Recognizing the unrecognized, the Black Star Movement presented Unsung Heroes Awards last Sunday to Black individuals, groups and organizations for their charitable work and volunteerism in Canada and other countries.
As the group has done for the past five years, a number of awards were given at the Jamaican Canadian Association to 15 recipients including Angela Swain-Thorpe, founder of Reachout Committee.
Swain-Thorpe accepted the Good Samaritan Award on behalf of Reachout Committee for its 10 years of working with youth in the GTA by providing programs to empower and develop their skills.
Founder of Faith Open Door Ministries, Bishop James Robinson, is another recipient of the Good Samaritan Award.
Dr. Daniel Cowans was given the Leadership Advocacy Award for his work with ResQ Youth International in Peel Region, assisting Black people who have trouble with the law and have been kicked out of school.
Cowans also travels to Jamaica, his country of origin, to take medication for young people who are struggling with health issues, as he is also a registered nurse. He has been working with World Vision to sponsor children in parts of Africa and Haiti.
Barbara Lopez received the Education Legacy Award for her 25 years as an educator with the Toronto District School Board, her work in Jamaica and her fundraising efforts to build a school there.