Winners of the Harry Jerome Awards included Jamaican-born Errol Johnson (right) and former Ontario Lieutenant Gover-nor Lincoln Alexander. - ContributedTORONTO, Canada:
THE 19TH annual Harry Jerome Awards, sponsored by the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA), was another successful event which showcased several black achievers in Canada.
Held at the prestigious John Basset Theatre in Toronto, the gala event was attended by several dignitaries and politicians.
They included Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, Hilary M. Weston; Mel Lastman, Mayor of Toronto; Howard Hampton, leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party; Liberal Member of Parliament, Jean Augustine, who brought greetings from Canada's Prime Minister, Jean Chretien; Alvin Curling, representing Dalton McGuinty, leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Lincoln Alexander who received a life achievement award.
Harry Jerome Awards were presented to 10 winners. They are Clement Virgo and Ullanda Neil for arts; Arnel Scott for athletics; Kevin King for leadership; Verlyn Francis for volunteerism; Hesper Phillip-Chamberline for academics; Ettie Dawkins for community service; Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who received the prestigious President's Award; Dr. Jude Igwemezie, for professional excellence and Errol Johnson, who received the business award.
In his acceptance speech, Jamaican-born Errol Johnson, a financial services executive who became Quebec's first black Councillor in 1994, encouraged the audience and fellow recipients to believe in themselves.
Kevin King, who also hails from Manchester, Jamaica, paid tribute to his grandparents who he said, guided him through his formative years.
Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, Howard Hampton, praised businessman Denham Jolly, whose vision and foresight, he said, made the Harry Jerome Awards a reality. He also congratulated Jolly, whose determination and persistence made FLOW 93.5 FM radio station, which serves the black community, a reality.
-- Eddie J. Grant
