Jamaican Canadian Association honours three at Black History Month celebration

TORONTO:

The Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) awarded three individuals for remarkable contributions to community building at this year’s Black History Month celebrations held under the theme ‘Legacy and Resilience: Celebrating the Black Canadian Experience.’

Superintendent Stacy Clarke, Captain (Ret’d) Kevin Junor and Nicholas Marcus Thompson were recipients of community service awards “in recognition of their outstanding dedication and invaluable contribution to Canada and the black community”. The JCA’s annual Black History Month celebration, its Boonoonoonos Brunch, was held at the Jamaican Canadian Centre on February 9.

Superintendent Clarke is currently a member of the Toronto Police Service Information Management Unit. Her diverse policing career has included working in primary and community response units, intelligence, homicide, criminal investigative bureau, professional standards and the Toronto Police College.

For many years, she co-chaired the Police and Community Engagement Review (PACER) Committee for the Toronto Police Service and is also known for implementing Ontario’s street check legislation. The 28-year police veteran is a 2018 Civic Action Fellow and one of the ‘100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women’ for 2018.

“I’m incredibly humbled; it’s no secret some of the challenges I’ve had over the last couple of years, but just eternally blessed. I have support from a strong community, and I think at this stage of my career and for the things that I’ve seen you realise how important it is to continue to give back to your community and to continue to work towards building community trust. I won’t stop doing that so I’m incredibly honoured,” said Clarke who is awaiting the outcome of an appeal into the findings of a disciplinary matter brought against her.

Captain Junor’s military career spans almost 40 years, notably as regimental sergeant major with the Toronto Scottish Regiment — the first black individual appointed to this position in the regiment, later an officer in The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

Beyond military service, he has made significant contributions to community safety in Ontario and serves as citizen security sector-lead on the Global Jamaican Diaspora Council.

His leadership contributed to the government of Canada’s historic apology to the descendants of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, the only all-black battalion in Canadian military history.

“It’s a blessing to be honoured by the community. It’s not other individuals who don’t really know our culture or customs. This is home, this is yard, saying here’s a young man that came up through the system and he’s done something that we should recognise him, so I’m blessed and really honoured to be recognised,” said Junor. Earlier this year, he was appointed to the Order of Ontario.

Thompson is a trailblazing human rights advocate whose work addresses systemic discrimination both nationally and globally. As president and CEO of the Black Class Action Secretariat, he leads transformative efforts to combat anti-black racism.

Under his leadership, litigation was launched against 99 Canadian federal departments for systemic discrimination against black workers, driving historic legislative and policy reforms to promote equity and inclusion.

“It’s a tremendous honour to receive this award. I stand on the shoulders of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, named after him, I feel very strongly about the work that we do pursuing justice, economic freedom and prosperity for people of African descent not only in Canada, but around the world,” said Thompson.

COLLECTIVE POTENTIAL

Keynote speaker Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson, who is from St. Ann, Jamaica, said the legacy and teachings of Marcus Garvey continue to ring true today.

“His message is a powerful reminder of our collective potential and the enduring strength of unity,” said the founder and president of the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association.

O’Hara-Stephenson urged the gathering to recognise that their legacy is not just a testament to where they have been, but a blueprint for where they are going.

Chris Campbell, president of the Carpenters’ Union Local 27 — the first black person to hold that position in its 140-year history — was presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his exceptional service to Canada.

“Black History Month offers us a special opportunity to reflect on out shared history, honour the resilience of our ancestors, and celebrate the incredible contributions of black Canadians to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of this country. Today, we come together not only to reflect, but to uplift one another and to recommit ourselves to advancing justice and equity for generations to come,” said JCA president David Betty.

There was an exhibition on Marcus Garvey mounted at the back of the hall where over 300 people gathered. Consul General Kurt Davis said Garvey’s vision, courage, and leadership have inspired generations, not just in Jamaica but across the world. “Garvey’s message of black empowerment, self-reliance, and pride in our heritage still resonates today,” he said referencing the posthumous pardon of Garvey by President Joe Biden.