BY: ALYSSA MAHADEO
With the increasing number of immigrants coming to settle in Canada and making Toronto their home, many of the once rural towns and cities in the suburbs are becoming increasingly populated with people emigrating from the Caribbean.
The cities that make up Durham Region have seen an exponential growth in population and land development over the past few years with more people of color moving out east and slowly but surely building a bright and vibrant Caribbean community.
On Wednesday, June 27th, the Caribbean Event Organization of Ontario proclaimed the 5th Annual Durham Caribbean Week Appreciation Day presented by the G Centre, a dynamic, collaborative work environment at an affordable price for new entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations. The G Centre allows for the rental of a co-working space, where people in Durham can host meetings and brainstorm sessions for professional and productive convocations.
The official launch took place on Wednesday, June 27th and ran over the Canada Day long weekend where local and corporate businesses in the area hosted different events showcasing Caribbean inspired themes.
The Official Durham Caribbean Week Appreciation Day offered many opportunities to reach and network with various industries and businesses throughout the region through a combination of events targeting the media, trade consumers, and the Caribbean Diaspora to celebrate the sights, sounds, colors, culture and unique vacation experiences of the Caribbean.
Festivities were kicked off with formal introductions by Mayors of the Region and Members of Provincial Parliament to congratulate the Caribbean Community of Durham on achieving this recognition.
Mary Glavan the Executive Director of the Caribbean Event Organization of Ontario hosted the evening’s proclamations giving special mentions to many of the local Caribbean Organizations for the work they do, and continue to do for the citizens of the Durham Community
“I have to thank everyone, because of this achievement, we did it and it’s not about me it’s about all of you,” Galvan explains. “I would have never ever thought of Caribbean Week or talking about the businesses and really showcasing the Caribbean inspired life if not for the Durham Caribbean Festival and I meet the most amazing sponsors and business owners, the small mom and pop shops that are doing their thing and they don’t make it on the news, but they all have a story.”
The outdoor reception and celebration took place at Mystic Lounge located at 282 Monarch Avenue Ajax. The venue hosted tourism officials, the media, artists, performers, celebrity chefs, sponsors and strategic partners participated in Caribbean Week Activities all across Durham Region. A special recognition was presented to Vera Mercier as she received the 2018 Caribbean Business of the Year, as the founder of the SKD Bilingual Childcare by Jim Markovski, Superintendent of Education for DDSB.
On Thursday, June 28th, festivities continued at the Rum Diaries for Caribbean Dinner Night, then onto Friday, June 29th, where presenting sponsor G Centre hosted the Durham Entrepreneur’s Town Hall Open House with Tours and Discussions for how this amazing community space could be utilized as a productive meeting workspace.
On Saturday, June 30th, JN Money did a special giveaway with all Money Transfers at local businesses AL’s West Indian Food Mart, and Ocho Rios West Indian Grocery.
July 1st the City of Oshawa came together to celebrate Canada’s 151st Birthday with a brilliant fireworks display overlooking the Oshawa Harbour.
The Caribbean Week didn’t end there! Continuing onto Monday, July 2nd, DO IT NOW TV hosted a special Facebook Live segment about Migrating from the Caribbean interviewing citizens of Durham Region about their migration experience.
July 3rd the youth of the community had their moment to shine WMRCC of Durham BYAP Game at the Alex Robertson Park for citizens of all ages.
Finally, the last day of events was an open house at King’s Cuts Barber Shop in Whitby offering customers a chance to win prizes and free giveaways with every cut!
The Durham Region’s Caribbean population continues to grow with each passing year, and there is a need to recognize those businesses and community services organizations working to help the community thrive. Coming together in unity is what the Caribbean is all about! For more about Durham Caribbean festivities please visit www.durhamcaribbeanfestival.com.
