FREE | PAGES: 12 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com SIGN UP FOR OUR EPAPER @ epaper.jamaica-gleaner.com/na TRANS-CONTINENTAL ECONOCARIBE 147-46 176 STREET, JAMAICA, NEW YORK 11434 TEL: 718-244-7447, 718-341-2900 • BARRELS • CRATES • CARTONS • FURNITURE • APPLIANCES • BUILDING SUPPLIES • MEDICAL SUPPLIES • CARS KINGSTON, MONTEGO BAY, PORT OF SPAIN - TRINIDAD, GUYANA & OTHER ISLANDS WE SHIP DIRECTLY TO: SPECIALIZING IN RETURNING RESIDENTS MISS LOU’S LEGACY CELEBRATED IN TORONTO P12: Air Supply, Babyface to headline Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival Beres Hammond, Romain Virgo on lineup P12: Julian Marley’s ‘Colors of Royal’ wins Best Reggae Album 11 A+ for Yvette Blackburn’s birthday soiree GREAT MUSIC, beautiful people, copious cuisine selections and premium beverages, are clear giveaways that you’re in for a treat, especially when it comes to celebratory occasions. Well, Yvette Blackburn’s birthday party, which happened on Canada’s Labour Day long weekend, Saturday, September 4, in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, was no exception to that rule. The Toronto District School Board elementary teacher and Canadian representative of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, in her invites, warned guests to wear shoes for dancing. She was not joking! The tented DJ aced the assignment, turning the backyard in a literal dancefloor as no one stood still. The outdoor setting was perfect for comfort and a most relaxing atmosphere. A food tent housed the delicious offerings of traditional Jamaican fare and some Italian dishes. An inviting dessert table with mouth-watering treats was evidently a hit by the end of the night. …if you’re hot, I’m at your spot! Yvette Blackburn (right) with Sophia Findlay. CONTRIBUTED THE WEEKLY GLEANER | SEPTEMBER 9 - 30, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | ADVERTISEMENT Findlay Finds… AMIDST THE fever-pitch vibe of the Masani Productions 28th Anniversary Rastafest showcase held recently at the popular Reggae Lane, Toronto, one couldn’t help noticing booths laden with exotic, eye-catching assortments of colourful African and Caribbean-inspired craft pieces. Of special note was the Love Jewelry and Accessories display of an eclectic mix of craft jewellery and other interesting artisan items. Shopping was easy, though it was hard to choose from the many designs and ware. Chef Selwyn Taste! … lasted TORONTO CAME alive during the summer with the re-opening of patios and a general ease of Covid-19 restrictions, so celebrated Jamaican Canadian chef, Selwyn Richards, brought a festive energy like no other to the spacious grounds of the Jamaican Canadian Centre, recently, when he hosted his ‘Chef Selwyn Taste!’ event. The Chef Selwyn Taste! has been conceptualized as ‘something uniquely different’ which was welcomed as a fresh idea for all in attendance. Multiple tents were set up as food stations to transform the locale into a frenzied buffet line of sorts for patrons, who really couldn’t get enough of the roll- out of tantalising new recipes. Mouth-watering entrées of Jerk Chicken Lasagne, Ackee and Smoked Salmon Val-au-Vent, Boneless Braised Oxtail sliders with Portabella Mushroom with Onion Jam (my fave), Boneless Jerk Chicken Breadfruit chips, Roasted Yellow Yams, Ratatouille, Rice & Peas with Mango Salsa, Roulade of Red Snapper Fillet and Candied Yams were among the scrumptious fare, infused with a traditional Jamaican base. To-die-for was the dessert choice of rum cake with grapenut ice-cream topped with Guava Jerk sauce and sprinkled with blueberries, and the taste of raspberries. Of course, mango cheesecake was among the Art of Catering production. The experience was truly a food lover’s dream! Exco Levi- Black Creek Mix IF THE Class Resto Lounge looked a bit scanty for the album launch of five-time Juno Award winner, Exco Levi, blame it on the COVID-19 restrictions for indoor gathering because the occasion of his CD release album Black Creek Mix- party on August 28, in Toronto was fire! DJ Wiz of VIBE 105 FM and Danae Peart, former CEO of VX3Exchange and VIBE 105 FM, turned up the heat but even this was not enough for the man of the evening, Exco, who brought the fuel, alongside Tiffanie Malvo, Krytixx, Eyesus, Tristan 5 Star among others. Journey Sound did not disappoint either with the execution of the tracks. P10: ... If you’re hot, I’m at your spot! FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 16, 2024 | VOL 2053 P12: J’can organisation honours three for advocacy, leadership >P3
THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 16, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 2 Neil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer TORONTO: VETERAN MUSICIAN, Jamaican Canadian Jay Douglas who has performed in Canada and Jamaica for more than 50 years, is being celebrated for his contribution to the art at two Black History Month events during February. DOUGLAS, WHO first appeared onstage in Montego Bay, Jamaica, migrated to Canada in 1964 and is internationally recognised for his repertoire of reggae, American blues, West Indian rhythms, and jazz standards, including the Light in the Attic’s “From Jamaica to Toronto” concert series. In the late 1960s, Douglas fronted the R&B group, The Cougars, who with their skill and verve lit up the city of Montreal, as well as Toronto’s Yonge Street nightclubs and the first-ever Caribana Festival with, soul,funk and reggae. On February 5, one day before the City of Toronto-declared Bob Marley Day, Douglas received the lifetime achievement award at the Bob Marley Day Humanitarian Awards held at City Hall, a place where he sang Marley’s One Love song when Rob Ford was mayor in 2013. Organised by the Bob Marley Day Committee, the event honours individuals in the community who exemplify the spirit of Bob Marley through their exceptional humanitarian efforts. A citation read by Nicholas Marcus Thompson described Douglas as “a luminary in the world of music” whose image has been captured on iconic murals in Reggae Lane in Little Jamaica and on Yonge Street in the city. In response, Douglas recognised the sacrifice of his late mother, Noreen Pinnock, and her sister-in-law, who migrated to Canada as domestic workers in the 1950s under the West Indian Domestic Scheme. He said the test they did was difficult, and further, although she had four children she had to declare untruthfully that she was childless in order to qualify. POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION Douglas, who first performed on the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour in Montego Bay – a popular talent show in the 1940s and 1950s in Jamaica – said that was the first time he met Millie Small and would also see Roy Panton, and the Blues Busters, guests on the show at the Palladium Theatre. He eventually headed to Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd’s Studio One on Brentford Road in Kingston where he met Bob Marley and the Wailers, and would later meet Marley on two other occasions. “I’m honoured and I take it on behalf of the young people because they are the gems of the future. We’ve got to get them ready. Music is powerful,” said Douglas who was joined at the celebration by his wife, Joyce, and Wesley Anderson, brother of Rita Marley. Sharon Marley, who once lived in Toronto, and her daughter, Donisha Prendergast, are featured artistes at the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Black History Month celebration. Born in Ramble, Hanover, Douglas grew up in Montego Bay, where he attended Barracks Road Primary School. “The Bob Marley Day Humanitarian Awards has been a symbol of recognition for those who not only make a difference, but also inspire others to build a better world. This year, under the theme, ‘One Love’, we continue to acknowledge the unwavering dedication of individuals who contribute to the positive transformation of our communities,” said the organisers. DOCUMENTARY IN PRODUCTION On February 18, Douglas will again be recognised for his contribution to music with the Mabel-Helen-Rose Foundation Stone Award during the worship service of Verity Centre for Better Living in Toronto at an event titled, Led To Love: A Black History Month Celebration. The guest speakers will include veteran jazz pianist Eddie Bullen, and Dani Elwell and John Devenish of JAZZ.FM91. The performances will feature drummers from the Community Verity Community Choir, Derrick Sweet & Son, and Kolette Easy. Douglas has performed at annual Toronto events, such as the Beaches Jazz Festival, Jerk Fest, Canadian National Exhibition, Yonge and Dundas Square, Koerner Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, Island Soul Harbourfront Centre festival and the Rastafest Festival, as well as events overseas. ‘ The three-time JUNO Award nominee has won NOW Magazine’s ‘Best R&B Act’, the annual Toronto Reggae Awards’ ‘Male Reggae Vocalist of the Year’, and the BBPA Harry Jerome Awards’ G98.7 Entertainment Award. Toronto-based filmmaker, Graeme Mathieson, co-founder of Bonfire Originals company, is currently in production of a documentary on the artiste which is expected to be completed by this summer, and at TVO, formerly known as TV Ontario, by the end of the year. Mathieson said the project which he calls ‘a beautiful story’ will be submitted to film festivals. Douglas, who expressed satisfaction with the work of the filmmaker and his crew on shoots in Jamaica and Canada, said, “It gives me an opportunity to create a legacy for the young people. Music has been so good to me.” Veteran musician honoured in Black History Month celebrations Jay Douglas and Wesley Anderson CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Jay Douglas Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer THE JAMAICAN Consulate in New York, located in Manhattan, has announced that it will be moving to its new location on March 11. THE NEW address will be 300 East 42nd Street, at the intersection of 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue, a 237,000 square feet 18-storey full block office building just two blocks from Grand Central train station. As a result, the consulate’s present location at 767 Third Avenue, at the corner of Third Ave and East 48th Street will be closed to the public from February 26 to March 8. In a notice posted to its social media sites, the consulate said that all consular services to the public will be temporarily suspended during the period of closure. However, for people requiring emergency services, assistance will be available via email. The move was originally planned for this month but a number of finishing touches are being done to the new location. The relocation will end some 20 years at its current location in Manhattan, New York to which it had moved in 1993. The new location will provide much more space than exists at the current location, with the consulate slated to occupy two and a half floors in the building. Consul General Alsion Wilson said that the new waiting room will be larger and the space will provide more comfort. Several enhanced security features are also expected to allow for the safety of the staff and visitors to the consulate offices. While she did not give details, The Gleaner understands that one of the security features will be bulletproof glass in the waiting area. Also moving to the new location will be JAMPRO and the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, on his last visit to New York, toured the space to see the progress. The relocation of the consulate has been a matter of discussion for some time but the necessary steps to facilitate this were only recently put in place. Consul General Wilson pointed out that costs at the present location had become prohibitive. The move by the consulate will follow that by Jamaica’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations which moved into its new location at the end of December. A spokesperson for the mission, described the move as smooth. editorial@gleanerjm.com Jamaican consulate in New York moving to new address on March 11 moya.thomas@gleanerjm.com Moya Thomas anthony.smith@gleanerjm.com Anthony Smith - Chief Executive Officer
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH PATRICE BARNES MPP for Ajax 230 Westney Rd South, Suite 502, Ajax, ON L1S 7J5 905-427-2060 | Patrice.Barnes@pc.ola.org | patricebarnesmpp.ca Let us honour the profound contributions, resilience, and achievements of the Black community. Neil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer TORONTO: THE INFLUENCE of Louise Bennett-Coverley, affectionately known as Miss Lou, looms large in Toronto during Black History Month, which is also recognised as Black or African Heritage Month, or Black Futures Month. In a space named in her honour at the Harbourfront Centre – Miss Lou’s Learning Centre – on the city’s waterfront, two educators and artists Maurice Gordon and Marsha Laylor hosted a Jamaican poetry workshop inspired by the words and style of Jamaica’s beloved “Mother of Culture” . At the event, titled “Crafting Chapters and Verses,”participants read, translated, interpreted and performed poetry written by Miss Lou and then created and performed their own poetry written in her trademark style. Laylor, a middle school teacher for more than 20 years, says she has a passion for the arts which fuels her drive as an integrated arts teacher at the Peel District School Board. She leads several extra-curricular music, drama and dance clubs. The York University graduate, who has a B.Ed. and a BA with honours, majoring in English and Caribbean studies, started writing and reciting poetry, participating in church productions, and competing at high school drama festivals at an early age. She encourages her students to critically examine themselves and the world around them and to boldly share through spoken word, music, drama and dance. Laylor believes the arts are extremely powerful tools that can be used to address and challenge antiblack racism and other issues in society, as well as to build self-esteem and to inspire racial pride in marginalised communities. Gordon is a guitarist, composer and lecturer from St. Andrew, Jamaica who migrated to Canada in 1974 where he studied music. He said the two agreed to collaborate on the workshop after he learnt that Laylor – who attended his shows – loved Miss Lou’s poetry and was a teacher in Brampton. Last year, he invited Laylor to support his “Miss Lou Birthday” online celebration, which became their first time working together.“She donned the costume, read a few poems and sang a few songs. This led to me inviting her to participate more, and that led to my invite to participate in Kuumba,” said Gordon. As a child, Gordon watched Miss Lou’s children’s television show,“Ring Ding,” and loved her and the show. “I, fortunately, got a chance to meet her on her last visit to Jamaica in 2003. I went to The Pegasus hotel and gave her a copy of my “Jamaica Time: Celebrating Festival Vol. 1 CD”. It was so nice, and she was so downto-earth, that is why every Jamaican wants her to be their aunty, mother or grandmother,”said Gordon. He returned to Jamaica in 1991 where he conducted research with Dr Olive Lewin and worked with Jimmy Cliff and Mutabaruka before moving back to Canada in 2018. While in Toronto, Gordon said his love for Jamaican folk songs was rekindled and he started performing them. “I also started to make learning the Jamaican folk songs a part of my teaching when I taught at Edna Manley THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 16, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 3 Miss Lou’s legacy celebrated in Toronto Miss Lou’s portrait on the wall of the Learning Centre in Toronto. Citation to Miss Lou on the walls of the Learning Centre, Harbourfront, Toronto. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS College,” he said. Gordon shared that he also wrote a song for Miss Lou and has an unfinished piece titled “Tell Me Miss Lou.” A plaque at the entrance to Miss Lou’s Learning Centre at the Harbourfront Centre thanks the following community members for their counsel – special advisers, Anne-Marie Bonner, then consul general of Jamaica; Pamela Appelt and Fabian Coverley, coexecutors of Miss Lou’s estate; and Prescott Harrison. The research advisers were Ruth Brown (Johnson), Ted Chamberlain, David Fitzhenley, Maud Fuller, Lorna Goodison, Carl Henry, Grace Carter-Henry Lyons, Rex Nettleford, Gail Scala and Sandra Whiting. Initially called Miss Lou’s Room – now Miss Lou’s Learning Centre – the space for student trips and activities was created under the leadership of the government of Ontario and officially opened in 2007. Appelt was instrumental in proposing the idea and gaining the funding to make it a reality. Last year, the centre was relocated from a space overlooking Lake Ontario to another that is upstairs and near the main entrance of the Harbourfront Centre. Maurice Gordon and Marsha Laylor
THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 16, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 4 Neil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer IN ITS celebration of Black History Month, the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) chose the theme ‘Black Resistance’ and lauded three individuals who, it said, exemplified such through their work, advocacy and commitment to equity. Dr Andrew B. Campbell, assistant professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto; Pastor Eddie Jjumba and the Dominion Church International; and Pastor Judith James were this year’s awardees at the association’s 24th annual Boonoonoonos Brunch, held to honour the achievements and contributions of those in the black community “who are working to build, document and share our stories, and push for change”. Adaoma Patterson, past president of the JCA, said the award presented to Dr Campbell was in recognition of his commitment to advancing equity in education. Dr Campbell started teaching at the age of 19 years old in Jamaica, graduated from teachers’ college at 21, and after teaching in Jamaica for a while, moved to The Bahamas where he worked for eight years, before relocating to Canada in 2008. “When I got news of this award, it meant a lot to me, because no matter where you go — and I’ve gotten several awards — an award coming from your own countrymen, coming from your own community, that is absolutely special.” Dr . Campbell underscored the power of showing up in one’s community, noting that the most valuable thing he has in his life is people.“In all your getting, make sure you get community. I feel seen by my community.” Jjumba, a Ugandan Canadian ordained minister and registered psychotherapist, is the senior pastor of Milliken Church in Markham, Ontario, and the president of Dominion House of Hope shelter, coordinating the efforts to help refugees and asylum seekers in the settlement process. David Betty, the JCA’s president, said the award presented to Pastor Jjumba was in recognition of his advocacy and leadership during the black refugee crisis in Toronto. He noted that some of the preparation of meals for the refugee claimants was done by the pastor in the kitchen of the JCA last year. Jjumba said when he and his team started helping African refugee claimants who were sleeping outside the city’s shelter intake office in downtown Toronto, they had no plan. “We only started because the people that were supposed to go to Pastor Judith could not go, because her church became full within just one day. So, the people that were at Dominion waiting to be taken there, up to this day have not been,” said Jjumba. He said out of those difficult and challenging circumstances, he formed many connections that he knows will last forever. HISTORICAL MOVEMENT Pastor James is the founder and CEO of The Beautiful Foundation, a charitable organisation that serves women and children who have survived domestic violence and substance abuse. She is also the dean of students at Adelfiha Christian Academy and the co-chair of Stand United Canada, an organisation committed to impacting present and future generations. Patterson noted that Pastor James led a historical movement in the summer of 2023, when she became the first responder to provide shelter for over 1,000 African refugees and asylum J’can organisation honours three for advocacy, leadership Dr Jean Augustine, artist Connie Lee and her partner. Lee presented her with this portrait. CONTRIBUTED
THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 16, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 5 Pastor Eddie Jjumba, Pastor Judith James, and Dr Andrew B. Campbell honoured for their work at the 24th annual Boonoonoonos Brunch, organised by the Jamaican Canadian Association on February 11 at the Jamaican Canadian Community Centre in Toronto. CONTRIBUTED seekers who were left to live on city streets for several months. “They were systematically shut out until The Beautiful Foundation spearheaded the movement with the generosity of her church, Revivaltime Tabernacle. Their response ignited other churches to join the movement in turning the churches into the true meaning of a sanctuary,” said Patterson in her introduction of James, who was listed in Toronto Life magazine’s ‘50 Most Influential People of 2023’. Pastor James said when her foundation answered the call to help the refugees, she did not know what she was going to do. However, she received a call from Dr Sylvanus Thompson of the JCA and the association provided breakfast for the entire first week. James thanked her son Jalen Joshua and daughter Jasmine-Rose, and members of The Beautiful Foundation for their support. “I truly believe that my existence as well as yours is the resistance. My existence is a resistance to hate, my existence is a resistance to all injustice. My existence is a resistance to the demonic tyranny trying to suppress the black woman. My existence is a resistance to the black Church being silent when, really, we are the core of our black society. My existence, and your existence, is the resistance.” James said she stands on the shoulders of her late father, Reverend Dr Audley Neville James, who was a proud Jamaican from Wakefield, Trelawny, and her mother, Reverend Rosenda Adelfiha James, founder of Adelfiha’s Christian Academy. Keynote speaker Dr Jean Augustine, whose advocacy as the first black woman to be elected to Parliament resulted in Black History Month being officially recognised in 1995, said the story of African Canadians has always been one of struggle and resistance. In reflecting on the time since her arrival in Canada from Grenada in 1960, she said there were demonstrations every weekend in Toronto. “It was the way to get our message out,” she said, noting that black history is Canadian history. She was pleased that the Ontario government recently announced that black history will be mandatory in the history curriculum for grades seven, eight and 10 students, starting in September 2025.
THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 16, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 6 JLP and PNP supporters along Collie Smith Drive St. Andrew Southern at the start of Nomination Day proceedings on Thursday, February 8 RUDOLPH BROWN/PHOTOGRAPHER THE ELECTORAL muscles of the two major political parties were on full display on Thursday, February 8 as die-hards turned out in their numbers to support their candidates who were nominated to contest the February 26 local government elections. IN AN apparent numbers contest to show whose political machinery was better oiled and ready to deliver victory on election day, the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) had throngs of supporters in a festive mood and raring to exercise their franchise in less than three weeks. Director of Elections Glasspole Brown told The Gleaner that both the JLP and PNP nominated their full slate of candidates for the polls. A total of 499 candidates were nominated. This includes 496 candidates vying for seats in the 228 electoral divisions and three candidates – one each from the major political parties and one independent – for the seat of mayor in the Municipality of Portmore. In Portmore, the PNP’s incumbent Leon Thomas will attempt to fend off the challenge of the JLP’s Markland Edwards and independent challenger Howard Hamilton. Thirty-six persons were nominated to contest the elections in 34 electoral divisions across the island as independent candidates. Brown said that nomination day operations were incident-free, with the candidates completing the nomination process within the time designated by the electoral body. 499 candidates nominated for high-stakes Feb 26 local gov’t election A SUGGESTION by the parliamentary Opposition that a panel of three eminent persons be established to adjudicate on matters that arise in the run-up to the local government elections on February 26 did not find favour with the Government. The administration last week used its superior numbers in Parliament to pass the Political Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2024. The bill will next go to the Upper House on Friday for debate. When Justice Minister Delroy Chuck moved a motion last week that the bill be read a second time, members of the Opposition called for a divide, which allowed lawmakers to register their vote on the proposed law. There were 21 ayes from the Government side while seven lawmakers on the Opposition benches dissented. The bill was then examined at the committee stage and passed. Before moving the motion for the bill to go to the committee stage, Chuck again made a case in Parliament for the nine commissioners of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) to perform the role of the political ombudsman. There are four selected commissioners on the ECJ, two representatives each from the People’s National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party, and the director of elections. “I think it is cheap and outrageous to say that this body could be partisan. I think it is unmeritorious to say that this body can’t continue to act independently,” Chuck declared. However, St Andrew South Eastern Member of Parliament Julian Robinson rose on a point of order, saying that at no point did any member of the Opposition say that the ECJ was partisan. Picking up from where he left off last week, Chuck urged the Opposition to support the Government’s move to have the ECJ commissioners conduct the role of the political ombudsman. The role has been left unassigned since the Donna Parchment Brown’s tenure as political ombudsman ended in November 2022. [ NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED ] Gov’t passes ombudsman bill amid Opposition dissent
THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 16, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS MISSED 7 [ NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED ] FORMER MEMBER of parliament Jolyan Silvera is anxious to secure his freedom having told his lawyer he is innocent of the charges that have been laid against him. Silvera, who represented St Mary West between 2011 and 2016 in the House of Representatives, is alleged to have murdered his wife, Melissa Silvera. “I have firm instructions,” Peter Champagnie, Silvera’s lawyer, said after his client was remanded in custody following a court hearing last Thursday. “My client is indicating that he is innocent and all of that will be ventilated in court,” said Champagnie. Silvera has been behind bars since January 18 and will remain there until April 11, at least, when a bail application is set to be heard in the Home Circuit Court. “He is anxious to be vindicated, he’s anxious to have his day in court and he is very, very much concerned, very apprehensive, as anyone would, in that particular position,” Champagnie said. The media have been barred from covering the matter due to the fact that Silvera has been charged under the Firearms Act, thus making the hearing an in-camera matter. He is alleged to have used his licensed firearm in an illegal manner to shoot and kill his wife at their house in Stony Hill, St Andrew, on November 10. Police were alerted to the death of Melissa on November 10, 2023, about 7 a.m. The police initially responded to what Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the crime portfolio Fitz Bailey said was thought to be a “death investigation” at the couple’s Upper St Andrew house. However, following an autopsy, it was discovered that Melissa did not die from natural causes “but as a result of possible gunshot wounds”. Silvera bail application set for April 11 THE COUNTRY’S two main political parties have indicated that they are finalising their respective teams for two political debates ahead of the February 26 local government elections. The Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) says it will spend $24 million to host the two sessions next week, on Thursday, February 15, and Saturday, February 17, at the Creative Production & Training Centre (CPTC) in Kingston. The debates are to go for 90 minutes between the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People’s National Party (PNP), beginning at 9 p.m. The announcement was made during a JDC press conference at the Terra Nova Hotel in St Andrew on Friday. On its provisional list in the first debate, the JLP has Senator Charles Sinclair, Richard Creary and Venesha Phillips. Senator Delroy Williams, Richard Vernon and either Whitney Smith Currie or Tanya-Lee Williams are expected to participate in the second debate. Sharon Hay Webster, the JLP representative overseeing the process, said the party looks forward to the engagement. Brian Schmidt, JDC commissioner and vice chairman, said that the first debate will focus on local government policy and how it affects Jamaicans. Schmidt said the discussion will centre on the relevance of Jamaica’s local government system. Parameters for the questions include whether Jamaica’s local government system is fit for purpose or needs significant re-engineering. The second debate will look at local government and whether it works. THE PEOPLE’S National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) have expelled a total of 11 members after they were nominated on Thursday, February 8 to run against official candidates put forward by the parties in the upcoming local government elections. Among the four booted by the PNP is Uphel Purcell, who was nominated in the York Town division in Clarendon and had been notified about the termination of his membership on Thursday. On Friday, the PNP announced that Lydia Richards of the Bensonton division in St Ann, Lawton McKenzie of the Grange Hill division in Westmoreland, and Beverley Swaby of the Porus division in Manchester were also expelled. “This decision aligns with Rule 263 of the party’s constitution, which explicitly states, ‘No person who has contested a seat in the House of Representatives or for any municipality, or as a candidate in opposition to the People’s National Party, may continue as a member of the party’,”the PNP stated in a press release. The JLP has expelled seven members who have been nominated as independent candidates or have opted to run on a PNP ticket in the local government elections. Among the seven are Nerpatrick Smith from the Palmers Cross division, Omar White from the Ritches division, and Keith McCook of the Red Hills division, all in Clarendon. The party also named Romaine Morris of the Mocho division, who crossed the floor in the Clarendon Municipal Corporation last month. Also out of the JLP are Leroy Dunn from the Guys Hill division in St Catherine, Eric Wint of the Martha Brae JLP, PNP for debates ahead of Feb 26 polls division in Trelawny, and George Planto of the Papine division in St Andrew. PNP, JLP expel 11 nominated to challenge party picks Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks, welcomed the Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique to the United States, Alfredo Fabião Nuvunga, as he paid a courtesy call on her at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 24. The diplomats held discussions on the enhancement of cooperation between Jamaica and Mozambique, particularly in the area of tourism. Both Ambassadors noted a strong interest in strengthening relations between both countries and agreed to continue discussions on other areas of cooperation. DERRICK SCOTT/PHOTOGRAPHER
8 THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 16, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | ADVERTISEMENT
THE WEEKLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 21, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 9 BLACK HISTORY Month is considered one of the nation’s oldest organised history celebrations, and has been recognised by US presidents for decades through proclamations and celebrations. Here is some information about the history of Black History Month. HOW DID BLACK HISTORY MONTH START? IT WAS Carter G. Woodson, a founder of the Association for the Study of African American History, who first came up with the idea of the celebration that became Black History Month. Woodson, the son of recently freed Virginia slaves, who went on to earn a Ph.D in history from Harvard, originally came up with the idea of Negro History Week to encourage Black Americans to become more interested in their own history and heritage. Woodson worried that black children were not being taught about their ancestors’ achievements in American schools in the early 1900s. “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated,”Woodson said. WHY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN FEBRUARY? Woodson chose February for Negro History Week because it had the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Lincoln was born on February 12, and Douglass, a former slave, who did not know his exact birthday, celebrated his on February 14. Daryl Michael Scott, a Howard University history professor and former ASAAH president, said Woodson chose that week because black Americans were already celebrating Lincoln’s and Douglass’s birthdays. With the help of Black newspapers, he promoted that week as a time to focus on AfricanAmerican history as part of the celebrations that were already ongoing. The first Negro History Week was announced in February 1926. “This was a community effort spearheaded by Woodson that built on tradition, and built on black institutional life and structures to create a new celebration that was a week long, and it took off like a rocket,” Scott said. WHY THE CHANGE FROM A WEEK TO A MONTH? Negro History Week was wildly successful, but Woodson felt it needed more. Woodson’s original idea for Negro History Week was for it to be a time for student showcases of the AfricanAmerican history they learned the rest of the year, not as the only week Black history would be discussed, Scott said. Woodson later advocated starting a Negro History Year, saying that during a school year “a subject that receives attention one week out of 36 will not mean much to anyone.” Individually several places, including West Virginia in the 1940s and Chicago in the 1960s, expanded the celebration into Negro History Month. The civil rights and black power movement advocated for an official shift from Black History Week to Black History Month, Scott said, and, in 1976, on the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Negro History Week, the Association for the Study of African American History made the shift to Black History Month. Every president since Gerald R. Ford through Joe Biden has issued a statement honouring the spirit of Black History Month. Ford first honoured Black History Week in 1975, calling the recognition “most appropriate” as the country developed “a healthy awareness on the part of all of us of achievements that have too long been obscured and unsung.” The next year, in 1976, Ford issued the first Black History Month commemoration, saying with the celebration “we can seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.” President Jimmy Carter added in 1978 that the celebration “provides for all Americans a chance to rejoice and express pride in a heritage that adds so much to our way of life”. President Ronald Reagan said in 1981 that “understanding the history of black Americans is a key to understanding the strength of our nation”. AP THE EDITOR, Madam: THERE ARE those who will agree that it is a paradox to celebrate Black History Month in a society that is made up predominantly of people of African descent. Regardless of your position, it is important for us to pause and pay homage to the sacrifices of people of colour whose history is often under-represented and has been underappreciated over the centuries. Unfortunately, most Jamaicans are unaware of their historical background. Further ,a significant gap is in our education policy which relegates the teaching of history as optional. This omission of history from among the core subjects directly impacts how we see ourselves as a people. The ongoing bleaching of the skin is also related to the lack of knowledge of our rich and powerful historical past. The fact that history is optional in our schools speaks volumes about our cultural identity or lack thereof. Surprisingly, the movers and shakers with responsibility for curriculum development and testing; with a few exceptions, have done very little to right this colossal injustice. Every February, the United States pays homage to the contributions and sacrifices of African -Americans who worked tirelessly to shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an indelible part of the history and journey of the USA. The story of Black History Month began in 1915 when Harvardtrained historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the group sponsored a national Negro History Week in 1926. The second week of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Importantly, by the late 1960s, Negro History Week had evolved into what is now known as Black History Month. Additionally, protests around racial injustice, inequality and anti-imperialism that were occurring in many parts of the US were fundamental to the change. Over the years, the observation of Black History Month has increased rapidly beyond the US. The event is commemorated in many schools and communities, particularly in the Americas. Black History Month can be celebrated by establishing history clubs and hosting performances and lectures in educational and cultural spaces. Additionally, social media facilitates the sharing of information regarding black history. February was chosen primarily because it coincided with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln, who was influential in the emancipation of slaves, and Douglass, a former slave and a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement. The Black History Month theme for 2024 is ‘Rhythms of Resilience: One Soul, One Sound’. The theme centres on the concept that black history, culture, and music embody a tapestry of diversity and interconnection, rather than being a single narrative. What is noteworthy is that, in 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month. President Ford called upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history”. Today, Black History Month is a time to honour the contributions and legacy of African-American activists and civil rights pioneers, namely, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks, to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more. Among the legacies for post-slavery societies is the ability for us to build on the legacies of those who have gone before us. May we never forget the struggles of the past as we celebrate Black History Month. WAYNE CAMPBELL waykam@yahoo.com Observe Black History Month beyond symbolism THE EDITOR, Madam: THE NOTORIOUS fact that Britain shamefully paid enslaving planters for the loss of forced labour continues to haunt the descendants of those who were treated like discarded plantation animals. Slavery was based on racism practised at its worst. It was chattel enslavement, launched on African people and unmatched by any other form of slavery known to man. The Magna Carta, Britain’s bill of rights – its human rights charter – was implemented in June 1215. This was some four centuries before we were criminally extracted from our homeland and trafficked across the Atlantic. The British, who engaged in this massive human trafficking, were at one and the same time protecting their citizens with their centuries-old bill of rights. Its citizens were protected from the arbitrary powers of the king for centuries, because the Magna Carta enacted into law that the king and his government were not above the law, and were prohibited from oppressing or enslaving its people. After being restrained by law, the said king of England, James II, in 1685 spearheaded the birth of a shipping line called the Royal Shipping Company. This company, owned by the predecessors of ‘our’ current King Charles II, shipped more enslaved Africans to the Americas than any other single institution. When will Charles own up to this mass atrocity his bloodline inflicted on us? The £20 million paid for by the British state by law – The Slave Compensation Act of 1837 – to their plantation owners, and nothing paid to us, is clear evidence that the ending of slavery was not based on the love for us, nor any empathy for our suffering. Trinidadian scholar Eric Williams debunked that lie when his study showed that it was all about the money. Now that we have driven home, in the last five years, that black lives matter, we must now make our call for the payment by the same British government, at today’s value, of the equivalent of the £20 million they paid from their Treasury to their planter friends in 1834. We cannot continue to say “God save the King” in Jamaican courts while his lineage keeps the profits made from our blood with impunity. We demand that £20 million equivalent (worth £1 billion today) as a deposit. BERT SAMUELS Deputy Chair, National Council on Reparations bert.samuels@gmail.com Britain should pay reparations What you need to know about the origins of Black History Month Hundreds participate in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s rejection of a high school African American history course, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 in Tallahassee, Fla. AP
Rhona Dunwell and her daughters, Britanny and Courtney, celebrated at her ‘Triple Twenty’ 60th birthday celebration in Toronto. PHOTO BY SOPHIA FINDLAY BY SOPHIA Findlay DR ANDREW B. Campbell, a Jamaican Canadian educator and author known as ‘Dr ABC’, made a significant impact on the education landscape with the launch of his groundbreaking Dr ABC Educational Scholarship Foundation Canada and Jamaica, dubbed ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’, on February 4 at the Parkview Manor in Toronto. He announced his offering of almost $7,000 towards the fund, which included a personal donation of $5,000, with the rest a percentage from each ticket sale. Campbell noted that the seven scholarships were not only allotted to individuals pursuing their college/ university education, but earmarked as well for careers in the trades. Two will be for black students in Canada (The Journey Awards), another two for Jamaicans in Jamaica (The Adina Awards); two for the trades (The Toolbox Award), and another for someone in the LGBQ community (The ‘Invisible’ Award). Almost 200 guests, including the media and other stakeholders, witnessed the occasion as he outlined in his keynote address the importance of giving back to the community. “Keep yourself sharpened, because you can’t give what you don’t have. Too many of us are running on empty and are expecting to pour into others – not possible. If you force it, then you give a trickle, or dregs. Many of you are getting dregs – not because people are bad – they just don’t have anything left to offer you,” he stated from the podium. He said persons should be aware of the things that make them dull and that self-care is optimal, as anything less than to take care of ourselves is not proving our value and worth. “Self-care is a must, and as my mother used to say, ‘Disappoint your doubters, thus, stay sharp.’” Dr ABC is an esteemed assistant professor at the University of Toronto who is committed to advocating against racial discrimination and promoting inclusivity in the educational system. He is recognised for his exceptional work and was honoured by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education’s prestigious 2022 award, Excellence in Initial Teacher Education. He was also an awardee, among two others–Pastors Eddie Jjumba and Judith James–at the Jamaican Canadian Association’s Boonoonoonos Brunch 2024, dubbed ‘Black Resistance’, last Sunday, February 11, in Toronto. Campbell was unapologetic about being his authentic self by having at least two outfit changes, while encouraging his guests to make bold moves, support each other by networking, share their stories, and give honest feedback. “Kotch the door for others when you don’t have the full access, because we live in a space where we are still fighting to get in. I know many people who are disappointed when they come to Canada – because it is not like they see on TV or Instagram – so be honest; tell what it takes and be prepared to help others. Inspire and share ‘how you got over’ by sharpening others; share information of black business owners, such as therapists, spa, gym … provide honest feedback to build them further and not encouraging mediocre, because we want to, and must support, our own. But we must also hold our own to that high standard we want,” he said. DJ Black Cat finished the high-energy afternoon but before a sumptuous three-course meal, while educator and author Canute Lawrence read from his hardcover book of poem, Pathology of a Pandemic. THE WEEKLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 21, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 10 Single guy, aged 55 years old, is looking for a female companion, aged 40 – 55 years old for a serious friendship or relationship. Must enjoy going to the movies, dancing, bowling, drive out, shopping, cooking, swimming, dining out at bars and clubs. Interested person should call ANDREW at: 647.404.8462 WANTED: FEMALE COMPANION Dr ABC Educational Scholarship Foundation Canada and Jamaica launch Dr Andrew B. Campbell of the Dr ABC Educational Scholarship Awards giving the keynote address at the launch event. PHOTO BY SOPHIA FINDLAY Sharon Marley (centre) and her daughter Donisha Prendergast, along with moderator Master T, cut a birthday cake in honour of Bob Marley on his birthday, February 6, in Toronto. PHOTO BY SOPHIA FINDLAY I, ALONG with others, celebrated the late Bob Marley’s 79th birthday with his daughter Sharon Marley (three-time Grammy Award winner with Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers) and her daughter, Donisha, his granddaughter, who continued the tradition that her grandmother Rita started with prayers, incense, and fellowship. The event was ‘A Conversation with Sharon Marley’ put on by the foundation Humanity Ova Vanity, headed by Donisha. It was held at The Don on Danforth, which attracted eager supporters who jammed to a nice vibe. Cornmeal porridge was served, birthday cake, vegan fare, Ethiopian coffee, and a tea made especially for Sharon, named ‘I’mperfect’. A replica of Bob and Rita’s first record shop in Trench Town was erected. Moderator for the evening was Master T, who skilfully interviewed Marley. She made several references to musician Grub Cooper, formerly of Fab 5 Band and various pantomime productions. As he was also in the house, she officially introduced him to the audience. He was asked to stand up for ease of reference, which earned him resounding applause. Marley was also on tour promoting her recording single with Big Youth (Steppah), which she performed at the Art Gallery of Ontario on Friday, February 9. The event also featured ‘RasTa: A Soul’s Journey’, which tells the story of Donisha’s journey to eight countries to explore the roots and evolution of Rastafari. GLOBAL JAMAICA Diaspora Council elected representative Rhona Dunwell held her 60th birthday party on Saturday, February 3 (though her actual date of birth is New Year’s Day, January 1), which was dubbed ‘Triple Twenty’, at the luxurious Sheraton Hotel in Toronto. It was nothing short of enchanting and was the epitome of elegance, exclusivity, and exquisiteness. With a heartwarming dress code of ‘all black’, every guest added a touch of sophistication to the festivities. But it was the birthday girl herself who stole the show, stepping into the spotlight in a breathtaking, gold, sequinned dress designed exclusively for her, radiating absolute goddess vibes. Surrounded by close friends, beloved family, and supportive colleagues, Rhona’s milestone moment was showered with deserved praise and admiration. A special round of applause goes to her remarkable daughters, who orchestrated an unforgettable celebration with all the pomp and pageantry befitting a queen. As laughter filled the air and joyful conversations in every corner, guests relished the sumptuous delight of a five-course meal. And with the eye-catching 360 booth, everyone had the chance to capture memories, immortalising the spectacular evening as the pinnacle of entertainment, which also had a female vocalist and saxophonist. 11 A+ for Yvette Blackburn’s birthday soiree GREAT MUSIC, beautiful people, copious cuisine selections and premium beverages, are clear giveaways that you’re in for a treat, especially when it comes to celebratory occasions. Well, Yvette Blackburn’s birthday party, which happened on Canada’s Labour Day long weekend, Saturday, September 4, in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, was no exception to that rule. The Toronto District School Board elementary teacher and Canadian representative of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, in her invites, warned guests to wear shoes for dancing. She was not joking! The tented DJ aced the assignment, turning the backyard in a literal dancefloor as no one stood still. The outdoor setting was perfect for comfort and a most relaxing atmosphere. A food tent housed the delicious offerings of traditional Jamaican fare and some Italian dishes. An inviting dessert table with mouth-watering treats was evidently a hit by the end of the night. …if you’re hot, I’m at your spot! Yvette Blackburn (right) with Sophia Findlay. CONTRIBUTED THE WEEKLY GLEANER | SEPTEMBER 9 - 30, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | ADVERTISEMENT Findlay Finds… AMIDST THE fever-pitch vibe of the Masani Productions 28th Anniversary Rastafest showcase held recently at the popular Reggae Lane, Toronto, one couldn’t help noticing booths laden with exotic, eye-catching assortments of colourful African and Caribbean-inspired craft pieces. Of special note was the Love Jewelry and Accessories display of an eclectic mix of craft jewellery and other interesting artisan items. Shopping was easy, though it was hard to choose from the many designs and ware. Chef Selwyn Taste! … lasted TORONTO CAME alive during the summer with the re-opening of patios and a general ease of Covid-19 restrictions, so celebrated Jamaican Canadian chef, Selwyn Richards, brought a festive energy like no other to the spacious grounds of the Jamaican Canadian Centre, recently, when he hosted his ‘Chef Selwyn Taste!’ event. The Chef Selwyn Taste! has been conceptualized as ‘something uniquely different’ which was welcomed as a fresh idea for all in attendance. Multiple tents were set up as food stations to transform the locale into a frenzied buffet line of sorts for patrons, who really couldn’t get enough of the roll- out of tantalising new recipes. Mouth-watering entrées of Jerk Chicken Lasagne, Ackee and Smoked Salmon Val-au-Vent, Boneless Braised Oxtail sliders with Portabella Mushroom with Onion Jam (my fave), Boneless Jerk Chicken Breadfruit chips, Roasted Yellow Yams, Ratatouille, Rice & Peas with Mango Salsa, Roulade of Red Snapper Fillet and Candied Yams were among the scrumptious fare, infused with a traditional Jamaican base. To-die-for was the dessert choice of rum cake with grapenut ice-cream topped with Guava Jerk sauce and sprinkled with blueberries, and the taste of raspberries. Of course, mango cheesecake was among the Art of Catering production. The experience was truly a food lover’s dream! Exco Levi- Black Creek Mix IF THE Class Resto Lounge looked a bit scanty for the album launch of five-time Juno Award winner, Exco Levi, blame it on the COVID-19 restrictions for indoor gathering because the occasion of his CD release album Black Creek Mix- party on August 28, in Toronto was fire! DJ Wiz of VIBE 105 FM and Danae Peart, former CEO of VX3Exchange and VIBE 105 FM, turned up the heat but even this was not enough for the man of the evening, Exco, who brought the fuel, alongside Tiffanie Malvo, Krytixx, Eyesus, Tristan 5 Star among others. Journey Sound did not disappoint either with the execution of the tracks. Fall for lipsticks this fall THE MARY Kay brand is still thriving, and the latest catalogue boasts a new, improved formula, elegantly packaged for the wide selection of cosmetics. Brampton-based Jamaican beauty powerhouse Juliet Creary, a sales director with the brand boasts, “The Stiletto and Poppy red semi-matte lipsticks really pop, so there is no mistaking their truly high-pigmented colours. Both are in demand and suit most complexions.” Of course, I had to add those to my makeup arsenal. Was it necessary to have another lipstick? You bet! After all, it’s a new season; it’s Fall, and ladies, I daresay, it is the call for change. There is no denying the renewed energy that comes from incorporating a simple trend to one’s style. Loving the semi-matte formula because you can wear your mask without a smear campaign happening when you take it off. The colours brighten your face and your day. Creary is also a registered nurse and describes herself as, ‘a woman whose mission in life is to empower other women to look and feel their absolute best.’ Her forecast for the near future is owning the company’s pink Cadillac. “It’s a big deal and I’m planning for it,” she warns. Sophia Findlay is a style connoisseur and a Toronto-based journalist and content curator. | Email: sophia.findlay @gleanerna.net and/or sophiafindlay@bell.net | Instagram: sofifindlay | Twitter: Sophia Findlay1 60th birthday party Continuing the tradition
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