Canadian Black Entertainers Collective launches Friday

By Stephen Weir

Poet, writer, event producer, Dwayne Morgan believes that when local entertainers work together, everyone wins.  To prove the point he is launching a new organization this Friday at an 8pm concert and networking session at Scarborough’s Spade Lounge.

From Left: Lisa Michelle, Morgan Quisha Wint and Dwayne Morgan

“This will be the public start of the Canadian Black Entertainers Collective (CBE),” Dwayne Margo told the Caribbean Camera. “Our aim is for the [entertainment] industry to pool our resources to offer even better entertainment options than what we can do individually. Friday’s event should be of interest to singers, musicians, poets, and event planners. And we will have more to add as things develop!”

“This isn’t just for Black people,” he continued. “It’s for professionals who understand the culture and more importantly the roots of our culture. Anyone who loves live entertainment, and wants to share in a collective vision for the future should buy a ticket for Friday.”

It all starts at 8pm with an on-stage live show of what some of the founding members of the CBE are up to. On the bill are: soul singer Quisha Wint; singer, songwriter, actress Nikki Green; Neo Soul Sistahs, Lisa Michelle and Gina Pennisi; and artistic director Andrew Craig.

It is fitting that the first concert and meeting of the Collective will be held in Scarborough, home to many people working in the entertainment business.  Morgan himself is a 2013 inductee in to the Scarborough Walk of Fame for his efforts as a writer, speaker and producer.

Morgan began his career in 1993, starting his production company, Up From The Roots, while still in high school. Since then, Morgan has been the prime mover behind many annual Toronto events, most notably the “When Brothers Speak and When Sisters Speak” Spoken Word Concerts, the Last Poet Standing, and the Toronto International Poetry Slam.

He is a former host of Diasporic Music on CKLN 88.1FM, a correspondent for the website TDot Exposed, and currently writes commentary for the Pride News Magazine.
Tickets for the 19+ concert and party are $20.  The Spade Bar and Lounge is located 3580 McNicoll Ave, Toronto.