Connect with us

Community News

Lifelong Leadership Institute celebrates graduating students from the Leadership by Design Program

Published

on

Photo Credit: Cecil Henry

BY PAUL JUNOR

It was a day filled with powerful motivational speeches, wonderful inspirational anecdotes and fanciful improvisational recollections at the Isabel Bader Theatre on Saturday, June 29th. Students, parents, volunteers and community members gathered to celebrate and support the Grade 12 students (LBD Cohort 21) who completed three years of Leadership by Design (LBD), the signature program of the Lifelong Leadership Institute (LLI). For the past nine years, LBD has led in providing: leadership development, mentorship, career exploration and other student success opportunities to Black high school youths in the GTHA region and beyond – all the way to Niagara Falls and Kitchener.

The day’s program commenced with a reception at the Goldring Student Centre located at Victoria College on the campus of the University of Toronto. In attendance at the reception were: graduating Grade 12 students, their parents, other guests and directors of the LLI including: Dr. Pamela Appelt, Joe Halstead, Dr. Carl James, David Taylor, Tka Pinnock, Delford Blythe and Linda Massey. LLI chair Trevor Massey introduced other special guests including Donette Chin Loy Chang, newly appointed chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University.

The Convocation event, held at the Isabel Bader Theatre at Victoria College, UofT, was a celebration of the: talents, achievements and aspirations of Black youth in Grades 10, 11 and 12. It also recognized the primary role of parents in the education of their children. Some 57 LBD Grade 12 students were featured – each destined for post-secondary studies in September. It was a student-centric event where most speakers were students. There were reflections by current Grade 12 students who started the LBD program as grade 10 students in September 2021. Student speakers included:

  • Jola Akinloye, who has an 8-year full-ride scholarship to pursue medicine at Wayne State University in Michigan, USA.
  • Naomi Henry, who will study Psychology at Queen’s University.
  • Tobi Adelekan, who is enrolled in Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering at Queen’s University.
  • Toni Adelekan, who will study Management & Organizational Studies at University of Western Ontario.
  • Michaiah Ivri, who will begin a degree in Architectural Studies at University of Waterloo.
  • Misimi Sanni, who will pursue a degree in Chemical & Biological Engineering at Princeton University in New Jersey, USA. Having achieved a 100 percent score in her SAT, Misimi addressed a ‘Dear Student’ letter to LBD Grades 10 and 11 students.
  • Qimora Bergman, pursuing a degree in the Humanities at Victoria College, University of Toronto, reflected on the importance of the cultural arts.

The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Erica Walker, Dean of the Ontario Institute of Education (OISE) located at the University of Toronto. She completed her doctoral studies at Harvard University and was appointed Dean in 2023.  Dr. Walker, the author of two books, addressed three factors that are critical to making a difference in the world. She encouraged students to demonstrate courage, exhibit perseverance and inspire. She shared personal and powerful stories of young people making changes all over the world. In encouraging students to ‘Go make a Difference’, she told them “You are already great, and I look forward to what you will do in the future.”

There was a musical performance by soprano Jonelle Sills, a 2019 Dora Award winner. A graduate of York University, she was listed as one of “Canada’s 30 hot classical musicians under 30” by CBC Music in 2020. She performed the song “Summertime”. Hannah Flores, an award-winning spoken word artist and TEDx UofT speaker recited a poem: “Words that are Spoken: To the Only Black Person in the Room”. Ms. Flores is in year four of a degree program at UofT and participated in the LBD program.

Ten students were granted CIBC Leader Scholarships by Douglas G. Carter, SVP., Technology Operation, and Monique Ambersley, VP., Compliance, CIBC. Another eight students were awarded PepsiCo Canada Leader Scholarships by PepsiCo representatives Jennifer Duncan, Finance Control & Reporting, Simone La Ronde, Shopper Marketing Manager, and Shawna Vassel, Communications Manager.

Families with academically motivated, self-identified Black GTHA students can learn more about the LBD program via this website: https://llileaders.com/lbd. Applications open early August for students entering Grade 10 this September.

With a last name that means “Faithful and loyal,” it is no wonder that Paul Junor has become a welcomed addition to the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper Team. Since 1992, Paul has dedicated his life to become what you call a great teacher. Throughout the years, he has formed strong relationships with his students and continues to show them that he cares about them as people. Paul is a warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring individual who not only makes himself available for his students, but for his community as well.

Community News

Canada passes new law to address wrongful convictions

Published

on

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

The work of Innocence Canada, formerly known as the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted (AIDWYC) has made a significant difference on the Canadian legal scene. According to the website: www.innocencecanada.com the organization was launched in February 1993 as an extension of the Justice for Guy Morin Committee, which was established in 1993 after he was wrongfully convicted. AIDWYC received widespread media attention due to the work of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter who served as its founding Executive Director for over ten years. Carter served nineteen years for a wrongful conviction in a New Jersey prison and was subsequently released.

It was in October 2016 that AIDWYC rebranded as Innocence Canada with a new logo adorn with tally marks to coincide with each exoneration. In a press release issued by Innocence Canada on Thursday, December 12th, 2024, details were announced regarding the passage of Bill C-40. It is titled, “The Miscarriage of Justice Act “and is also known as “David and Joyce Milgaard’s Law.”

The press release notes, “It makes drastic changes to the Criminal Code and creates a new tribunal or commission to address all claims of wrongful conviction. It eliminates our present Ministerial Review process that has for more than 100 years been the only resort for the wrongly convicted.”

In the press release, David’s sister, Susan Milgaard states, “My mother and my brother will be looking down on us and celebrating this new law. I am very grateful it is named after them. They did so much to get this law passed, because they were dedicated to the cause of all the innocent people in prison who had no good place to seek justice. Now they will have a place to go.”

James Lockyear of Innocence Canada states, “Today is a great day for all those wrongfully convicted. Innocence Canada has been advocating for this law for more than 30 years. It will bring Canada in line with other countries that already have a similar commission and be a change for the wrongly convicted and the Canadian criminal justice system.”

It was in 2009 that David Milgaard was wrongfully convicted of the murder in the rape and death of Gail Miller. She was a nursing student at the time. Miller spent 23 years in prison as a sentence. However, in 1992 he was freed and found innocent. Since then, Milgard has actively engaged in advocacy for those who are wrongfully convicted and has worked hard for the establishment of an independent to review cases of wrongful convictions.

The fact that David and his mother, Joyce Milgaard are both deceased and not present to celebrate this day is unfortunate. Milgaard’s sister, Susan states, “It didn’t take a village, it took a country to achieve what we have and thank God for Canada because we’ve done it.”

An independent commission will be established to review potential wrongful convictions rather than the Minister of Justice. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada states, “It is Important that this legislation includes money, personnel, and legal aid funding.”

Ron Dalton of Innocence Canada states, “We’re currently working on 130 cases in our office, and we only have the resources to look at homicide cases.”

A press release was issued on Wednesday, December 18th, by the Department of Justice Canada to highlight the fact that the David and Joyce Milgaard’s Law received royal assent. Innocence Canada states, “All of us at Innocence Canada are delighted by the passage of David and Joyce Melgaard’s Law, which creates a new and independent body of experts to address future claims of wrongful conviction. Justice Minister Arid Virani and his predecessor, David Lametti, deserve great credit for this ground-breaking legislation which will make for an enormous improvement to our criminal justice system.”

The press release outlines some of the purposes of the new independent commission. It notes that it will not be an alternative to the courts. In general, applicants will first need to exhaust their rights of appeal before requesting a miscarriage of justice review by the commission. Furthermore, it “will not decide whether an applicant is guilty, or innocent, and there will be a dedicated victim services coordinator position to support victims and assist with the development of procedural policies especially as it relates to victim notification and participation in a manner consistent with the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

Continue Reading

Community News

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is in desperate need of emergency and sustainable multi-year funding

Published

on

BY PAUL JUNOR

The announcement of a $3.5 million “critical investment” in the Toronto Caribbean Festival by the federal government is good news for the Festival Management Committee (FMC). The announcement was made on Monday, December 16th, 2024, as part of the Fall Economic Statement by the government of Canada. A press release from the FMC referred to the anticipated funding although details such as the release date and others are still unknown.

There has been media attention hinting at the possibility that the Toronto Caribbean Festival could be canceled in 2025, because it came up $2 million short in funding. It was on October 28th, 2024, that MPP Dr. Jill Andrew rose in the Ontario Legislature and informed the Ontario government that the festival was cash strapped. She stated, “The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is in desperate need of emergency and sustainable multi-year funding.” She mentioned the economic importance of the festival to the province and the fact that it costs $2.5 million to run. She called on the provincial government to ensure that the festival is funded adequately beyond the paltry $120,000 that it allocated to it in 2024.

In addition to MPP Andrew’s request for sustainable funding, a petition was launched by the Festival Management Committee. The petition describes vital aspects of the festival and lists ways that it contributes to the: cultural, economic and social life of Toronto. Undoubtedly, the ongoing issue of funding of the Toronto Caribbean Festival is one that will not go away unless, or until the three levels of government: provincial, federal and municipal decides to elevate it to a high level rather than just pay lip service to its importance annually. It is often used as a great photo-op for politicians during the summer.

The press release from the FMC revealed that there was a lot of work that was done behind the scenes prior to the announcement. “This critical investment follows nearly two years of intense advocacy.” This $3.5 million funding will go towards addressing systemic underfunding and highlighting the carnival’s vital cultural and economic contributions to Canada.

Jennifer Hirlehey, Executive Chair of the FMC states, “This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and the collective support from our stakeholders, the Caribbean community business. Together, we have demonstrated the power of unity and a shared vision. This funding will ensure the Carnival remains a dynamic force in Canada’s cultural and economic landscape, inspiring generations to come.”

Continue Reading

Community News

The Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council continues to unite and inspire young Jamaicans abroad

Published

on

Photo featuring Steven Getten

BY RUSHANE FERRON

The Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council (GJDYC) celebrated another milestone with its second annual event held at the Jamaican Consulate in Toronto, Ontario. The gathering, which took place on December 20th, 2024, continued the council’s mission to unite youth across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in celebrating and strengthening their Jamaican heritage.

Spearheaded by GJDYC Canada Representative, Steven Getten, in collaboration with the Jamaican Consulate, the event has quickly become a vital platform for fostering a sense of community among young Jamaicans in Canada. It offers a lifeline to those without close family connections, creating opportunities for: cultural exchange, mentorship, and relationship-building.

This year’s event attracted an even broader audience, drawing second, third, and fourth-generation Jamaicans eager to deepen their ties to their cultural roots. In her opening remarks, Consul Younna Bailey Magalhaes warmly welcomed attendees, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration within the Diaspora.

Keynote speaker Yanique Williams, Public Policy Director at Uber for Western Canada, delivered an inspiring address encouraging youth to embrace their potential and focus on building strong, supportive networks. Her words resonated with many, highlighting the importance of resilience and community in achieving personal and professional success.

Steven Getten closed the event with a heartfelt reflection on his migration journey and the power of solidarity within the Jamaican community. “Life in Canada may be difficult, but we have a vibrant Jamaican community. Let’s support each other and build together,” he urged.

The event’s success was made possible through the support of generous sponsors, including Grace Foods, JN Group, Keda Law, Nursing and Homemakers Inc., Caribbean Airlines, and Caribbean Queen. These partners provided essential packages for newcomers, students, and youth in need, reinforcing their commitment to uplifting the Jamaican Diaspora in Canada.

As the GJDYC continues to grow, events like these serve as a testament to the power of cultural heritage in uniting and inspiring young Jamaicans abroad. The council remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate a thriving, connected Diaspora that celebrates its shared history while embracing future possibilities.

Continue Reading

Trending