BY SIMONE J. SMITH

He held his first gun at 11 years old. Someone handed him a gun and it was still hot. The person told him to hide it for him. His granddad had a garden, and he placed many things in that garden. In his book, he talks about seeing a body, putting a shotgun on his handlebars, and simply riding home.

Our Classic Man has won six boxing titles including a National Championship. He made The Top 40 Radio across the United States, he is a professional actor, with his last lead role in a show called “Fear Thy Neighbour,” He is an international motivational speaker, author, Vvsionary and most recently became a Senior Pastor at 306 Eddystone in Toronto.

His most recent and proudest achievement is his first book entitled “Think Fearlessly.” Isaac Mitchell (aka, Just Isaac) experienced seeing his dreams shatter right before him. He was offered an opportunity to host an international television show in the United States, which would mean he would have to fly back and forth from Toronto, but as you know, the pandemic put a halt to those plans.

Everything seemed to crumble right before his eyes when the pandemic hit. He felt down for about a week, and then his evolution began. He decided to use that energy, the disappointment he felt, and channel it into writing a book. Naturally, there was some apprehension because he knew that it would mean being vulnerable, and he almost aborted releasing the book because of what people might think of him.

Thankfully, he realized that protecting his image was not more important than encouraging someone else to be the best that they could be. Out of adversity was the conception and birth of the book “Think Fearlessly.”

As I listened to Isaac’s story, I couldn’t help but reflect on the stories that other boxers had shared with me. To operate and function on a championship level, in the sport of boxing is a very lonely life. The intense mental and physical training cannot be ignored. Overcoming the voices of fear in the mind is especially important in relation to achieving a: goal, dream, or vision, and it takes a level of fearlessness to really push through what one might initially feel. As he spoke to me, I couldn’t help but to be drawn into his story.

“I was born and raised in western New York. I am a kid from the projects; I am from the gutter, a place of poverty and crime. By the age of 12 I was in a gang, so I missed a lot of my childhood, but this is why I can relate so well with children. My objective in life is to help and protect children. I was 18 years old when I first started working with children.”

Issac was told from a young age that he was going to be nothing in life, and that is what he saw in the media. “I defied that ideology. I believe that we are builders, we are scientists, we are authors, we have so much to offer, but society has hidden many things from us.

 I knew that I was born to impact the world, but I did not have an understanding of how it was going to happen. When purpose was revealed to me, there was a clearer understanding of destiny, and that was the unveiling of my vision, which is to use every avenue, every platform, as an opportunity to empower individuals to be the best that they can be. To reveal who God is, the great “I AM!”

As a child Isaac admits that he was bullied. “I was a loner, and even though I did have friends, I felt alone. I was in a classroom and there was an assignment given by the teacher. He asked everyone to share what he or she would like to do with their life. There were the common responses of: fireman, doctor, hockey player, dentist, and auto mechanic. As each child revealed their desired goal, they were given praise, until it was my turn. I said that I wanted to be a champion boxer one day. The teacher turned to me and said, ‘It will never happen; you have to be rough and rugged to be a fighter. You are too soft, too gentle, you are too much of an intellectual, you think too much.’ Then he said, ‘IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.’ 

Everyone was laughing and pointing at me. The student sitting next to me fell off his chair, he was laughing so hard. Everyone thought it was hilarious. My heart dropped and I felt so alone, yet determined. I learned that it is more important what I think about myself than what people think of me.”

There was something different about him, and this is what pushed him into fighting. He started with mixed martial arts and was coached by Harald Howard (founder of the UFC). He then had greats like Sugar Ray McGibbon (Mike Little took over from Sugar Ray McGibbon), Hank Boone (National Coach for Canada), and Floyd Mayweather. Sr (Trainer) worked personally with him. He respectfully remembers fighting against Lennox Lewis as an amateur. “Then there was Hector and Ricky in Buffalo, I can’t forget them,” shared with me nostalgically.

“I was watching a lot of my friends dying, or ending up in prison. Even though I didn’t have the understanding of God’s greatness, I believed that my dreams had been divinely inspired. All that I am and all that I have is because of God. My greatest desire is to allow my light to shine in the dark places of the earth, to dig into people’s difficult situations until the greatness within them begins to flow, through divinely inspired strategies. Everyone needs encouragement, including myself.

One of the challenges that I have faced and will mostly continue to face is overcoming the whispering voices of discouragement or fear. It is when our internal dialogue is invaded with negativity, that we must have the awareness of how to combat these projections with the wisdom of God, which supersedes the wisdom of man. In the book there are principles as agents to propel the reader to “THINK FEARLESSLY.”

Let me be clear that at this point in my life, titles mean nothing. I just have a desire to serve God and to serve men. God placed this within my heart to serve. I was broken, my life was in shambles, I was messed up. I was not cultivated through protocol; it was his word. The hands I used to use for knocking out people, were transformed to hands that healing, deliverance and helping people. This is my calling.”

Alongside everything else that Isaac has on the go, he also runs his own training company called Mobile Boxing; it offers private and semiprivate boxing lessons that enhance a person’s offensive and defensive skills. “We will help you reach your fitness goals,” JI tells me. “We have multiple Niagara locations, and also provide in-home training. We come to you, or you come to us.

There is one more exciting piece of news that I want to share with you Simone,” JI says enthusiastically. “Mobile boxing will be donating half of the profits towards the Church Building Fund. Churches often serve as community centres, providing various services and support to the local population. By contributing to the building fund, you help ensure that the church can continue to offer these services and be a hub for community activities. It creates a space for people to come together, find solace, build relationships, and support one another.

This donation will help cover these costs, ensuring that the church remains a safe and welcoming place for worship, education, and community events. We want to provide a comfortable environment for its members and visitors.”

BY SALINA MCCALLUM

Rico King is an award winning: Film producer, Director, Writer and Actor best known for producing “Tears in the Bayou.” He is also a Co-Founder of Black King Entertainment, a Black production company that focuses on Black stories, and a passion project that he started with his friends.

“We just started our own company, and I was like, let’s make Black King Entertainment, and the name stuck. It’s a friend group turned into an entertainment company; you know?” 

In 2016, Rico was awarded the prestigious Best Film and Best Documentary at the Mount Vernon Film Festival for his film “Down in the Hole,” a documentary about police brutality and life in Baltimore, MD.

In 2017, he received the prestigious Diamond Award for his documentary “Tears in the Bayou,” along with two more awards for a short film he shot for Chicago Gypsy Production called, “With Dad.”

“My favourite project that I worked on is Tears in the Bayou. It’s a timeless project, getting those types of people together, having a community trust me, having my parents give me their stories; there are a few things in the movie that I feel cannot be duplicated. I might not be able to do that again, but, you know, we’ll see.” 

Having been a resident of all the neighbourhoods in his films, like Tears in the Bayou, Rico traditionally dedicates his characters to real-life people he knew, or events he experienced, or witnessed.

“One of my homies, Young Mac, got shot in his head. I got a chance to go to the ICU to see him, and he was in a very bad state, you know, his head was very swollen, he could only move his thigh, and that’s how we knew he could hear us. If you saw him, you wouldn’t think he would make it. Having access to that type of scenery and having that access is special.”

King talks about how important it is for directors and producers to build trust with the subjects in their film.

“You have to be genuine. It helps if you have something else in your resume that says you’re a community person, having passion for people, not thinking about yourself when you get into a project. You have to think about your subjects, put yourself in their shoes, you know, and really, really feel their pain. You have to feel their pain. Sometimes it’s hard, especially if you don’t come from that environment. If you’re trying to film about the neighbourhood: go get your haircut, sit on a barber chair and talk to the barbers. It takes three or four months to get to know people in the area. Go to the parties, or go to the Boys and Girls Club, volunteer so you can feel the community.”

In addition to working as a Film Producer, Director, and Actor, Rico King is also an entrepreneur and community activist. He is currently writing, producing and directing a documentary called “Our Reality” based in Toronto.

“The documentary is pretty much a follow up for Tears in the Bayou. Black King Entertainment is trying to bring all Black communities together. I will try to get stories from all Black communities, not only in America, but also in Canada, Europe, and in Africa. We felt like Toronto would be a perfect place. Most demographics don’t even know there are Black people in Canada. Our audience needs to learn about Canada; we feel like voices haven’t been represented right in Canada.” 

King ensures that all his subjects are being seen and heard.

“Our Reality covers the situation at hand, from all angles, from all perspectives, whether it’s parents, or perpetrators. Most of the time, we don’t even like to call them perpetrators, because hurt people hurt people, right? So, they are victims too. We involved: law enforcement, and politicians; we solicited opinions on how to solve this issue from all stakeholders. We are trying to bring everybody together for an answer, and also the answer is everybody coming together. So that is the beauty in it.”

Although King is not from Toronto, he believes the struggle that Black people face all over the world is relatable and very similar. He partnered with non-profit organization Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE) in the west end community to bring more of the stories he was searching for to his film, which he is hoping to release in the fall of this year.

“Our partnership with YAACE came at a very crucial moment. To make a good documentary, you have to be part of the community, like you have to feel the pain. No matter how much I can relate to different parts of the struggle, I am not a guy from Toronto. I need actual people in Toronto to be part of the production crew, and YAAACE fit the bill. They are a non-profit filled with people who have lived experience. They have been doing an amazing job, so shout out to the whole YAAACE team.”

His charity work also includes: the No Shoot Zone, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of young children and their neighbourhoods, and The Kingdom’s Children, a non-profit that helps house, clothe and pay for the education of orphans in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

When King is not producing, writing and directing films, he’s with his son and daughter. As a Black, single father, he dislikes when people think he is doing an “exceptional job” just by being a dad.

“Sometimes I don’t like it when people say I’m a good dad, because I don’t like people thinking that because I’m Black and young, you know, judging it like that. I think being there for your kids every day is standard. Everybody’s supposed to do that. It’s not an exception. So just because I am young Black, don’t call me an exception for being there for my children.”

He wants Black actors and producers in the film industry to keep going and never give up on their dreams.

“Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Don’t let people tell you what’s good for you. Always remember that, when non-Black companies sign deals with Black companies, they think we’re not going to bring their money back, but we bring back twice and three times the amount of money. Black movies with lower budgets perform best than any movies. We’re: creative, cultural, vibrant, and exciting people. Our culture is beautiful, that’s why everybody around the world copies it. So, be unapologetically Black, be yourself.”

BY PAUL JUNOR

Chris Campbell is passionate about improving the construction industry for everyone. He is well-known within the construction sector as a transformational leader and positive social agent of change. His rise up the ladder of union leadership from an apprentice and journeyperson to foreman, supervisor, instructor, direction of equity, diversity and inclusion, to vice-president and currently President of the Carpenters’ Union Local 27 Toronto is a notable success story. It reflects years and decades of hard work, perseverance, dedication and resilience. Campbell is thankful to his: family, friends, colleagues, membership, leadership, and General Vice President Jason Rowe for their support over the years.

I sent Campbell a list of questions in order to get a better understanding of this classic, renaissance man. He was born in Jamaica and his father Trevor Campbell, who came from St. Mary worked as a construction worker in Kingston. His mother was a homemaker where she loved and took care of him and his two sisters. He attended Calabar All Age School during his elementary years and later St. Andrew Technical School (STATHS) where he excelled in subjects such as: Math, Physics, and Biology. He noted that chemistry was challenging.

Campbell credits the influence of his two uncles: Percy Wright, an electrician and Winston Wright, a welder. In 1987, he migrated to Canada and credits two mentors: Frank Lake and Rose Wright, who personally helped him and were able to help him get in the trades. He was fascinated about the construction of large infrastructure projects, and this was a catalyst for his desire to pursue a career in the trades. He notes, “I was drawn to the city’s infrastructure and the income was sustainable.” Thankfully, his family was also a source of encouragement for his pursuits.

Campbell attended night school at York Memorial Collegiate Institute. He completed the apprenticeship program and passed Ontario’s Red Seal Exam in 1994. He was recruited by Janice Gairey and Ivan Dawes and has been active in the Coalition of Black Trade Unions (CBTU) where he is now a board member. He states, “I have deep respect for the advocacy work CBTU does for the BIPOC workers in the labor movement.”

Campbell shares the advice that Bromley Armstrong, the Canadian civil rights leader gave him about navigating the union process. Armstrong told him, “Study essential texts, like your local’s bylaws, union constitution, and Robert’s Rules of Order, attend general meetings, and let your voice be heard.” He also encouraged him to engage in community outreach and government lobbying. He was also told to, “Learn the rules of the game and follow them.”

With respect to exposure to racial incidents, macroaggressions, and discriminations, Campbell rises above these challenges. He states, “It’s important not to let a few negative experiences deter you. Stay focused on your dreams and keep moving forward.” Campbell has specific advice for youths who are thinking of pursuing a career in the trades, “Find a mentor, do thorough research, and plan ahead. Look into high school credits needed, as government requirements vary by trade. Understand factors like pay rates, physical work environments and apprentices timelines.”

Campbell is grateful for the advice that Gervan Fearon, President of George Brown College and Marsha Brown gave when he decided to launch an endowment fund in his name. He is grateful to the many industry officials who donated to this fund that will support youths who are pursuing careers in the trades.

As a trained carpenter, Chris has been a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America union for over 34 years. He has been a part of the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) since it was launched where he currently serves as Chair. He was a strong proponent for corporations, organizations and business to sign the community benefits agreement for the Eglinton LRT Line, “We need strong solid wording from Metrolinx and contractors to include and have 10% or more of the project benefiting local communities. This is about Metrolinx the corporation to include the 10% for our local youth, for our apprentices at our Union Hall. Our unions represent the demographics of the community. It is critical that the local youths be able to start and complete an apprenticeship on these projects. These projects are multi-billion-dollar projects right in our neighbourhoods.”

I saw Chris on Saturday, October 19^th, when he received an Impact Award for his stellar and spectacular leadership within the Carpenters’ Regional Council where he serves as Director of: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and has since November 2020 as well as his stint as Vice-President of the Carpenters’ Union Local 27 from December 2021 to May 2024. He assumed his present role as President of the Carpenters’ Union Local 27 in May 2024. “I cannot forget the pivotal role that Mike Yorke, former President of CDCO played as a mentor and leader who encouraged me to attend union meetings and learn about union activities,” Chris shared.

Campbell has been actively involved in many volunteer and philanthropic activities over the years. His selfless service has been recognized with many awards. Two individuals commented on Campbell’s spirit of giving back in a local community newspaper. Mike Yorke states, “He is someone that gives back, mentoring apprentices of our next generation, or through Habitat for Humanity in place like Haiti and in Memphis and building a school in his home country of Trelawney, Jamaica with a team of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation/Food For The Poor.”

Dr. Sylvanus Thompson, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council member states, “In breaking barriers and building a future where every craftsman’s voice is heard, the appointment of Chris Campbell as the first black President of the Carpenters’ Union in Canada is a historic step towards equality and strength in unity. The moment celebrates not just as a leader within the Carpenters’ Union but a trailblazer who embodies the spirit of progress and inclusion in the broader community.”

In an article by Angela Gismondi on June 10^th, 2024, for Daily Commercial News, Campbell shares his vision of what it means to be a leader of the 10,000 strong union. He states, “My vision is to encourage people from all backgrounds who aspire to work in the industry, or to become carpenters to step forward and become a member. My vision is to continue to grow the organization. My vision is to have the organization be a symbol of what our construction unions should be: in terms of representation, in terms of community involvement, and in terms of reflecting the local community that they’re serving. I want to build on the legacy of previous presidents and leadership.”