THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 12 - MARCH 14, 2026 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 5 Neil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer TORONTO: ONE OF Canada’s top culinary schools has named its Chef School atrium in honour of William Peyton Hubbard (18421935), Toronto’s first-elected black municipal leader, baker, coachman, and an inventor. This is the second time that the institution has named one of its facilities in recognition of the pioneering work of black icons in Toronto. At its opening of February as Black Futures Month on February 5, George Brown Polytechnic recognised Hubbard’s contributions to Toronto’s civic and cultural life. It noted that his Hubbard Portable Oven advanced commercial baking and that he was a principled advocate for fairness, public ownership, and community well-being. “His relationship with George Brown, grounded in shared commitments to public service and innovation, reflects values that continue to guide our polytechnic today,” said the institution which is led by Jamaican-Canadian Dr. Gervan Fearon as president. George Brown was a journalist, politician, senator, the founder of the Globe and Mail newspaper, and is counted as one of the Fathers of Confederation. “The naming of the William Peyton Hubbard Atrium affirms our commitment to equity and belonging by uncovering and elevating the diverse stories that shape who we are. It signals a future rooted in innovation, shared responsibility, and inclusive excellence, where students, employees, and community partners see themselves reflected in the spaces and legacies we honour.” Dr. Fearon said the atrium is a space that in carrying Hubbard’s name demonstrates the extraordinary work done by a Toronto city builder in the past. “This name then really extends beyond our sense of remembrance. It depicts the idea of a deliberate choice being made by this institution, by us, together of being able to embody and embed the history, equity, belonging all into the everyday space that we call here at George Brown Polytechnic.” He thanked Jennifer Grant, associate vice president in the Office of AntiRacism, Equity and Human Rights, for her leadership in bringing ideas to prominence and all the individuals who have been a part of the work, including the Chef School. “It is important for us to recognize that this is a month, a period quite often referred to as Black History Month. Here at George Brown, we quite often use the term Black Futures Month and it is an opportunity to emphasize and to recognize the roles that individuals from the black community across Canada have made in contributing to the nation that we have now.” Born in Toronto on January 27, 1842, Hubbard served as alderman from 1894-1903 and 1913, and controller, 1898-1908, and as acting mayor periodically. “A democratic reformer, he campaigned to make the city’s powerful Board of Control an elected body. Hubbard was also a leading figure in the push for public ownership of hydro-electric power, contributing to the establishment of the Toronto HydroElectric System,” notes The Canadian Encyclopedia. In 1861, he completed an apprenticeship and worked as a baker specialising in cake making. “He invented the Hubbard Portable Oven, which his brothers later turned into a successful business. A 1900 advertisement touted the oven as ‘practically fire-proof’ and much smaller than standard brick ovens,” it noted. Hubbard died on April 30, 1935, at the age of 93. City councillor and JamaicanCanadian Michael Thompson is so inspired by Hubbard’s story that he has portraits of him in his office at Toronto City Hall. He says that whenever he has to make decisions about difficult situations, he thinks about what the first-elected black municipal leader would have done. In November 2016, the then George Brown College (now George Brown Polytechnic) named the new Lucie and Thornton Blackburn Conference Centre at their student residence, ‘The George’. “Lucie and Thornton Blackburn settled in Toronto in the 1830s after fleeing slavery in the United States via the ‘Underground Railroad’. As community leaders, philanthropists and anti-slavery activists, the Blackburns also started Toronto’s first taxi-cab company and were among the founders of the Trinity Church on King Street. Their family home was once located just across the street from the conference centre now named in their honour,”said the college in a media release. Then president, Anne Sado, noted that the Blackburns were contemporaries “of our namesake, George Brown, and together worked on anti-slavery initiatives. In many ways, their story mirrors our own commitment to supporting the aspirations of a remarkably diverse student body by instilling in them the values of entrepreneurship, activism and leadership.” Among the sponsors and donors who made The Lucie and Thornton Blackburn Conference Centre a reality was Jamaican-Canadian philanthropist and business leader, Denham Jolly. Polytechnic names Chef School in honour of black politician Jamaican-Canadian Dr. Gervan Fearon, president of George Brown Polytechnic, unveils the William Peyton Hubbard Atrium and plaques honouring the politician, baker, inventor, and coachman. The William Peyton Hubbard Atrium. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Keynote speaker Ayodeji Adigun, a software engineer student and photographer, shared profound insights from his life and crafts, skillfully interwoven with the event’s theme, which garnered a thunderous applause and ovation from the audience. “When I think about engineering, transit, and innovation, I also think about history. Black history is not only about struggle. It is about brilliance. Take Elijah McCoy, a Black Canadian born in Ontario. He invented the lubricating cup, a simple but powerful idea that changed transportation and manufacturing forever. And yet, many of us never learned his name, especially in school. Stories like his remind us why representation matters. And that legacy didn’t stop in the past...Innovation lives in our past. And it lives in our present,” said Adigun from the podium. During the lively reception, Jamaican Chef Noel Cunningham presented an exquisite array of expertly crafted dishes, designed to appeal to discerning palates. Guests savoured selections such as flavourful curry chicken, chickpeas and doubles, spicy jerk chicken, sweet bread, and sinfully delicious coconut drops. The award-winning chef showcased his expertise in Caribbean culinary arts, which did not disappoint, with copious servings. The event also featured a variety of Grace Foods beverages, including refreshing coconut water. •The West Indian Domestic Scheme (1955-1967): This programme brought 3,000 Caribbean women to work in Canadian homes. Despite facing discrimination and isolation, these women paved the way for future generations and significantly contributed to shaping cities like Toronto into vibrant centres of Caribbean culture. •Little Jamaica: A central hub for Black and Caribbean businesses in Toronto since the 1970s, renowned for its reggae studios, record shops, beauty salons, restaurants, and patty outlets. In 2015, the Reggae Lane Mural was unveiled to honour the area’s reggae legacy, and the City of Toronto has undertaken work to support and recognize the corridor’s cultural significance. •First Baptist Church: Toronto’s oldest Black institution, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Established in 1826, it has consistently offered spiritual support to all. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Wendell Gibbs since 2010, the church continues to highlight its rich history and the profound impact of Canada’s Black community. •Contrast Newspaper: A pioneering publication for the black community, instrumental in promoting black businesses, supporting immigrants, and exposing injustice. Its robust journalism was known as “the eyes, ears and voice of the Black community,” significantly improving the city. Also, among the legacies, three individuals- Weyni Mengesha, Wendy Jones, and the late Dudley Laws (19342011)- are prominently featured in the displays. •Weyni Mengesha: A director, storyteller, and visionary whose journey spans from Scarborough and Soulpepper Theatre to international stages. This multi-hyphenate stage and film director, composer, producer, and educator is celebrated for igniting cultural conversations and creating indelible impact. •Wendy Jones: Co-founder of the award-winning Pan Fantasy and Canada’s sole female band leader. Known as the “Queen of the Bass,” she utilizes the steel pan to motivate youth, foster leadership, and advocate for social change. •Dudley Laws: A resolute civil rights activist whose tireless efforts against racism, discrimination, and injustice were pivotal in the establishment of the Special Investigations Unit, an initiative that enhanced civilian oversight of police operations in Ontario. ROOTS Continued from, P2
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