By Jasminee Sahoye

His hard work as a poet, speaker and social entrepreneur is earning him more respect as a young black kid who grew up in Scarborough to immigrant parents.

Now Dwayne Morgan will be joining some big names such as former CTV anchor Christine Bentley, the four current members of the Barenaked Ladies and former MPP for Scarborough-Agincourt, Gerry Phillips as inductees in this year’s Scarborough Walk of Fame.

Morgan spoke about his parents’ immigration to Canada from Jamaica in a poem titled January 1974.

He talked about the sacrifices his parents made and how they inspired him.

“Every day, when I wake up, I remind myself of how I am somebody’s hope and dream,” he said. “I was the immigrants’ dream. Everything I built was built on their backs. When they look at me, I want them to see their sun is still shining,” he said.

Morgan began his career as a spoken word artist in 1993. In 1994, he founded Up From The Roots entertainment, to promote the positive artistic contributions of African Canadian and urban influenced artists. He is also the recipient of the Harry Jerome Award for excellence in the Arts.

Now in its sixth year, the ceremony honours Scarborough natives who have made a significant contributions in their particular fields.
Inductees are invited to receive their stars at the Scarborough Town Centre on May 15. Each winner’s name will be etched onto a plaque and placed beside others on a wall in the mall.

The Scarborough Walk of Fame Association is a not-for profit, volunteer driven organization, dedicated to honouring individuals who, through actions and deeds, bring pride to the community of Scarborough and serve to inspire tomorrow’s leaders.