Jamaican Canadians to receive honorary degrees from Toronto universities

Wayne Isaacs, an entrepreneur known for building businesses in developing economies across over 25 countries, does not usually sing his own praises but on June 19 many will know about his work and philanthropy when he receives an honorary doctor of laws (LLD) degree at a convocation ceremony at York University.

A day later, B. Denham Jolly, a businessman, publisher, broadcaster and human rights activist, and community leader, will receive an honorary degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.

Honorary degree recipients are recognised by York University for their contributions to community building, their advocacy for social justice and their philanthropy, and will offer words of encouragement, motivation and congratulations to graduands.

Isaacs has served as chairman, director and CEO of over 30 publicly listed companies and is a speaker at international conferences.

The Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland native, who came to Canada at the age of 11 with his older brother, says it is a fantastic honour to be recognised by the third largest university in Canada – and that it came as a surprise.

They both went to school – Fern Avenue Public School – in Toronto before moving to Mississauga where they finished high school at Glenforest Secondary. Isaacs went on to Western University and after graduating launched his career in financial services.

“Developing economies are things that I think need to get more attention. I’ve been very fortunate that I was raised, educated, and the early parts of my career were here in Canada. I believe in giving back; I believe in giving back to my communities and to those jurisdictions across the world where there is less privilege and less availability of resources to give people more empowerment to live better lives,” said Isaacs who is a lead mentor at York University.

He is also a dedicated philanthropist supporting scholarships, affordable housing in Jamaica and mobile vision care across the Caribbean.

Describing himself as hardwired to look out for people who are disadvantaged in various ways, he says he was always interested in helping people. It was at university too that he realised that he did not like psychology so his desire to work in mental health services waned to an interest in business.

After university, he worked with a financial services group based in Dallas, Texas, and went on from there to work with Deak International. Isaacs chose a solo path in 1990.

“The reason I went out on my own was I realised that for all the hard work, late nights, studying and taking extra courses, I never felt like I was ever going to be paid what I was worth career-wise.”

It was while on a business trip in Jamaica, that he stopped at a gas station in Four Paths, Clarendon, and overheard the conversation of two young women about the expense of eyewear. Isaacs engaged them in a chat to find out more.

Through research, he realised that prescription eyewear in Jamaica is expensive and many Jamaicans could not afford it. Further research led him to certified mobile technology which he could use to provide prescription eyewear in 15 minutes, including an eye test.

“I started doing that, intending it as a business, but so far I don’t think I’ve made any money from it because I just keep giving them away.”

Isaacs does most of this work through churches and its members requiring reading glasses.

HEARTWARMING REACTION

“For me, it is just a heartwarming reaction when I see how people react when they realise what they weren’t seeing by not having proper eyewear.”

Isaacs lives in Canada with his wife Winsome and their three sons, Jeremy, Zachary and Noah. He is working with his sons to put a business together to provide affordable housing to people who need it.

He will encourage the graduands at the convocation to keep hope alive.

Born in Industry Cove, Hanover, Jolly graduated with a science degree from McGill University before starting a variety of businesses including student housing, nursing homes, medical labs and a community newspaper. He founded Milestone Communications, which launched Canada’s first black-owned radio station FLOW 93.5. In 1983, he established the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA).

“To be honoured by Toronto Metropolitan University, a 76-year-old institution, is priceless.

Sharing many common profound humanitarian values with TMU makes it even more meaningful,” says Dr B. Denham Jolly, who is also a recipient of the Order of Distinction, Government of Jamaica; Order of Canada; and has an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Toronto.

The human rights activist is also the author of the memoir, In the Black, which won the 2017 Toronto Book Award. He founded Canada’s first black-owned radio station, FLOW93.5 FM Toronto; the prestigious Harry Jerome Awards and the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA).

He has founded, supports and participates in a number of community groups. They include the Black Action Defense Committee, a boys youth soccer team in Toronto’s Regent Park and a breakfast programme at Cornwall College in Jamaica. He also contributes to scholarships for promising young black Canadians and organised a donation of personal mobility devices to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.

In recognition of his community spirit, the City of Toronto named a Scarborough, Ontario, street “Jolly Way” and a park “Jolly Way Park” in his honour.