Brampton celebrates Black History Month by Honouring 200 Black Community Builders and Champions

BY PAUL JUNOR

It was a packed house at the Rose Brampton as over 800 people showed up on Thursday, February 1^st, to celebrate the start of Black History Month 2024. This signature event was billed as a day dedicated to “Honouring 100 Black Community Builders and Champions.” The promotional material that was sent out highlights the significance of this forthcoming event. It noted, “In light of the many challenges our community has experienced in the last year, we decided to honour those who are making sacrifices and doing their part to help move our community forward….and to do it NOW rather than later.”

Before the signature event, there was a formal Proclamation read at the January 24^th, 2024, meeting of the Brampton City Council. On Thursday, February 1^st, 2024, there was a community flag-raising ceremony at Brampton City Hall where the Pan-African Flag was raised, and the Proclamation was read. There was a film screening of “Steadfast: The Jean Augustine Story.” This was followed by a reception during which attendees enjoyed authentic Afro-Caribbean cuisine.

Gwyneth Chapman, who was instrumental in organizing Brampton’s signature Black History Month event, spoke about the importance of honouring community builders and elders. She mentioned that originally, they wanted to honour 100 individuals, but later decided to add 100 more to make it 200.

Patrick Brown (Mayor of Brampton) along with a few councilors from Brampton welcomed the audience. He spoke about his involvement with the asylum seekers and refugee claimants and his attempt to secure shelter for them. Mayor Brown handed out seven awards to individuals who have made a mark on Brampton.

The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine gave the keynote speech to the captive audience. She spoke about the challenges she faced as she tried to convince fellow MPs in Parliament about the importance of celebrating Black History Month at a time of deficit and debt when financial challenges were being felt everywhere. She convinced most of the MP’s and they agreed to recognize Black History Month across Canada.

Royson James of the Toronto Star recited a spoken word piece in which he celebrated the positive attributes of Black people. Spider Jones, 86-year-old, radio and broadcaster of the CFRB was the first Black man to have a radio show coast to coast. He runs a youth center at Chalkfarm in North York. He told the audience that if you want something bad enough you should go for it. As long as you are living you gotta keep giving and as you are breathing you have to keep believing.

Former Ottawa Police Chief, Peter Sloly talked about coming to Canada and thanked his parents for the sacrifices they made on his behalf.

Rob Meikle of Kingdom House spoke about growing up: in public school, in elementary, and secondary school. He talked about the importance of leaving a

positive legacy, building community and achieving your dreams. He is the first Black Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Brampton as well as Toronto.

Donovan Bailey spoke at the event. Gabriel and Jeremiah, two youths, came on the stage and interviewed Donovan. He answered questions that they posed to him. He told them, “We all have a journey, and we need to live it well.”

To conclude the event, Chapman asked for the honorees to come up on stage. She asked that they say their names. Unfortunately, there was music in the background, and it was hard to hear each person’s name clearly. There was undoubtedly a high level of disorganization and unprofessionalism that was palpable to many in the audience.

It was great that 200 individuals were being honoured, but the fact that their names were not listed, and areas not mentioned left a bitter taste. Many sent in their pictures and bios, but they were not used. Hopefully, Brampton ”Black History Month  2025” will be better organized and planned!