The African Canadian Achievement Awards, ACAA, was an affair to remember, especially with the strong presence of our young people, along with their elders at the elegant St. Lawrence Centre last Saturday: striving, preserving and achieving together. Yes. It was love and harmony, peace and unity, in a One Caribbean/African/Canadian family.

And the President of The Barbados Ball Canada Aid, BBCA, Steve Kirton, recipient of the Excellence in Business Award, spent 30 years with the Business Development Bank of Canada.

He was involved with a wide variety of businesses, financing them through stages of development.

“One of my most outstanding contributions was helping to establish the Diverse Action Committee, implemented to monitor and effect change to ensure fairness and diversity at the BDC,” Kirton told The Camera. He recently retired as Vice President of the BDC, at Credit Risk Management and Strategic Initiatives, tasked with overseeing the credit function for all of Ontario.

But Kirton took the opportunity to sing the praises of the BBCA, supporting charitable causes in the interest of Barbadians in Canada and Barbados with a focus on youth and health. “Educational support of Barbadian youth is achieved through a scholarship programme, while healthcare is facilitated through donations to charitable and not-for-profit organizations,” Kirton said.

Kirton was appreciative of the ACAA award, which has evolved into one of the most-anticipated and prestigious events in the African-Canadian community.

“The ACAA has acted as a catalyst, inspiring many of our youth, and some adults, to pursue and attain success and excellence in their lives,” noted Michael Van Cooten, Founder, Chair and CEO.