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By Lavanya Kathirgamanthan
In recent years, Canada has seen a growing number of awards ceremonies dedicated to celebrating Black excellence. Not only do these awards honor the remarkable achievements of Black Canadians across various fields, but they also highlight the rich contributions of the Black community to the nation’s cultural, social, and economic landscapes.
Recognizing and celebrating Black excellence fosters a sense of pride and belonging within the Black community. These awards showcase the diverse talents and accomplishments of Black Canadians, challenge stereotypes and inspire future generations. According to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, also known as the CRRF, celebrating Black excellence helps promote inclusivity in a society where everyone can then feel valued.
The Harry Jerome Awards, which is named after the Canadian track and field athlete Harry Jerome, are one of the most respected tributes honouring Black excellence in Canada. This award ceremony was established by the Black Business and Professional Association, also known as the BBPA, to celebrate the achievements Black people have made in fields such as business, athletics, arts, and community service. The Harry Jerome Awards not only recognizes individual achievements, but also highlights the collective progress of the Black community in Canada.
Named after the civil rights icon Viola Desmond, who challenged racial segregation in Nova Scotia in the 1940s, The Viola Desmond Awards celebrates the accomplishments of Black women in Canada. The awards’ event, organized by Toronto Metropolitan University, honours women who have made significant contributions to their communities and professions. The event serves as an inspiration to many as it showcases the impact of Black women in driving social change.
Founded by the African Canadian Cultural Society of Ontario, the African Canadian Achievement Awards, also known as ACAA, recognizes the outstanding achievements of African Canadians in various fields including education, entrepreneurship, and the arts.
Celebrating Black excellence through awards and such recognitions plays an important role in fostering an inclusive and equitable society. The Harry Jerome Awards, Viola Desmond Awards, and the African Canadian Achievement Awards are just a few examples of how Canada honours the remarkable contributions of Black Canadians. These tributes are not only recognized as individual achievements, but they also inspire future generations to strive for Black excellence.
Lavanya Kathirgamanathan is one of the Writers for this year’s publication at Black Voice. She’s a recent graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University, where she studied Journalism and will further her education in Human Resources at George Brown College. Lavanya has experience writing for multiple publications and has her own food blog on social media. Lavanya’s main goal as a writer for the Black Voice publication is to showcase Black excellence within the community, and in the city of Toronto.