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TORONTO, Ontario August 5, 2016 — Kamina Johnson-Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade will deliver the keynote address at the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) 54th Anniversary and Jamaica’s Independence gala, tomorrow.
“The Anniversary and Independence celebration is our time to recognize the efforts of JCA’s volunteers, long-serving members, organizations and individuals in the community who have made a significant impact on the Jamaican, Caribbean and African-Canadian communities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA),” said JCA President, Adaoma Patterson.
“We are proud to recognize those JCA volunteers, who have gone above and beyond to contribute to building the organization, as well as those who have gone above and beyond to contribute to building our community,” she added.
Activist, author and award-winning journalist, Desmond Cole; lawyer, social affairs commentator and social justice advocate, Anthony Morgan; and Knia Singh, a lawyer, entrepreneur and advocate, will be presented with Community Service Awards.
In a media statement, the JCA said that its awards committee felt it was important to acknowledge these “three African-Canadian men, who have contributed significantly to the discourse about racism and systemic discrimination in the GTA”.
“The JCA salutes them for their efforts to make the GTA a better place for all of us,” said Patterson.
At the gala, the JCA will also pay tribute to: Aldaine Hunt — President’s Award; Vilma Garnett — Outstanding Volunteer of the Year; Dr. Billroy Powell, Pam Reynolds and Thelma Carey-Thompson — 25 Years of Continuous Service; Raphael Walters — Lifetime Award (40 years of continuous service); and the Carpenters and Allied Workers Local 27 — the Community Service Award (organization).
“All of this year’s recipients, including the Carpenters and Allied Workers Local 27, exemplify the gala’s theme: Stronger. Together. Forever. We can all learn much from the sacrifice and commitment of these award winners,” said the venerable organisation.
Author, entrepreneur and community builder, Itah Sadu, will be the event’s emcee and the entertainment will be provided by The Arsenals, featuring Dizzy, Nadine Williams, poet, and DJ Rosa.
Admission to the gala is $80.00 each.
The JCA’s annual gala will be held on Saturday, August 6, at the Jamaican Canadian Centre, 995 Arrow Road. For more information call: (416) 746-5772; website: www.jcaontario.org and e-mail: communications@jcaontario.org.
