremikael, CEO of TAIBU Community Health Center. According to him, many of the traditional healthcare models miss out on the social and financial aspects. However, he acknowledged recent efforts like the collection of race-based data and health initiatives aimed at specific groups. On the other hand, there is a need to call for minority inclusion in healthcare at the real level.
Rewriting the Narratives: For Us By
Us Approach
Toronto’s Ethiopian and Eritrean communities have had a long history of concern for mental health, but it was rarely spoken about for years. Parents and caregivers witnessed struggles and heard heartbreaking stories, only to try to get the support they knew they needed to provide it and found nothing.
Then, things began to change. As a result, professionals from within the community stepped in to create a safe space— Ethio-Can Bridge The Gap. It is a grassroots initiative focusing on breaking the stigma, bringing awareness and being a part of a community, a family.
“I was deeply concerned about the struggles families face—from language barriers and cultural differences to discrimination within the healthcare system,” says Tseday Legesse, a clinical researcher with a background in pharmacology and founder of Ethio-Can Bridge The Gap.
She explains: “We knew our community didn’t just need mainstream support—it needed something cultural, something that truly speaks to us.”
Tseday and her team focus on preventive support. They are working to close informational gaps and provide needed resources. The team offers free mental health services directed to their peers.
“We do it because we want to give back to the community,” says Legesse. “Serving your own community is very fulfilling.”
Highlights from the Health & Wellness Fair
Ethio-Can Bridge The Gap organized the Community Health & Wellness Fair on March 29, 2025, which attracted people from all age groups, including youth, elders and newcomers. The event used physical and mental health programming to teach attendees about community development and culturally appropriate care for eliminating Black health inequalities.
Medical students of Ethiopian and Eritrean descent led the health education sessions that focused on diseases that disproportionately affect Black communities, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, hypertension and diabetes. Additionally, the event included a presentation and a panel discussion on the impact and art of belonging.
Art served as a principal component of the event because it functioned as an expressive therapeutic healing space. Works of art and photographs, combined with poetry about immigrant life, turned the venue into an exhibition celebrating the strength of immigrants.
Of course, the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony and cultural dance created a lively atmosphere.
“Many of us Black people exist in environments that weren’t designed with us in mind. These gatherings remind us that we have a place here,” says Gebremikael, underscoring the event’s significance.
MartinVieirahelpedtodevelopcricketinCanada
By RON FANFAIR
When Dominican-born Victoria Park Cricket Club player Michael Burke died nearly five decades ago, close friend Martin Vieira became his son’s father figure.
“Uncle Martin was an integral part of my life,” recalled Patrick Burke who is a retired Toronto Police Service Detective Constable. “Though living in the Victoria Park Ave. and Danforth Ave. area at the time, he drove to Bowmanville to take me to and from cricket practice during the week and on weekends for games. He did that for other kids as well.
“When I was 15, he gave me my first job at Wallace Sporting Goods store which he co-owned with Austin Ward (retired Canadian cricket administrator). He did that for many other youths at places he worked in, including Matel, Borisco Brothers, which was a moving and storage company and Gibson Textile. He made sure a lot of people were comfortable by giving them jobs.”
The largest of the ICC regions, the Americas was the only area without support staff at the time. That changed with the hiring of a Regional Development & Coaching Officer and a Program Officer.
“The ICC is prepared to develop the game in this area, especially Canada and the Americas, which they have identified as the leading Associates in the region,” he told me in an interview in April 2003. “The ICC is, however, counting on these Boards to engage in sound planning and their ability to deliver their commitments. I believe in getting value for my investment and I am not prepared to recommend ICC funds be used in instances where it is not worth it.”
Vieira served in the position for nine years.
Ravin Moorthy was Cricket Canada’s President during the majority of Vieira’s time with the ICC.
“He was always there willing to help young cricketers grow and achieve their full potential,” he said. “His unmatched organizational skills and dedication will be sorely missed.”
Migrating from Guyana (then British Guiana) in 1959, Vieira was recruited to play for Victoria Park five years later while attending Neil McNeil High School in Scarborough.
The wicketkeeper with the third division team served in various capacities for almost 30 years at the club.
Later, Vieira was President of the Toronto District Cricket Association and Vice President of Cricket Canada. He also served as Junior Coordinator with both organizations.
He is survived by his partner, Lynda Wade.
“Martin was a loving and giving person who touched many lives,” she said. FELESETA
The selfless Vieira, who went on to be a key figure in the development of cricket in Canada and the Americas, passed away on February 13. He was 78.
Burke visited him in hospital a few days before his death.
“We kept in touch and talked a lot about cricket,” said the Township of King ByLaw Services Manager. “On the last visit, I mentioned that the ICC Champions Trophy tournament is starting soon in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. His eyes lit up, and he said, ‘That is the 50-overs tournament’. I said yes.”
After nearly 30 years as a player, coach and administrator, Vieira was appointed the International Cricket Council (ICC) Regional Manager for the Americas region in 2003.
He agreed to interview for the job on the condition that he would be based in Toronto if he got the position.
“Coming from Calgary and being so young with a lot of fresh ideas when I first started the role in 2007, I encountered pushback,” he said. “The old guard did not like what I was bringing to the table. One day, Martin put his arm around me in his office and said, ‘You keep doing what you are doing because you are the future, not them’. To hear that coming from him meant so much to me. Later, he took me to an ICC meeting in the Cayman Islands and introduced me to every delegate as Cricket Canada’s new President. He never shied away from trying to support me.”
Cricket Canada’s General Manager Ingleton Liburd and Vieira worked out of the Sports Alliance Ontario building in North York.
“Martin did a lot for cricket, particularly junior cricket in the community,” said the former Canadian left-handed batsman. “He was also a good listener and someone who was very sympathetic to others.”
Just before joining the ICC, Vieira played
a pivotal role in Canada’s bid for the ICC Trophy tournament in the Greater Toronto Area in 2001.
Dr. Geoff Edwards was Cricket Canada President at the time.
“I went to London to make the bid, but it was people like Martin Vieira, Calvin Clarke and others who did a lot of work to put together the presentation,” said the 2017 Hartford Cricket Hall of Fame inductee. “He was disciplined competent, proficient, professional and always sought excellence from himself and others.”
One of Cricket Canada’s longest serving executive members before retirement, Clarke said Vieira poured his heart and soul into junior cricket.
MARTIN VIEIRA
Father, daughter making aviation history in Canada
By RON FANFAIR
Black airline pilots are a rarity, particularly in Canada where there are only about 30.
Before November 2022, there were no Black women on Air Canada’s flight decks.
That changed when Zoey Williams broke the glass ceiling, becoming the first Black woman pilot on Canada’s largest airline.
With the odds so daunting, what motivated her to become a pilot?
“I don’t think I thought about the odds,” Williams said. “That was not on my mind when I began my aviation journey. Also, I didn’t pursue my first aviation license with the idea that it would become my career. I did it because I wanted to overcome the fear of flying.”
As the middle daughter of a trailblazing pilot who is a single father raising three children, she spent much of her childhood travelling on large aircraft. However, aviation was not on her radar until her dad suggested she and her sisters try an introductory flight.
“The only reason I took up that offer was because I didn’t have to pay for it and I like free things,” she said.
Flying in a small Cessna aircraft was an experience Williams didn’t relish.
“The weather was not good and the ride was bumpy,” she recalled. “I didn’t enjoy it. I was terrified and I told dad that was not for me.”
Sometimes, the best way to overcome fear is to confront it, which is exactly what Williams did.
“I went back to dad and told him I wanted to get a license so I could get over the fear of that first flight,” she said. “That was when I made the decision that I would become a pilot.”
Williams secured her recreational pilot permit and, with her father’s advice, worked in flight operations at a small airport while in secondary school before enrolling in a two-year Aviation Flight Management diploma program.
By her late teens, Williams – the recipient of the Jazz Aviation inaugural Aviation Pathway Award in 2016 – was a certified flight instructor teaching college-level education aviation courses while enhancing her flight time through airborne flight instruction.
With credits and experience, she entered Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2017 and completed a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics & Aviation Management and a Master of Business Administration in Aviation & International Business.
She did the programs online while working.
“Embry-Riddle was an amazing opportunity,” the 2015 Urban Pilots Network/Dream Never Dies Foundation scholarship winner said. “I had my license, but I always wanted to continue my education because I had set a standard of what I wanted to accomplish. Embry-Riddle allowed me to work in the field as a pilot but still have flexibility and course content available in a way that I could manage both.
“It was not easy because I flew long hours daily and studied at night. I also had to balance the responsibility of being fit to fly with being rested and being mentally prepared to fly. In addition, I had professors who were pilots who I could reach out to if I had issues at work. They allowed flexibility or extensions with my assignments.”
Last September, Williams – who also holds an Associate of Science in Aviation degree – achieved another first, joining the University of Waterloo as Canada’s inaugural Pilot-in-Residence.
Housed in the Faculty of Science, the position enhances Waterloo’s accomplished aviation program which was established in 2007.
This role presents an opportunity for an industry leader to guide the next generation of aviators by teaching courses that align with their expertise.
“We’re thrilled about Zoey stepping into this new role for several reasons,” said Dr. Suzanne Kearns, the founder and director of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics. “Historically, aviation education in Canada has been delivered primarily at the college level. About 20 years ago, the first Canadian universities began offering combined four-year degrees with professional pilot training.
“This is quite different from the United States where aviation is rooted in a strong military culture where military pilots are officers who require university degrees. Because of this, there are over 100 pilot-focused university degree programs across the United States.
“In contrast, Canada’s aviation culture has deep ties to our northern regions where many new pilots begin their careers supporting remote communities through bush flying which is an essential role that does not require a university degree. As a result, most aviation programs in Canada remain at the college level.
“While college-based aviation education is impactful and necessary, it leaves a gap. These programs rarely pro-
duce pilots who pursue advanced degrees like Master’s or PhDs, nor do they foster strong connections between Canada’s research community.”
Kearns said Williams’ role at the University of Waterloo is pivotal for bridging the gaps.
“She will mentor and guide our student pilots, offering practical industry-based insights,” the university’s aviation professor said. “She will also engage with our research ecosystem, supporting data collection in our on-campus flight simulator. This is vital for researchers exploring pilot performance, human factors and human-computer interaction as their studies require aviation expertise to ensure accuracy and relevance.
“Overall, we are excited about Zoey’s potential to connect academia and industry, fostering future-ready pilot graduates and producing research with real-world impact.”
Outside flying, Williams has other interests, including music.
“Music has always been a part of me and, as I got older, I learned I have an affinity for it,” said the Society of Composers, Authors & Music Publishers of Canada member who performed on two occasions with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. “It provides some balance in my life. Though busy, I share music online and collaborate with musicians and friends throughout the province.
“I enjoy the welcoming community I have in music. I do enjoy that creative side of my life.”
In the last few months, Williams has been recognized for making aviation history in Canada.
She made the 2024 list of Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada and was among 100 distinguished Black Canadian women recognized last September. She was also honoured with the Rising Star Award at last October’s Northern Lights Gala celebrating Canadian women in aviation.
While Williams and her father had been in small aircraft cockpits, she yearned for the day when the duo would be on the flight deck operating a commercial airliner.
Her dream came true on September 22, 2023, when Captain Orrett Williams proudly announced that his First Officer was Zoey Williams on Air Canada Flight 857 from London’s Heathrow Airport to Toronto. (There was also a relief pilot in the cockpit on the eight-hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean).
“We were both excited for this opportunity,” she said. “I had no concerns about our ability to operate professionally and work together. That was a given, but it was a great feeling to be in uniform flying together on a large aircraft. We were scheduled to go to Europe and back, but there was a last-minute operational change.”
For safe and successful flying, mindset matters for pilots. Personal familiarity takes a backseat the moment a captain enters the cockpit.
“I get into an operational mind switch where protocols have to be followed to fly an aircraft safely,” said Williams’ father. “We are in the roles of pilot flying and pilot not flying. That is the way we are trained. It was only after the fact when people mentioned that I and my daughter flew together in the same cockpit and it was so amazing did I realize the significance of it. During the flight, I was just thinking about getting the job done.”
There was a funny moment on the historic flight.
When a pilot passes control of the plane to another, they use the phrase ‘You have Control’ and the receiving pilot replies ‘I have Control’. While handing over to her dad
to go into the cabin after the flight was at cruise altitude, Williams turned to him saying ‘Dad, You have Control’.
“I did not pick up on that right away, but the relief pilot did and told Zoey the operating criteria should be changed when she works with her father,” the veteran pilot recalled.
Back in the day, Jamaicans flocked to the waving gallery at Palisadoes Airport in Kingston which became Norman Manley International Airport in 1972 to see family members arrive and depart.
After one such trip, Orrett Williams told his mom he wanted ‘to drive an airplane’.
Just five years old at the time, he never wavered from that position.
Living close to the airport, Williams often climbed an ackee tree next to his home, sat on a sturdy branch and watched planes soar into the sky.
In high school at Wolmer’s, he built model planes, using his lunch money to buy materials.
With Jamaica politically unstable in the early 1970s, Williams’ mother brought her six children to Toronto in April 1974.
On his first flight, he went into the Lockheed L-1011 cockpit.
“The captain asked if anyone was interested and I put my hand up,” said Williams. “I asked questions and was very intrigued. I walked out of that cockpit knowing I would be a pilot.”
While completing high school at David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute in Scarborough, the guidance counsellor inquired about his career goals.
“I told him I was thinking about becoming a pilot and this man said that is all well and good, but maybe I should set myself on something more achievable like being a carpenter,” said Williams. “That was the first time I was told I should not pursue my dream.”
Dejected, he walked out of the office vowing never to interact again with the guidance counsellor.
Soon after earning his Private Pilot’s License while navigating three jobs, Williams injured his knee while playing basketball and had to pause flight training studies at Seneca College.
After taking an Avionics Technician course and working in the field for a few years, he completed his Pilot’s License and Instructor Endorsement certification and was the first Black instructor in Oshawa for two years.
In an industry in which people of colour are traditionally underrepresented, support from experienced aviators is essential.
“When I started flying, there were some instructors from Pakistan who were teaching in Oshawa,” Williams said. “They helped build my confidence as did a couple of pilots who were role models for me. They included Mike Dell, Murray Garrison and Larry McAllister who were helpful when I began flying and became a flight instructor at the Oshawa Flying Club. Because of them, I became more familiar with airline operations at an early stage in the business.”
He was the first Black pilot to fly Medevac air ambulance flights in Northern Ontario before joining a regional carrier.
In 1996, Williams became Air Canada’s second Black pilot. Three-and-a-half years later, he transitioned to Captain.
Once a pilot has flown for a long time, you can bet they have a few interesting stories to share.
Air Canada pilots, father and daughter, ORRETT WILLIAMS and ZOEY WILLIAMS together in the cockpit.
Photo by Isel Williams
April
13 - 19, 2025
ARIES (March 21-April 19): You’ll need an outlet for your energy on the 13th. Idle time can lead to disagreements and emotional turmoil. Sign up for an event or activity that gets you up and moving. Adjust your portfolio on the 14th and 15th. An investment that grabs your attention looks promising. Reevaluate your lifestyle and monthly budget and create a plan that gives you more time to do what you enjoy most. You’ll discover something about yourself or someone you know on the 16th, 17th and 18th, leading to an opportunity. Research and prepare to make changes that position you for success. Keep the momentum flowing. Be aware of what others expect of you on the 19th. Ask questions and be prepared to decline situations or offers that aren’t right for you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Direct your energy wisely on the 13th. Putter around and declutter your place. Consider what you require, and pass along any extras to someone in need. The relief you feel when you complete your mission will be gratifying. You’re in the zone on the 14th and 15th, so get up and get things done before your enthusiasm disappears. If you strive for equality, you can resolve an emotional issue, bringing you closer to someone you love. Say no to temptation and joint ventures on the 16th, 17th and 18th. Refrain from overspending or taking on unnecessary debt. Concentrate on work, savings and prosperity. Learn from your mistakes on the 19th, and don’t be fooled by fast talkers offering the impossible. Make personal growth and good health your priorities.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Think before you speak on the 13th, or you’ll end up in a no-win situation. Do your part and live up to your promises to deter emotional confrontations. Learn from experience and look for positive alternatives. On the 14th and 15th, participate in events that will help you build stronger relationships with your colleagues. Put your energy into using your skills to make a difference. Unique, colourful and exciting people will attract your attention on the 16th, 17th and 18th. Be careful not to get swept up in someone else’s dream. You’ll gain the most by applying your time and effort to chasing goals that benefit you directly. Reconfigure your schedule on the 19th and emphasize what matters to you most. It’s time to join forces with those who share your beliefs.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): On the 13th, take a moment to calm your nerves and to distance yourself from situations that lead to emotional discord and overreaction to what’s happening around you. Get together with people who work in your field on the 14th and 15th or attend a conference to help you keep up to speed on the latest technology, devices or information that can boost your qualifications. Test the water on the 16th, 17th and 18th before you offer to participate in something that can be costly emotionally, financially or concerning your reputation. A quiet approach will allow you to find a realistic way to handle whatever you encounter. Honesty will play a role in how situations unfold on the 19th. Keep an open mind but refuse to let anyone take advantage of you.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Channel your energy into getting your house in order on the 13th. Tidy up, organize your finances and set your sights on your aspirations. Observe what others do and incorporate whatever is beneficial to your circumstances. Refrain from making spontaneous choices on the 14th and 15th. You should take a pass and cut your losses if you don’t have proof that an offer you receive will work. Get out, mingle and participate in events on the 16th, 17th and 18th that get you moving, thinking and meeting people who share your interests. The information you gather will encourage you to learn more and to expand your interests and skills. Put more emphasis on information on the 19th. Ask questions, research and get up to speed regarding lies, scams and underhandedness.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.22): Point yourself in a meaningful direction on the 13th. Applying your excess emotional energy is crucial to how situations unfold. A positive attitude will far exceed anger and discord. A home improvement
build a secure and stable future. You’ll gravitate toward people and situations that tempt you to overdo, overspend and overindulge on the 16th, 17th and 18th. Refuse to give anyone the chance to take advantage of you. Set a rigid schedule, and don’t venture off course. Get together with someone from your past on the 19th and see what transpires. Attending a reunion or networking conference will lead to opportunities. Romance and socializing are favoured.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): On the 13th, getting along with others will be problematic if you let your emotions take over and you retaliate. Take a deep breath and divert your energy into physical fitness and self-improvement. Turn on your charm on the 14th and 15th, and revel in marketing yourself and what you can do. Doors will open if you let your confidence lead the way and your kind and sincere manner captivate those you encounter. Take every opportunity on the 16th, 17th and 18th; see where it leads. Business ventures, short trips and communications are favoured and will encourage optimum results if you remain positive. Take a breather and a moment to rejuvenate on the 19th. Refuse to let anyone goad you into an argument or something you don’t want or need.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Keep moving, accomplishing and fulfilling your promises on the 13th. Someone will be quick to point out if you fall short. Get in the swing of things on the 14th and 15th and participate. Attend events that offer valuable information and insight into something that interests you and connects you to people who share your pursuits. Avoid lending or borrowing money or possessions on the 16th, 17th and 18th. It’s important to refrain from overspending or leaving yourself vulnerable to scammers. Do the legwork to ensure you are dealing with reputable individuals, and you can make worthwhile gains. Social events will encourage love and romance. Pay attention to how you present yourself on the 19th. Update your image and focus on diet and fitness.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick close to home on the 13th and protect your health and assets from grifters. Talk is cheap; actions speak. Work alone, finish what you start and go about your business on the 14th and 15th. Start a home improvement project that improves comfort, home efficiency and functionality. Discipline, diet and fitness will lead to better health. Control your emotions on the 16th, 17th and 18th. Overreacting to situations will disrupt your household and your relationship with someone nearby. Think before you say or do something you regret. Choose peace and love over discord and chaos. Update your resume on the 19th. Rethink your professional plan and how you manage your money, and you’ll find a way to raise your productivity and income.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Turn down the noise, lower your output and rest on the 13th. Quiet time will help you realize what’s meaningful to you and how to adjust your lifestyle to suit your emotional needs. Presentation is everything on the 14th and 15th. Participate, network and do your best to take advantage of what’s available. Precision and detail are your forte, and the right people will appreciate your efforts. Listen and observe on the 16th, 17th and 18th. You’ll gain insight into what others want and who can benefit you. Take a pass if someone puts pressure on you. If things don’t flow, you are best to say no. Someone will stretch the truth or lead you astray on the 19th. Honesty and bold questions will stifle anyone trying to exploit you.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Be cautious if money is at stake on the 13th. Overspending or being too generous with others will set you back. Learn as much as possible about money management and personal investing on the 14th and 15th. Looking out for your interests helps you maintain control of your lifestyle. An unusual opportunity looks
interests you on the 16th, 17th and 18th, and an opportunity will present itself. Let your imagination set the theme and your suggestions grab attention while you maintain and offer a feasible budget and schedule. Verify everything you hear on the 19th. Someone will misinform you regarding what to expect and the cost you’ll encounter. Don’t buy anything sight unseen.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Avoid hasty decisions on the 13th. You are better to walk away than to spend or indulge in something you know little about. Take a moment to rethink your next move. Size up your situation on the 14th and 15th and take advantage of an opportunity to invest in yourself, your pursuits and your skills. Raising your qualifications and marketing yourself for success will pay off. An emotional situation will spin out of control on the 16th, 17th and 18th if you let others interfere in your affairs. Put a plan in place, keep it simple and affordable and move forward alone. Keep an open mind on the 19th, but don’t commit to someone or something that makes you feel uncertain. It’s OK to sit on the fence.
UNIVERSAL SUNDAY CROSSWORD
LETTER DROP BY PAUL COULTER, EDITED BY TAYLOR JOHNSON
Captain Orrett Williams an inspiration to younger pilots
“I have had births, deaths and diversions because of ill passengers,” said Williams whose longest flight was just over 17 hours from Toronto to Hong Kong in a snowstorm. “On one occasion, a passenger began having urological issues halfway across the Atlantic Ocean and started screaming in pain. Luckily for him, there were seven urologists on board the flight returning to Toronto from a conference in London. They looked after him at the back of the plane on a full flight.”
As Williams climbed, he lifted many other young aviators.
“I first met Orrett at an Urban Pilots & Professionals Network gathering while I was still serving as a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot in 2012,” recalled Air Canada Captain Damar Walker. “Over the years, he has been a wealth of knowledge and a consummate professional in his role at Air Canada. From our first conversation to witnessing his dedication firsthand in the community and as a pilot, he has had a profound impact on my journey to Air Canada. He has inspired me to uphold the highest standards of professionalism as an A320 Captain.”
Sergeant Jermaine Watt
ran into Williams three years ago while on patrol in the community.
“I learned that he is Jamaican-born and a pilot just like I am,” said the Toronto Police Service officer who acquired his pilot’s license 18 years ago. “The more we shared our journeys and passion for aviation, the more I learned how much we have in common. We are members of the Urban Pilots & Professional Network that hosts a youth program, Taking Flight. He is always there, offering the youths his time and advice. Orrett is a humble and modest man who puts the needs of others before his own.”
What advice would the experienced pilot give to young people interested in an aviation career?
“I believe they should be encouraged to aspire for whatever career they are interested in,” Williams said. “They should also seek out people who are in the field to get a sense of what it is like and what it takes to get into it.”
Single mothers are often praised for their role in raising their children, but single fathers rarely receive the praise they deserve for doing the same thing.
“I try to do my best when it comes to my children,” Williams said. “Growing
up, my parents gave me as much as they could afford. They did everything they could for their six children. When I had to go away for two to three days for work, my family chipped in and helped out. I don’t know anything else.”
Most pilots have a favourite plane.
For Williams who has flown the venerable DC-9, the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 767 and 777, it is the Boeing 747 dubbed ‘The Queen of the Skies’.
“It was majestic and the easiest airplane I have ever flown,” he said. “It moved through the sky gracefully and was easy to land. It
didn’t do anything relatively fast when you try to get it set up and going.”
Air Canada retired the last of the 747 fleet in 2004. Williams retires next July and his First Officer on that last flight is likely to be his daughter who was the keynote speaker at the second annual Onyx Initiative Gala on February 22 at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto.
Flying for nearly three decades with Air Canada has allowed him to see many countries.
Williams plans to relax, travel, spend winter in the Caribbean and South Pacific and continue mentoring young people.
CelebratingBlackExcellenceinSTEM
Umoja Robotics is more than just a team—it is a movement dedicated to breaking barriers and transforming the STEM landscape for Black youth. As we celebrate Black History Month, Umoja Robotics stands as a shining example of Black excellence in STEM. We are preparing for the upcoming FIRST Robotics Competition with hopes of
once again competing at the World Championship in Houston, Texas, from April 16-19, 2025.
Umoja Robotics is seeking supporters to help the team reach Houston. Donations can be made via Interac e-transfer at donateumoja@accntoronto.com or through CanadaHelps. Donations over $20.00 will receive a tax receipt.
As Cherryl Lewis, Executive Director of ACCN and lead mentor emphasized, “Umoja Robotics was founded on the belief that every child, regardless of background, should have access to opportunities that shape their future”.
Through free robotics programs, which includes mentorship, Umoja is paving the way for underrepresented communities to thrive in STEM.
“Our holistic approach blends hands-on learning with mentorship, fostering an environment where students excel academically and develop leadership skills essential for STEM careers and beyond,” added Lewis.
Systemic barriers continue to limit access to STEM opportunities for underrepresented groups, particularly Black students. Umoja Robotics actively works to change this narrative, offering the critical support that many students lack.
Over the past seven years, Umoja Robotics has empowered students to achieve academic and professional success, where 100 per cent of graduates have completed high school and 99.5 per cent pursue post-secondary education.
Representation is key and Umoja ensures that its mentors reflect the students they serve, creating a sense of belonging and inspiration.
Umoja Robotics is not just a team—it is a symbol of resilience, excellence and community. By mentoring, advocating and breaking barriers, Umoja is ensuring that Black youth have the opportunity to
innovate, lead and shape the future of STEM. We invite individuals, organizations and sponsors to join us in supporting this incredible initiative. Together, we can build a future where STEM is accessible to all, regardless of background. Email: umojarobotics@ accntoronto.com. Website: www.accntoronto. com/umojarobotics.
Celebrating Black art and culture at Union Station
By LINCOLN DEPRADINE
Artists Pixel Heller and Jordan Sook are both pleased with the response to their work that is on display at Toronto’s Union Station on Front Street West.
“The response has been very surreal,” said Heller, a multi-media artist whose work has included a focus on carnival.
“A lot of people will come to me and say that they saw my work. I’ve also had a lot of random strangers messaging me on Instagram, saying it made their day seeing culture within a space that has not always been so inclusive,” Heller said.
Sook, in an interview with Share, discussed his solo exhibition titled, “Nothing More Nothing Less”, calling it a work that’s “really about upliftment, resilience of self, individuality, creativity and upward mobility”.
The exhibition by Sook, a self-taught mixed-media artist born to Jamaican and Guyanese parents, is a collection of images of butterflies. He uses various media, with butterflies as the centerpiece, to represent elements of the human spirit.
“The public response has been great. The kids love it, families love it. Everyone takes away something different.
“The best part of this work is that it meets you where you’re at,” said Sook, an art studio owner, who began working fulltime as an artist in 2019 and has exhibited in the United States and Europe.
“Butterflies are symbolic of transformation and evolution. And what I’m expressing is the development of self and growth. I want people to see this work and feel like the best version of themselves.”
The other concurrent exhibition, in which Heller is participating, is called “A Transit Through Time”.
The exhibitions are a joint venture, first launched in 2023, sponsored by TD Bank and co-curated by Union Station and MakeRoom Inc., a curatorial agency and arts organization.
“We are rooted in the legacies of those who came before us. Black creativity and
traditions have had a transformational impact on cultures all around the world,” said Trevor Twells, founder of MakeRoom Inc. “We hope visitors will leave inspired by the artists’ stories and the diversity of Black culture, the ways it evolves, and how it connects us with the generations that came before us.”
The exhibited works at Union Station by Sook, Heller and the five other artists are “meant to encourage reflection, understanding and conversations, empowering all commuters and visitors to see, feel and appreciate the many contributions of Black artists”, said Michael Armstrong, a TD Bank vice president.
“TD is proud to support spaces that elevate Black voices and celebrate their experiences and achievements in such a meaningful way.”
Sook’s “Nothing More Nothing Less” and “A Transit Through Time” both embody a vision that spotlights “the creativity and ingenuity of Black artists”, said Syma Shah, executive director of programming at Union Station.
“At Union, our mission is to celebrate the vibrant diversity of Canada through arts
and cultural programming that uplifts and connects our communities,” Shah said. “These exhibitions invite visitors to reflect on the legacies that shape our present and future, fostering dialogue and connection in the heart of the city.”
The works are located in Union Station’s West Wing. However, Sook has additional pieces that are placed on the station’s exterior banners along Front Street, digital screens, the hoarding wall in the new lower area of the station, and also in Union’s Oak Room.
Five different pieces of Sook’s work are on exhibition, including three panels of individually hand-painted butterflies. Each panel has about 50 butterflies.
“What I really love about this exhibition is that it’s connecting to people in their daily commute,” said Sook, a Georgian College graduate in advertising and business marketing.
Heller, explaining her work in general, said it “centres on themes of Black identity, the Diaspora, Caribbean traditional masquerade, and the intersection of fashion, design, costumes and masks”.
Her Union Station exhibit piece pho -
tographed at carnival in Tobago, depicts “Moko Jumbies”—a stilt-walking tradition rooted in West African spirituality and brought to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans.
Moko Jumbie “symbolizes protection, guardianship and a connection to the spirit world”, and also “represents a deep connection to my identity”, said Heller, whose grandparents on one side are from Trinidad. Her other grandparents are European.
Heller, who has participated in carnival in Toronto and Tobago, said she’s still to experience mas’ in Trinidad, and soon will be travelling to Grenada, where Moko Jumbie is part of the country’s cultural display.
“This year, I’m doing Jamaica Carnival, Spicemas in Grenada and Nottinghill in London,” said Hiller, who grew up in Winnipeg and graduated last year with a Bachelor’ degree in fine arts from OCAD University in Toronto.
She has mounted numerous exhibitions across the city and has also performed Moko Jumbie stilt walking.
Heller, who is also running a solo exhibition at MCA Gallery on St. Clair Avenue West, is about to begin a four-month residency at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa, where she’ll be doing research and experimentation.
She also makes her work available via her website, www.artsbypixel.com.
“As I go forward, I want to continue to push my art practice, exploring different mediums. I really want to get into public art more, and just to really spread the message of carnival as an act of resistance and power,” Heller said.
“I make costumes as well. So, I have a textile practice, sewing, dyeing fabric and I also do ceramics and photography.”
“A Transit Through Time” and “Nothing More Nothing Less” are open daily, until August, during Union Station’s operating hours.
The free exhibition of artwork, according to sponsors and organizers, celebrates “Black artists and cultural legacy”.
Adayofculture,learningandFunforkidsinAjax
Families in the Greater Toronto Area are invited to embark on a vibrant cultural journey at the Caribbean Kids Fest, an exciting indoor festival dedicated to celebrating the rich and diverse heritage of the Caribbean.
This one-day event promises an unforgettable experience filled with hands-on activities, cultural education and interactive entertainment designed for children and families alike.
Hosted by Chantelle Selkridge of Akoma Afro Arts, Caribbean Kids Fest will highlight the folklore, music and artistry of Caribbean islands, providing a space for families to learn, explore, and celebrate together. From engaging DIY activities to captivating performances, the festival aims to create an immersive experience that fosters cultural appreciation and community connection.
Event Highlights:
Live Performances – Enjoy traditional Caribbean dance, music and storytelling.
Craft Stations – Hands-on activities that allow children to create and take-home Caribbean art.
Tasty Treats – A chance to explore delicious Caribbean cuisine.
Family Fun & Games – Exciting activities that encourage learning through play.
“I am very excited to highlight the rich heritage of the Caribbean to families in a way that is both entertaining and educational,” says Selkridge. “This festival is about celebrating culture, deepening identity and educating the broader community while giving children a chance to experience the richness of the Caribbean in an engaging way.”
The Caribbean Kids Fest will take place on Sunday May 4 at Ajax Community Centre at 75 Centennial Road, Ajax, in the HMS Community Hall. Families are encouraged to join in the celebration and immerse themselves in the rhythms, colours and stories of the Caribbean.
For more information, media inquiries,
or sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Chantelle Selkridge chantelleselkridge@hotmail.com Instagram @ Caribfolkfest.
CBTU urging Blacks to vote
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 7
The gathering concluded with an empowering call to action, reinforcing the notion that sustained political engagement—beyond just voting—is essential to achieving substantive policy changes and genuine progress for Black and Caribbean communities in Canada. The CBTU committed to ongoing efforts to educate, mobilize and advocate, ensuring community concerns remain central during this election and beyond.
Participants left with a clear message: every Black and Caribbean vote matters, and active participation is vital for shaping a future where our communities are respected, represented and empowered.
“Beloved Community,” inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision. They shared aspirations for meaningful representation, economic empowerment through investment in Black businesses, and systemic reforms addressing employment equity and racial justice. Underscoring the importance of economic empowerment, CBTU’s Ahmad Gaied said, “Money talks, and we need to ensure our communities benefit economically, creating genuine opportunities.” Participants also emphasized that healing and unity are essential foundations for effective political action. Achieving community solidarity involves openly addressing internal divisions, fostering trust and prioritizing collective well-being over individual differences.
JORDAN SOOK
PIXEL HELLER
