More than a hundred Londoners gathered at downtown’s Wolf Performance Hall on Sunday afternoon to honor another year of achievements by local Black community members.
The fifth annual Essence and Culture Awards (ECA) were organized by the London Afrocentric Arts Association (LACA) in the southwestern Ontario city. The event keeps finding fresh ways to recognize leaders within the community.
“We want to find the people who are doing things to make their communities better and make London better,” said LACA executive director Colin Caleb. “The end result is you come here, you get rewarded and people appreciate.”
This event began in 2022 as a way to uplift the local Black community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Caleb explained, but it has since evolved into a tradition that motivates the next generation of success stories.
“I’ve been in London for close to 30 years and it wasn’t always like this. I remember walking down the street and not being able to see as many Black faces. Now, you get to see them in different professions,” Caleb said.
“You see more heroes in our community and more role models. When you bring your kids here, they get to see who they can become.”
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London police Deputy Chief Treena Mac Sween is the inaugural Woman of the Year winner at the Essence and Culture Awards. (Kendra Seguin/)
Mac Sween highlighted that this year’s ECA coincided with International Women’s Day, making her win even more significant.
“International Women’s Day is very near and dear to my heart for a bunch of reasons. I obviously work in a male-dominated profession and trying to move the needle and increase representation for women officers is really important to me.
“Also, I’m a mother of two daughters. I want my girls to know they can dream big, leap far, go wherever they want to go, and let their wings take them as high as they want to fly.”
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Mary Bamimore, who teaches upper-year classes in Fanshawe College’s business management program, is the latest Essence and Culture Award Outstanding Educator winner. (Kendra Seguin/)
The evening was co-hosted by Saidat and Gee Gethiga. Gethiga won an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts..
“It’s just been a blessed night. My mom is here. Family & friends who saw me grow up here & they know how much I love this city are also here,” said Gethiga , who previously won an ECA for Entertainer of The Year.
“Maybe first one was fluke , but this one solidifies it.”
Besides main category awards , additional recognitions were given out by The London Black Heritage Council & local Legion.
A complete list of winners from ECA categories follows:Afro/ Caribbean/ World Artiste of The Year: Callel Community Service – Group/ Organization: Black Youth Connect Community Service – Individual: Nadia Mc Cormack-Mc Intyre DJ of The Year – Club/ Event/ Wedding: Fresh Czz DJ of The Year – East Region: Dava Ranks DJ of The Year – Online/ Radio: Starchild DJ Of The Year – West Region: 8ball ECA Woman Of The Year: Treena Mac Sween (Deputy Chief , London Police Service) Favourite Community Event : Emancipation Day (London Black Historical Council) Favourite Community Event – Festival : Island Fest Gospel/ Contemporary Artiste Of The Year : London Kids Community Gospel Choir Hip Hop/Rap Artiste Of The Year : Cameron James Outstanding Contribution To The Arts : Gee Gethiga Outstanding Educator : Dr. Mary Bamimore Outstanding Contributions To Health / Medicine / Science : Dr. Isaac Luginaah Rhythm& Soul Artiste Of The Year : Tiffany Chantelle The New Horizon-New Artiste Of The Year : Malik Palacio Youth Achievement- Post Secondary : Joshua Williams Youth Achievement-Secondary School : Jayda Bowlin
If you’re interested in learning about experiences within Canada’s Black communities-from facing anti-Black racism to celebrating achievements-be sureto check out Being Blackin Canada, a CBC project highlighting stories relevantto Black Canadians. You can read more storieshere.
(CBC)
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First Woman of the Year Award Recipient Announced
Around two dozen awards were presented during the ceremony. These included honors recognizing Londoners’ contributions across arts, education, science, local events, and community service. The ECA Woman of the Year award, a new category this year, was awarded to Deputy Chief Treena Mac Sween from London’s police force. “I’m a little bit starstruck at the fact that my picture’s even in this program. I know there are other amazing women within the London community who are just as worth for this award,” Mac Sween said. “I’m humbled.”Acknowledging Winners’ Accomplishments
Molding young minds is part of daily life for Outstanding Educator award winner Mary Bamimore. A teacher at Fanshawe College, Bamimore believes her background-being born in Nigeria, raised in Saudi Arabia, and educated in Canada-has given her diverse insights that resonate with her students. “I think it’s made me comfortable with difference,” said Bamimore. “I think it makes me approachable; it makes it easy to interact with people; and that was recognized.”Source link
