Jaggernauth among Jerome Award recipients

Michelle Richards congratulates TV reporter Patricia Jaggernauth, winner of the Harry Jerome media award. Gerald V. Paul photo.
Michelle Richards congratulates TV reporter Patricia Jaggernauth, winner of the Harry Jerome media award. Gerald V. Paul photo.

Canadian-born of Guyanese and Jamaican parents, Patricia J. Jaggernauth is among the 15 Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) 34th-annual Harry Jerome Awards recipients announced last Tuesday.

The formal presentation is slated for April 23 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building.

Jaggernauth, the recipient of the media award, seen since June on CP24 as a weather specialist and remote reporter, is an award-winning national spokesperson for Arrive Alive Drive Sober.

“I work alongside the charity’s executive director within the community across Ontario, within high schools, colleges and universities as well as many conferences and workshops, providing leadership and participating in programs on eliminating impaired driving.

Seen on 60-plus channels across Ontario, Jaggernauth has a 30-second public service announcement that also has more than 23,000 viewers on You Tube. The PSA was written by Jaggernauth and produced by Universal Music. It features a strong message focused on positively influencing the younger generation.

Jaggernauth is also president, CEO and creative director of PJ Glamgirl Boutique, an online fashion boutique featuring pieces that highlight her fashions and accessories.

Among the other recipients is Jamal Murray for athletics.

Murray grew up in Kitchener and attended Grand River Collegiate Institute. With numerous MVPs under his belt, he was selected to play in the first-ever Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global Camp during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto. He has committed to the University of Kentucky.

He made the Senior Men’s National debut at home for the 2015 Pan American Games where he was a standout in the semi-finals, scoring 22 points, all in the fourth quarter and overtime, to beat the U.S. and send Canada to the finals. He averaged 16 points, 2.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds, helping Canada finish second.

As a key contributor to the men’s program, he is expected to return this summer to lead Team Canada in the Olympic Qualifiers where the team will look to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

Recipient Mark Saunders came through the ranks, moving into leadership roles on his way to becoming Toronto Police chief.

Of Jamaican heritage, Saunders has done investigative work and served in Professional Standards, the Urban Street Gang Unit, Intelligence Division, Drug Squad, Community Safety Command, Specialized Operations Command, Emergency Task Force and the largest Homicide Squad in Canada.

He has numerous awards, including Officer of Order of Merit of the Police Forces and the Black Canadian Award for Public Service.

The other recipients with categories are: Happy Inibhunu, academics; Robert Small, arts; Nadine Spencer, business; Francis Atta, community service; Dr. Wendy Cukier, diversity; David Woods and Simone Atungo, health sciences; Janelle Hinds-, leadership; Dr. David Bell, president; Judge Juanita Westmoreland-Traore, lifetime achievement; Orin Isaacs, professional excellence and Samantha Clarke, young entrepreneur.