2022 Excellence Awards Recipients (Coming Soon)

Previous Excellence Awards Recipients

Denham Jolly

Denham Jolly

Business Executive, Author & Founder of FLOW 9.35 FM

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. LEGACY AWARD

Denham Jolly is a distinguished businessman, philanthropist, author, civil rights activist and community advocate. A graduate of McGill University, he served as Founder, President & CEO of Canada’s first Black-owned commercial radio station, FLOW 93.5 in Toronto, and a major partner at Bounce 97.1 FM in Edmonton. In 1982, Jolly founded the Black Business Professional Association (BBPA) and the Harry Jerome Awards, serving as its first President. In August 2019, Jolly paid off the outstanding mortgage of the Jamaican Canadian Association a $312,000 donation. He is sponsoring a soccer team for boys under 12 in Regent Park, Toronto.

Ramsey Nouah

Ramsey Nouah

Esteemed Movie Star & Nollywood Producer

ENTERTAINMENT AWARD

Ramsey Tokunbo Nouah is one of the leading movie stars in Nigeria’s Nollywood, the world’s second largest film industry after India’s Bollywood. He shot to the limelight for his role as Jeff in the soap opera Fortunes, a smash hit. In 1996, he made his movie debut. In 2004, he starred in Dangerous Twins, and his stellar performance of two roles as a good and bad twin, projected him as a multi-layered actor. He has won awards for his contributions to the global African entertainment industry. In 2010, he won Best Actor Award at the African Movie Academy Awards for his performance in The Figurine (2009).

Hon. Zanana Akande

Hon. Zanana Akande

First Black Female Minister & Member of Provincial Parliament

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Honourable Zanana Akande is the first woman of African descent to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1990. In her appointment as Minister of Community and Social Services, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to hold a cabinet position in all of Canada. She helped shape public policy for marginalized women and led social welfare reform transformed women in shelters. Her efforts enabled the passing of Ontario’s first mandatory Employment Equity Legislation brought protection to women in the workplace. Before politics, Zanana served as a Toronto public school principal. She served as President of Harbourfront Centre and on the boards of the YWCA and Centennial College.

Amanda Parris

Amanda Parris

Host, Reporter & Producer Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

RISING STAR AWARD

Amanda Parris serves as host, reporter & producer at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). She writes weekly for CBC Arts, hosts three CBC TV shows, namely The Vaults, The Filmmakers and Arts: Exhibitionists. She is the host of Marvin’s Room on CBC Radio. Her play, ‘The Other Side Of The Game’ rose to critical acclaim in 2017, now published by Playwrights Canada Press. She is the co-founder of the alternative education organization Lost Lyrics. She has worked on The Remix Project and the Manifesto Festival. As a public speaker, Amanda has delivered keynotes at summits and festivals, including U.N. conferences. She was playwright in residence at Cahoots Theatre and Alameda Theatre.

Dr. Carl E. James

Dr. Carl E. James

Professor, York University Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora

MARCUS GARVEY MEMORIAL AWARD

Dr. Carl Everton James is a Professor and the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora in the Faculty of Education, York University, where he is also the Affirmative Action, Equity & Inclusivity Officer. Dr. James is recognized internationally as an outstanding youth studies, race and ethnic relations, social justice, and education scholar. His eminence is evidenced by his formidable contributions, which appear in 20 books, more than 140 journal articles, book chapters, research reports, and conference papers. In 2012, Dr. James was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), one of the highest recognitions a Canadian scholar can achieve in the Arts, Humanities and Science; and in 2006, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Uppsala University, Sweden.

Dr. Babatope Agbeyo

Dr. Babatope Agbeyo

Group Chairman Cornfield Group Of Companies

VISIONARY AWARD

Dr. Babatope Agbeyo is the Chairman of Cornfield Group of Companies. He has established Media Concepts International, Cornfield Transnational, Botosoft Technologies and FOAM Studio. A graduate of Dramatic Arts from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Nigeria, Agbeyo holds a Master’s Degree in Media and Communications from Birmingham City University in the UK. He established Media Concept in 2005 to provide tailored and strategic solutions to major examination boards in West Africa, including; WAEC, JAMB and NECO. He caters to a combined total of over 3.5 million users a year. Media Concepts developed enterprise solutions for a National Police Force positioned to cater to over 150 million people. Cornfield Transnational developed a patented, built-in scientific mathematical set known as KAPEK, which has over 400 functions.

Anthony Stephen Benjamin

Anthony Stephen Benjamin

Lawyer & Managing Director Benjamin Law

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Anthony Stephen Benjamin is a practicing Lawyer and Managing Director of Benjamin Law, which has three branches in the Toronto area. He established Benjamin Law, a firm that specializes in Motor Vehicle Accidents, Long-Term Disability, Wrongful Dismissal and Real Estate. He started his practice based on the belief that every person, of every background, should be properly represented. Prior to establishing his firm, Anthony worked with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), where he advised on pension plans and regulations. He was also a principal legal consultant at Mercer. During his time at FSCO, Anthony observed treatment the injured got from insurance companies. This prompted him to act for those who might be intimidated by the complex world of personal injury law.

 Itah Sadu

Itah Sadu

Co-Founder & Principal A Different Booklist Cultural Centre

RENAISSANCE AWARD

Itah Sadu is the Co-Founder and Principal at a Different Booklist. A dynamic entrepreneur and community builder, she is also the Founder of ‘Walk With Excellence’, for schools in Toronto, and Founding Member of the annual Underground Freedom Ride in celebration of Emancipation Day. A true renaissance woman, Itah is a bestselling children’s author, whose books are used by schools for curriculum and adapted to film. A great contributor to the Canadian publishing sector, she is also a Founding Member of the My People Literary Awards and of the Black Book Affair. Itah created the Fresh Elements program, designed for youth to develop technical and production skills in cultural industries.

Olushola Orifa

Olushola Orifa

Founder & President CLI College of Business, Health and Technology

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Olushola Orifa is the Founder and President of CLI College of Business Health and Technology, a private Career College licenced in Ontario and Alberta. He has two corporate and one franchise campuses in Toronto; as well as two campuses in Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta. He previously worked as a banker, before shifting focus to empower Canada’s workforce. As an educator with a master’s degree in Adult Education; worked with the Toronto district school board and the City of Toronto for 16 years. In September 2019 CLI College, received Alberta Avenue Business Recognition award for excellent service provided to the people of Alberta Avenue and the public in general.

Dr. Sheridan Cyrus

Dr. Sheridan Cyrus

Dentist & Founder Sheridan Cyrus Dentistry

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AWARD

Dr. Sheridan Cyrus attended Dalhousie University, where he obtained a dentistry degree. He opened his practice in Malvern in 1991. He has contributed to many scholarship programs, including the Association of Black Law Enforcers Scholarship and the Church of the Nativity Scholarship. He has a scholarship endowment at the Dalhousie University Dental School, which is awarded annually in his name. Over the years, Dr. Cyrus has volunteered in various capacities at the Malvern Family Resource Centre and served as Chairman of the Board. His latest projects are helping with the rehabilitation program for Prisoners in Grenada and Dominica; and helping with Smiles GCP, an organisation that provides free dental care to people in Grenada.

Jai Waterman

Jai Waterman

Co- Founder, Chief Technical Officer & Chief Enterprise Architect, Blockstation Inc.

ENTERPRISE AWARD

Jai Waterman is the Co- Founder, Chief Technical Officer & Chief Enterprise Architect at Blockstation Inc. He has excelled in software development, enterprise architecture and technology optimization. Blockstation has deployed it’s suite of products to Stock Exchanges, Depositories, Financial Institutions and Regulators. Jai invented Cross Company Automation for data exchange across many organizations. Jai’s expertise in enterprise architecture and software development has created a unique blockchain and digital assets space, where exchanges are inclusive, attractive, competitive and accessible. Prior to Blockstation, Jai founded CloudDunk, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) cloud company, with customers across 12 industries under one flexible platform.

Phina Brooks

Phina Brooks

Founder & President Phinchic Productions Inc.

MEDIA AWARD

Phina Brooks is the Founder & President of Phinchic Productions, a film and television company. She is the host and producer of Afro-X, a television program on OMNI TV. Phina has worked on many Hollywood projects, TV commercials, music videos and political campaigns. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies in 2006. She has received accolades for advancing African culture, including Best Director and Producer for her movie “Missing Link” in 2011 and the Outstanding Business Woman Award from the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2016.

All Nations International Development Agency

All Nations International Development Agency

Samuel Donkor Jr., Executive Director

NELSON MANDELA
HUMANITARIAN AWARD

All Nations International Development Agency (ANIDA), was founded in 1997 by Dr. Samuel Donkor and Rev. Rose Donkor. Today, Samuel Donkor Jr. is the Executive Director and Dr. Albert Gyimah is Chairman of the Board. ANIDA’s work in Africa, the Caribbean and Canada involves providing skills and empowerment of underserved communities. ANIDA has helped to establish All Nations University in Ghana, which was responsible for sending the GhanaSat-1 satellite into orbit in 2017, the first in Africa. ANIDA Women’s Development Centre is a resource network for women seeking to upgrade their skills.ANIDA hosts food banks in Toronto, serving over 100 individuals and families per week. In the wake of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, ANIDA partnered with Global Medic to provide disaster relief.

George H. Moses

George H. Moses

Executive Director North East Area Development Inc.

GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD

George H. Moses is the Executive Director of North East Area Development Inc. (NEAD), a member of the Neighborhood Preservation Coalition of New York State. He has proven leadership, guidance, and service, evidenced by his strong commitment at all community levels. NEAD’s mission is to improve the quality of life of residents in the North East area of the City of Rochester. A graduate of Monroe Community College, George served in the United States Navy. Today, he is taking his model of community development, which is focused on family, education, housing and economic empowerment to Canada, Ghana and beyond. He received the 2003 Monroe County Democratic Committee Volunteer Of The Year Award, ABC’s Lena Gantt Award, the MCC Alumni Award and the City of Rochester Unsung Heroes Award.

Marjorie Taylor

Marjorie Taylor

Director and Past President United Achievers Club

HERITAGE AWARD

Marjorie Taylor was born in Jamaica, and immigrated to Canada in 1969. She served as President of United Achievers’ Club, now as Director and Chair of it’s Celebrity Chef - Men Who Cook initiative. In the Kiwanis Club of Brampton, she was President from 2013 to 2015, and remained an active member. She has volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society since 1993. She attended Duff’s Business College in Kingston, and Ryerson University in Toronto, where she studied Human Resources. She received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Spelling Bee of Canada Certificate of Recognition (2008), Ontario Volunteer Award, the 2015 Brampton Citizen Of The Year Award, and the 2019 Mayor’s Black History Legacy Award.

Ron Cunningham

Ron Cunningham

Founder & President Citizens For The Advancement Of Community Development

COMMUNITY
SERVICE AWARD

Ron Cunningham is the Founder and President of Citizens For The Advancement Of Community Development (CACD), a charity committed to changing the lives of at rick youth through programs that serve their unique needs, develop leadership skills and foster civic participation. He worked in the Chief Accountant and Corporate Finance divisions of Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Nova Scotia, Banca Commerciale Italiana of Canada and Royal Bank of Canada. As a social innovator, he has impacted many lives in his after-school, leadership, mentoring, youth justice and health programs. He received the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, Ontario Volunteer Service Award, and the City of Mississauga Civic Award.

 The Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller

The Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller

First Female Prime Minister of Jamaica

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller is the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica, and the first female President of the People’s National Party, where she served from 2006 to 2007, and again from 2012 to 2016. With her second election in 2011, she served two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister, making her the second person since Jamaica’s independence to have served non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister. While Prime Minister, she served as Minister of Defence, Development, Information and Sports. Before that, she held high-profile positions, including Minister of Labour, Social Security & Sports, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sports.

She has served as the Member of Parliament for South-West St. Andrew from 1989 to 2017. Her legacy includes facilitating significant growth in the National Insurance Fund, which benefits pensioners; reforming the Overseas Farm Workers Program through the Overseas Recruitment Centre, and taking bold steps under the International Monetary Fund program to recalibrate Jamaica’s finances. An avid supporter of Jamaican athletes, the Indoor Sports Facility at the National Stadium was built and the Sports Development Foundation was established during her tenure as Sports Minister.

She is also passionate about the employment of youth and women. In 2017, the Portia Simpson Miller Foundation awarded millions of dollares in scholarships and bursaries to 40 tertiary institution students across the nation. She holds honorary degrees from Union Institute in the US, the Northern Caribbean University, and Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, USA. She receives the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program in Toronto.
Justice Irving André

Justice Irving André

Judge, Superior Court of Justice

The Hon. Justice Dr. Irving André is a judge in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Raised in Dominica in the Caribbean, he graduated with a first-class honours degree from the University of the West Indies and spent two years at John Hopkins University. He worked as a Claims Adjuster with the Workers Compensation Board while delivering newspapers and flyers on weekends prior to enrolling in Osgoode Hall Law School in 1985. He was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1991. He served as an Assistant Crown Attorney before entering private practice as a criminal defence lawyer.

Justice André was appointed Judge in 2002. He went back to school to obtain a Master of Laws degree in 2006 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 2010 from Osgoode Hall Law School, making him the first sitting judge to earn a Doctorate degree. . A prolific writer, he has written twenty books, including biographies of Dominica’s first Chief Minister, Franklin Baron; the island’s first Premier, Edward LeBlanc; and the first surgeon, Dr. Desmond McIntyre. He was vice-chair of the Ontario Licence Appeal Tribunal.

Justice André served as an Administrative Judge in Brampton and as Co-Chair of the Brampton Local Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee. He received the YMCA Angel Award, Harry Jerome Award, African Canadian Achievement Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Committed to making a difference, he co-founded ResQ Youth International, a Brampton-based group that offers help for youth in crisis. He has also served as President of the United Achievers club. In July 2018, Justice Andre was one of 7 graduates of the University of the West Indies who were honoured by the university on the occasion of its 70th anniversary. He receives the 2018 Marcus Garvey Memorial Award at the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards gala.

Dr. Tosin Aluko

Dr. Tosin Aluko

Senior Engineer, Kinectrics Inc.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AWARD

Dr. Tosin Aluko is a senior engineer at Kinectrics Inc., a nuclear engineering firm. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, specializing in energy, environment and economics, and a doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. She provides expertise to address complex environmental impact problems and to develop methods to mitigate risks. She completed her National Youth Service Corps as a subsurface engineer with ExxonMobil in Lagos, Nigeria.

Dr. Aluko has provided technical and project management services in safety analysis, engineering design, asset management, licensing and risk management to Canadian and international nuclear clients. She has prepared technical documents for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. She has contributed to modeling and analysis of air-borne particles. Her work has been featured in peer-reviewed scientific papers and journals. She has also lectured internationally. She is a member of Professional Engineers Of Ontario (PEO) and of the Women in Nuclear (WiN) association.

At Kinectrics, Dr. Aluko performs nuclear safety assessments and provides licensing support for nuclear reactors owned and operated by Ontario Power Generation and Bruce Power Inc. She received the Clinton Stryker Leadership Award, and the Who‘s Who Among American Universities and Colleges Award. Her favorite quote is, "Sing like no one is listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody is watching, and live like heaven is on earth," by Mark Twain. She is married to Seun Arowolo and they have two children; Temitayo and Tomiwa. Dr. Aluko receives the 2018 Science & Technology Award from the Afroglobal Excellence Award program.

Dr. Bishop Lenox Walker

Dr. Bishop Lenox Walker

Administrative Bishop, Church of God, Ontario & President, New Haven Funeral Centre.

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Dr. Lennox Walker is a bold visionary and a charismatic leader. He has presided as Bishop at Praise Cathedral Worship Centre, which is attended by over 2000 people in Mississauga. He is also the Administrative Bishop of Church of God in Ontario, where he supervises 80 churches and 250 ordained Ministers. He has spread hope worldwide, impacting lives with his magnetic messages in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, the US and beyond. He sponsors students at Bethel Bible College and supports many other causes.

Founder and President of New Haven Funeral Centre, Dr. Walker’s mission is to ensure that the first Black-owned funeral services company in Peel Region, serves with excellence. Located on Derry Road at Highway 427 near the airport, the contemporary boutique-styled funeral centre serves Christians, the Black community and others who want to lay loved ones to rest with dignity. For him, making top quality burial services accessible is essential. He also plans for an ultra-modern, five-star retirement home for seniors. Alluring features include a meditation garden and other opulent facets.

At a tender age, Walker travelled the hills of Clarendon, Jamaica, spreading God’s Word. Under the wings of Dr. Oswald Baker, he studied at Bethel Bible College. He pastored Old Harbour and West Prospect New Testament Church in Jamaica, served as Assistant Superintendent of Redemption International Faith Ministries and became Senior Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Scarborough. With his wife Dorett, they have 2 daughters and 3 sons. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 and graced the cover of Destiny Magazine in 2017. He was profiled in the 150 Extraordinary Canadians legacy book. Dr. Walker receives the 2018 Afroglobal Excellence Award for Leadership.

Robert Katende

Robert Katende

Subject of the Disney Movie, Queen Of Katwe & Humanitarian

GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD

Robert Katende is best known as mentor to Phiona Mutesi, seen in the 2016 Disney movie, Queen of Katwe. The Holywood film starred David Oyelowo, who played Robert, and Lupita Nyong’o, who played his wife Sarah. Robert worked as a consultant, helping with the chess scenes and assisting David Oyelowo to achieve character originality. Coming from a disadvantaged background, he lived in the slums of Nakulabye before he made it to Kyambogo University, where he secured a degree in civil engineering. It was there that he started volunteering with Sports Outreach.

Having played soccer for Miracle Football Club, Top TV F.C. and Sports Outreach Ambassadors, Robert’s knack to help young people with their soccer skills came easily. He also worked with Divine Waters Ministry in partnership with Sports Outreach to drill wells in Gulu. Robert introduced chess programs in the slums of Kampala, Nairobi and in displaced people’s camps in Gulu. By the age of eleven, Robert helped Phiona win Uganda Junior Girls’ Chess Championships. By fifteen, she won the African National Junior Chess Open Championship title.

Robert’s mentoring of Phiona to ascend as an international chess star and Grandmaster candidate has inspired many. He has shared his formula for success at global chess seminars for instructors. He has many chess centers in Uganda and travels the world to inspire others to unlock their potential. He has spoken at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation conference, Sports Outreach banquets and is a member of the American Speakers Bureau. He established the Robert Katende Initiative to enable the less privileged. Robert receives the 2018 Global Impact Award at the Afroglobal Excellence Awards gala.

Charmaine Tial

Charmaine Tial

Director at PwC

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Charmaine Tial has over 20 years of experience in information systems, including program and project management and team lead roles. She specializes in large transformation implementation of complex Oracle Solutions for clients with average cost of 5 to 20 million dollars. Her client portfolio includes; 407 Express Toll Route Highway, Thomas Cooke North America, Rogers, LCBO, TD Canada Trust, Scotia Bank, Vancouver International Airport and The Canadian Forces Moral Services.

Charmaine’s academic background ensures a solid understanding of the needs and dynamics of project planning and systems implementation. She holds several designations, including Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute, Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI), and holds an advanced level security clearance. She has managed testing for the implementation of the PwC Africa’s new Business Operating Systems (BOS) for seventeen territories.

A founding member of the Black Professionals Network, which fosters inclusion at PwC, Charmaine’s mantra is to encourage diversity in PwC’s talent pool. The network has become a model for diversity networks that connect and elevate. She participates in PwC’s university talent recruitment program, which identifies and trains university graduates over a two-year period. She volunteers with Food For The Poor and Helping Hands, where she has gone on two missions to build elementary schools in Jamaica. Charmaine receives the 2018 Afroglobal Excellence Award for Professional Achievement.

Hon. Desmond Elliott

Hon. Desmond Elliott

Filmmaker, Movie Star & Politician

RENAISSANCE AWARD

The Honourable Desmond Olusola Elliott is a filmmaker, movie star, economist & politician. One of the top names in Nollywood, which is Nigeria’s film industry, Hon. Elliott has starred in over 200 films. He is instrumental in leading a major reform in the film industry through the revival of the cinema culture, copyright advocacy, investment in talent, quality and equipment. A Pan-African visionary and thought leader, Hon. Elliott believes that unity is essential for the economic, social and political advancement of Africa and the Diaspora.

A Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Elliott represents Surulere Constituency 1. His decades of experience in the film industry earned him the position of Chairman, Tourism, Art and Culture Committee. He received honour as Legislator Of The Year, Merit Award and a Hall Of Fame honour. He has received the GIAMA award for Best Director, Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film; Ghana Movie Award for Best Picture; Africa Film Critics’ Award for Best Director, and Best Actor Award at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards.

Hon. Elliott obtained a degree in Economics from Lagos State University (LASU) in 2003. He established the Desmond Elliott Foundation in 2008, to serve as a volunteer–based, non-profit, non-religious charitable organization that gives hope and aids capacity development in Africa, with a special focus on Nigeria. A true renaissance man, Hon. Elliott aims at unifying and uplifting people through his work as a filmmaker and a legislator. He is married to Victoria and they have four children. Hon. Elliott receives the Renaissance Award at the 2018 Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards gala.

Allen Remley

Allen Remley

Co-Founder, Forgotten People Connection

NELSON MANDELA HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Allen Remley and his wife Kathie are the founders of Forgotten People Connection, a Canadian charitable organization with a commitment to connecting people and resources from Canada with those in need around the world. It engages in developing skills and productivity amongst those living difficult circumstances in order to enable them to be liberated and to become prosperous. This is by creating empowering opportunities for sustainable growth.

Forgotten People Connection was born out of the relationships established with the people of Mount Elgon, and a growing number of communities in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, after Allen was convinced by a friend during a fishing expedition to support people on the continent of Africa. In spite of his busy schedule, Allen and his wife Kathie make regular visits to Africa to supervise projects. They also work with or support Point Of Grace and other outreach initiatives in Canada.

A well-respected name in real estate, Allen is the President and CEO of Remley Homes, which builds custom luxury homes in the Guelph area in Ontario, Canada. Forgotten People has executed many projects, including installation of water pumps in villages, providing educational resources, sanitary materials for girls, building schools and providing goats as well as chickens for widows. The organization is sponsoring high school and college girls in Kenya and Uganda. Allen receives the Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Award from the Afroglobal Excellence Awards program.

Hugh Graham

Hugh Graham

Community Advocate & President, Barbados Canada Foundation

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. LEGACY AWARD

Hugh Graham is the President of the Barbados Canada Foundation, an organization with a mandate to provide scholarships, bursaries and other forms of financial assistance to students of Barbadian heritage. The foundation also provides medical equipment and supplies to hospitals and public health facilities in Barbados. A retired career banker, Hugh Graham held senior management positions in Commercial Banking, Credit Risk Management and Commercial Mortgages at RBC Royal Bank.

Hugh Graham has held high profile positions at various organizations. He served as President of the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA), Chair of the Caribana Festival Advisory Board, Vice President of Barbados Ball Canada Aid and Co-Chair of the Annual Barbados Ball. He is a founding member of the York Region Saturday School Program, a director of the Children’s Wish Foundation, chair of the Toronto Police Service Black Community Advisory Committee and a spokesperson of the Coalition of African Canadian Community Organizations.

A founding member of DLP Barbados (Canada), he served as the organization’s 1st Vice President. Graham is the recipient of several community service awards and is profiled in “Who’s Who in Black Canada” and “Some Barbadian Canadians,” a biographical dictionary; as well as “Profiles of Afro-Caribbean Canadians in York”. Married with two children and four grandchildren, Graham is motivated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quotation, “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” He receives the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award at the 2018 Afroglobal Excellence Awards gala.

Tammie Sutherland

Tammie Sutherland

Journalist & TV Personality CityNews

MEDIA AWARD

Tammie Sutherland is a journalist with CityNews and the morning field reporter for Breakfast Television on CityTV, a division of Rogers Media. She started her career at CityNews as a writer and an associate producer, before becoming a part of the on-air team. After joining the news team in 2008, Tammie has covered a wide range of breaking news across the country, including assignments on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

As the CityNews crime specialist, Tammie has reported on policing issues in the GTA, including mass protests against carding and street checks in the province, as well as high-profile criminal trials. She has also covered big news in the world of entertainment, reporting live from red carpets during the Toronto International Film Festival and the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, California in the United States.

Tammie graduated with high honours from the Broadcast Journalism program at Seneca College and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from York University. Her passion for news started in radio as an anchor and reporter for Durham Radio and AM640 Toronto. Born and raised in in the greater Toronto region, she is proud of her Jamaican and African Canadian heritage. A widely sought-after speaker, she also acted with Jamie Foxx in White House Down (2013) as well as Not With My Daughter (2014) and Arrival (2016). Tammie receives the 2018 Afroglobal Excellence Award for Media.

Ikechukwu Nnamani

Ikechukwu Nnamani

Engineer, Telecommunications and ICT Leader

ENTERPRISE AWARD

Ikechukwu Nnamani is a Mechanical Engineer with business interests in telecommunications, media, oil and gas, manufacturing, power and financial services. With a core vision of bridging the digital divide between nations, he integrates technologies for practical solutions. He has sat on the boards of Medallion Communications, Demadiur Systems, Galvazinc Technologies, Remoch, Nabado, Thub, Vermadek, Chiefsoft, Einnete Patramo, e-Digital, the Nigerian Internet Registration Agency, Association of Telecommunications Operating Companies and the Association of Interconnect Operating Companies.

Nnamani has great experience, acumen, principles, strategy, innovation, skills and insights. He serves as Silvertrust Media Group’s Strategy and Business Development Director in West Africa. He is an advisor to regulators in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Senegal and others. Nnamani received awards from Boeing Aerospace for his engineering work on the Crew Station Design; and from the US Navy Ballistics Submarine Unit for his work on the Umbilical Retract Mechanism. He helped design a semiconductor device and an all-optical router for Luxcore Networks in Atlanta. He also has tremendous cyber security expertise.

Under his supervision, Medallion’s data center is the most interconnected facility for all international submarine cables operators in West Africa. Google, Facebook, Orange and other ICT operators use it. It hosts the regional Internet exchange. He was the 2017 E-Payment Man of the Year, and got the Beacon of ICT Award, Africa Digital Award, graced the cover of the Top 20 CEOs edition of ICT Watch magazine; and was listed in the Top 100 ICT Contributors in 15 years. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering. He is married to Amaka and are blessed with Ike Jr. and Kayla. He receives the 2018 Enterprise Award at the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards gala.

Aaliyah Cinello

Aaliyah Cinello

Actress & Model

RISING STAR AWARD

Aaliyah Cinello is a young Toronto-based actress. Her father Lui Cinello is Italian and her mother Raven Cinello is of Cuban and Jamaican background. Aaliyah has a younger sister named Chanél Cinello. At 6 months old, Aaliyah displayed her personality and comfort in front of a camera and began her career as a model after that. She has appeared in advertising campaigns for Walmart, Target, Nissan, Toyota, Telus, Sears, Canadian Tire, The Bay, Toys R Us, Pizza Hut, Mott’s Fruitsations, Champs, Gap, Hatley and Osh Kosh, while landing the covers of such magazines as Today’s Parent, Toronto Life and Share.

Aaliyah demonstrated incredible work ethic as a child. Through hard work, determination and perseverance, she transitioned from the modelling industry and immersed herself into acting. Versatility and natural ability allowed her to hone her skills and attract the attention of casting directors in Canada and the USA. She has landed commercial advertising and acting roles in Robocop, Heroes Reborn, Make It Pop, According To Kids, Kim’s Convenience, Rusty Rivets, Warehouse 13, The Adventures Of Napkin Man and many others.

In spite of her busy acting and model career, Aaliyah is maintaining an A+ average in school, which she takes very seriously, with the aspiration of attending law school and being a role model for children around the world. Mentored by her Mother Raven, whose foray into modelling and acting has enabled her to manage her mission, vision and values, Aaliyah’s future is bright. Her personal motto says, “classy and sassy all day, everyday.” She receives the 2018 Rising Star Award at the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards gala.

Peter Toh

Peter Toh

Executive Director, Music Africa & Artistic Director, Afrofest

HERITAGE AWARD

Peter Toh is the Executive Director of Afrofest, the largest free African Music Festival in North America. He is also an entrepreneur, business consultant, and cultural connector, who has worked with the Government of Canada, Ryerson University and Rogers Communications. In 2009, Peter served as Entrepreneurship Instructor and Mentor at Ryerson University. He later joined the Government of Canada as a Business Analyst and Senior Project Officer, where he worked on the Email Transformation initiative, a major project aimed at consolidating all the email addresses of employees of the Federal Government of Canada under one platform.

Peter served as President of Music Africa, which manages Afrofest. In 2016, he received over 150 emails from various citizens within the city of Toronto, appreciating the work he does in the African and Diaspora communities, encouraging him to carry on when Afrofest faced unprecedented challenges, including pressure to move, shrink or close down the festival. Based on the strength of the letters, emails, other support and his passion for African music and culture, Peter gave up the prospect of a career in government or the private sector and decided to make Music Africa and Afrofest his focus.

Over the years, Peter has worked as a radio host at CKDU FM in Halifax and CKLN FM in Toronto, promoting African music and culture through radio and community events. Currently in his 2nd year as Executive Director & Artistic Director at Music Africa, Peter has successfully grown the financial and community base of the organization, expanding it to present events in 6 other Canadian and international cities, hiring over 400 African artists from all parts of the world to showcase their talents. Peter receives the prestigious Heritage Award at the 2018 Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards gala.

Dr. Adewale Ayuba

Dr. Adewale Ayuba

Legendary Singer

ENTERTAINMENT AWARD

Dr. Adewale Ayuba, also known as Mr. Johnson, is a Nigerian singer, drummer and actor, one of the best know Fuji Music stars in the world. By the age of eight, he had started singing at local musical competitions and festivals. By 17, he signed his first record deal and released his premier album Ibere (The Beginning). In 1990, Ayuba was signed on by Sony Music to record an album. Released in 1991, the sophomore album “Bubble”, shot Ayuba into international prominence.

Over the years, Dr. Ayuba has played an essential role in the evolution of Fuji music worldwide, and has coined the genre “Bonsue Fuji”, which is currently studied at the University of Pennsylvania. Presently signed to B.A. Records in Nigeria, Dr. Ayuba has released 26 albums. He has performed and toured around the world in festivals and concerts including at The United Nation’s 50th anniversary, the New York Summer Festival, New Orleans Jazz festival, BET Concert and American Mondo. After two successful concerts in Providence, Rhode Island, he was awarded the key to the city by the mayor of Rhode Island.

Dr. Ayuba studied Finance at the Queensborough Community College, New York, and secured a Diploma in Law at the University of Lagos. He received an Honorary Doctorate Of Music at Bradley University, USA. He has received many accolades and awards, including The Key To The City Of Providence, Rhode Island, USA and the Afro America Music Awards (1998 Record Breaker) and has Three Platinum Sales (for Bubble, Ijo Fuji and Mr. Johnson Play For Me). He has also won two Kora Music Awards, honours from the H.E.N. Foundation and over 50 other awards worldwide. Dr. Ayuba receives the 2018 Afroglobal Excellence Award for Entertainment.

Leo Johnson

Leo Johnson

Executive Director, Empowerment Squared

VISIONARY AWARD

Leo Johnson is the Executive Director of Empowerment Squared, a Hamilton-based charity that works with youth and communities to effect sustainable change through education, social development, and lifelong learning opportunities. As a teenager, Leo Johnson spent eight years in refugee camps, after fleeing war-torn Liberia in 1998. He arrived in Canada in 2006 as a government-sponsored refugee. Leo graduated from McMaster University with a degree in political science in 2011.

While a second-year student in 2007, more than 100 people packed into a small room to hear Leo Johnson tell his story at McMaster University’s Global Citizenship Conference. He shared his personal story as a displaced youngster in West Africa, and his vision for an organization that would transform communities through education, youth engagement, leadership development and genuine community partnerships. Leo’s story moved the audience to action and shortly after, Empowerment Squared was established.

While at McMaster, Leo received the Albert Lager Prize for Student Initiative and was a semi-finalist in CBC’s Next Great Prime Minister Competition. He received the YMCA Peace Medal and the World Citizenship Award from the City of Hamilton. He was named one of Hamilton Spectator’s Top 40 under 40 and one of the Top 75 immigrants in Canada. One of his current projects, is the Liberian Learning Center, a state-of-the-art multipurpose facility, which will house the country’s first public library since 1989 when the war started, a community innovation center, and a young professionals network for collective impact. Leo receives the 2018 Visionary Award at the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards.

Esther Enyolu

Esther Enyolu

Executive Director, Women’s Multicultural Resources & Counselling Centre

Esther Enyolu is the Executive Director of Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre (WMRCC) of Durham, an organization that strives for equity and access through a process that respects the diversity of women’s experiences and promotes self-knowledge, self-determination, self-empowerment and resiliency. For over 30 years, Esther has been a strong voice and an advocate for women, children and youth who have experienced trauma, dealing with settlement issues and other challenges.

Throughout her work, Esther has made tremendous contributions on policy, and advocacy on issues of gender-based violence, diversity, inclusion and human rights. She is a Provincial Resource Group Member for Western University Violence Against Women Learning Network; a member of Seneca College Social Service Workers, Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Committee Member, and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, where she is involved with research on violence in immigrant families.

Esther is a recipient of many awards, including the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, Outstanding Volunteer Award from Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Immigration, and the Remarkable Woman Award. In 2016, she was named one of 100 Accomplished Black Women in Canada. Esther is the co-author of “Creating Inclusive Spaces for Women”, an anti-racism and anti-oppression manual; “Systemic Change in Social Agencies: Inspiring Excellence to Achieve Change,” as well as “The Impact of Policies and Services on Abused Women”. Esther receives the 2018 Afroglobal Excellence Award for Community Development.

Hon. Tony Ince

Hon. Tony Ince

Minister of the Public Service Commission & African Nova Scotian Affairs

Legacy Award

Honourable Tony Ince is the Minister of the Public Service Commission and Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. He was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election, representing Cole Harbour-Portland, where he defeated the incumbent premier, Darrell Dexter, on October 22, 2013, and was re-elected in May of 2017.

Honourable Ince has been involved with organizations dedicated to family, youth and services to the incarcerated. His multi-talented professional experiences include working as a counsellor at the Department of Community Services, Regional Educator, and Youth Worker. He also worked as a Major Accounts Sales Representative with Xerox Canada, emergency room patient attendant, a labourer/stevedore at the Halifax Waterfront, Military Police, and the Army Reserves.

Honourable Ince has owned businesses in Halifax and Toronto. He has been a member of ACTRA, with expertise as an actor and stuntman. Ince enjoyed coaching for basketball, rugby, football, cricket and soccer. He is the Co-Founder of the Black Leaders Summit, which meets yearly as the Canadian Caucus of Black Parliamentarians, representing the African Diaspora in Canada. The Honourable Tony Ince receives the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program on October 21st, 2017.

Paulette Senior

Paulette Senior

CEO, Canadian Women Foundation

Leadership Award

Paulette Senior is the President & CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. She is one of the most respected and vocal women leaders in Canada. She has captured significant attention at home and abroad as a leader and advocate for women and girls, resolute to build a safe and just society free from violence and poverty. Ms. Senior is currently the Chair of Women’s College Hospital, Canada’s leading academic and ambulatory hospital in women’s health.

In her illustrious career, Ms. Senior has served as CEO of YWCA Canada. She has spent many years on the frontlines of social and community development. She has led, managed, and operated shelters, employment programs and housing, helping women, children and youth in Toronto. Ms. Senior has worked with Yellow Brick House, YWCA Toronto, Macaulay Child Development Centre, Lawrence Heights Community Health Centre and Central Neighbourhood House.

Ms. Senior has been an advocate at the local, provincial, and federal government levels, addressing matters pertinent to social and economic transformation. She is a graduate of York University, has been bestowed recognitions such as: African Canadian Achievement Award, Black Women Civic Engagement Award, MicroSkills Margot Franssen Leadership Award, and a Woman of Influence citation. She receives the 2017 Afroglobal Television Excellence Award for Leadership

Namugenyi Kiwanuka

Namugenyi Kiwanuka

Journalist & Television Personality

Media Award

Namugenyi “Nam” Kiwanuka is a multi-platform journalist and the new host of TVO’s The Agenda In The Summer. She has hosted magazine shows for the NBA and CFL. She was widely knows as a MuchMusic VJ from 1999 to 2003. She has worked with CNN and BET. Born in Uganda, she has written for the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Upscale Magazine, was the editor of the African Business Journal, and a columnist for BBC Focus On Africa Magazine.

The ReelWorld Film Festival named Ms. Kiwanuka Emerging Filmmaker for the Class of 2013. In 2009, Chatelaine Magazine named her as a Woman to Watch. In 2003, she was awarded Best Media Personality by Urban Music Association of Canada. A highly sought-after speaker, she has presented at TEDxRyersonU and contributed to TEDxWomen. To shine light on the dilemma of the vulnerable, Ms. Kiwanuka traveled to Northern Uganda to document and produce segments for AMREF on the plight of those living in IDP camps as a result of the country’s 20-year war.

A graduate of Applied Arts in Journalism at Ryerson University, Kiwanuka has managed and trained a group of 10 reporters at Radio Democracy in Sierra Leone. She conceptualized and produced This Is Africa, which celebrates the faces and places of Africa. She has guest-hosted on CBC’s The Current, filled-in for Anna Maria Tremonti, and contributed to The Marilyn Denis Show. She receives the prestigious Media Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program on October 21st, 2017.

Charles Marful

Charles Marful

Director, Ernst & Young LLP

Professional Achievement award

Charles Marful is Ernst & Young (EY) Canada’s Talent Team Director for Assurance Practice. Prior to joining EY, he served as the Human Resources Director of PwC Consulting, and later at IBM BCS. He also served as a Manager of Employee Relations, dealing with both human resources and labour relations in the retail industry. He is involved in career mentoring initiatives and speaks on career development at community events.

Mr. Marful was part of a judging panel for Corporate University Exchange’s 13th Global Conference on Leadership Innovation in the US, helping to select innovative leadership development organisations. He is a frequent speaker on HR Strategy, Leadership & Succession, Employee Engagement as well as Mergers & Acquisitions. He sits on the Board of Farm Radio International (FRI), an Ottawa-based NGO focused on improving food security and health in rural Africa.

Mr. Marful serves on the HR Program Advisory Board of Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University. He has served on the board of AIESEC Canada and the Editorial board of HR Professional Magazine. He holds a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University, and a B.Sc. (Honours) in Business Administration from the University of Ghana’s Business School. He is a Certified Human Resources Executive. He receives the 2017 Afroglobal Television Excellence Award for Professional Achievement.

Councillor Michael Thompson

Councillor Michael Thompson

Toronto City Councillor

Marcus Garvey Memorial Award

As Councillor in Toronto, Canada’s largest city, Michael Thompson represents Ward 37, Scarborough Centre. First elected in 2003, his strong advocacy led to a city-wide Community Safety Plan, a police task force on guns and gangs as well as programs for young offenders. He has served as Chair of the Scarborough Community Council, leading the campaign to create the first ever TTC transit strategy for Scarborough. He has earned a reputation as a community-focused consensus builder and one of Toronto’s hardest working Councillors.

Councilor Thomson spearheaded the Wexford Heights Business Improvement Area and the Taste of Lawrence Avenue East, which has attracted tens of thousands of people to celebrate diversity. He has served as Chair, Economic Development and Culture Committee; Vice-Chair, Toronto Police Services Board; Chair, Invest Toronto, Board Member, 1812 Bicentennial Steering Committee; Member, Civic Appointment Committee; and Chair, Youth Assisting Youth as well as Toronto Zoo.

Thomson has served as Director, Commonwealth Local Government Forum; Vice President, Municipal Section, Canadian National Exhibition; Member of the International Relations Standing Committee, Chair of the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Standing Committee, as well as Director, FMC. Before politics, he worked in business and the financial sector. He holds a BA degree in Economics from Concordia University. He receives the Marcus Garvey Memorial Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program on October 21st, 2017.

Dr. Liza Egbogah

Dr. Liza Egbogah

Body & Posture Expert, Creator of the Dr. Liza Pumps Shoe Line

Science & Technology Award

Dr. Liza Egbogah is one of North America’s leading body and posture experts, a manual osteopath, myofascial release therapist, and the Clinical Director of the fix. She is a Doctor of Chiropractic, graduating with Summa Cum Laude and clinical honors from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, a diploma in manual osteopathic practice and also holds a pharmacology degree with distinction from the University of Alberta.

Dr. Liza has had extensive experience consulting with celebrities, professional athletes and political leaders on health matters, injury treatment, prevention and stress reduction strategies. In 2015, she was part of the Basketball Medical Team for the PanAm Games. She has provided treatment as a celebrity fixer of the Toronto International Film Festival and the Oscars. Presently, she is dedicating a part of her time to the practice of manual osteopathy.

Dr. Liza is often a guest expert on CTV’s The Social and Morning Live. She has appeared on Cityline, The Morning Show as well as on CBS, TLC, MTV, Sirius Radio, CTV News, Huffington Post, 680 News, NOW, Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail, among others. Her clinical expertise in orthotics and love for fashion allowed her to create the Dr. Liza Pumps shoe line, which is comfortable enough to be worn for 12 hours, and are worn by celebrities and regular folks alike. She receives the esteemed Science & Technology Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program on October 21st, 2017.

Jackie Appiah

Jackie Appiah

Actress & Model

Entertainment Award

Jackie Appiah is a Canadian-born actress based in Ghana. She is one of the biggest stars and favourite leading ladies in the film scene in Africa, including Nigeria’s Nollywood. She started acting at the age of 12 as a part of her local church group. Her appearance on screen became regular when Edward Seddoh Junior, writer of Things We Do For Love, invited her to play the role of Enyonam Blagogee. She later took part in Tentacles, Games People Play, Sun City and other TV series.

Ms. Appiah has starred in blockbuster films like Beyoncé, The President’s Daughter, Princess Tyra, Passion of the Soul, Pretty Queen, The Prince’s Bride, The King is Mine and The Perfect Picture. She has starred in over 100 titles, most of which she played the lead role. Appiah’s face has graced many billboards and TV commercials in Africa, including a GSMF advert on protection against HIV AIDS. She won the Face Of UB in a commercial she did for television and has served as the Face Of IPMC.

Awards and accolades Ms. Appiah has received include Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards; The FACE List Awards (USA); Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award for Best Actress In Drama (2013); Best International Actress Award at the Papyrus Magazine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA) in 2013 and 2014, as well as Best Actress in a Comedy role in 2014 and 2015 by Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. She receives the prestigious Entertainment Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program on October 21st, 2017.

Dr. Mansfield Edwards

Dr. Mansfield Edwards

President, SDA Ontario & Chaplain, York Regional Police

Visionary Award

In 2009, Dr. Edwards was elected president of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, leading approximately 32,000 members. The same year, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Canadian University College (now Burman University) in Alberta, where he still serves as trustee. He pursued graduate studies at the Northern Caribbean University, and post-graduate studies at Loma Linda University, Andrews University, and the University of Montreal, Quebec.

Dr. Edwards founded Discover The Power, a television program aired on Vision TV, Hope TV, Afroglobal Television and around the world via satellite. From 2005 to 2007, he served as Chaplain for the Association of Black Law Enforcers (ABLE), which includes Black police, court, customs and immigration officers in Ontario. He is also a Chaplain at the York Regional Police. In 2007, he was appointed to the executive committee of the Canadian Federation of Inter-Cultural Friendship.

Dr. Edwards worked as Adjunct Professor in Ethics and Philosophy for the Northern Caribbean University. He has served as co-chair of the Montreal Black Ministers Executive Council, exploring improvement for the marginalized. He received the 2008 Mayor’s Award for outstanding contribution to the City of Markham; a 2010 Distinguished Man of Honour Award from the BBPA, and an African Canadian Achievement Award in 2010. He receives the prestigious Visionary Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program on October 21st, 2017.

Prof. Stan chu Ilo

Prof. Stan chu Ilo

Professor, DePaul Universit & Founder, Samaritans For Africa

Global Impact Award

Prof Stan Chu Ilo is the Founder and President of the Canadian Samaritans for Africa, which has implemented more than 20 projects in four African countries, including skills development, women’s micro-credit initiatives, water and sanitation as well as civic education. A Catholic priest, Dr. Ilo is a Research Professor of African Studies at DePaul University, Chicago. Fluent in English, French and Italian, he is the author of seven books, and editor of three.

Dr. Ilo’s water and sanitation project and the Adu Achi Women’s Skills Center in Eastern Nigeria was executed in collaboration with Engineers Without Borders (USA) and Urbana Champaign. This project was recognized as one of the top ten global projects at the Mondialogo Awards in 2009, sponsored by UNESCO. It won an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA USA) award and was recognized by the US State Department.

He has two doctorate degrees in theology and religion from the University of Toronto, and in Sociology from the University of South Africa; three Master’s, two Bachelor’s, three diplomas and two certificates from Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and the Oxford’s School of Government. Dr. Ilo has published over 100 essays and has written for The Toronto Star, Chicago Tribune, Premium Times, The Hill, Huffpost, National Catholic Reporter, CNN, CTV, The Guardian among others. He receives the 2017 Afroglobal Television Excellence Award for Global Impact.

Prof. Andrea A. Davis

Prof. Andrea A. Davis

Chair, Department of Humanities, York University

Renaissance Award

Prof. Andrea A. Davis is Chair of the Department of Humanities at York University in Toronto, where she also holds cross-appointments in the graduate programs in English; Interdisciplinary Studies; and Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies. She is Associate Professor in Black Cultures of the Americas and has developed a certificate program in Black Canadian Studies. Dr. Davis approaches teaching as a form of activism through which she empowers her students to challenge assumptions and reach across differences, and translate the knowledge they acquire for positive change.

Dr. Davis is an accomplished researcher who has published widely on Black women’s fictional writing and constructions of gender, and she has been invited to present her work across the Caribbean, Europe, the United States and Canada. As the former Director, Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean, she worked to expand research partnerships between Canadian universities and the University of the West Indies.

The Canadian government (SSHRC) funded her research on Black youth in Canada and Jamaica. One such partnership was recognized for its exemplary contributions to Canadian society in the Council of Ontario Universities’ Research Matters Campaign in 2013. Her awards and accolades include the 2017 President’s University-Wide Teaching Award and the 2012 Ian Greene Award for Teaching Excellence. She receives the prestigious Renaissance Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program on October 21st, 2017.

Ettie Rutherford

Ettie Rutherford

Author & CEO, Women Are Worthy

Lifetime Achievement Award

Ettie Rutherford is author and CEO of Women Are Worthy, a consulting firm that provides programs and services for women of all ages. Having served as an elementary school principal, education consultant, anti-racism expert and curriculum programmer, Ms. Rutherford continues to impart knowledge by organizing workshops, speaking at events and coaching. She initiated the Black Heritage Saturday Morning School, the Caribees Singers and Dancers, Black History celebration while working with the Police to build co-operation and partnerships.

Ms. Rutherford has served as National Vice President for the Congress of Black Women of Canada. On a CBC production of Ettie’s profile in Calgary, she was referred to as the Iron Lady for her ability to bring about change in the community. Author of Women Are Worthy: Why Perch Like A Chick When You Can Soar Like an Eagle, she holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from the University of Calgary. She developed the “R-I-S-E-U-P” organizational system, through which she presents programs and services based on a concerns-based model of positive change.

Rutherford has received many awards including the Kay Livingstone Award for her work with the Congress of Black Women of Canada; Certificate of Recognition from Markham City Council for community involvement and a Certificate of Recognition from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney for her contribution to Multiculturalism. In 2016 she was honored as one of Canada’s 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women. She receives the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program on October 21st, 2017.

Emmanuel Kabongo

Emmanuel Kabongo

Actor and Star on CBC’s 21 Thunder

Rising Star Award

Emmanuel Kabongo is an actor, best known for his work on the web series, Teenagers, for which he earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2016. He is one of the lead stars in CBC’s dramatic series, 21 Thunder, where he plays an Ivory Coast mid-fielder named Junior Lolo. The series premiered in Canada on July 31, 2017, to great reviews.

Kabongo co-produced the first season of the series, Teenagers (2014–present), alongside filmmaker M. H. Murray. He also stars as the lead male protagonist in the series. Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he has starred in several feature films, including The Animal Project (2013), directed by Ingrid Veninger, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada, and Antibirth (2016), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the USA.

Also in 2016, Kabongo produced and starred in short films, including A Man’s Story, for which he received funding from bravoFACT. The film went on to screen at the ReelWorld Film Festival in Toronto, where it won an award for Best Short Film in 2016. Kabongo has also guest-starred on a variety of television programs, including Rookie Blue (2013–2014), Murdoch Mysteries (2014) and Quantico (2015–2016). He completed an actor’s residency at Norman Jewison’s Canadian Film Centre in 2015. He receives the 2017 Rising Star Award from the prestigious Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.

Leonie Tchatat

Leonie Tchatat

President, La Passerelle-IDÉ

Development Award

Léonie Tchatat is the Founder and President of La Passerelle-IDÉ and Léo Charité. Since she arrived in Canada from Cameroon at the age of 16, she has designed and implemented community transformation models to catalyze the full contribution of African and other immigrants to Canadian society. La Passerelle-IDÉ’s bidirectional cultural competency skills training program has been recognized for best practice by the federal and provincial governments, having served and accompanied over 15,000 newcomers by fostering their integration.

Ms. Tchatat’s contributions to high level public policy expert committees in Canada have included serving on federal, provincial and municipal government-community advisory boards working towards strategic solutions in immigration, diversity and poverty reduction. Internationally, she has been invited to speak at academic, government and community seminars to share innovative solutions, leading to the implementation of new Canada-France diverse youth entrepreneurship and civic leadership avant-garde programs.

Founder of Taloua Multiculturelle, a Francophone magazine to give young and diverse Francophone women with a unique and dynamic forum, Ms. Tchatat was a member of the Canadian delegation to the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Durban, South Africa in 2001. She has served on the Planning Committee for a French-Language University in Ontario and is a Commissioner at the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Ms. Tchatat receives the 2017 Afroglobal Television Excellence Award for Community Development.

Frank Omoruna

Frank Omoruna

CEO, Wellness Anew & De Runa Banquet Hall

Enterprise Award

Franklin Omoruna is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Wellness Anew, an organization with over 45 employees. Since its inception in 2007, it has focused on championing strategies to manage individuals with special needs and mental health challenges. Recently, Mr. Omoruna launched De Runa Inc., operators of Banquet Halls, Event and Entertainment Centers in Toronto.

A Registered Nurse with over 33 years of experience, Mr. Omoruna works with mental health clients and as a Clinical Instructor at the University of Toronto as well as the University of New Brunswick/Humber College Nursing Programs. Mr. Omoruna has served as President of the Nigerian Canadian Association and the Edo Association Worldwide. In 2011, he was profiled on NTA International as The Diasporan Of The Week. Mr. Omoruna was also featured in many newspapers and magazines for spearheading large scale initiatives, which include the building of group homes for disadvantaged and developmentally challenged youth in Canada, leading the UNIC Club to upgrade the Edo State Children’s Hospital, as well as provision of medical equipment in 3 senatorial districts in Edo State. Nigeria. He receives the 2017 Afroglobal Television Excellence Award for Enterprise.

Dwayne Dixon

Dwayne Dixon

Executive Director, Nia Centre For The Arts

Heritage award

Dwayne Dixon is the Executive Director of Nia Centre For The Arts: a youth arts organization focusing on helping young artists find their purpose. With over 15 years’ experience in the corporate, community arts, and entertainment sectors, Mr. Dixon has hosted, produced and programmed radio shows; emceed events and recorded as a performing artist. In 2001, he landed a corporate job at Manulife Financial / John Hancock (USA), while serving in the arts.

Mr. Dixon established an Urban Artist Showcase entitled, Follow Your Instinct (FYI) to create opportunities for aspiring performing artists. He joined the Board of Directors of Urban Music Association of Canada (UMAC) as Membership Director, and eventually became Vice President. In 2013, Dixon became the Executive Director of Canada’s largest Hip Hop and Urban Arts Festival, Manifesto.

Back in 2010, Dixon started FYI Kids, an enrichment program focused on re-instilling self-esteem, confidence and stage presence in children using music, culture and sports as tools. FYI Kids has worked with over 3000 children and the Canadian National Institute For The Blind (CNIB), Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), Toronto Centre For The Arts and Chinese Moon Festival Celebrations. He receives the 2017 Afroglobal Television Excellence Award for Heritage.