By Staff Reporter

The Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) announced last Friday the recipients of the 2024 Harry Jerome Awards. The disclosure was made at an event that was held at the Golden Mail building.

Ross Cadastre, Board Chair of the BBPA, opened the event with a message about the importance of celebrating Black excellence and the organization’s mission to advance the economic prosperity and overall well-being of Black Canadians. “In a world where representation matters, celebrating Black excellence is not just a mere accolade; it is a powerful statement that reaffirms the inherent worth and potential within our communities,” Cadastre remarked.

The award selection committee, chaired by former recipient Velma Morgan, faced the challenging task of narrowing down hundreds of nominations to just 12 recipients. The committee’s co-chair, David Simmons, emphasized the difficulty in selecting winners due to the abundance of Black excellence within the community. The chosen awardees were praised for representing the depth, diversity, and excellence of the Black community in Canada.

Among the awardees was Denise Campbell, who received the Professional Excellence Award for her contributions to public service and efforts to make the city more equitable and safe. Diana Alli D’Souza, the recipient of the Diversity Award, shared her inspiring journey from Mumbai to Canada and her work in empowering youth and the elderly.

Inaugural Innovation Award to Amoy Wynter, Toronto, Ontario. Amoy is responsible for participating in the development, implementation, and administration of various Diversity and Human Rights programs at the Toronto Transit Commission.

The Business Award goes to Frank Baylis, who shared the story of his mother’s fight against racial discrimination and her founding of Bayles Medical. The Young Entrepreneur Award went to Jeffrey Fasegha, while Camille Mitchell received the Arts Award for her contributions to the field of architecture and her efforts to inspire the next generation of architects through the Black Architect and Interior Design Association.

Yolanda McLean was announced as the recipient of the Community Service Award for her exemplary record of commitment and contribution to community service. The Chairman’s Award, selected by Ross Cadastre, was awarded to Tiffany Callander for her outstanding contributions to the community and her work serving people of African descent.

Jade Riviere was honored with the Jerome Family Athletics Award for her exceptional athletic performance in the world of soccer. The Decade Leader Award was presented to Heather Campbell for her transformative leadership and visionary achievements that have significantly contributed to the community’s growth and success over the past decade.

Wendell Adjetey received the Academic Professional Award for his significant contributions to academia through teaching, research, or administration.

The 2024 Harry Jerome Awards not only celebrated the individual achievements of the awardees but also highlighted the collective journey towards equity, diversity, and inclusion. The BBPA’s dedication to supporting and uplifting the Black community was evident throughout the event, serving as a reminder of the boundless achievements and immeasurable impact of Black Canadians.

The awards will be presented at the grand celebration on April 27th at Beanfield Centre, Exhibition Place. The gala event will include a sit-down dinner, live entertainment by George St. Kitts Band and Canadian rapper Keysha Freshh, and the awards presentations.

For more information on the Black Business and Professional Association and the Harry Jerome Awards, visit www.bbpa.org.