THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 13 - MARCH 15, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 5 Neil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer TORONTO: THE JAMAICAN Canadian Association (JCA) recognised three individuals for contributions to community building during its Black History Month event 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 is 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. TRANSFORMATIVE EFFORTS 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 allblack 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, who is also a retired deputy superintendent from the Ministry of the Solicitor General. 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. On the global stage, Thompson has addressed the United Nations multiple times, challenging systemic discrimination and advocating for justice. “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. POWERFUL REMINDER Keynote speaker Alethia O’HaraStephenson, 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 advised everyone 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 while referencing the posthumous pardon of Garvey by President Joe Biden. Jamaican Canadian Association presents awards at Black History Month celebration Three of the six honourees and the AstroSankofa Arts initiatives artists who created the portraits. From left: Adonis Huggins, Jason O’Brien, Colleen Russell-Rawlins, Boloebi Charles Okah, Jamera DaCosta, Angela Robertson, Shannia Lewis, Ugonna Ikechi, and Quentin VerCetty. Artist Jasana Alleyne is missing. ASTROSANKOFA Derrick Scott/Contributor NEW YORK: Valerie Bailey, Esq took office this past January 12 as the new president of the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey (JON-J), a long-standing philanthropic organisation of Jamaicans. She agreed to carry forward the torch Owen Eccles held as he led the organisation for the past two years. BAILEY WAS installed along with the slate of executive officers during the official JON-J Installation Church Service at Rehoboth Pentecostal Church in Trenton, NJ. The officers include vice-presidents Jazz ClaytonHunt and Sharon Lewars; recording secretary Janet Ximines; treasurer Donovan Cameron; and public relations officer Claudia Nelson Woodard. Additional State Board members are Lynval James, president emeritus; Samual Cherrington, vice-president emeritus; and trustees Owen Eccles, Jacqueline Lewis, Patrick Reid, and Stephanie Robertson. JON-J’s mission is to empower Jamaicans and their descendants to maintain a cultural identity within their New Jersey communities through relationships within the business, civic, educational, religious, and international arenas. This enables the organisation to promote recreational activities and assist in the development and improvement of community-related projects in Jamaica and across the state of New Jersey. “Serving as president of JON-J over the past two years has been an absolute honour and a privilege,”said Eccles. “I am proud of the work I have done alongside an effective team of leaders and advocates for the organisation and the Jamaican community on a whole. I look forward to continuing my service as a member of the State Board and I am excited to pass the baton to Ms Bailey. THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP Bailey kick-started the year as president with an official all-members meeting that took place on January 25, 2025, at the Essex County Board Room in West Orange, NJ. At that meeting, she shared her goals and vision for the organization as well as for the 2025 programme year. In her remarks as incoming president, Bailey stated: “My goal is to provide thoughtful leadership Jamaica Organization of New Jersey gets new president, executive board Please see NEW, 9
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