Letter from the Publisher

Celebrating excellence at the Impact Awards

The Impact Awards, an event recognizing outstanding achievements in the Caribbean community, recently held its 2023 edition.

The event, made possible by the generous support of its sponsors and dedicated organizers, brought together a diverse and appreciative audience at the Ontario Science Centre.

First and foremost, the Impact Awards would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to its main sponsor, George Brown College (GBC), for providing the essential resources that made this event possible.

Dr. Gervan Fearon, President of GBC, and the entire GBC team played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the event.

Additionally, a special “thank you” goes out to Rosemarie Powell and the team at the Toronto Community Benefits Network, who confirmed their support for Impact Awards 2023 in December last year. Their commitment to our efforts was a significant boost.

The Impact Awards also expresses its gratitude to FLOW, Caribbean Vibrations, Roots Community Services, WEDO.ca and the Carpenters Union as well as Roti Roti and Island Spice Flava which provided an exceptional culinary experience. Their delicious food added to the overall enjoyment of the evening.

The heart of the Impact Awards lies in celebrating extraordinary individuals who have made significant contributions to the community. This year’s awardees, collectively known as the Stellar Group, were recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Awardees Claire Kirk-Cape, Walter Elliott, Kenny Chitolie, Brownman Ali, Pastor Judith James, Dr. Balliram Chadee, Lindy Burgess, Carl James, Vienne Flynn and Patrick Husbands all shared inspiring stories.

Of course, the event wouldn’t have been complete without the dedicated presenters who introduced the awardees – Chris Campbell of the Carpenters Union, Rosemarie Powell of TCBN, Edwin Terry of FLOW, MPP Patrice Barns, MP Michael Coteau, Henry Mangal Consulate General of St. Lucia, Dr. Upton Allen of Sick Kids Hospital, and Dr. Gervan Fearon of George Brown College.

The keynote address delivered by Dr. Rhonda McEwen was a highlight of the evening. Her insightful words resonated with the audience as she emphasized the importance of innovation, diversity and inclusion.

The other notable speakers, Dr. Gervan Fearon of GBC and Carlton Joseph of BIBDA, also contributed to the event’s success with their valuable insights.

The Impact Awards also showcased talented performers. Young Emily Moore’s heartfelt singing had the crowd joining in. Macomere Fifi’s message to Toronto politicians was clear: “We don’t want to know.”  And Steele, with his Old School Reggae performance, brought the evening to a joyful conclusion.

The event received recognition from the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, who commended the Impact Awards for highlighting the achievements of individuals of Black and Caribbean descent. He offered his congratulations to

all the deserving award recipients.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated team worked tirelessly to ensure the community was well represented. Richard and Stacy McLarty, Meegan Scott, Dawn Matthew, Daniel Royer, Sischa Maharaj, Dr. Sylvanus Thompson, and Luann Philgence all played vital roles in the event’s success.

Finally, the Impact Awards extend its gratitude to the crowd who attended the Awards at the Ontario Science Centre, making it an unforgettable celebration of Excellence.

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